The Nest (6 Weeks through 18 Months)

     A Montessori infant room is called the Nest, and its teachers are called "Assistants to Infancy" as the main goal is to help bring out the natural abilities that these children have. There will be a maximum of eight children with a lead directress and an assistant. As with our other directresses, both have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a field related to education. A Montessori infant room houses an area for gross motor skills, such as bars for pulling themselves up and steps to practice climbing. Students sit at chairs and tables while eating, instead of highchairs, to develop the muscles and manners that they need for properly sitting at the table. Students in this classroom will begin working on toileting skills and self-help skills such as washing their hands. The goal of this classroom is to meet the infant’s needs, foster independence, psychomotor development, language acquisition, and provide the first structured social interactions.

The Young Children’s Classroom (18 months through 3 years)

     The Young Children’s classroom can house up to twelve students with two directresses, one lead and an assistant. The classroom is defined into three distinct spaces. A movement area is a place for students to refine both gross motor movements and their fine motor skills. The practical life area is where the children are learning to prepare and serve snack, care for plants and animals, wash dishes, wash hands, and other activities that are important in the care of themselves. The final area is the language area, where children are exploring both the written and oral word through a variety of activities using small objects to name, books, language cards, art, and music expression. Children in this classroom will also be working hard to master toileting skills as well as other activities important to the care of themselves such as dressing themselves. The students’ coordination, independence, language, and socializations are being further cultivated in this classroom.

Children’s House (3 through 6 years old)

     The Children’s House can host up to twenty-two students with two directresses/directors. Children will be working on concentration (following a cycle of activity, or completing a task from beginning to end), self-discipline, and developing their will (as Dr. Montessori defines it, the intelligent direction of movement). Our classrooms are divided into five main areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Studies. A comprehensive description of these areas can be found on the Curriculum Page.

      Jane’s Montessori Academy was named in honor of Jane Wolfe Chabria, who in 1965 opened the first Montessori school in Columbus, Ohio. Opened under the name “Early Learning Center,” the academy was built specifically to use the Montessori method of education.

      Sadly, Mrs. Chabria passed away in November, 2004. Jai Chabria, Mrs. Chabria's nephew and his wife, Tammy Chabria, have reopened the academy under its new name, to honor the memory of this great pioneer in Columbus education.

      We are committed to guiding each child in our charge to reach his or her highest potential by providing all the materials, a working environment, and high quality trained faculty to facilitate learning. We believe that the habits children learn at this time will help them be successful throughout their lives.

♥ The academy keeps Jane Chabria's wishes alive. Jane's Montessori Academy adheres to the Montessori method of learning. It also incorporates love and respect for nature and the environment; something she greatly valued.

♥ Students enrolled in the academy are treated as individuals, each learning at his or her own pace and each fulfilling the fullest potential possible. Each head teacher has a bachelor’s degree, in addition to being trained in the Montessori method. Each assistant teacher has earned a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field, and has trained under a Montessori teacher. Morning and afternoon sessions are offered, and while we are an academic institution rather than a daycare, before and after school care is also available. School uniforms are required, as they encourage a community based environment.

♥ Family involvement is a key element of any child's education. As such, we strive to have constant communication with families. Daily reports are sent home with students so parents are aware of their child's activities. Additionally, detailed quarterly progress reports are sent home and quarterly parent-teacher conferences are scheduled so families can better understand how their child is progressing academically and socially.