We Need You!
John XXIII Montessori Children’s Center
1654 Milldale Rd.
Front Royal, VA 22630
Growth and Challenges
For the past five years, the popularity of the CGS Atrium in Front Royal has continued to spread. We have endeavored to keep up with the demand, including an expansion two years ago by which we added a second leased room to our facility at the Human Life International building. Presently we have 35 families with 75 children who participate in one of five available two-hour per week sessions. However, every year demand outstrips available spaces in our classes, and we regularly have families on our waiting list. Since our inaugural year, we have not had to advertise; parents merely share with friends the love their children have of the program.
Wanted: A comprehensive Catholic Montessori program
In addition to this demand for the CGS program, area parents have repeatedly expressed their heartfelt desire that an academic Montessori curriculum in a Catholic environment be made available to their children. Catholic parents desiring Montessori’s scholastic materials for their child have until now had no option other than the local non-sectarian Montessori school. A curriculum of Montessori’s academic lessons incorporated with CGS is a rarity; currently it is offered by only a few dozen visionary Catholic Montessori schools in the entire U.S. Nevertheless, it is the only curriculum which encompasses Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision for her method in its entirety; a vision which the late Pope Benedict XV embraced in the early 20th century, commissioning Montessori to draw up a syllabus for use in Catholic schools worldwide. Unfortunately, Pope Benedict XV died before Dr. Montessori could complete her syllabus, and WWI and the rise of Communism drew the attention of the papacy elsewhere. Nevertheless, Montessori schools which also incorporate CGS alone are faithful to the fullness of her philosophy of education by also responding to the child’s innate and deeply religious nature.
Plans to Expand
Carrying the torch of Dr. Montessori’s vision of a comprehensive Catholic curriculum, we at JXXIIIMCC seek to respond to the call for solid educational options in an area with limited opportunities. We desire to expand our program to offer “Atrium plus Academics.” This proposed expansion will take the form of an innovative Catholic Montessori learning center and make available simultaneous programs of two levels: Primary: ages three to six years, and Elementary: ages six to twelve years. These sessions will be held three mornings per week from September through May, and be led by an A.M.I. certified Montessori directress and CGS Atrium staff. The proposed three-day-a-week format is intended to uniquely benefit home-educating families who desire to enhance their own efforts as primary educators of their children with the exceptional opportunities only a Catholic Montessori environment can offer. This format will have the added benefit of keeping tuition rates affordable for families with several children of these ages.
Our Vision
“Help me to do it by myself,” is a phrase which Montessori observed as expressing the child’s desire for self-construction. In a JXXIIIMCC environment, not only this fundamental need, but also the child’s deepest desire is also answered: “Help me to come closer to God by myself.” To provide this comprehensive environment, a larger facility is required.
How you can help our work with “Christ-in-the-child”
Our goal of opening our doors in September 2009 will require purchasing real estate in spring of this year. We are currently seeking generous individuals who would like to support this beautiful and vital work with the littlest members of God’s Kingdom. An amount of $400,000.00 is needed by Spring 2009 to purchase a larger facility, outfit classrooms, and complete any necessary upgrades to provide a safe and welcoming space for young children.
Maria Montessori felt that the child is a great gift to the adult and, as part of God’s design, the child has as much to teach the adult as the adult has to teach the child. In our work with the children at JXXIIIMCC, we are called as teachers and Catechists to abandon our hypocrisy and become humble and childlike. In the words of Montessori: “The means by which a child influences us, his respectful love, so full of confidence, will become our greatest strength in the educational field. Imitating our Divine Master we shall not let ourselves be motivated by the impulse to pomp and power, but by the respect for Christ-in-the-child, who – with our help – must grow into the fullness of his personality.”
With your help and support, JXXIIIMCC can bring this vision of an exceptional and affordable Catholic Montessori prayer and learning environment to the children in our area. Please consider donating a generous sum to further our work with “Christ-in-the-child.”
