Secondary

The Dignity of the Young Adult

From the age of twelve, adolescents work to find their own places in the world and to discover and refine their core beliefs about themselves, and their morality, spiritual values, and philosophy. Their new desire for privacy means that individual work and an intimate class community once again suit them best. A smaller group of no more than ten to eighteen students and the guidance of two trained teachers create a safe and supportive environment for these exceptional young people who are just starting to find their place in the world and their identity outside of the family.

Preparation for High School and Beyond

Our Montessori Secondary Level, housed in its own building on our campus, prepares our students to enter high school as 9th graders following their graduation from Forest Bluff School.

Although the coursework is now similar to that of other excellent and rigorous middle schools, its foundation is grounded in the Montessori spirit of discovery and exploration, both individually and collaboratively.

Much classwork is now done as a group, as it is in high school—literature discussions, for instance, are conducted in seminar style—and occasional quizzes and deadlines help prepare students for a successful transition to the most rigorous high schools.

During their two years at the Montessori secondary level, students produce three independent study projects of their own choosing, conducting in-depth and often original research and presenting their finished projects to the group. The students complete Algebra I at their own pace; those who need to work more slowly do so without stigma, and those who are able to advance more rapidly often continue on to Geometry, Algebra II, and even Pre-Calculus.

Learning Independence and Work Ethic Through Trips

A striking difference from the traditional curriculum is the fact that our students are not confined to the classroom. For three two-week sessions each year, the students embark on chaperoned work trips around the country, putting their academic knowledge into practice and learning the hard-earned values of work ethic that will see them through life.

Recent trips have included canoeing the boundary waters of Wisconsin, building an outdoor amphitheater for a YMCA camp, visiting Virginia and Washington, D.C., to continue a study of American government, and dog sledding in northern Minnesota.

The students plan every detail of these trips themselves, from budgets and routes to equipment and transportation, to food preparation and safety. The associated interactions with adults, whether over the phone or walking beside a dog sled, give our students the confidence and experience to conduct themselves with grace in an adult world. To learn more about these unique experiences, read our blog Adolescents Find Strength in Nature and Community.

Outside the Walls of the Classroom

This idea of the open classroom permeates the entire school year. Montessori Secondary Level students work with local college professors each year as part of the science curriculum (studying chemistry and the brain in alternating years), volunteer in the community, do research at local and Chicago libraries, interview adults for their research projects, and shop for the weekly meals they prepare for the group in the classroom kitchen.

Our Incredible Graduates

Our students invariably enter high school not only poised for academic success and prepared for any amount of hard work, but also displaying the confidence, individuality, empowerment, and comfort with adults that will see them through the rest of their self-formation into their adult years.

Listen here to a panel of alumni speak about how their Montessori education prepared them for school and life beyond Forest Bluff.

Secondary Level FAQ

Learn more about our Secondary Level program, including details about academics, preparation for high school, etc.

Your Child’s Reading

There is no better preparation for the vocabulary, spelling, comprehension, and expression necessary for high school and the SATs than reading well-chosen literature. We encourage students at this stage to continue to read high quality literature that inspires deep thinking and strengthens their appreciation for language. We invite parents to continue to read to their children aloud as well, so they can hear the cadence and proper pronunciation, as well as explore new vocabulary and discuss themes with loved ones. Our Montessori Secondary Level students read during a two hour work period every evening as part of their Forest Bluff education.