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Spokane Public Montessori no longer has official status as a Montessori-recognized school, and it's unclear when it could regain that distinction.
However, parents are hoping to convince Spokane Public Schools to re-establish the "classroom-centric" style required for all Montessori-affiliated schools.
The teaching method has its roots in late-19th century Italy, when Maria Montessori founded a system that seeks to develop natural interests and activities rather than use formal practices. A Montessori classroom places an emphasis on hands-on learning and developing real-world skills.
Popular elements include mixed-age classrooms, student freedom (including their choices of activity), long blocks of uninterrupted work time and specially trained teachers.
The main issue for Spokane Montessori is the lack of an uninterrupted 3-hour morning work cycle for teachers, and the district's practice of taking kids out of classrooms instead of bringing teachers to the students.
"There's not a specific person to blame, but the district and the administration don't have a fundamental understanding of Montessori philosophy," said Makaya Judge, president of the Community of Montessori Parents.
Judge and other parents said the district shouldn't be "shuffling students down the hallway when teachers could be...