Our School
Natural Discovery Montessori Charter School (NDMCS) was formed in Sussex, Delaware in May 2009. The school's primary goal is to provide an alternative education to traditional method using the "whole child approach in learning". A non-profit 501 (c) 3 Parent Association (PA) is made up of parents who believe that the early stages of a child's development depend on the natural environment of the child's surrounding. The PA works with the school to provide advice, guidance and support to enhance the development of the educational programs through various activities and fundraising events.

Our Mission

The mission of Natural Discovery Montessori Charter School is to provide an alternative method of educating children by utilizing the Montessori Method in developing the whole child through self discovery and exploration towards achieving academic excellence.

Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is that all children have their own personality with unique skills and talents that, if discovered, can be utilized and fostered so that they can become independent and self sufficient with high self esteem. Dr. Montessori is famous for saying, "never do a task for a child that he or she is capable of doing for themselves." We believe that all children have an absorbent mind. They mirror, develop, explore, grown and advance by their natural surroundings and abilities. Within each child, lie unique characteristics and traits that can only flourish if they are provided the freedom, guidance and respect of the adults leading them. Teachers lead by way of example, encouragement and mutual respect at the child's pace and natural instincts.

The Absorbent Mind
"In each child there is an absorbent mind to describe how much of a child's learning is unconscious and without effort. An environment is created where many of the child's natural needs are met and herein lies the art of the educator, in knowing how to measure the action by which we help the young child's personality develop."

Montessori Method
The Montessori Method provides a vision of education to assist children in life. Our method is designed to help children maximize their potential as they grow from childhood to maturity. Our teaching is flexible enough to adapt the curriculum and environment to the needs of the individual regardless of his/her ability, learning style, or social maturity level of the child.

In giving of such lessons, the fundamental guide must be the method of observation, in which is included and understood the liberty of the child. So the teacher shall observe whether the child interests himself in the object, how he is interested in it, for how long, etc., even noticing the expression on his face. And she must take great care not to offend the principles of liberty." Dr. Marie Montessori

Dr. Maria Montessori referred to her approach to education as an 'aid to life' impressing the importance upon the child's greater role in society through their daily tasks.