GARFIELD MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Garfield Montessori School is a Title I public elementary school that is part of the Decatur SD 61 school district, located in Decatur, IL with about 357 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 21 teachers, Garfield Montessori School has a student/teacher ratio of about 17:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

Garfield Montessori School, located at 300 Meadow Terrace in Decatur, Illinois, serves as a specialized educational environment within the Decatur Public Schools district. Following the traditional Montessori philosophy, the school focuses on fostering student independence, hands-on learning, and self-directed exploration. The curriculum is designed to accommodate various developmental stages, emphasizing the cultivation of critical thinking skills and a strong sense of community within multi-age classrooms.

As a public magnet school, Garfield Montessori provides families in the Decatur area with an alternative to the traditional classroom model. The school environment is structured to promote both academic rigor and social-emotional growth, encouraging students to progress at their own pace while engaging with a curated set of educational materials. By prioritizing the "whole child" approach, the school aims to instill a lifelong love of learning and personal responsibility in its students.

For more information, contact Garfield Montessori School at (217) 362-3371 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.