Bluestem has moved!

You can find us at our new home at Christ United Methodist Church at 4530 A St, where we now have room to grow our program! We will miss our friends at the Unitarian Church but we are so excited for what the future will bring.

A different kind of school

Bluestem Montessori was founded by Laura Roberts, a Fulbright Scholar who is passionate about providing every child with a personalized education that supports their unique learning journey. As both a scholar and certified Montessori teacher, she created a science-based, child-centric, and individualized environment to guide children to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in today's world. Join our nurturing community today and discover the joy of learning at Bluestem Montessori!

Bluestem's mission is to foster creativity, independence, and ingenuity by providing a child-centric learning environment, hands-on activities, and integration with the community. Bluestem is educating our students to cherish community, value peace, chase their passions, and make a difference in their world.

A different way to learn

The Montessori Method was developed over 100 years ago by Maria Montessori, and is used in classrooms all over the world. Children learn in a space overseen and curated by the instructor. They have the freedom and responsibility to choose their own work and move at their own pace. The children master concepts by selecting work which is interesting to them and focusing on it for long uninterrupted blocks of time. When they are ready, they pass on their knowledge to others in their multi-age classroom community.

Individualized learning: In a Montessori classroom, each child learns at their own pace with a certified Montessori teacher guiding them forward. Children and teachers work together to develop not only academic skills but also social, emotional, and practical life skills that prepare them for success in all areas of life. This personalized approach helps children to develop self-confidence, motivation, and a love for learning.

Hands-on learning: Bluestem Montessori offers a hands-on learning environment that encourages exploration, experimentation, and discovery. Students’ work materials are designed for comprehensive learning about themselves and the world based on their age and level of learning. There are many ways to learn the same lessons, allowing students inject their own interests and passions while picking up the fundamental skills. Children work both independently and together throughout the day.

Lifelong love of learning: Bluestem Montessori education instills in children a lifelong love of learning and a curiosity about the world around them. Children have lower stress levels around learning because of the homework-free environment. By encouraging children to follow their interests and explore the world in their own way, Montessori education sets them on a path of intellectual and personal growth that will last a lifetime.

There is much more information about Montessori on the web. One great resource is the American Montessori Society website.