Our Philosophy

The Rancho Viejo School is committed to educating students to be independent thinkers, resourceful problem solvers, good citizens, and life-long learners. Rancho Viejo is dedicated to its Montessori philosophy and accelerated curriculum, which embraces interactive and self-directed learning, academic excellence, respect and appreciation for the environment, and the celebration of all peoples and cultures.

We are an independent school serving students age two through ninth grade. The Rancho Viejo School welcomes children without regard to race, religion, color, or creed and seeks students of diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures who will benefit from an environment that encourages social, academic, physical, and moral development.

Rancho Viejo School’s Montessori based educational philosophy takes into account both evidence of a student’s academic achievement and the family’s long term commitment to a productive school-family partnership that will support such growth.

Outcomes of a Montessori Education

Studies comparing children attending Montessori schools with those enrolled in traditional programs have focused on the following educational outcomes:

Intrinsic Motivation: Intrinsic motivation is the innate desire that drives the child to engage in an activity for enjoyment and satisfaction.

Ability to handle External Authority: The Montessori student is able to accept the ground rules established by external authority as appropriate boundaries in his or her interactions within the school community.

Creativity and Originality of Thought: Montessori students are confident using the knowledge and skills they have acquired to express their own ideas and creativity. They recognize the value of their own ideas, respect the creative process of others and are willing to share regardless of risk.

Social Responsibility: Social responsibility requires the awareness that one’s actions impact the welfare of the group and that one cannot attain complete independence and autonomy until one contributes constructively in a group process.

Academic Preparation: Academic preparation entails providing students with skills that allow them to become independently functioning adults and life-long learners. As students master one level of academic skills they are able to go further and apply themselves to increasingly challenging materials across various academic disciplines. Academic skills are essential to learning and knowing, not the aim of learning and knowing.

Autonomy: The autonomous child is self directed, composed and morally independent.

Confidence & Competence: The confident and competent child perceives himself as being successful, has a realistic understanding of accomplishment and has the ability to learn from his mistakes. Competence is the capability for success through taking risks, reflection and self correction.

Spiritual Awareness: Spiritual awareness is embodied in the child who is compassionate, empathetic, and sensitive to the natural world and the human condition.

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