At Community Montessori, our commitment to nurturing lifelong learners extends well beyond the early years. 

Enter "The Woods," our dynamic high school program that redefines education for teens aged 14 to 18.

Our teens program offers a unique and transformative educational experience that goes beyond traditional high school curricula. Grounded in the principles of Montessori pedagogy, our program is designed to cultivate independent, responsible, and environmentally conscious young adults.

Rooted in Nature, Thriving Together

Our multi-age Woods studios, named after native tree species like Sequoia, Oak, Sycamore, and Cypress, embody the essence of Montessori education. Here, adolescents aged 14-18 (grades 9-12) come together to learn, collaborate, and grow.

A new perspective on adolescence is fostered within our community, where mutual respect between adults and adolescents forms the foundation of our educational philosophy. We believe that everyone has something to teach and something to learn, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and growth.

Woods’ Advisors 

At CM, our high school advisors serve as mentors, guiding teens on their unique, individual paths of discovery and growth. With a focus on self-directed learning and personal responsibility, we empower teens to become active participants in their own education and beyond.

Throughout their journey at Community Montessori, teens engage in a variety of experiences and opportunities aimed at preparing them for life beyond our school walls. From 9th and 10th grade, where they explore models of possibility and develop foundational skills, to 11th and 12th grade, where they embark on internships, college exploration, and career development, our teens are guided towards valorization and equipped with essential life skills.

Cultivating Creativity & Entrepreneurial Spirit

Through Creativity Inc., our teens unleash their artistic talents, from theatre productions by the CM Players to stunning works of art in painting, design, ceramics, and more. Our biannual Creativity Showcases celebrate their creativity and provide a platform for performances and exhibitions.

Creativity Inc. plays a central role in our program, offering avenues for artistic expression and entrepreneurship. Our CM Players showcase their talents through theatrical productions, while other groups create works of art in various mediums. Entrepreneurial ventures like the Cosmic Café instill invaluable skills in responsibility, time management, and financial literacy, enriching both their learning experiences and our vibrant school community.

Every Friday, our teens embark on Fitness Fridays, prioritizing holistic well-being through engaging activities, be it yoga, collaborative sports, or long walks through the surrounding neighborhoods and nearby park. Many also dive into real-world experiences through internships, forging pathways to future success beyond graduation.

Celebrating Achievements 

Big History marks the culmination of our teens' academic journey, showcasing their projects and senior capstones to family and friends. This grand event reflects their growth, achievements, and aspirations as they prepare to step into adulthood.

At the heart of our teens program are the outcomes we aim to achieve for our graduates. Cognitive, social, moral, and emotional development are all integral components of our curriculum. Learners are encouraged to think critically, collaborate effectively, and advocate for themselves and others. They develop a strong sense of moral integrity and emotional resilience, feeling empowered to effect personal and social change.

Ultimately, our goal is to nurture the whole child, fostering a sense of joy, purpose, and connection to humanity and the larger universe story. Through our holistic approach to education, we strive to prepare our teens to become compassionate, responsible, and environmentally conscious citizens of the world.

Accelerating Futures

With opportunities for dual credits and hands-on learning, our graduates leave CM equipped with college credits and real-world readiness. Our unique approach to education prepares them not just for academic success but for life beyond the bounds of school.

Our teens benefit from a robust internship program, a highlight frequently praised by our alumni. Many spend Fridays off-campus, gaining real-world experience in fields they are passionate about. We encourage them to pursue internships aligned with their interests and also facilitate connections with businesses owned by school families. 

In addition, our dual enrollment program allows learners to earn college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start on their higher education journey. The graduating class of 2024 had four teens who completed the Indiana College Core certificate, which provides a set of general education college credits that are transferable to all Indiana public colleges and universities. This certificate enables learners to start college with a substantial number of credits already earned, saving time and money while easing the transition to higher education. 

Our unique "seminars" replace traditional class periods, offering focused studies in subjects like writing, math, health and wellness, interpersonal relationships, critical thinking, and history. These seminars, which include both required courses and electives, allow teens to delve deeply into topics of interest and importance, fostering a comprehensive and personalized educational experience.

Prioritizing Lifelong Wellness

As a reflective community, we continuously strive to improve and adapt our practices for the benefit of all learners. Our holistic approach ensures that we are always evolving to meet the needs of our learners, from young children to adolescents. 

At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, we announced our Tier 2 Teen Wellness Initiative, building upon our existing foundational wellness goals and agreements already in place. This comprehensive program is designed to enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our teens. In response to growing concerns about teen mental health identified during one-on-one meetings, coursework, and fitness activities, this initiative introduces new programs to support teen goals such as more outdoor activities, consistent hydration, muscle building, and improved evening routines. You can read more about the multi-tiered Wellness Initiative here.

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, teens will keep their smartphones in pouches (learn more about the Yondr pouch here) during the school day to eliminate distractions from social media and constant connectivity, fostering better focus on education and interpersonal interactions. Talk/text-only phones are allowed to remain out of the pouches, and will stay in backpacks during the day.

You can learn more about this growing movement to address the effects of smartphones and social media on adolescents by watching this WDRB news story, featuring Community Montessori.

All members of the CM community - be they teens or adults, parents or staff -  have commitments within this initiative, ensuring a collective and consistent effort towards better mental and emotional health. You can learn more by checking out our Electronics Etiquette, which is a part of our enrollment package.

Join the Journey 

Experience the transformative power of Montessori education firsthand. Join us for teen events throughout the year, such as our Creativity Showcases, Exhibitions, CM Players performances, Big History, and more. Together, let's continue to inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning in our teens!

Apply today to enroll your teen in a truly unique learning environment, designed to prepare them for a successful life after high school, whether that be college, vocational schools, apprenticeships, joining the workforce, being self-employed, or any other path they choose to pursue.