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For over 30 years, Rainbow Montessori in Addison has given children a place to grow and explore the world around them, and they’re still going strong today. With 20 years in the same location, the school is “not going anywhere,” says Dave Rodenborn, a son of the school’s founders. As general director, Dave has overseen many improvements, including a new playground for the preschool and a complete modernization.

The school serves families of children from 6 weeks to 6th grade. This allows them to have programs in baby care, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary(小学). The curriculum has developed over the decades, most notably in the Elementary. At first somewhat jokingly referred to as “Monte-sorta,” due to its relaxed application of the Montessori Method, the school’s elementary now stresses a more traditional Montess environment. Montessori associates abstract concepts with concrete sensorial(感觉的) experiences, ensuring that children are involved in learning, not just memorization. Classrooms still have a creative, casual feel, with children having freedom of choice, but in keeping with Montessori principles, they work within a framework. This helps them learn about freedom within limits, maximizing their potential.

The truly international Rainbow Montessori staff comes from a wide range of backgrounds, all Montessori-trained. “They are an energetic, devoted group,” says Dave. “They are loyal, caring and like what they do a lot. I’d say a good 30 to 40 percent of them have been here for almost a decade or more.”

Dave says that his favorite part of being at Rainbow Montessori is “making things grow”. By that, he doesn’t mean it in the sense of the organic, but by “coming up with good solutions to problems as they occur.” This is reflective of Montessori beliefs, in which each child learns to use the right tools and discover solutions for themselves. Dave credits a strong staff and great parents with lots of patience for helping to make Rainbow Montessori an ideal place for children to learn and grow.

Rainbow Montessori

790  East Duane Ave., Addison

(408)738-3261

www.rainbow-montessori.com