Independent high school readies new building

7.30.2009

University City's two-year-old independent high school hits a milestone in August.
Students at Countryside Montessori High School will begin classes at their brand new campus at 4125 Johnston Oehler Road.
The public can get a sneak preview of the building and learn more about the program at 2-4 p.m. Aug. 9.
Not familiar with the Montessori approach to learning? "The student who thrives in our setting is the student who wants to be an active participant in their education," says middle- and high-school administrator Heide Putt. "We are not about memorization; we are about understanding and learning."
Countryside Montessori School has educated University City children since 1981. The nonprofit, non-secular independent school founded by Debby and Marty Haugh has grown to nearly 500 children from preschool to high school, plus a staff of 90.
Countryside now spreads across three campuses: at 4755 Prosperity Church Rd. (age 2-kindergarten), 9026 Mallard Creek Road (grades 1-6) and, beginning in August, 4125 Johnston Oehler Road.
The new location will house the high school and middle school programs in a two-story building with plenty of room for expansion. About 75 students and 15-16 teachers will begin classes on Aug. 24.
The 17-acre campus adds much-needed space for the middle and high schools, previously located at the Mallard Creek Road facility.
"Space is the big thing," Putt says. "This allows us to expand our numbers and also promotes our sense that we are an upper school. We will change classes, have bells and have lockers in the hallway, so it presents itself as more of an upper-school atmosphere.
"There needs to be markers for older students, a different set of expectations, and that comes with having our own building."
Countryside follows the educational philosophy developed by Maria Montessori. That philosophy sees children as gifted learners and school as the safe, nurturing place where children can gain confidence to explore.
How does the Montessori philosophy play out at Countryside High School?
In some ways the Countryside program resembles nearby public high schools. "We have fairly traditional classes. We give grades. We have transcripts and credits so our courses look very similar on paper to traditional high schools," Putt says.
Countryside students compete in several sports, and the high school is expanding its art and music offerings.
Montessori High School's big differences are the size of its classes - typically seven or fewer students per teacher - and the students' "ownership" of their learning, Putt says. "There is a mutual respect between teachers and students, and students really own the classes, so to speak. This is not about a teacher lecturing; it is about students contributing to the class."
Students really take charge during each spring and fall "intersession." Students get a break from regular classes for two weeks to focus intensely on a single subject.
Sophomores will plan and then carry out a community service project.
Juniors will visit colleges and gain experience doing interviews and writing college-application essays.
Several students plan to visit Costa Rica, with part of their time spent on science studies.
"This gets to the independent learning that takes place at Countryside Montessori," Putt says.
Of course the big focus right now is on moving into Countryside's new building on Johnston Oehler Road.
"The floors are waxed. The desktops are going into the science labs. Everything is ready," Putt says, "and we are definitely ready to be there."

WANT TO VISIT OR LEARN MORE?

The public is invited to attend the open house for Countryside Montessori's Johnston Oehler campus, 2-4 p.m. Aug. 9 at 4125 Johnston Oehler Road. To learn more about Countryside's programs, visit the school website at www.countrysidemontessorischools.org, call 704-549-4253 or visit the main school office weekdays at 9026 Mallard Creek Road.


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