Home - Montessori Educational Center

Build Independence

Children are encouraged to explore the world around them and practice new skills when they are ready for new challenges. By preparing environments to meet these needs, we ensure that each child builds independence and self-confidence.

Focus on Mastery

Lessons are individualized and tailored to meet the specific needs of each child. Our teachers guide children to move ahead when they are ready, a process which ensures that they understand and master a concept before moving on to the next.

Encourage Collaboration

Our Montessori classrooms inherently encourage collaboration. Mixed age groups allow older children to mentor younger children, lessons are taught in small groups, group seating is available throughout each room, and children are encouraged to communicate with one another as they learn.

Develop the whole child

Our teachers, school administration, and parents work together to develop well-rounded children. Rather than simply focusing on academics, our goal at MEC is to develop physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills so that our community is full of creative, independent, socially responsible citizens.

What's unique about Montessori?

Montessori Educational Center

Providing an education that's as unique as your child.

Donald and Dorothy Barry first introduced the Montessori method of education to the central Louisiana area in 1978. Since then, Montessori Educational Center has provided learning experiences based on the techniques established by Maria Montessori in the early 1900’s. While curricula may have changed over time, the successful Montessori approach has not.

MEC offers an authentic Montessori experience for children ages 18 months to middle school. There are five essential elements to a Montessori education:

The Montessori learning environment is child-centered in a prepared, responsive and adaptive environment.
Montessori learning relationships are grounded in mixed age groups and focused on cooperation and collaboration.
Montessori learning activity encourages children to explore and learn independently.
The Montessori teacher is a model, guide, observer, and consultant for children.
The Montessori teacher prepares the environment and respectfully engages the learner.

Learning to slice food is a practical life activity.

MEC's annual Bubble Day is always an exciting event!

Upper elementary and middle school students looks forward to Field Day each May to celebrate a successful school year.

Our students grow delicious vegetables in their garden.

Important Dates

MEC Blog

The Montessori Way

The Montessori Way means that we recognize that learning begins at birth. From birth to age six, the period that Dr. Montessori referred to as the “absorbent mind,” the child

Joelle Flaherty

Montessori Materials in the Upper Elementary Environment

Many Montessori materials are used throughout multiple age groups, first giving children a foundation at a young age and then becoming more complex as they are prepared to complete more

Amber Voorhies

Montessori Materials for the Primary Environment

The Montessori primary classrooms are uniquely designed to help children learn independence and cooperation while exploring the world around them. Our primary classrooms are stocked with a wide variety of

Lisa Clair

Montessori Materials for Lower Elementary Environments

Montessori classrooms look very different from traditional classrooms. Rather than putting the teacher in the front with children sitting in rows, it’s common to see children working in a variety

Joelle Flaherty

What's unique about Montessori?

Those who have experienced Montessori Educational Center firsthand have the best perspective to say what makes a Montessori education at MEC unique. Use the buttons below to learn what MEC alumni, current students, teachers, and parents of MEC students have to say about their experiences at Montessori Educational Center in Alexandria, Louisiana.

A Montessori education is an invaluable one. It focuses on developing and nurturing the whole child. One becomes aware of him/herself and others and learns to interact with others through kindness and respect. It encourages independence and individuality. The hands-on activities foster a deep understanding of concepts, and learning becomes a multi-sensory experience.

Montessori has impacted my life in many positive ways. It has instilled in me a love for learning and a desire to experience the world. It has also given me many, many sweet and happy memories.

Rachel Dalrymple Chustz

I think a Montessori education is invaluable because of how unique it is. It offers a small classroom environment, with a low teacher-student ratio, allowing for each student to get individualized attention. Also, it allows each student to learn and grow at his or her own pace. A Montessori education also allows for great diversity, not only in the children that are your peers, but also in what you are exposed to, including music, arts and science.

Rishi Agarwal

Montessori is a word that was completely foreign to me just a few short years ago. When we were looking for a school for our daughter to attend, my wife had already targeted MEC as a great choice, but I was skeptical of "private" schools. I attended public school, my dad was a public school principal, my grandfather was also a public school principal, my grandmother was a public school secretary and my wife and sister-in-law both teach in public schools. Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed to a school observation visit "and the rest is history" as they say.

I was impressed from the moment I entered the school and began observing all of these young children learning in an environment that I wish had been available to me at that young age. Our daughter is now in her second year of upper elementary and our son is in his second year of lower elementary. If you ask them, and I did, how much they love MEC, they will say "it's the best school ever!" For anyone that is looking for a great school for their children, they need to seriously consider Montessori Educational Center. Then schedule that visit and observe first hand why this is such a wonderful place to learn.

Heath Wester

MEC teaches students to become effective global citizens, to navigate relationships with grace and understanding and to create new solutions to our common challenges.

Sue Sullivan, Middle School Teacher

Montessori provided a safe environment for my kids to explore who they wanted to be, not just what they could memorize. They explored materials, enjoyed freedoms, and maintained lifelong friendships into adulthood. I enjoy spending my time daily in this type of supportive environment in Lower Elementary.

Build Independence

Focus on Mastery

Encourage Collaboration

Develop the whole child

What's unique about Montessori?

Montessori Educational Center

Providing an education that's as unique as your child.

Important Dates

MEC Blog

The Montessori Way

Montessori Materials in the Upper Elementary Environment

Montessori Materials for the Primary Environment

Montessori Materials for Lower Elementary Environments

What's unique about Montessori?

Rachel Dalrymple Chustz

Rishi Agarwal

Heath Wester

Sue Sullivan, Middle School Teacher

Lisa Rozas, Lower Elementary Teacher