The Montessori method is an individualized, child-centered educational approach based on theories of child development originated by Maria Montessori. The Montessori method emphasizes self-directed activity and independence on the part of the child and observation and guidance on the part of the teacher.  In Montessori, the learning environment supports individual children's needs and developmental levels.

Famous Montessori graduates include Anne Frank, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Julia Child, Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon.com), Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Nobel Prize-winning novelist), and Sergey Brin and Larry Page (co-founders of Google who credit their Montessori education for much of their success).