“When Jonathan grows up, he might sit me down for a stern talk about all the schooling experiments I have put him through. At only 7 years old, he has done Montessori homeschool for preschool, attended school at a local farm, attended a Montessori school for preschool and kindergarten, and is now homeschooling again.”
One of the great things about homeschooling is that the option is always there to change. If something is not working, you can say, this approach is not working for us, and try something different. That flexibility alone is something no traditional school can offer.
A Montessori-style homeschool and a Montessori classroom have real similarities and also meaningful differences that can affect your child's passion for learning and your family life. Making a decision about the type of schooling to pursue is no easy task. Here is an honest look at both sides.
Montessori Homeschool vs. Montessori Classroom: Key Differences
1. Expertise in the Montessori Method
In a Montessori school, you will have at least one Montessori-certified teacher with extensive and ongoing training. At home, there are many resources available but sorting through them can be time-consuming and overwhelming. ShillerLearning's math and language arts curricula are fully scripted, so there is no preparation time required for the parent. We also have a wealth of resources on our blog and YouTube channel to help you learn about the Montessori Method and multisensory education.
2. Access to Materials
In a classroom, you have the benefit of tens of thousands of dollars of materials. Many Montessori materials are expensive and often outside the budget of families — and there always seems to be one more manipulative needed before the homeschool feels complete. Homeschoolers can make many materials on their own and sell them second-hand when no longer needed. ShillerLearning kits are a convenient, affordable way to get the essentials without straining your budget. As one reviewer put it: “Montessori distilled down to the essentials.”
3. Experiences
Both approaches offer drastically different experiences. While you may not be able to replicate school-wide events or visiting speakers at home, homeschool experiences can be uniquely rich: learning on the road, attending top speakers at homeschool conventions, taking the day off for a special local event, learning from grandparents, and pursuing deep individual interests.
4. Family Involvement
Montessori schools emphasize family involvement through events, volunteer opportunities, and parent visiting nights — and most assign far less homework than public school. Homeschooling takes family involvement to an entirely different level, with intimate daily moments and memories that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom setting.
5. Schedule
For many families, schedule is the deciding factor. The thought of a child spending the majority of the day at school, then spending precious evening time on homework, is unattractive to many parents. Homeschool offers far more flexibility — and academics are typically completed in much less time than the traditional school day, leaving more room for pursuing a child's individual interests.
6. Real-Life Experience
Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of real materials and real-life experiences for children. In a school, this is achieved through a carefully prepared environment with child-sized items. At home, children get real-life experience right alongside you — cooking, gardening, shopping, building — in the most authentic prepared environment of all.
Want More Help Making the Transition?
See Inside Our Montessori-Based Kits
Follow ShillerLearning for more homeschool tips and Montessori inspiration:
Ready to bring Montessori home? Explore our scripted, no-prep curriculum.
Browse ShillerLearning Curriculum →
