Montessori High School at University Circle

Montessori High School at University Circle
Address
11025 Magnolia Drive
Cleveland, Ohio, (Cuyahoga County) 44106
United States
Coordinates 41°30′53.8″N 81°36′35″W / 41.514944°N 81.60972°W / 41.514944; -81.60972Coordinates: 41°30′53.8″N 81°36′35″W / 41.514944°N 81.60972°W / 41.514944; -81.60972
Information
Type Private School, Coeducational, High School
Motto Find Your Path
Established 2007
Opened 2008
Founder David Kahn
Head of school Dr. Gregg Good
Grades 9-12
Enrollment 100
Average class size 10-15
Student to teacher ratio 6:1
Education system Montessori
Campus size Immediate - 4 acres Total - 1.3 sq. miles
Campus type Separate buildings
Mascot Montessaurus Rex
Nickname MHS
Yearbook The Journey
Affiliation International Baccalaureate World School
Website http://www.montessorihighschool.org/

Montessori High School at University Circle (also known as MHS) is a private high school located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The school opened August 2008 as the first private high school in the United States with the Montessori name,[1] and was the first Montessori high school to offer boarding for international and U.S. students.

MHS combines Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate program,[2] a demanding college-preparatory program stressing the classical liberal arts. MHS is one of three high schools in the United States to combine these educational approaches.[3]

Accreditation

Montessori High School at University Circle is a member of the Cleveland Council of Independent Schools, is chartered by the State of Ohio, and is recognized as an official World School by International Baccalaureate.

Curriculum

The MHS curriculum is built on the broad foundation of the liberal arts. Classes are designed to teach students to think critically, to question thoughtfully, and to communicate effectively.

The curriculum is designed to develop the whole individual through academics, service, self-expression, and leadership. The ultimate goal of an MHS education is to help students develop a strong sense of personal responsibility. Students are expected to take ownership of their education, and then to take what they’ve learned and make a difference in the world. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme supports that goal through a curriculum of social and global engagement and in-depth study of the academic disciplines.[4]

Diploma options

In addition to earning the MHS diploma, student can earn International Baccalaureate certificates and diploma in selected International Baccalaureate courses.

Students can sit for exams to earn certificates in any of the six subjects:[5] English, Math, Science, 20th-Century World History, Art, or World Language. Students who achieve a qualifying score will earn a certificate in that subject. IB certificates mark the successful culmination of an area of study for students, and are an achievement in themselves.

Campus buildings

MHS is located in the heart of Cleveland’s University Circle. The Circle is home to a diverse group of cultural institutions, including the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Institute of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Case Western Reserve University is also located in the Circle, as are campuses for University Hospital and the Louis Stokes Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

Our campus is composed of four historic homes on Magnolia Drive, including our residential boarding house. Students have direct access to many of the University Circle institutions, which provide experiential educational opportunities that enhance and further what we offer in the classroom.

Campus buildings include:

Lillard Hall

Now the Science and Mathematics building, Lillard Hall was originally the private residence of Dr. Gordon Morrill.[6]

The Federalist style building was designed in 1910 by renowned architect Charles F. Schweinfurth, who designed homes on Cleveland’s Millionaire's Row, the Old Stone Church, Trinity Cathedral, the Union Club, Cuyahoga County Courthouse, and the stone bridges along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.[7] It is the only private residence Schweinfurth built, and is known as one of the most beautiful mansions in University Circle.

The building was converted to house classrooms, offices, music rooms, and libraries shortly after it was acquired by MHS in 2007. Lillard Hall is located at 11025 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland.

The Science Lab

The two-car garage that sits behind Lillard Hall was also converted, and function as the school's self-sustaining science laboratory and greenhouse. The lab not only supports science classes at MHS, but it also supports the MHS Garden Squad, which maintains the school garden.

Ferris House

The humanities and foreign language building, Ferris House, was originally built in 1937.[6] Ferris House was acquired by MHS in 2009, and renovations were completed the following winter. The building houses classrooms, a full-service kitchen and lunchroom, and a multi-media art studio. The house's original garage was converted into a theatre classroom.

MHS also added a hoop-style greenhouse and a picnic area in the backyard.

The Otis Boarding House

Completed in 1918, Otis House was a single-family residence and remained so until the 1980s, when it was converted into condominiums. Otis House now serves as the MHS residential house for boarding students. MHS residential guides also live in the house, and help students learn independent living skills. It is located at 10923 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland.

The Carriage House

Converted at the same time as the main house, the Carriage House originally served as stables for the Otis family. It is located behind Otis House.

The Friends' House

MHS partnered with the Cleveland Friends Meeting and Montessori Development Partnerships[8] to have access to additional space in the Friends' House in 2015. The house is owned by the Cleveland Friends Meeting, and used weekly as a worship space for the Quakers. Though MHS is not affiliated with the Quakers, the space has been used to house community meeting, student art galleries, and offices.

University Circle Institutional Partnerships

As a part of the MHS curriculum, teachers partner with neighboring University Circle institutions to enable students to connect with experts and interdisciplinary resources.

From access to the Western Reserve Historical Society’s extensive Research Library and The Music Settlement’s professional music instructors to internships at the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Cleveland Botanical Garden, MHS partners offer unique opportunities for students to engage with the community according to each student’s individual interests and aspirations.

Partnerships with local institutions allow students to define themselves and their relationship to society through exploration and meaningful work. MHS partners offer a range of opportunities for students, including internship and volunteer placements and access to local professionals, exhibits, educational programming, and other resources.

Noteworthy affiliations include:[9]

As one of over 40 University Circle, Inc. member institutions, MHS is surrounded by organizations that bring a distinct scientific, artistic, historic, or cultural focus to student life and learning in the Circle. In 2015, MHS announced that all music courses will be offered through The Music Settlement and will be taught by Settlement faculty members.

History

Montessori High School at University Circle was founded by a group of Montessori educators and supporters. These individuals worked in concert with a national movement to expand Montessori education at the middle and high school level.

Because of its world-class array of institutions dedicated to the arts, culture, and education, University Circle was selected as the natural place for a Montessori high school program.

After more than a year of planning and development, MHS opened its doors to 37 students, including 17 boarders, in August 2008. At that time, the campus consisted of two houses, Lillard Hall and Otis House, on the north side of Magnolia Drive. In 2009, MHS was recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School (IB), and has since offered the IB Diploma Progamme. In 2009, a third house was added on the south side of Magnolia to accommodate steadily expanding enrollment.The first graduating class consisted of 8 students in 2010.[10] By Fall 2011, 80 students were enrolled at MHS, open to grades 9th through 12th.[3]

Since then, MHS has maintained a community of approximately 100 students, 20 percent of whom choose to board on campus.

Tempe Union proposed opening a Montessori High School by 2013. According to an article in the Arizona Republic, "[Superintendent Kenneth Baca] is looking at Montessori High School at University Circle in Cleveland as a model for ideas, and he hopes to take district staff, a school-board member and interested community members to visit the school in the fall."[11] Other Montessori schools throughout the country have used MHS as a model.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Angela Townsend, The Plain Dealer. "Cleveland Montessori high school to open next fall | cleveland.com". Blog.cleveland.com. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  2. ↑ "Montessori High School at University Circle | University Circle | Cleveland Ohio | Arts & Culture, Education & Medical District". University Circle. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  3. 1 2 Edith Starzyk, The Plain Dealer. "New high school in University Circle combines Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate program | cleveland.com". Blog.cleveland.com. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  4. ↑ "Montessori & the IB Programme - Montessori High School". Montessori High School. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  5. ↑ "Resources recognition library | International Baccalaureate®". International Baccalaureate®. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  6. 1 2 "Montessori High School at University Circle". 69.36.10.71. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  7. ↑ "Encyclopedia of Cleveland History:SCHWEINFURTH, CHARLES F". Ech.case.edu. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  8. ↑ "MDP Recognized for “Building the Circle” - Montessori High School". Montessori High School. 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  9. ↑ "Montessori High School at University Circle brochure" (PDF). Montessori High School at University Circle. 2010. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  10. ↑ "Mattie Liston Academics". Mattieliston.com. 2006-02-14. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  11. ↑ Seligman, Allie (2011-09-23). "Tempe Union district weighing new Montessori high-school idea". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2012-02-22.
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