Montessori School Highlight

Did you know the Montessori Training Center Northeast is supported by local and regional Montessori schools to complete the work of preparing the highest-quality Montessori educators?

Three straightforward ways Montessori schools materially support the Training Center are:

1. serving as host schools/teachers for preservice Montessori teachers’ fieldwork placements,
2. hiring MTCNE to deliver staff professional development and coaching, and
3. sponsoring teacher training candidates.

The Capitol Region Education Center (CREC) Montessori Magnet School (MMS) continues to support the CREC Montessori Training Center Northeast! The two communities have 20+ years of history together.

The CREC MMS is proud to be the first public Montessori school in the state of Connecticut. The school community, known for its innovative and child-centered approach to education, has been a beacon of excellence in Hartford for many years. With its focus on Montessori principles and a strong commitment to individualized learning, the school has nurtured countless students and helped them thrive academically and socially.

The school’s mission is to ensure that all students develop to their full potential in traditional and expanded academic areas as defined by Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education.

The MMS maintains the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) recognition status and currently services 355 students in PreK to Grade 6 from 40 towns and cities in Connecticut. The school is located on The Learning Corridor Campus in Hartford, a community campus that includes Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy, Impact Academy and the Arts Academy.

To safeguard quality public Montessori programming, the MMS implements these five essential Montessori practices:

• Mixed-age grouping, which fosters independence, cooperation, and discovery.
• Large blocks of uninterrupted time for self-directed work.
• An environment that allows for maximum freedom of movement and choice.
• An overall emphasis on intrinsic motivation rather than rewards or punishments.
• Prepared staff who are skilled at observation, preparing an environment, and interacting with children in positive, respectful ways.

Students interested in attending the MMS apply through the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO). Any student who resides in Connecticut can apply to our schools by following a simple process. Learn more about the admission process here.

Some interesting facts:

• MTCNE’s founding Managing Director was the first principal at the MMS.
• AMI Directors of Training affiliated with the Training Center have served as Lead Guides in the classroom and in a variety of administrative roles at the MMS over the years.
• The MMS has served as a fieldwork placement site for every Primary (3-6) diploma program delivered by MTCNE, dating back 20 years!