The Lillian and Betty Ratner Montessori School

The Ratner Montessori School, founded in 1963, is an independent private school in Pepper Pike, Ohio, serving toddlers through 8th grade.

MONTESSORI TODDLER PROGRAM AND CHILDREN’S HOUSE
At Ratner Montessori, we believe in utilizing authentic Montessori philosophy. In our classrooms, children are independent, curious, and excited about their learning. Every Pre-Primary classroom has a Montessori trained teacher to facilitate a prepared environment. The environment in each of these classrooms is filled with beautiful, natural Montessori-specific materials that cover every developmental and curricular area of the classroom. The environment appeals to all senses of the child and allows for explorative learning as well as creativity.

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ratner Montessori’s Elementary and Middle School educational programs are designed with the whole child in mind. Our approach offers a combination of individual, small, and large group learning activities in a cohesive program that successfully prepares students academically and socially.

AGE-BLENDED CLASSROOMS
Our age-blended classrooms provide a unique learning environment where students interact with peers across a wider age range than would be possible in the traditional classroom. Older students naturally assume roles as guides and mentors to younger students, fostering intrinsic motivation as leaders as well as learners. In this setting, teachers get to know each student in a complete way, and are able to meet each student where he or she may be educationally.

EXPLORATION AND INQUISITIVENESS
After the content of any lesson is presented, the classroom is set up to awaken students’ curiosity, and students are motivated to explore the material in ways that appeal to their learning preferences and strengths. Ratner Montessori’s Elementary and Middle School classrooms and curricula reflect a major commitment to moving students into this mode and realm of exploration.

TEACHING TO THE WHOLE CHILD
We understand that the social-emotional component of learning is as important as academic and intellectual development. In Ratner Montessori’s Elementary and Middle School classrooms we emphasize how important it is for everyone in the classroom to demonstrate mutual respect and understanding, and to appreciate each person’s unique qualities. Our model for providing learning support gives structure and scaffolding to all students to understand how they learn and what strategies they can use to be successful in all areas.

MONTESSORI PEACE EDUCATION
Being part of the Montessori community means being an agent of change, striving to create a more peaceful, productive, and positive world. From our Toddler and Children’s House, through Elementary, and into Middle School, Ratner Montessori’s approach uses Peace Education as a guiding philosophy. Peace Education begins in the Toddler and Children’s House years with school-wide values that promote learning, diversity, respect, and responsibility, and builds through the Elementary and Middle School years to include study of peacemakers, their impact on society, and how we ourselves can be positive agents of change.

P: I shall have a Positive attitude.
E: Everyone will be respectful.
A: I shall Act responsibly and Accept responsibility.
C: I shall Create a safe environment.
E: I shall Encourage others.

5-STAR AWARD WINNER
The state of Ohio has awarded The Lillian and Betty Ratner Montessori School in Pepper Pike with a 5- star Step Up To Quality rating for meeting standards established by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.