Inside the Montessori approach at Cottage Elementary

Walk into a classroom at Cottage Elementary School, and you may see students gathered around a table, working independently on the floor, using hands-on materials or moving throughout the room as they work on different activities.

It may look different from a more traditional classroom, but that is part of what makes Cottage unique.

As San Juan Unified’s only Montessori school, Cottage offers students a hands-on, student-centered approach to learning that encourages them to make choices, build independence and engage with concepts in ways that meet them where they are.

“The biggest difference is not what we teach, it’s how we teach it,” said Cottage Principal Arthur Estrada. “We’re still teaching to the same standards, just through different mediums for the kids.”

Ultimately, teachers hope the independence, exploration and hands-on experiences students encounter at Cottage help build skills that extend beyond any individual lesson, encouraging students to become curious, confident learners who take an active role in their own education.

Learn more about Cottage Elementary and its Montessori approach to learning in the video below.