prides itself on unique
teaching curriculumCorrespondent
School with deep Marlboro
roots celebrates 25 years
Montessori Academy
prides itself on unique
teaching curriculum
Correspondent
The Marlboro Montessori Academy marked its 25th anniversary this year and now operates a summer camp at its Route 79 home. Spending time at the camp this summer are (l-r) Kevin Marien, Shawna Rodena, Nicol Kiraly and (seated) Brianna McKenzie. Joining the children are (l-r) curriculum coordinator Julie Scrabis; Florence Croddick, on whose farm the school sits; and Croddick’s daughter, Montessori owner-director Jean Avery.
MARLBORO — What began as a childhood dream was brought to fruition in a small rented unit and today is a thriving business boasting annual enrollments of more than 150 children.
The Marlboro Montessori Academy, a learning center that prides itself in the Montessori teaching principles, celebrated its 25th anniversary on June 2. The school’s family enjoyed itself carnival-style amidst games, rides, popcorn, Italian ice and all the festivities appropriate for celebrating a 25th birthday.
"It was a great day; there were a lot of people here and the weather was magnificent," said the school’s curriculum coordinator Julie Scrabis. "The celebration went very well and parents are very happy with our program. We also have a lot of support from families, past and present, and a wonderful and supportive staff."
Even 25 years in, however, the family still recalls the academy’s humble beginnings.
In an excerpt from the Montessori 2000-01 yearbook, Scrabis writes of her mother Jean Avery, owner and director of the school.
"Twenty-five years ago … she held her first classrooms in two small storefronts where the Marlboro Post Office and the Colonial Deli now reside. With little money and loads of determination, many of the teaching materials were made and lots of creativity was needed for my mother to accomplish her goal."
Avery, who believes she was at the right place at the right time, said she is blessed to have been that "lucky person." Having always had the desire to open a nursery school, Avery recalls sitting at her parents’ Rainbow Mink Ranch and envisioning her own Rainbow Nursery School. In 1978, Avery, then 32, received a loan from the Small Business Administration for "Women in Business" and began building her dream.
Having trained in the Montessori program, Avery decided to develop her school under the Montessori philosophy and appropriately named it the Marlboro Montessori Academy.
According to Avery, Montessori is a philosophy of teaching founded by Maria Montessori in Europe in the early 1900s. Originally targeted at children who were having trouble with learning, the teaching techniques proved to be so effective that they were eventually applied to all children.
"It’s time-proven wise," said Avery, quoting the academy’s motto. "Our program is more sophisticated and our equipment is more complementary [than traditional teaching styles]. We can work with the children on a one-to-one basis and a more individualized level."
With an emphasis more on skill level rather than on age, Avery said a typicalclass could have children who range in age from 3 to 5, where a 5-year-old who is learning to read may be with a 3-year-old who already has excellent skills.
Avery described a distinguishing characteristic of Montessori as its multi-modality approach.
"To teach reading, writing and math, we have specific equipment made by Montessori schools," Avery explained. "For example, in teaching math, we use beads and counters in progression. What we have in our classrooms are different than what is usually seen and people are intrigued by our approach.
"When I started in 1978, there weren’t that many pre-schools and fewer with Montessori, so I’m blessed that it took so well," Avery said.
For the next three years, the Marlboro Montessori Academy operated out of what is now the Marlboro Post Office and the Colonial Deli on the corner of Route 79 and Ridge Road. Three years later the academy’s campus was upgraded from two rented units to 4 acres of the Hanaway Farm on the other side of Route 79.
The Hanaway Farm, with a history all its own, actually belonged to Avery’s mother Florence H. Croddick. The sprawling 40 acres, once a potato and grain farm, was named for Croddick’s maiden name.
"My parents bought the farm during World War II," Croddick, 83, explained. "I have lived there all my life.
"My father farmed it until his death," said Croddick, recalling memories of her childhood as the youngest of eight children. "We remember when there were only two farms from here to Freehold and no traffic lights."
Croddick went on to raise five children on the farm. After her children were grown, Croddick’s son, former Marlboro Councilman John Croddick, purchased thefarm and raised his children there. The Marlboro Montessori Academy sits on an adjoining parcel.
"I am very thankful and grateful that Jean has part of the farm to build the school and serve Marlboro," Croddick said.
Today, Marlboro Montessori Academy accepts students from pre-school through third grade. According to Scrabis, future plans to include students up to eighth grade will begin with the addition of fourth-graders next year.
The school operates year-round and expands on a regular basis with programs such as Montessori Advantage, an enrichment and tutoring program; and Camp Wickatunk, a Native-American-themed summer program, Scrabis said.
"We saw a need for tutoring and for remedial work," said Avery. "Montessori Advantage begins right now and will take place after-school year-round. The students also don’t have to be Montessori, anyone can join."
Camp Wickatunk, in its fourth year of operation, is the academy’s summer excitement, Avery said. According to a press release, the program is designed to recapture the pure learning experience that the American Indians demonstrated. Good values, such as a committed regard for the care of the land, and insights, such as the establishment of an environmental ethic, are valuable gifts that the first residents of the nation demonstrated, the press release said.
"The program is a combination of sun and fun," said Avery. "We raise a huge Sioux Indian tepees that is 22-feet around the base and very, very big. That’s where we go and learn about the Indians."
At the 25-year anniversary, Avery believes that the school is still on the "cutting edge" and that its time-proven wise educational techniques bring it into the new century as one of the most highly regarded schools in the area.
"I’ve had wonderful parents, students, staff … I’m just blessed to be a very lucky person," Avery said.
For information about the Marlboro Montessori Academy, visit the Internet Web site at www.marlboromontessori.com.