North Garland Montessori School Sets Higher Standards

Children at North Garland Montessori School experience a unique journey in stark contrast to the public school environment. The school's director seeks out moms and dads who understand the concept of setting high standards and how that relates to developing children with integrity.

"We are not looking for children, Executive Director Manooch Varasteh said. "We are looking for parents who appreciate and understand a valuable service for children and who want to raise an above-average child."

The school has students ranging from 18 months through fourth grade and has served more than 42 nationalities, he said.

This philosophy of the school, Varasteh said, is to "develop children who are confident, happy, calm, purposeful, free and independent. These qualities awaken children's interest in all subjects and are meant to instill in them a life- long love of learning," Thirdly, he added, "Children gain an understanding of the world and respect for all they find in it."

Classical and other kinds of music are played throughout the day in the classrooms.

Discipline and respect are at the school's core and distinguishes North Garland Montessori School from other Montessori campuses and from the public school environment.

"Say 'stupid' and go home for three days," Varasteh said.

The children are not allowed to have plastic guns, swords, plastic knives and movies such as "Power Ranger" or anything of a violent nature at school, he said.

There are no computers in the classrooms.

When the children are in "circle time," they "sit properly like ladies and gentlemen" with crossed legs in front and hands places on their knees. When they walk from room to room or file in line to go outdoors to play, they are required to clasp their hands behind their backs. There are cleaning duties for each child after lunch and snack. They also learn table manners, courtesy, and are taught conversational rules, Varasteh said.

"Disrespecting our teachers causes us to expel your child permanently," Varateh said. "Finding dedicated teachers is very hard," he said. "Finding good parents is easy," he said.