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Casa dei Bambini
Maria Montessori's first school, Casa dei Bambini San Lorenzo opens in Rome. It was a school for children of the poor working class. It was in this school where she began developing her philosophy and the didactic materials for child centered learning. -
An Educational Wonder Worker
Broader popularity and recognition of Dr. Montessori's educational philosophy and work was attributed to articles published in McClure. The first US school in Tarrytown was opened. Montessori Education was seen as a solution to the growing dissatisfaction with Public Schools. The Montessori Education Association was also founded. -
The Fall of Montessori in the US
Critics of Montessori began to emerge and were led by William Kilpatrick from Teacher's College, the leading School of Education in the US. Kilpatrick denounced Montessori methods and was later joined by others propelled by his narrative as well as WWI and Dr. Montessori's departure from the US. The critique of her work persisted among the academics and educational policy makers for decades resulting in decrease of Montessori's popularity and schools in the US. -
Maria's Passing
At the time of Dr. Montessori's death there was also a movement to preserve the integrity of her work and methods by limiting access to those who had been trained by her while the supporters in the US wanted to increase it's access and broaden the reach of Montessori education across the globe. -
American Revival
Nancy McCormick Rambusch led the revival of Montessori in the US and later established the American Montessori Society with the support of Mario Montessori. The Whitby School also opened in Connecticut. -
Evolution of AMS
After the initial support from Mario Montessori to establish AMS there was a rift in that partnership and a movement to preserve the purity and integrity of the philosophy. That conflict led to the evolution of AMS to an American philosophy and technique that reflected a more progressive America and a more liberal vision of Montessori education. -
Split of AMI & AMS
Nancy Rambusch believed that the best way to bring Montessori to America and grow was to split from AMI. -
Public Montessori Growing in the US
When charter schools began to open up as an approach to school reform, Montessori was a leader among them. Since then there has been a steady and consistent increase in the number of public Montessori schools opening across the US. In 1970 there were 355 schools and 5K in 2007.