Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy, invented the Montessori approach to education. The Montessori method concentrates on the specific developmental needs of the child. Montessori believed that everyone learns differently, and at his or her own pace. She created a new type of classroom, a prepared environment, to accommodate and stimulate the individual interests of her students. The role of the directress becomes to follow the development of the child, on a one-to-one basis.

Independence. The Montessori method has been in existence for more than one hundred years. If there is one trait that exemplifies the success of a Montessori school, it is that their students are creative, responsible and highly independent. If independence is coveted above all else, it is because it creates the freedom that is needed to develop, both academically and socially. Montessori helps children to think and act for themselves, independently and with the courage of thought.

At Roseville Ranch Montessori School each child is encouraged to develop at their own pace in a specially designed learning environment. The materials are carefully prepared and displayed for the children. Children are thereby free to choose their own activities. Each activity that is undertaken is complete in itself and relates to the other activities that cover physical, social and intellectual aspects of the development of the child. Children often concentrate for long periods of time, working individually or spontaneously with a group of friends.