
What is Montessori Education?
The Montessori Method is one of the most successful disciplines of learning which carries international recognition. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that when children learn through experience, it encourages a deeper and more consistent understanding of language, mathematics, science, music, social interactions and much more. Montessori ONE Academy provides a robust Montessori elementary curriculum referred to as Cosmic Education whereby lessons are designed to arouse interest across multiple disciplines and incorporate multiple subject areas to demonstrate how the world and all subject matter is inter-connected. Students are dynamic participants in their learning journey. Their preferences, ideas, likes, dislikes, strengths, and challenges are all considered and valued as they work with the Guides. As Albuquerque’s only Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) recognized Montessori program, students receive a robust education that is designed to inspire curiosity and creativity, ignite confidence and self-discipline, and provide a strong college-preparatory foundation.

Lower Elementary Program
The Lower Elementary Program serves children ages six through nine, comparable to traditional grades first through third. As with all Montessori classrooms, mixed age groupings allow older students to assist younger students while younger students can observe and learn from their older classmates. Students enrolled in the Elementary program demonstrate sufficient self-control, focus, motivation, and independence to successfully engage in both independent and group work. They enjoy a robust and challenging curriculum referred to Cosmic Education. Students learn at their own pace and move on to the next age grouping when they demonstrate readiness or “mastery”. Students are not compared against one another and thrive in a supportive environment. To find out more about Cosmic Education, please visit our Elementary Curriculum page.

Upper Elementary Program
Montessori ONE’s Upper Elementary Program serves children ages nine through twelve, comparable to traditional grades third through fifth. Mixed age groupings within the classroom allow older students to assist younger students while younger students can observe and learn from their older classmates. Upper Elementary students engage in increasingly complex work using Cosmic Education’s integrated subject matter methodology. At this stage, teachers begin to prepare students for Middle School, testing, and homework. Upon completion of Montessori ONE’s Upper Elementary Program, most students graduate to one of Albuquerque’s premiere private schools such as Albuquerque Academy, Sandia Preparatory School, and Bosque School.
Our Facility
The environment is of the utmost importance in an authentic Montessori school. Montessori ONE Academy is custom designed to support the community residing within and meet authentic Montessori Methodology requirements. With a flexible environmental model, modification can be made to each classroom’s physical layout to best meet the children’s needs. Montessori Methodology relies upon hands-on materials to clearly demonstrate abstract concepts in a concrete manner, so children become confident in their understanding of complex subjects. These materials are carefully organized in each classroom to be readily accessible to the students. This is referred to as the “Prepared Environment”.


What People Say About Us
"Montessori ONE Academy has set the standard for what preschool education can be and for what can be accomplished when a parent invests in early education."
S. James
"Thank you so very much for your love and support over the years. What you do for the kids in your school is truly amazing. I am so appreciative of the patience and understanding you've shown to us and I know that what Nori has gained here will help her throughout her life. Thank you!"
N.N.
"A question most parents struggle with early on is the question of child care. When my husband and I were faced with this decision as our daughter approached her first birthday and I needed to return to work, the process of finding a preschool felt daunting and overwhelming. We wanted the time our daughter spent away from us to be spent in an environment that was supportive, affirming and challenging. We didn’t want a daycare; we wanted a school. We visited many programs in Albuquerque, and I left each one feeling disappointed and wondering if I should just quit my job and stay home with my daughter. Then we discovered Montessori ONE Preschool Academy. When you observe a classroom at Montessori One, you observe a unique child-centered environment. You see a collaborative partnership between the expertise of the child and the guidance of the teacher, passionate educators who have an understanding of every child’s individual development and who have done so much to foster our girls’ growing independence and potential. Knowing that our children are in this stimulating environment during the day and seeing the incredible social and educational growth resulting from the time spent at Montessori ONE fills me with overwhelming gratitude."
A. Forcehimes
"First you are captivated by the brand new, bright, state-of-the-art facility itself. Then you are captivated by the director, Tina Patel, and her obvious passion for children, for education, and for using design and environment to enhance the "Prepared Environment" which is a cornerstone of the Montessori approach to education. If you happen to come by for a tour at the right time, you may even catch a glimpse of the preschool yoga class!"
Google Reviews
"Montessori ONE is a rare AUTHENTIC Montessori program, and its director, Tina Patel, runs it like a business, where the parents and the kids are the customers! Love that! She has a passion for instilling a love of learning in the kids. Visit and you will see what a special place it is."
K. Lee