Franklin's mission is to provide a Montessori program that focuses on the developmental needs of the child within a context of freedom and structure so that each child may learn at his own pace, maintain a joy for learning and reach his maximum potential. The Franklin Schools provide a prepared environment that promotes academic excellence, cultivates independence, stimulates individual growth, embraces cultural diversity and fosters mutual respect and cooperation.

You have probably heard the adage "success begins with a dream."  With such inspiration, Franklin's success story began in 1977 opening as a one room school house comprised of seven ready, willing and able preschoolers. The Franklin Schools began their legacy of excellence in preschool education as The Franklin Montessori School with a morning program for children ages three to five.  In 1986, as an outgrowth of societal changes, growing demographics and the need for extended care for young children, Franklin Country Day Montessori School was founded to provide additional classrooms.

Today, with an enrollment of 285 children, The Franklin Montessori School (FMS) and Franklin Country Day Montessori School (FCD) offer full day and part-time instructional and child care programs for children ages two through six.  The Montessori instructional program is the same for both schools.  The only difference is the school year calendar. Think of The Franklin Schools as the wings of  a mother bird who nurtures her nest comprised of two schools: The Franklin Montessori School (FMS) and Franklin Country Day Montessori School (FCD).  The school calendar and other notices many times are coded with the abbreviations for the schools. Knowing your child's school helps clarify which events apply to your child's classroom so you don't have to "wing it!"

The purpose of The Franklin Montessori School and Franklin Country Day Montessori School is to provide a quality early learning environment for children ages two through six years based on the century proven teachings, methods, and philosophy of the late Italian physician, Dr. Maria Montessori.  Dr. Montessori believed children learn best within a social environment which supports, accommodates, and respects the differences that make each child a unique individual. A main objective of The Franklin Schools is to provide both creative and stimulating intellectual, artistic, and developmental experiences for all children.

In the early 20th century, Dr. Maria Montessori based her approach to primary education upon the idea that a human being is not educated by another person. Rather, education is achieved through one's own experiences. Dr. Montessori devised a unique learning process based upon individual interests and developmental stages. The Montessori approach requires the cultivation of a child's natural desire to learn, think, and act independently.

At The Franklin Schools, children begin self-education within a prepared classroom environment of specially designed, enriching materials to maximize each child's development. Children advance as their interests lead from one level of complexity to another. The use of the materials creates a lot of movement. Silence is not the goal.

The activities at The Franklin Schools are purposeful and attuned to the child's muscular and intellectual level of development. When children of mixed ages work in the same classroom, the younger child benefits from having models for imitation and identification. Similarly, the older child benefits from working with the younger children while reinforcing and developing his own knowledge. The child's social development is considered as important as her intellectual growth. Soon the child learns how to interact with peers and adults.

Montessori schools and classrooms are distinguished by several key validating requirements including: teachers who hold Montessori credentials; prepared classroom environments employing Montessori materials and equipment; and multi-aged groupings of children.

The Franklin Schools are very proud of their professional, experienced and highly trained staff of credentialed Montessori teachers and instructional assistants. Talented and experienced classroom specialists enhance the curriculum at The Franklin Schools. Continuing Education workshops, conferences and seminars are part of the ongoing staff development programs at Franklin.

Franklin is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for extended care. The core of the school day program is 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The Franklin Schools are proud to be a Rockville landmark and of the reputation the schools have established in the community for excellence in education.

The Franklin Schools are accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and licensed by the MSDE Office of Child Care.

A visit is worth a thousand words!  We urge you to visit The Franklin Schools before submitting an application. Tours are given, by appointment, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Please call the office: 301-279-2799 or send an email to: montessori@hers.com to schedule a tour. The Director of Admission will be available to discuss your needs and answer your questions.

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The Franklin Schools are located in Rockville, Maryland at 10500 Darnestown Road between Key West Avenue and Muddy Branch Road. Franklin's 3 1/2 acre campus has 12 beautiful classrooms; a library; great hall with sunroom and terrace for fine arts, creative movement and hospitality; 4 playgrounds; a paved track for bicycles; cultivated gardens; and a wilderness area referred to as "The Back 40" where the children engage in many Beyond the Walls activities including gardening, composting, stick hut building and tunnel exploration. Franklin is proud to be named a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.