Established in 1977, 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 classroom instruction, toddler programs and full-time child care options.

Today, with an enrollment of 295 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.

The Franklin Schools are approved by the Maryland State Board of Education, licensed by the State of Maryland Department of Human Resources and a full member of the American Montessori Society.

From community to humanity, from botanical to mechanical, from lunch to launch, Franklin's students engage in a learning journey. Reach, grasp, hold, connect. 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.

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, her education is achieved through her own experiences. Dr. Montessori devised a unique learning process based upon individual interests and developmental stages. This approach requires the cultivation of the child's natural desire to learn, to think, and to act independently.

At The Franklin Schools, the child begins self-education within a prepared environment of specially designed, enriching materials geared to each child's development. The child advances as her 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.

We urge you to visit The Franklin Schools before submitting an application—a visit is worth a thousand words! Tours are given by appointment only. Please call Franklin's office (301-279-2799) to schedule a tour of our building and classrooms. A staff member will be available to discuss your needs and answer your questions.

The Franklin Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and/or ethnic origin, or disability in the admission of students, the employment of staff, or in the administration of its policies.

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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 with computer lab; great hall with sunroom and terrace for fine arts, creative movement and hospitality; 4 playgrounds; and 1 track.