Real-World Learning

In From Childhood to Adolescence, Maria Montessori described the importance of helping young people to take their first steps towards participation in the workforce:

“[the adolescent would]…derive great personal benefit from being initiated in economic independence. For this would result... in making him feel himself capable of succeeding in life by his own efforts and on his own merits, and at the same time it would put him in direct contact with the supreme reality of social life.”

At Guidepost Academy, as in other authentic Montessori programs, the adolescent need to begin developing social and economic independence is met through a student-run "micro-economy" program. In this program, students design and operate their own small businesses, learning from real-world challenges.



We believe this experience is invaluable because it allows students to:

--Connect their academic studies to meaningful, practical work

--Develop essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and time management



--Practice business skills such as scheduling, financial planning, accounting, sales, and professional communication

Most importantly, the micro-economy program helps students recognize their role as valued members of their class and community, while building the confidence to thrive in the world beyond school.

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