The 20th anniversary of the Montessori School in Prague

In June, the International Montessori School of Prague, also known as IMSP, celebrated 20 years since we opened our doors to the Prague community.

Two decades spent working with parents, teachers and staff who share our same passion for holistic education is something we are proud of. The Montessori Method is community-driven, and as we look back on our accomplishments so far, we are delighted to invite interested families to join us in our joy of learning.

“At first, I just wanted to prepare my own children for the world,” recalls Kateřina Stanislavová, founder and executive director of the IMPP, in an interview with Forbes. Stanislavová was selected by the magazine as one of its “Forbes Women”, but success was not her inspiration when she opened the doors of the IMSP twenty years ago. Instead, she founded the school to fill what she saw as a gap in Prague’s education system, as she sought a school for her own children. Taking matters into her own hands, she sought to open a school that was both international, nurturing and deeply rooted in respect for the child.

“Being a Montessori child myself, I was shocked and appalled, as an adult (college education student) to find out about traditional education. Where was the freedom, what happened to the curiosity and interests of the students? Where was the respect for the spirit of the child? said Pherooz Karani, director of the school of the IMSP. Karani herself attended a Montessori school and credits the educational model with developing within her the skills and passions that guide her work today. She herself has been in the Montessori education sector for over twenty years, teaching in kindergarten, toddler and elementary classrooms before moving into administration – it is her greatest joy to pass on the legacy of Montessori education to new generations of children.

IMSP has been a community effort from the start. Our school started small, inviting just five students to attend what would later become the first and only school in Prague to be accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS). Bringing together families with a common interest in a holistic, high-quality education for their children, Stanislavová’s vision is the basis of the current mission statement of the IMSP.

IMSP is an international school offering an authentic Montessori education. By embracing each child’s unique potential, we empower our students to achieve academic excellence and become confident, compassionate and engaged global citizens.

The mission of the IMPP reflects the school’s passion for the education of the whole child. Montessori pedagogy is based on a deep admiration for the student’s independence in work, play and life. Providing a nurturing environment through education allows children to grow in a way that prepares them for the future. Stanislavová – echoing Maria Montessori’s call for education to be a tool for life as well as school – designed the IMSP to better support the students we work with.

“Much has been written about the pedagogical genius of Dr. Montessori, the quality of his materials and the academic or entrepreneurial successes of Montessori graduates. Curiously, when I did my own teacher training, I discovered that I barely remembered these materials that I used in my childhood and how they helped me learn to read, write or count – although they certainly worked so well. However, I will never forget the joy, dignity and discovery that were synonymous with school for me. This experience has shaped who I am today and it is what I hope to share with every student in our care,” Karani added.

The success of the IMSP over the past two decades is not ours alone. Instead, we would like to thank the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, and everyone else who helped make IMSP what it is today. We are humbled by the unwavering support that has been shown to us and would like to take a moment to reflect on the words coming directly from the IMSP community:

Here’s what our parents have to say:

“When you attend the class, you can see in the children’s eyes their passion for learning, their ability to cooperate with other children and adults, and finally the incredible ease of just being in the class. is a place where I would like to study myself. – Dagmar N., parent of primary IMSP

“I can’t think of a better way to spend the money. The attention and love my child receives from the teachers is invaluable, beyond the many benefits of the perfectly implemented Montessori teaching approach. – Zane S., Toddler and Primary Parent of IMSP

“We are very happy to have been able to join this great school. The Montessori system is perfect for our children, we love the respect and kindness with which they are educated. Lovely teachers, assistants and all the staff. No problem with our son’s special needs too. We can wholeheartedly recommend IMSP.” – Karolina B., primary and elementary parent of IMSP

As we reflect on the journey of IMSP over the past 20 years, we are proud of the community we have built and the students we have encouraged. As we watch our alumni and graduates grow into passionate and engaged global citizens, it is clear to us that education should be an act of liberation for the child, not just a means to an end. To find out more about their current situation and hear what they have to say, connect to our collection of IMSP podcasts.

We are delighted to open this opportunity to the large Prague community, offering limited places in our Tiny and Primary programs. Join us at our next interactive open days on Thursday November 10^e and discover your child’s love for learning through our school’s Montessori programs.