A 2006 study published in the journal of Science by Dr. Angeline Lillard and Nicole Else-Quest concluded that students who attended a Montessori school were significantly better prepared for elementary school than the non-Montessori children.  Studies revealed that the 5-year olds who attended a Montessori school were significantly better prepared for elementary school in the areas of reading and math skills.  Additionally, the

5-year olds tested better on "executive function," which is the ability to adapt to complex problems, and can be used as an indicator of future school achievement. 

The 12-year olds who attended a Montessori school produced essays that were rated as "significantly more creative and as using significantly more sophisticated sentence structures."  In regards to social and behavioral

measures, 12-year old Montessori students were more likely to use "positive assertive responses" in unpleasant social situations such as having someone cut into a line.  In addition, the study revealed that the Montessori students had a "greater sense of community" at their respective schools and felt that students respected, helped, and cared for one another.             

The authors of the study concluded that the,"Montessori education has a fundamentally different structure from traditional education.  At least when strictly implemented, Montessori education fosters social and academic skills that are equal or superior to those fostered by a pool of other types of schools.

*Dr. Angeline Lillard is an Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia and the author of

Montessori: The Science Behind The Genius.

**The Early Years Evaluating Montessori Education by Angeline Lillard and Nicole Else-Quest. Science, VOL 313,  September 29, 2006.