Morning Glory Montessori, a new school in Minneapolis, is recruiting new students – 3- and 4-year old boys – for its all-boys, faith-based Afrocentric Montessori school. Located within the Impact Living Ministry (ILM) building in the Seward neighborhood, Morning Glory uses the Montessori method of teaching combined with a focus on faith and African-American history and culture.
The Montessori method is an educational approach developed by Maria Montessori in the early 1900s – there are now thousands of Montessori schools worldwide. The school is the first all-boys, faith-based Afrocentric Montessori school for ages 3 to 6 years.
Reverend Jessica Jackson, ILM’s lead pastor and head of Morning Glory Montessori school, said they would like to enroll up to 10 children in the first year. “We’re not trying to scale or grow fast; we’re more interested in mission-aligned families who understand what we’re doing, who understand why we’re doing it, and are committed to walking with us in supporting their children.”
Pastor Jess, as she’s called, said Morning Glory has a holistic approach to educating young boys. “It’s the confluence of faith, culture and Montessori,” she said. “We do have a vision to include little girls in the future,” with additional plans to expand the program from toddlers through third grade.
Morning Glory’s staff all hold Montessori certification and the curriculum focuses on four areas: practical life, sensorial, language and math. Montessori teachers are called guides, and Pastor Jess said guides learn how to get out of the way. “The best Montessori classroom is one where the adults are almost invisible,” she said. “It’s not 30 young children sitting on mats on the floor listening to the teacher.” Children have the freedom to move and choose what they want to do based on their interests.
Most of the students’ day is self-directed work, but there are also times for group activity and play. The guide may gather a group for songs or to tell stories about a cultural, scientific or historical theme of interest. Practical life lessons could include learning how to pour water, fold napkins or make lemon water using tools like pitchers, aprons and lemon-squeezers. Ample time is also given to explore and play outdoors.
Children will be introduced to a broad range of concepts and activities in individual and small group lessons in language and mathematics as well. Rev. Tim Jackson is Pastor Jess’ spouse; he is Director of Faith Pedagogy at the school, as well as an ILM senior pastor. He leads the faith component through the Christian ethos of liberation theology at the school.
The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch and rest midday. Tuition at the school is $1,200 per month; scholarships or other funding may be available to help offset costs.
Patricia Crumley, an assistant guide at Morning Glory, shared her excitement in being a part of the work being done at Morning Glory. “I think it’s legacy-building,” she said. “There’s an explosion of learning and building of confidence.” Crumley also describes herself as an elder, an aspect that supports both education and culture at the school. “I have footprints in my life, in terms of things I have done that I can share,” Crumley said. “It reminds me of the interdependence that’s always existed in the African-American community.”
Crumley and Pastor Jess know each other going way back – they were both attorneys and also involved in peace and social justice work in the community.
Pastor Jess calls herself a “recovering attorney” – now she’s an ordained minister and education leader. She views her role as head of Morning Glory Montessori as a tribute to her late mother, whom she described as an early childhood trailblazer.
The school has been six years in the making – there have been challenges of construction along the way, such as a $500,000 project to make the building ADA compliant.
Morning Glory Montessori will sponsor an invite-only “Come & See Gathering” on Saturday, November 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. for faith leaders, community elders, educators, partners/supporters and potential founding families. The school is currently accepting applications for 3- and 4-year-olds. Those interested in attending the November 30 event or in learning more about Morning Glory Montessori can schedule a call with a school leader.