Montessori

Springbrook is home to IUSD’s only Elementary Montessori program, which serves students in grades 1 – 6.

What is Montessori?

At its core, the Montessori method is a child-centered educational philosophy developed by Italian physician Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s.

While traditional education prioritizes standardization—everyone is learning the same thing at the same time—Montessori prioritizes autonomy and individual development. It views the teacher not as the source of knowledge, but as a guide who connects the student with a "prepared environment." Learn more at the American Montessori Society.

Students in our Montessori program work towards mastery of their grade-level, end-of-year standards on track with all other grade-level peers at Springbrook (and IUSD). However, the instructional approaches used within the program are based on Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education.

Montessori education focuses on the whole child, fostering rigorous and self-motivated growth in cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.
Children develop a strong sense of curiosity, thriving within an environment designed to nourish their intellect.
Key traits such as concentration, confidence, and independence are actively nurtured from an early age.
Students learn and grow as part of a close, caring community where every child is respected.

American Montessori Society (2025, Dec 16). Montessori for families. https://amshq.org/families/

We are a distinct program fully integrated into a neighborhood school. We use a lottery process that gives families within Springbrook’s attendance area, as well as families all across the district, a chance to take part in the program.

Students must live in the Irvine Unified School District school boundaries to enroll in the program.
IUSD uses an age-based enrollment process.
Students applying for Grade 1 must be born between 9/2/19 - 9/1/20
“New students” to this program include siblings of students currently in our Montessori program. Don’t forget to apply for a spot if you are interested in having a younger child (sibling) take part in our Montessori program.
For returning students, parents will be contacted by email in January and receive a survey for their intent to return next year.

For parents desiring to enroll their child(ren) in the Montessori program for 2026-2027, please fill out Springbrook Montessori Program 2026-2027 New Student Application Form.

The ONLY Montessori Information Night will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 (6:00-7:00 p.m.) . ATTENDANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you are not able to attend and would like to view the presentation from the 2025 Parent Information Night, please click here.