Impact of Public Montessori Article
A landmark 2025 randomized controlled trial published in PNAS followed children at 24 public Montessori schools from age three through kindergarten. By the end of kindergarten, children offered a Montessori seat scored significantly higher in multiple tests assessing a wide range of skills. This article connects that research to the bigger picture: how public Montessori has grown from 73 schools in 1986 to 546 in 2023, what the evidence does and doesn't show, and the real challenges of protecting authentic implementation, easing teacher certification, and aligning with state standards. It also takes up the unfinished work of helping every parent see what their child is learning, and what all of it means for advocacy, districts, and families.
