The MOSAIC Adolescent

Community (TMAC)

A secondary school program where students aged 12-18 discover their purpose through hands-on, real-world learning adventures

The Montessori Approach to Adolescence

The adolescent years are a time of profound transformation, a journey from childhood to adulthood. For parents seeking an educational approach that respects this journey, a Montessori program offers a unique and powerful alternative. While Montessori for younger children is well-known, the adolescent programs are gaining recognition for their ability to meet the unique needs of this age group.

Dr. Maria Montessori saw adolescents as "Erdkinder," or "land children," and believed their ideal environment was one that allowed them to connect with the natural world through meaningful work. She recognized that teenagers are not yet adults, but are in a vital process of "self-construction." Our program is specifically designed to provide the physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual nourishment they need to build a strong foundation for their future.

She observed that the best setting for this journey is a working farm or outdoor estate where these preteen and teenagers can engage with both their hands and their minds. When given the right environment, adolescents are empowered to do that vital work of self-construction.

Our Environment & Curriculum

At The Mosaic Field School, we believe that the best way for preteens and teenagers to learn is by doing. Our curriculum and environment are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of adolescents by putting our core values into practice every day. We blend the time-tested Montessori philosophy with a focus on outdoors, STEAM, adventures, independence, and community to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience.

Meaningful Work & Intellectual Stimulation

  • Our curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning that connects directly to the world around them. For example, we apply scientific principles by testing stream chemistry and observing macroinvertebrates to assess the health of our local ecosystem. To develop the mathematical and scientific mind, Socratic seminars, historical research, and writing across genres provide space for students to hone their intellect, developing precision in communication and thought before they present meaningful findings to the community.

Creative Expression

  • Creative expression is at the heart of adolescence. We introduce our students to skills and techniques from a variety of modes for creative self-expression: fine arts, music, creative writing, folk arts, culinary arts, and the list goes on! We blend traditional craft with modern technology, seeing the progression from hand-building pottery, to pottery wheel, to 3D printing mirrors the progression of civilization. Students learn academics alongside the creative expression topics: geometry through quilting or trigonometry through building projects, making academic concepts tangible and relevant.

Physical Movement & Outdoor Experiences

  • Our students spend time on our beautiful property, hiking, camping, and engaging in physical activities that build teamwork, confidence, and self-reliance. We encourage them to "just be" in nature, fostering a deep connection to the environment.

Collaboration & Communication

  • Our students learn to find their voice and express ideas through Socratic seminars, integrated work and study teams, and collaborative building projects. They develop essential teamwork and project planning skills while imbuing a strong sense of community and knowledge of their personal capability to contribute to impactful change.

Why Parents Choose Field Schools

For Middle & High School Education

  • Learn By Doing

    A field school is all about hands-on learning in a supportive environment. We believe mistakes and failures are a regular part of the learning process. This approach helps students build resilience and find joy in hard-won success.

  • Learn Through Movement

    Maria Montessori believed the hand should lead the mind. Our program provides opportunities for movement because we remember what we learn better when our whole body is involved. This is especially important for teenagers as they get acquainted with their new physical selves, building habits of regular movement that form the foundation for lifelong physical and mental wellness.

  • Learn through Real-World Experiences

    A field school answers the question, “When will I ever use this?” before it's asked. Students engage in meaningful work that builds confidence and self-esteem by allowing them to contribute to society. We start with the experience, and the academics connect naturally.

  • Learning By Working With Experts

    Adolescents are trying to figure out where they fit in the adult world. We help them develop mentoring relationships by connecting them with experts in various fields. This gives them the opportunity to try on many vocational hats to find work that is joyful, meaningful, and fulfilling.

  • Learn In Community

    As "social newborns," teens investigate how they fit into society and relate to their peers and mentors. Our field school provides a space where kind and respectful communication is modeled and practiced, allowing teens to find their voice while learning to dialogue constructively with others.

“Success depends on self-confidence, on the awareness of one’s own talents and of the many possibilities of their adaptation.”

-Dr. Maria Montessori

Our Guiding Principles

At The Mosaic Field School, every aspect of our program is designed to support the unique developmental needs of adolescent students.

Our approach is built on the following foundational principles:

Self-Construction and Self-Expression

  • Student growth and development is at the heart of everything we do. Through creative experiences in art, music, writing, and drama, students learn to express themselves and imaginatively explore who they are and who they want to become.

Integrated Academics

  • Yes, our students learn all the traditional academic subjects—from reading and writing to business law and environmental science. However, they don't learn them in separate class periods. Instead, they learn through integrated, project-based work and community-based field study, connecting their knowledge to lived experiences.

Social Construction and Character Formation

  • Adolescence is a time of becoming a member of society. Our school is a place where teenagers learn to respectfully discuss their points of view, think critically, and contribute positively to their community. They learn the vital skills of negotiation, collaboration, and accountability.

Preparation For Adult Life

  • Maria Montessori deeply understood the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Our program is designed to teach adaptability, a key skill for adult life. By connecting every topic of study to real-world problems and having students work alongside adult mentors and experts, we ensure they are flexible, capable, and ready to face an uncertain future.

A True Field School Experience

  • Movement is essential for learning. Our program provides a balance of action and reflection, movement and stillness. We live the "Lab Life" on our campus and get hands-on experience in the "Field" through short excursions and multi-day camping and citizen science trips.

Flexible Learning Adventure Time (FLAT)

  • We recognize that modern families have diverse needs. Our unique approach includes optional FLAT days, which provide time for educational travel or family events. A FLAT day isn't just a day off; students reflect on these experiences to integrate them into their learning journey, proving that every experience is a learning experience.

What To Expect At The Mosaic Field School

The recipe for a TMAC experience is a rich one, as students try on the many hats of adulthood.

Through Integrated Study and Work units, they connect academic subjects to real-world problems.

On-Site Days

Our rhythm includes community meetings, advising appointments, small-group lessons, integrated work and study, and creative expression. Students also participate in the production of goods and services and care for our beautiful environment.

Off-Site Days

We provide intentional variety, introducing students to experts and experiences that feed their drive to understand their place in the working world. One day they might meet with an engineer at a hydroelectric plant, and the next they could be learning from a crew at a music studio.

Long-Term Travel (3-10 Days)

Our TMAC students get to plan and take part in 4-6 long-term (3-10 day) travel trips each year that might include camping, national parks exploration, or meeting with experts at one of our many partner programs, among other opportunities that arise in the course of our Integrated Study and Work planning.

"The chief symptom of adolescence is a state of expectation, a tendency towards creative work and a need for the strengthening of self-confidence.”

— Dr. Maria Montessori

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