The third year in a Montessori environment offers students the culminating experiences of leadership, confidence, and skill development in a place that is designed for the unique and specific needs of their age.
The Erdkinder (Earth Children) was established by Dr. Montessori as a place where students can develop their senses of social order, their growing bodies, and their expanding intellects. She recognized the need for a framework of study that emerges out of direct contact with real life: the natural responsibilities and timelines of the land, the reality of student run economic endeavours, and the establishment of community, all dependent on each individual to succeed. This frame for work and study is adapted to the Strata campus directly from Dr. Montessori’s concept of the farm as an ideal prepared environment -- a place where adolescents feel they belong and can contribute.