Gettysburg Montessori Charter School
We foster independence, confidence, critical thinking and creativity in a warm and welcoming environment, with a hands-on, ‘whole child’ approach that makes learning compelling, effective and fun.
A warm, welcoming place to learn and grow
The Gettysburg Montessori Charter School fosters independence, confidence, critical thinking abilities and creativity in a warm and welcoming environment. Our hands-on, ‘whole child’ approach supports each student’s unique qualities and individual learning style for a learning experience that’s compelling, effective and fun!
Now offering programs from Kindergarten through Grade 6. Spots are filling up fast, don’t wait!
- Hands-on & Innovative Learning Environment
- Experienced Faculty
- Love & Care
- Independent Exploration
- “Whole child” Learning
- Freedom Within Limits
- Grace and Courtesy
- Family and Community Partnerships
- Self-regulation
- Mindfulness
- Intrinsic Motivation
- Sensitivity, Respect, and Compassion
- Low Student-to-Staff Ratio
- After-School Tutoring Club
- Natural Play Areas
- Parent Involvement
Welcome to GMCS
Welcome to Gettysburg Montessori Charter School, where every child is valued, respected, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.
At GMCS, we believe that education is a journey of discovery. Guided by the Montessori philosophy, we foster a learning environment that nurtures curiosity, independence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Our students are encouraged to achieve academic excellence while building the confidence needed to become compassionate citizens and successful contributors in an ever-changing world.
We are committed to educating the whole child. Through individualized instruction and hands-on learning experiences we help students develop not only knowledge, but also character, compassion, and respect for others. Our dedicated staff partners with families to create a supportive and inclusive school community where every child is encouraged to explore their unique talents and interests.
Whether you are considering Gettysburg Montessori Charter School for your child or seeking to learn more about our educational approach, we invite you to discover the difference a Montessori education can make.
We look forward to welcoming you to our school community.
I am available for contact via phone, email, or in-person meeting. Should you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact me directly at thogan@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org.
With kindness,
Dr. Tammy Hogan
CEO/Principal
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Gettysburg Montessori Charter School is a K-6 public charter that embodies the theories of Dr. Maria Montessori while promoting a multifaceted, child-centered learning environment for Gettysburg and the surrounding area. Our Montessori trained, PA certified teachers provide children with a dynamic and engaging education using a holistic curriculum that blends the Montessori educational philosophy and the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards. Our mission is to develop the full diversity of human intelligence while nurturing the whole child and instilling a lifelong love of learning.
Our Vision
Our vision is to guide, inspire, and empower children. Our goal is to give them the tools and confidence to achieve their dreams, lead meaningful lives, and make positive contributions as world citizens in the 21st century.
We Value
Hands-on Learning
A learning environment built around physical, multi-sensory exploration.
Independent Exploration
Children follow their curiosity and discover concepts for themselves.
Whole Child Learning
We nurture cognitive, social, and emotional growth together.
Freedom Within Limits
Real choices inside clear, consistent school-wide expectations.
Grace & Courtesy
Respectful habits are explicitly taught, modeled, and practiced.
Family & Community
Strong partnerships between our staff, families, and community.
Self-regulation & Mindfulness
Students build the focus and calm to manage their own learning.
Intrinsic Motivation
Learning is its own reward, reinforced by real feelings of success.
Sensitivity, Respect & Compassion
Preparing kind, capable contributors to their world.
Montessori, Traditional, and GMCS Methods
GMCS blends the best of the Montessori philosophy with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards. Here is how our approach compares.
| MONTESSORI METHOD | TRADITIONAL METHOD | GMCS BLENDED APPROACH |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis is on cognitive, social, and emotional development | Emphasis is on cognitive development | Emphasis is on cognitive, social, and emotional development |
| Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration | Fewer materials for sensory development | Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration |
| Environment and method encourage self-discipline and problem-solving strategies | Teacher is primary enforcer of discipline mostly through forms of punishment. | School-wide expectations are explicitly taught, modeled, and practiced. Adults support and encourage self-discipline and problem-solving strategies. |
| Mixed age groups provide the child with a sense of community where children work to help and teach each other. | Same age grouping | Mixed age groups provide the child with a sense of community where children work to help and teach each other. Subject specific classes at grades 3 – 6. |
| Children can work together cooperatively. | Cooperative grouping is minimal | Children can work together cooperatively. |
| Teacher (directress) is a facilitator. | Teacher is in control | Blend of direct teacher instruction and teacher as facilitator. |
| Mainly individual and small group instruction | Mainly whole group instruction | We offer a blend of whole group and small group instruction. |
| Child chooses own work, with encouragement from teacher. | Set curriculum is structured for the child. | PA Standards-based curriculum which offers Must Do and May Do activities. |
| Child can work where he/she chooses, move around, eat snack, and talk when he/she desires, if he/she is not disturbing the work of others. | Child must usually sit in a chair, not talk to friends, eat only at lunchtime, and work on set work. | We offer mobility within the classroom, flexible seating, snack, and social times allowed if students are not disturbing the work of others. |
| Child discovers own concepts from self-teaching (didactic) materials. | Child is guided to concepts by teacher. | Blend of teacher-guided instruction and discovery- based exploration |
| Child may work at own learning pace. | Instruction pace is set by group norm. | Instruction pace is set by national norms with differentiation for students to work at own learning pace. |
| Child has unlimited time to work on a chosen project. | Child is generally allotted specific time for work on a specific project or assignment. Projects usually chosen by teacher. | Children are generally allotted specific timeframes for work. Flexibility for specific projects or assignments is often allowed. |
| Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work with intrinsic feelings of success. Learning is its own reward. | Learning is reinforced extrinsically by repetition and rewards. Teachers work to motivate the child to learn. | Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work with intrinsic feelings of success along with teachers motivating the child to learn. |
| Materials are self-correcting. Child spots own errors from feedback of material. | If work is corrected, errors usually are pointed out by the teacher. | Blend of teacher-corrected work and self-correcting materials allowing students to spot their own errors from feedback of material. |
| Organized program for learning care of self and environment to develop independence. Washing hands, sweeping floor, polishing shoes | Less emphasis on self-care instruction | Organized program for learning care of self and environment to develop independence such as washing hands, sweeping floor |
| Organized program for parents to understand the Montessori philosophy and participate in the learning process | Voluntary parent involvement | Voluntary parent involvement |
Montessori Myths vs Facts
Curious about common misconceptions? See what Montessori education really looks like at GMCS.
Experience why our children are HAPPY to learn!
Schedule your personal tour and see Montessori learning in action.