Learning That Grows With the Learner
At MAP St. Louis, academics don't happen in a vacuum. They unfold in rhythm with adolescent development, designed to meet students where they are, challenge them to reach their potential, and connect authentically to the world around them.
Our academic program is deeply rooted in Montessori principles. Students learn by doing. They work across disciplines, explore big ideas through inquiry and discussion, and apply their knowledge through personalized projects that make learning feel relevant.
Our primary goal is to help students build the skills they need to thrive in today's world. We focus on developing critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability, while nurturing a lasting curiosity and love for learning. We want students to think deeply, navigate complexity, make informed decisions, and understand their role in the context of society.
Learning Across a Continuum
Adolescents don't all grow at the same pace, and they shouldn't be expected to learn that way. Our academic program is built as a developmental continuum, not a rigid sequence. Learning unfolds in phases, shaped by students' developmental needs and supported by mixed-age cohorts that encourage peer mentorship, collaboration, and flexibility.
- Layout Element
Grades 7–8: Middle School
Our Middle School Program provides a safe place where students build skills, curiosity, confidence, and the executive functioning needed to navigate complex ideas while preserving a love of learning.
Grades 9–10: Early High School
These years form a bridge between structure and independence, as students begin their own learning while deepening their academic foundation. Students enjoy flexibility in course placement and project engagement, encouraging growth at the pace of readiness, not just age.
Grades 11–12: Upper High School
This final phase is a rigorous, globally-minded academic experience designed to prepare students for life beyond high school. Coursework aligned with the IB Diploma Programme engages students in deep intellectual work and develops the independence, self-direction, and leadership needed for post-secondary success.
What Students Study
Across every phase, students at MAP build a strong foundation in core academic areas: Language & Literature, Individuals & Societies, Mathematics, Sciences, Visual Arts & Music, Language Acquisition, and more.
These domains aren’t taught in isolation. Students make connections across subjects, ask big questions, and apply what they learn through projects, discussion, and real-world work.