Where We Found Our Inspiration: A Peek Into Other Montessori High Schools

If you’re raising a neurodiverse teen—whether they’re navigating ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, or any other unique wiring—you know that the right learning environment can make all the difference.

One of the unexpected gifts I found when my son started Montessori school at just 2.5 years old wasn’t just about his education — it was about us, too — the parents.

One thing we love about Montessori education, especially at the middle and high school levels, is how it goes way beyond textbooks. One of the coolest examples? Microeconomy.

Let’s be honest—how many of us learned about taxes, paychecks, or credit cards after we were already knee-deep in mistakes? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ It’s one of those things we wish high schools had taught us.

It’s a question we hear a lot — and it’s totally fair! In a typical high school, you might expect one teacher per subject, a bell schedule, and separate classrooms for math, English, science, etc.

One of the things we’re really excited about at Atlas is finding ways to connect learning to real life — and real people in our community. Small business partnerships are a big part of that plan!

This is something I wondered about too — "If we choose a smaller school like Atlas, is my teen going to miss out on the typical high school experience?"You know...friends, school spirit, activities, all of that.

The age-old question of the chicken and the egg—what comes first?—is a fitting metaphor for launching Atlas Montessori High School. Just like in nature, where both the chicken and the egg are necessary for life to continue, a school requires several essential elements working together to take flight: teachers, students, space, and funding.

The name Atlas holds deep meaning for our school. It speaks to the brilliance, potential, and responsibility of adolescence—and of all of us—as we grow into the world.