Interview with Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS) Alum, Zayne Thawer
Zayne, an alum of Rowntree Montessori Schools, shared his perspective on RMS’s welcoming community, high academic standards, dedicated teachers, strong values, evolving curriculum, and the lasting impact of its rigorous preparation.
Highlights from the interview
Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS) foster a welcoming and tight-knit community where students feel like family. The environment is one of inclusion, ensuring that every student feels valued and involved. The relatively small campus contributes to this sense of closeness, allowing students across different grades to interact and form meaningful connections. This supportive atmosphere was a defining aspect of the speaker’s experience at RMS, making the school stand out among others.
A key strength of RMS is the high standard of teaching. Teachers are held to rigorous expectations regarding lesson plans, activities, and teaching resources, which directly benefit students. The faculty's dedication to pushing students academically helps them reach their full potential. The speaker credits this strong foundation with preparing them for success in high school, particularly in the IB program, and later in university. The quality of education and sense of community at RMS align well with what families hope for when choosing a school.
RMS instills core values in its students, integrating them into daily life. The school emphasizes values such as dedication, responsibility, integrity, and honesty, reinforcing them through a 'value of the month' program. This consistent encouragement helps students carry these principles beyond their time at RMS, shaping their personal and academic growth. The school’s structured approach ensures that students not only excel academically but also develop strong moral and ethical foundations.
Over the years, RMS has evolved by incorporating more technology into its curriculum. There is now a greater focus on critical thinking, coding, and technological literacy, which the speaker believes is a crucial skill in today’s world. While these advancements were not as prominent during their time at the school, they recognize the immense value of these changes. Additionally, RMS's academic rigor, including the volume of homework and coursework, may have felt demanding at the time, but in retrospect, it provided a significant advantage in later academic pursuits.
The dedication of RMS staff and faculty is exceptional. Students receive the full attention and commitment of teachers who genuinely care about their success. This level of investment is rare and something the speaker deeply appreciates. The school’s welcoming nature further strengthens this experience, making it feel like one big family. Perhaps most importantly, the preparation RMS provides is unparalleled. The skills and discipline cultivated at RMS continue to benefit students well into their academic and professional lives, distinguishing them from peers who attended other schools.
When considering RMS, the speaker advises prospective families to look at the school’s history of success and speak with current or former students. The overwhelmingly positive experiences shared by past students reflect the school’s dedication to excellence. Additionally, the speaker recalls valuable advice from their vice principal, Mr. Reid, who emphasized that “you get out what you put in.” RMS offers countless opportunities for students to grow through academics, extracurriculars, sports, and the arts. Those willing to invest their time and effort will find themselves well-supported and rewarded with a rich and fulfilling school experience.
