We inspire and guide children to love learning, to love one another, and to love the world around them.

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Respect for the Earth

Love the World Around Them: Respect for the Earth

At MSNV, respect for the Earth is daily practice. MSNV students gain a unique awareness of the Earth through our environmental education efforts. Nature studies, gardening and environmental stewardship are a part of our curriculum.

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Green Philosophy

Maria Montessori believed that nature should be an inspiration for learning. MSNV has always included nature in the curriculum-the students recycle, compost, and participate in nature studies ranging from indoor research and observation to outdoor gardening and nature hikes. Because being respectful of the earth and providing a healthy learning environment for our students go hand in hand, MSNV faculty and staff also observe these and other green practices

List of 3 items.

Waste Reduction

MSNV has taken numerous steps to cut down on the waste that comes in and out of the building.
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Energy Conservation

MSNV strives to conserve energy wherever possible.
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Environmental Stewardship

MSNV uses only environmentally safe cleaning products for daily school cleaning, and our integrated pest management program avoids using pesticides and herbicides.

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Montessori Gardening

Gardening activities are part of the MSNV curriculum. Much like their indoor work, the children work outdoors with child-sized tools and self-directed lesson boxes.

The children pick up trash, mix soil, grind egg shells, mulch plants, feed birds and scrub rocks. They learn about worms and soil, observe sun and shade, listen to sounds and identify colors. They reflect on nature to experience an inner quiet and peace. These activities reinforce a respect for all living things and recognition that in a garden filled with millipedes, beetles, snails and slugs, mites, compost, earthworms, fungi, and bacteria, there is no such thing as garbage!

How healthy soil is made
The role of worms and insects in nature
The importance of reusing resources
The importance of composting
What helps plants grow
The life cycle of the garden

Individual classrooms coordinate gardening volunteers to work outdoors with the children. In addition, there is support work for parents who would like to participate in maintaining this exciting program.

“Children indeed love flowers, but they need to do something more than remain among them and contemplate their colored blossoms. They find their greatest pleasure in acting, in knowing, in exploring, even apart from the attraction of external beauty.”

- Dr. Maria Montessori

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Hillbrook Campus

6820 Pacific Lane
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703-256-9577
Fax: 703-256-9851
Email: info@msnv.org

Lower Elementary (1st-3rd grade)
Upper Elementary (4th-6th grade)
Middle School (7th-8th grade)