While proponents of Montessori programs maintain both social and academic advantages
for students, prior research has not adequately tested these assertions . This
investigation empirically tested whether a Montessori school had academic benefits
over other school programs. Despite mixed results, the hypothesis that Montessori
programs are associated with superior academic achievement was not supported. This
was especially evident in the lower language arts achievement among 8th-grade Montessori
students. Although the Montessori approach is unique and may have benefits for both teachers and students that extend beyond academics, the potential advantages should be demonstrated empirically before assumed as a positive outcome.