It’s more guided discovery than a free-for-all. My daughter attends a Montessori school. She can, by and large, select what she works on from a pool of age- (and skill-) appropriate activities. She sets a goal each semester for something she wants to master (right now she’s working on a math puzzle.)
Our state does require a certain number of hours of instruction in core subjects, so there is a requirement for a certain amount of math, reading, etc. You could argue that what we have isn’t “pure” Montessori as a result, but to operate legally, it is what the school has to do.
I don’t think Montessori is for everyone — I know families at our school where some of their kids attend, and some are in public school because it works better for that particular kid. For us, it has been great for our daughter.
If it were between a public school and a Montessori school, the choice would be fairly easy. Such is my distaste for public schools.
I think though, what made her such an effective educator wasn't her method. Teaching seems to be more of an art form than a science. There are certainly fundamental principles of education, just like in art.
The art seems to be knowing when to use "one size fits all", and when to use "know the rules so you can break them".
Edit: And ultimately, I think the largest factor overlooked is the presence of the parents in their children's education.
A friend of mine is sending their kids to a Montessori school, and they're thriving there. But before that, he and his wife read and sang with their children every night. That does, in my mind, more than any other teacher could possibly do.
Our state does require a certain number of hours of instruction in core subjects, so there is a requirement for a certain amount of math, reading, etc. You could argue that what we have isn’t “pure” Montessori as a result, but to operate legally, it is what the school has to do.
I don’t think Montessori is for everyone — I know families at our school where some of their kids attend, and some are in public school because it works better for that particular kid. For us, it has been great for our daughter.