Innovation Montessori High School
Innovation Montessori High School was granted our charter in 2018 welcoming a small group of freshmen to our campus. IMHS will expand over the next few years as we add on the next class of students.
We are currently accepting applications for the 2019 – 2020 school year through 10th grade. You may apply here.
Our Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles
Our mission is to provide a game-changing High School education to cultivate independent, inspired and innovative leaders through purpose-driven Project-based Learning, a Montessori focus on a global perspective, and a four-year-long Innovation Incubator.
Vision: IMHS students master critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, a global perspective, purpose, and the ability to transfer knowledge and skills across subject matter lines in order to become the visionary creators of the fluid and fast-paced future.
The guiding principles of independence, inspiration, and innovation were forged from the latest research in preparing students for a successful post-high school future. Across the board, researchers, CEOs and leaders in education are calling for more critical thinking, greater adaptability, and more self-motivated young adults. Our young adults require more autonomy and respect for their individual strengths and weaknesses, inside of a supportive school culture, so they can flourish. Our students learn that they are responsible for their own success and the success of their peers.
This responsibility leads to a strong culture that encourages students to find their purpose, take intellectual risks, and discover their joy. Montessori philosophy is incorporated throughout the culture of Innovation Montessori High School (IMHS), which makes it particularly unique in a high school setting. Steeped in a collaborative environment that utilizes multiple styles of instruction, students shine. The start of the day is later than traditional high schools to match the circadian rhythms of this age group and demonstrate an awareness for the particular needs of the high schooler. Life skills seminars, a cooperative education where students work together to achieve their goals, and the true sense of community that develops when people come together to make the world a better place are hallmarks of a Montessori education and thrive at IMHS.
Project Based Learning
Project-based Learning affords students an opportunity to take a hands-on Montessori approach to mastering the core competencies and deepening their learning experience far beyond the basics. Each project will be backwards-designed from the standards and remain true to the Montessori philosophies of grace and courtesy with a global perspective and purpose-driven action.
The Innovation Incubator is the jewel of the individualized education. Students are taught creativity skills, and then launch into an ideation phase for a new business, a service organization, a non-profit, or even a new invention. Critical thinking intensives and seminars provide students tools to critically evaluate their work, along with input from students, faculty and advisors. Students learn business and practical operational management skills as well, as they prepare to launch their individual incubator project. Facilitating the cooperation and creation of student business co-ops is an internal student-created-and-managed banking system. This microcosm of the outside world further educates the students with a deep and hands-on approach. Each student will launch their individual initiative, and will experience the tough “first phase” of their business, non-profit, or initiative while receiving guidance and support from IMHS faculty, staff, mentors, parents, and fellow students. This critical first phase allows students to learn from what works and what doesn’t work. Intensive analytical work and continual improvements will spur in-demand educational and intellectual growth, while refining the student’s personal project. Some students will graduate with robust businesses. All students will leave with an unparalleled education.
IMHS will support differentiated student needs, provide the instructional support necessary, and the flexible environment to ensure continued innovation from students and faculty alike. From internships to in-house professional seminars to a robust parent-involvement program, this school will become a community center. This community approach shines a light on the importance of education and supports the core Montessori goal of educating the whole child. Our high-achievers will earn college credits with dual enrollment and certifications as they matriculate, and all will graduate ready for college and career. After four years at IMHS, our graduates will embody the guiding principles of independence, inspiration, and innovation. They will take that next step into adulthood, college, and career confidently prepared and ready to create their own futures.
School Tours
Want to learn more about what makes the Montessori experience so unique? Ready to apply and want to get a real feel for the magic that happens in our classrooms? Newly accepted and interested in getting your questions answered about what your child’s day will soon be like?
We encourage you to make an informed choice about your child’s education and to proactively seek answers to any questions you may have so that your child can become excited and well-prepared to join us here at Innovation Montessori. The best way to do this is through touring our school. Tours are held at scheduled times from October through May and you must reserve your space.
School tours scheduled take place at our new Ocoee campus location: 1644 N. Lakewood Ave. Ocoee, FL 34761
To schedule a school tour, please follow this link
Please sign in at the front office when you arrive. We look forward to showing you Montessori in action!
How to Apply
All admissions are through a lottery process. The lottery for the 2019-2020 school year was run on February 21, 2019. Applications are still being accepted. We will continue to select students via our waitlist to fill classroom vacancies as they arise throughout the year.
Prior to the lottery being run:
In accordance with our charter, Innovation Montessori may reserve 50% of open slots for students with previous Montessori experience. Be sure to indicate YES to Montessori experience on your application (you will be required to submit a supporting document). Other factors affecting lottery placement include having a sibling already enrolled, having participated in Innovation Montessori’s (MWGCS) VPK program, and being the child/guardian of active duty military personnel or a parent/guardian on our board of directors.
First time users must set up an account first by clicking on “Sign Up”. Create only one account per family, add your student(s) and then submit one application per child seeking enrollment. A confirmation email and/or text will be sent once your application has been received. If you are applying after the lottery has been run, your application will be placed on the bottom of the waitlist per grade.
IMO and IMHS are OCPS Charter Schools. Proof of residence is required for acceptance. IMO and IMHS only accept out of county students if, at the time of the offer, there are no other Orange County applications on file for the same grade. Preference is given to Orange County, FL residents.
Controlled Open Enrollment Capacity Transfer (COEC)
Eligibility for this transfer is described below: An open enrollment Transfer allows a family to transfer from any school, whether it is a OCPS district school or not, to a school that has available capacity. Relevant factors are as follows:
- Transfers still follow the lottery application process on our school site.
- Seats are offered to students seeking an “open enrollment capacity transfer” only after all those in lottery waitlist within the Orange County, Florida district have been offered a seat
- The student must stay for the entire school year, unless there is a change of address
- Transportation is not provided by Innovation Montessori
- Transfers may be revoked if the student is excessively tardy to school, remains at school beyond the dismissal time without prior arrangements with school officials, or is referred to the principal for disciplinary action.
Priority for the Transfer shall be given to the following groups:
- Students residing in Orange County, Florida and accepted through the lottery
- Dependent children of active duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders
- Children who have been relocated due to foster care placement in a different school zone
- Children who move due to a court-ordered change in custody due to separation or divorce, or the serious illness or death of a custodial parent