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Conditional Use Permit <br /> • Request For <br /> 555 Railroad Drive <br /> Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> General <br /> The property in question is located at 555 Railroad Drive, Elk River, MN 55330. The building is <br /> situated between Railroad Drive and 3rd Street (formally the True Value Hardware Store). A request <br /> is being made to operate a Montessori Primary and Elementary School on the premises. A <br /> Montessori School would provide an alternative means of education for Elk River and surrounding <br /> communities. Parents would have the opportunity to enroll their children in a classroom setting that <br /> utilizes the Montessori teaching methods. The following documents support our planning, careful <br /> thought, and vision to safely and successfully operate a Montessori School. <br /> What Is A Montessori School <br /> Montessori philosophy dates back to 1900, when Dr. Maria Montessori, the first female Italy <br /> recognized as a medical doctor, developed her teaching techniques while at an Orthophrenic School, <br /> a school for the mentally disabled. She was astounded by how well these children responded to her <br /> teaching techniques. Maria thought if the same techniques were applied to healthy children, "Why <br /> shouldn't they do much better work in school than they did?" She left the Orthophrenic School and <br /> began applying her teaching techniques to healthy children and realized she had "developed a way to <br /> set free children's personality and learning capabilities in a marvelous and surprising way." <br /> Montessori emphasizes careful preparation of classrooms that respond to the specific needs and <br /> tendencies of children at each stage of development. These "prepared classrooms" are sensitively <br /> • created and maintained by a Montessori teacher to provide optimum conditions for independent <br /> activity and full development of individual potential. <br /> The prepared classroom is more than materials; it involves the careful coordination of space, people, <br /> and time as well as the selection of activities and materials. The way in which these elements are <br /> combined will vary according to the stage of development. Montessori teachers are carefully trained <br /> to link children to activities and to promote a positive emotional climate in the classroom. Yet each <br /> classroom provides full opportunities for individual development within the context of a social <br /> community. <br /> Why This Location <br /> First of all,the location of this building when compared to Elk River's major roadways and other <br /> educational facilities is ideal. There is easy access to the building from both Highway 10 and <br /> Highway 169. For those parents that commute into the metro area, little time would be added to drop <br /> off their child at this location. Elk River provides a centralized location for families in the surrounding <br /> communities, such as Rogers, Ostego, Zimmerman, and Big Lake. <br /> Secondly, some elementary aged children may need to use the current school bus system, in which <br /> case very little additional cost would be incurred due to its close proximity to St. Andrews Catholic <br /> School. The Montessori's school schedule would coincide with St. Andrews to provide for proper <br /> drop off and pick up times. <br /> Lastly, there are very few buildings of this size available for lease in the city of Elk River. <br /> Furthermore,this building would not require a major renovation project to make it suitable for <br /> educational purposes. The alternative to leasing an existing building would be to construct a new <br /> • facility, but that would be too costly at this time. <br /> Page 1 of 3 <br />