Y2 Montessori School
Adolescent Community

The Y2 Foundation for Future Education, dedicated to promoting Montessori education, not only collaborates with the National Chengchi University-Taiwan Montessori Education Center on the "Accessible Montessori Education Program," but also has a goal of establishing a Montessori school for children aged 0-18. It explores the integration of Western Montessori education into the cultural context of Taiwan, which is also an important part of Y2's promotion blueprint. After nearly five years of preparation, Y2 Montessori School - Adolescent Community (Y2MAC) for middle school students (ages 12-15) was finally established in September of last year.

Located in Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County, Y2MAC is Taiwan's first fully boarding, English-medium Montessori middle school program. In elementary school, the Montessori approach introduces children to the concept of "Cosmic Education," guiding them from the universe to the individual, from the macro to the micro, helping them understand the relationship of individuals in the timeline of history, and assisting children in recognizing humanity’s contribution to the world. In middle school, the concept shifts to real work in real contexts so that adolescents can learn what they need to successfully navigate life as an adult. They move to an active life in the fresh air, eat a healthy diet and form a community of people they are accountable to and for. "Residing on campus" plays a vital role in this process.

What are the benefits of boarding school for adolescents?


Montessori observations of human development have revealed that adolescents have a need to leave home and create their own communities to foster independence and the ability to coexist harmoniously with others. The boarding school setting reduces the opportunities for conflicts and rebellious behavior between adolescents and their families. Staying at school all week allows the adolescent to respond to challenges, take healthy risks, learn real-life skills and learn who they are and why they matter. The teachers have many opportunities to observe the authentic needs of the children and provide appropriate assistance and guidance when necessary.

Y2MAC aims to redefine the learning environment.


The Y2MAC community includes dormitories, living and learning spaces, activity areas, and more. Adolescents learn independence through meeting their own needs and interdependence and the value of community through learning how to meet the needs of their peers. They can experience a community that is integrated with society and where teachers and students share together in a safe and open real-life environment. Jan Gaffney, a New Zealand national with extensive experience in Montessori middle school and international school education, has been specially recruited as the Principle. In 2021, she was granted an Employment Gold Card by the National Development Council (NDC) as a specific professional talent to come to Taiwan. She will work together with the Taiwan team to develop a Montessori adolescent education system that is suitable for Taiwanese culture.

About Y2MAC

  • Location: Zhudong Township, Hsinchu County

  • Education Level: Middle School Stage, four academic terms

  • Approach: Montessori adolescent education philosophy, English medium instruction, fully residential

  • Admission: Regular & Scholarship-based

Why
The adolescent is like a “ social newborn.” Their development will be followed and guided toward self-awareness, social cohesion, and readiness to enter the world as a prepared adult.

What
A full boarding community that betters, lives, and learns together, with the land, microeconomy, mixed-age learning, and independence as its essence.

When
2021 - assemble faculty team & complete middle school curriculum design
September 2022 - formally invite 7th graders to join the Program

Where
On the outskirts of Hsinchu, surrounded by farmland and the local reservoir that has many beautiful walks. 
A lovely place for a school for our younger adolescents, and provides plenty of scope for deep work for our high school students when that starts.

How
To re-define “place for learning” by building a cohort that’s integrated with the community and that’s co-shared by both faculty and students. Here, the adolescent’s wisdom and courage to forge on life’s adventures will be expanded.

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