Montessori at the Core, Innovation at the Forefront

At Inly School, innovation is more than a buzzword—it’s a mindset, a process, and a deeply rooted element of our Montessori+ approach to education. From Children’s House through Middle School, Inly’s Innovation Curriculum empowers students to explore their creativity, think critically, and solve real-world problems with empathy, confidence, and purpose.

What sets Inly apart is our ability to seamlessly blend time-tested Montessori principles with forward-thinking practices. Montessori is an inherently innovative model: it prioritizes problem-solving and hands-on exploration. At Inly, we build upon this foundation by expanding opportunities for students to imagine, invent, and implement ideas that matter. We believe that innovation isn’t just about using the latest tools—it’s about tapping into a child’s innate curiosity and inspiring them to think outside the box.

The i4 Process: A Framework for Creative Thinking

Beginning in Children’s House and continuing through Middle School, students engage with Inly’s i4 Process—Inquire, Imagine, Invent, and Implement—a creative problem-solving framework that fosters deep thinking, experimentation, and reflection. Along the way, they bring their ideas to life using a wide range of hands-on tools, including woodworking materials, sewing machines, robotics, 3D printers, laser cutters, video production equipment, and analog and digital electronics.

These tools don’t just bring ideas to life—they also support interdisciplinary learning, inviting students to explore math, science, literacy, and social studies through engaging, real-world projects. Whether it’s constructing a working grabber claw, designing a model birdhouse, or building a functioning robot, students learn to navigate challenges with curiosity and resilience. 

Real-World Skills for Real-World Challenges

As students progress into Upper Elementary and Middle School, they build on the foundational skills developed in earlier years and apply them in increasingly complex ways. Guided by Erika Hoddinott, Director of Library & Innovation, students dive into complex design challenges that stretch their creativity and deepen their skills.

Through a partnership with NuVuX, a Cambridge-based innovation and design program, Inly Upper School students apply their skills to real-world scenarios. They use professional design thinking models to tackle challenges with social impact. Empathy is at the heart of every project, encouraging students to design with purpose and a deeper sense of humanity.

Preparing for the Future by Nurturing the Present

At Inly, we know the future belongs to adaptable, creative thinkers who can lead with empathy and solve problems with purpose. By nurturing these traits from the earliest years, we’re not just preparing students for what’s next—we’re empowering them to shape it. Through a thoughtful blend of Montessori tradition and innovative practice, Inly students grow into bold, capable learners ready to thrive in a world that’s constantly evolving.