Negros Oriental Montessori International School

Negros Oriental Montessori International School (S.I.M.O.N.) is a private co-educational institution established in 1995, serving students from ages 2½ to 18. The school follows the Montessori educational philosophy, emphasizing experiential learning where children develop through interactions with their environment rather than passive listening. The founder, Dr. Maria Luz Calumpang-Fuentes, is a certified Montessori teacher trained at the Maria Montessori Teacher's Training Center in San Francisco and holds memberships in international Montessori associations including NAMTA and Association Montessori Internationale. Current school administrator Johanna Marie 'Honey' Amigo Teves took over leadership in 2014 with her father Gabriel Davis Amigo, maintaining the school's traditional Montessori methods while expanding its programs. The school offers a comprehensive educational pathway from Junior Casa for toddlers through Senior High School, including Special Education programs. SIMON emphasizes creating safe, focused learning environments with high academic aspirations, character development through leadership programs, and support for students' emotional and social growth. Teachers participate in annual Montessori workshops to preserve the educational methodology. The school provides online enrollment and has adapted to virtual learning environments while maintaining teacher-student connections.