Cace enjoys learning. He has a strong creative streak and enjoys pushing the boundaries of his own knowledge and understanding. Rote learning does not excite him and he is constantly exploring new channels of information and knowledge that is driven by his innate curiosity and interests. We would hope that the Montessori approach would reinforce what we've been trying to instill in him-that learning is valuable, that hard work pays off, that there is nothing wrong with challenging himself outside of his comfort zone, that he is completely capable of doing anything he sets his mind to, and, most importantly, that all of this can be achieved when one develops critical thinking skills, when one recognizes their privileged position and the social responsibilities that come with this (to be caring, helpful, and supportive of others), when one nurtures the mind and the body, and when one views learning as the lifelong process of exploration, interpretation, and appreciation. Cace is most comfortable in the realms of science, literature, history, and the performing arts; he is less comfortable in math and writing (although his language-related abilities are shocking). We think that the Montessori approach may help balance things. 