The Montessori system is not alone in giving attention to the individual student. There are a variety of educational philosophies that put much effort into developing the individual. Private schooling has unexpectedly invigorated the local community. Although there were reservations about the lack of licensed teachers at first, the fact that students are learning to read in a matter of weeks instead of months or even years has inspired the locals with confidence. The teachers are not unionized.
Parental involvement is encouraged.
The teachers are members of a local school responsive to the local community. The Southern Ute reservation is still the only reservation that operates its own school. It is remarkable that the Southern Utes would be the only tribe to make a tribally run school a priority. Indian children generally do poorly in public schools, and in spite of all the lip service to multiculturalism, Indian culture is generally neglected. Many Southern Utes recognized this and opened the Academy.