About Us
The Montessori Children’s School, Inc. was founded as Jacksonville Montessori School by three dedicated Montessori families. In 1997, the school opened a building designed to meet the needs of Montessori students. The school has grown to include classes for Toddler, Primary and Elementary.
The school is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) and is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the parents. The school has active participation by the parent body and an active Parent Teacher Organization.
School Community: The relationship between staff and parents is essential to the success and strength of the school.
Incorporation: 1997
Enrollment: 150 Children
Ages: one through twelve years
Composition: Day student population from throughout the area representing the races, cultures, religions, and languages of a multi-national population.
Philosophy: Students are active participants, problem solvers, and learners who best learn “by doing”, guided by accomplished teachers who are gifted facilitators.
Curriculum: A core curriculum of math, language, science, and culture taught in an experiential and inter-disciplinary manner to students cross-age grouped in 3-year developmental learning “cycles.”
Governance: 5-15 member unpaid Board of Directors.
Leadership: Head of School, Flo Hart
Strong leadership, a thoughtful planning process, and prudent financial management have enable MCS to meet past planning goals with success. Through institutional assessment and careful long-range planning, high educational standards have been met and emerging opportunities seized during a time of growth.
Montessori Children’s School facilities include:
- Center for creative learning, built on the current site in 1997
- Elementary Building, opened January, 2011
- Free flowing and open space that allows the child to move
- Place where the children feel at home
- Safe place, in a wooded area with an environment designed by the children for work, play, and learning
- Special place, architecturally scaled to the child’s world: furniture windows, sinks, and material are all child-size
- Two Stepping Stones Classrooms for one to three year-olds
- Three Primary Classroom for three-to-six year-olds
- Two Junior and One Senior Classroom for six-to-twelve year-olds