About
The Portland Montessori School, formerly Providence Montessori School, has been educating Portland’s children according to the Montessori educational method for more than 60 years. Located in the North Tabor neighborhood in Northeast Portland, our campus offers a convenient location for many Portland-area neighborhoods.
We currently serve approximately 130 students across three levels. Our toddler program serves children 15 to 36 months. The primary program is for children 2.5 to 6 years old, and our elementary classroom serves 1st through 6th grade.
The school day runs from 8:30 am until 3:00 pm, five days a week. For students in our Primary and Elementary programs, we offer after care and summer camps. After care hours extend the day to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Our guides and many staff members are certified by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) to ensure we guide our students using internationally recognized standards of educational excellence.
Values
The Portland Montessori School:
- Provides high-fidelity Montessori education for all
- Invests in people to develop a passion for lifelong learning
- Leads advocacy efforts that impact educational policies
- Creates connected community
- Develops culturally responsive, equitable, and inclusive environments
Vision Statement
Inspiring the world’s future leaders
Mission
The Portland Montessori School guides each child’s joyful quest to reach their intellectual, social and emotional potential within a diverse, nurturing learning community as we adhere to the Montessori principles of the Association Montessori Internationale.
School History
The Portland Montessori School, formerly Providence Montessori School, was founded in September 1962 under the direction of Sister Francella LaFramboise, who studied extensively at Montessori institutes in both the United States and Europe. In 2012, the school celebrated its 50th birthday, and we have the proud distinction of being the first Montessori school in the Northwest.
THE TRANSITION TO THE PORTLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL
On January 1, 2013, Providence Montessori School officially became The Portland Montessori School, an independent, non-profit school. This successful transition resulted from the dedicated efforts of the school community, and the hard work of many parents, teachers and staff. Providence Health Systems, the organization that previously operated the school, also provided significant support throughout the transition. Now operating independently, the school is guided by a board of directors with active involvement and input from an engaged parent advisory committee (PAC). Our school retains its former character and community, including its rich history of providing a Montessori education to Portland-area children.
AN APPROACH TO EDUCATION DEVELOPED BY DR. MARIA MONTESSORI
At The Portland Montessori School, we educate children according to the Montessori method of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first female physician in Italy, and a pioneer in the study of child development. This method is based on her work with developmentally challenged and underprivileged children in Italy, which she began after graduating from medical school in 1896. The approach quickly earned worldwide acclaim and became a standard approach to educating children.
THE MONTESSORI APPROACH
In a Montessori education, children learn concepts while working in a carefully prepared environment designed to stimulate each child's interest and understanding. Children work independently and in small groups with mixed-ages ranging approximately three years. Because a Montessori education instills the value of caring for our earth, the classroom often extends to the outdoors. The Montessori approach helps each child develop according to his or her inner clock. The guide, or teacher, acts as a catalyst in each child's unique journey of development and aids them in their natural process of growth and learning.
The time-tested principles, methods and materials used in a Montessori education are scientifically supported and researched. After more than a century, this method continues to work because of its foundation in both observable and inherent human developmental principles that Dr. Montessori explored during her many decades of scientific observation and practice.
Certifications & Memberships
We are proud to be (AMI) recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale reaffirming the quality of our programs through rigorous internationally recognized standards.
As a member of Oregon Montessori Association (OMA), our guides, administrators, assistants and parents benefit from the many workshops and trainings this association offers. OMA strives to advance the Montessori movement, with a specific focus on the Oregon and Southwest Washington areas.
CERTIFICATIONS
We are fully licensed and certified by the Oregon Department of Education – Office of Child Care – License number CC 502664.
Our school is also listed with the North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA).
The Oregon Environmental Council certifies our school as an Eco-Healthy Childcare. This national program “ensures that child care settings are as happy, healthy, safe and green as possible by reducing children’s exposure to toxics.”
The school’s grounds have been designated as a Certified Backyard Habitat. This program is a collaborative effort by the Columbia Land Trust and Audubon Society of Portland. It credits our work to remove aggressive weeds, create wildlife habitats and garden responsibly.
"As parents, our ultimate goal is for our child to make independent, healthy and confident choices so he can be a happy and productive person wherever he is in life. We are thankful he is with Miss Jennifer's elementary class and The Portland Montessori School community, where he is developing those traits."
"The Portland Montessori School is a school with a heart. Each year, parents raise money to sustain scholarships that make the dream of a Montessori education a reality for families who could not otherwise afford it. That shows the true spirit of community at our school."
"We always knew that our daughter’s curiosity and tenacity led her to love exploration and learning, but since she’s been with The Portland Montessori School we've seen her develop personally in ways we hadn't imagined. She is all the better for the love, respect, friendship and encouragement she receives there."
"I could write an essay on how my daughter joined PMS in the last year and graduated from her primary class reading chapter books and doing long addition and subtraction with multiple numbers. She’s well beyond her kindergarten peers, and my younger son's pride in his work and love of learning has grown beyond expectation."
"What takes me aback every day is the exceptional commitment of every single staff member to the nurturing environment that this school provides. The care, understanding, and compassion that they show is and unwavering and is unique to each and every child."