Moments at TPMS
A Community Rooted in Purpose: The Portland Montessori School
Since 1962, The Portland Montessori School (TPMS) has been a place where children are guided in their joyful pursuit of learning. Grounded in the principles of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), our work is driven by a clear vision: inspiring the world’s...
Reaching for the Stars: TPMS Upper Elementary Students Partner with PSU and NASA
At TPMS, learning extends far beyond the classroom—and sometimes, even beyond Earth. On September 14, 2025, TPMS Elementary students traveled to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to witness the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket. The students were invited...
Bringing the Prepared Environment Home
By Braden Pemberton Director of Admissions & Special Projects The basic tenants of a Montessori classroom posit that a space should be beautiful, accessible, organized, and limited. These framing ideas remove barriers to children while they pursue activities that...
Independence in the Primary Child: Let’s Let Them Walk
By Amy Williams, MA, DTR, RMT For many of our younger students, walking independently is a new skill. It is necessary to practice as much as possible in order to refine balance and grace. Children are developing muscles, building self-confidence, developing...
The Kindergarten Year – Parent Panel
Editor's note - We held a parent education night, and invited current parents across our Primary and Elementary program to sit for a panel. Each panelist shared their thoughts and processes as they considered the decision to keep their children in the Primary program...
Diversity & Inclusion at TPMS
By Hanan Al-Zubaidy Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at TPMS Hello reader! I am writing this blog post as an on-call staff member at the Portland Montessori School. Recently at the school, a few staff members have formed a Diversity and Inclusion...
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.