Welcome to Spokane Public Montessori!

“Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole, which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”

~Dr. Maria Montessori

Dearest Community,

Welcome to Spokane Public Montessori, where we are fortunate to provide an authentic Montessori curriculum within the public setting of Spokane Public Schools. In our school we center our work around love and respect for the child. We cultivate a prepared environment where each child has choice, autonomy, and materials that lead to mastery. The spirit of curiosity and joy leads to authentic learning experiences, high levels of academic achievement, and support for the absorbent minds of every child. With kindergarten and three grade bands – Lower Elementary (grades 1-3), Upper Elementary (grades 4-6), and Middle School (grades 7-8) – every child is both teacher and learner within our multi-age classrooms. Our strong learning community is rooted in the deep relationship with teachers, and a focus on learning both inside our classroom walls and out in our community. Using the principles of Dr. Montessori to support and guide our work, we help facilitate the experiences at each plane of development. We partner with families to support learning goals both at school and at home and foster a welcoming environment for all families to engage.

We continue to experience growth towards all district and state learning standards in a way the supports the child's natural brain development and curiosity. In addition to traditional academic content goals, we also focus on development of the social emotional elements within our work, balancing freedom, and responsibility. Students have natural opportunities for leadership and development of social norms and expectations. We focus on intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning cycles. Every classroom is designed to guide students to explore and interact with the Montessori learning materials, artifacts, and resources. When you visit you will see students working in partnerships, small groups, and independently as the lessons unfold. Our teachers offer guidance and support in the development of personalized learning plans.

In addition to our Montessori classrooms, the Havermale building also shares space with The Medicine Wheel Center for our Indian Education Program's summer program and the Native Project Wellness program. These beautiful partners enhance our program and we are fortunate to learn from them.

We hold immense gratitude for the support of our district and community for the development of a Public Montessori option for families. It has been a long road for families, teachers, and district leaders to arrive at the first day of Spokane Public Montessori. If “the ultimate goal of the Montessori method is not simply to create a well-adjusted, well-rounded member of society, but to create a better society as a whole" and if “establishing lasting peace is the work of education,” we have work to do!  Partner with us as we learn and grow our program. The best is yet to come.

With kindness and gratitude,

Rhonda Turnipseed