The Montessori School of Iowa City is a school which follows the Montessori educational principles of providing child-directed, individualized, hands-on learning within an environment especially prepared to meet the developmental needs of the three- to nine-year-old. The school seeks to educate the whole child by meeting the social, intellectual and emotional needs of each individual; to foster student self-respect through experiencing success and independence; and to generate a sense of community among children, teachers, families, and school.
The Montessori School of Iowa City was founded in 1962 by a group of parents seeking a Montessori-style educational program for their preschool-aged children. In 1995 the program moved from Iowa City to Coralville. In 2000, the school created two more classrooms and began an elementary program for grades 1-3. The school's estimated enrollment for the current school year is 150 students.
Each 3- to 6-year-old classroom is directed by a trained Montessori head teacher and an assistant. Assistant teachers are mentored by trained, experienced teachers in preparation for becoming head teachers. The 3- to 6-year-old classrooms are fully licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS).
The elementary program is directed by a Montessori-trained teacher and is certified by the State of Iowa State Department of Education as an elementary school teacher.
All staff are required to pass background checks and are trained in CPR, First Aid as required by DHS.
Staff members for 2008-2009 include:
The facility contains 15,000 square feet of space located on three acres, and was designed to enhance the Montessori educational program. The classrooms are bright and open. A multi-purpose room provides space for performances, a library, and education in movement, and music. The lunchroom has a kitchen and is used for family-style lunches. The large playground includes a soft safety surface, with climbing equipment, a huge sandbox, a paved track for tricycles and scooters, and a small hill for sledding.
The Montessori School of Iowa City, Inc. is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation according to Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
The school is administered by a nine- to fifteen- member Board of Trustees, composed of the Director, a faculty/staff trustee, an honorary trustee, parent volunteers from past and present Montessori families, as well as other members of the community. The Board determines school policies in the area of finance, strategic planning, and administrative accountability.
The Director and the office support staff work together as a team to lead the school in accomplishing its mission of providing superior early childhood education. The Director is the primary person charged with implementing the school's policies and procedures, as determined by the Board of Trustees. The Director is responsible for promoting the school, managing enrollment, overseeing financial transactions, maintaining the building and grounds, providing school communications and correspondence, fulfilling licensing requirements, and promoting professional growth of teachers.
A PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) assists the school, staff, and parents.