Our History

Founded in 1986 by Maria Cole with 6 children, The Maria Montessori School met in one classroom at St. Michael's School on Summer Avenue for four years, gradually increasing its enrollment. By 1991, enrollment had increased to 35, and by 1992 the school was serving 60 children.

In the fall of 1992, the school's current home on Harbor Town was opened adding an additional Primary environment and housing the Elementary environment. In 1995, the two campuses were combined at the Harbor Town location.

A development fund established in 1994 allowed the school to complete construction of the second floor of the Harbor Town campus to accommodate growing needs in the elementary environment. Today, the fund provides for the continued training of our staff and overall improvement of the school.

The fall of 1996 brought the completion of our Middle School environment, allowing us to create one of the few middle school Montessori curriculums in the Mid-South.

The spring of 2003 marked the completion of our most recent project, our 7-year dream of the River Garden and Amphitheater, located on the east bank of the school overlooking the Harbor Town marina.

The Assistants to Infancy community, accommodating children 16 months to 2 ½ years, was established in the fall of 2004.