Love. Respect. Integrity. Peace. Excellence.
“The child who has felt a strong love for [their] surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Our School
At Ithaca Montessori School, we are committed to helping children develop a lifelong love of learning through nurturing the whole child. Our classroom environments are designed to facilitate learning through all the senses while fostering independence, respect, and responsibility to self and others.
IMS is a private, nonprofit school providing more than 100 children with a Montessori education. We have served families in Ithaca, NY and the surrounding communities for more than 50 years.
We are located on a 5-acre, wooded campus in Ithaca, New York, close to downtown, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and surrounding communities.
Ithaca Montessori School
at a glance
AGES ENROLLED
We welcome a diverse population of children from ages 3 months to 6 years old.
PROGRAM HOURS
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Early drop-off (7:45 am) and late pick-up (4:30pm or 5:30pm) options are available.
PROGRAMS
There are two Nido (infant) classrooms with a mixed age group of 3 months to 18-month-old children, with a group size of 8 for each.
There are two toddler classrooms with a mixed age group of 18-month to 36-month-old children, with a group size of 12 for each.
There are three primary classrooms with a mixed age group of 3 to 6-year-old children, with a group size of 21. IMS also has a library, a large gymnasium, outdoor classroom spaces for the primary children, four playgrounds, a large back hill, and an edible garden.
Ithaca Montessori is a screen-free program.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
IMS values the importance of continued professional development. All staff complete a minimum of 15 hours of professional development annually. This is obtained in a variety of ways such as attending the American Montessori Society Conference, attending the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Conference, working towards Montessori certification, CPR and First Aid certification.
“The child is truly a miraculous being, and this should be felt deeply by the educator.”
Dr. Maria 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
Our Mission
We nurture the spirit of each child through meaningful connections with families and our dedication to the principles of Montessori Education.
Enrollment
Want to learn more about begining your Montessori with us? Request a tour and learn about our scholarship opportunities by reaching out today!
