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COVID-19 | Campus Health & Safety

While COVID-19 has posed many challenges for our campus and community, we have risen to the occasion. We are fortunate to have many resources to support a healthy environment, and our safety precautions have allowed us to open in September, and remain open the entire year to date. You can read more below about our environment and the safety measures in place for this school year.

This page will be updated as more information is available. Last updated 9/1/2021.

Healthy Children, Healthy Community

Healthy Children, Healthy Community

Montessori programs pay careful attention to the development of the whole child. With this commitment to the social and emotional well-being of each child, parent, and staff in our community, we learn and adapt continuously to meet these needs. A few of our current initiatives:

Ongoing staff professional development with a current focus on trauma and inclusion
Ongoing parent support and guidance via email, blog posts, and virtual meetings.
Frequent interaction with our team of health consultants, professional organizations, our state and local departments of health, and Montessori schools around the world to keep abreast of best practices

Elementary student with floor desk and lesson

Spacious & Airy Classrooms

Our building was designed with light, fresh air, and spaciousness in mind, and includes many features to foster a healthy environment for all students. Of particular benefit during this time are:

Large classrooms with oversized windows that open to the outdoors
Automatic fresh air exchange system and mini-splits to provide non-recirculated air conditioning in each room
Each classroom has a sink for easy access to hand washing
Single-person bathrooms for each classroom

Wide open sunny classroom with bookshelves and green upholstered benches

Green Space

Montessori philosophy includes a focus on care for the environment and our world, and includes daily time outdoors. As such, the 40 acres around our building have already been an integral part of our program, but these resources will be particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Adding shade and cover to each classroom's existing patio space to allow for its use as an extension of the classroom during more types of weather.
Ample wooded space and walking trails, in addition to our playground area, to allow many student groups to be outside simultaneously while maintaining safe distances.

Continuous Learning During Closures

Elementary child with home bead chain lesson

Continuous Learning During Closures

The multi-faceted, full-time virtual MSB @ Home program, grounded in Montessori principles, was launched within days of March 2020's mandated school closures. While we have not had to close yet this year, we are maintaining these remote and virtual tools for students who might need to quarantine, or in the event of future closures:

Individualized assignments based on child’s interests and academic level
Hands-on project-based learning
Small group meetings and lessons
Specialist classes in art, languages, music/band
Regular one-on-one check-ins with guides
Pairing students for continued social connection across multi-year age ranges.

Continuous Learning During Closures

More Resources

Here is some more information about MSB processes and procedures:

MSB COVID-19 FAQs

Here are some other resources for more information about COVID-19 and schools:

Contact Us

PO Box 422, 21 Patterson Road, Lenox Dale, MA 01242

The Montessori School of the Berkshires (MSB) is a private independent coed school which inspires children to develop independent thinking, self-assurance, inner discipline, and a love of learning in an authentic Montessori environment nestled in the scenic Berkshire hills. We serve children in toddler, preschool, elementary, middle, and adolescent programs. MSB is an equal opportunity employer and provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, cultural beliefs, marital status, or ethnic origin in employment or the administration of admissions programs or policies.