History

“Development is a series of rebirths. ”

—Dr. Maria Montessori

History of Montessori Schools

Montessori education dates back to 1907, when Maria Montessori opened the Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House, in a low-income district of Rome. Her unique philosophy sparked the interest of educators worldwide, and in the following decades Montessori schools opened throughout Europe, in North and South America, and, finally, on every continent but Antarctica.

Countless books and articles about Montessori have been published in nearly every language. Dr. Montessori first described her approach in Il Metodo della Pedagogia Scientifica applicato all’educazione infantile nelle Case dei Bambini, published in 1909. The book’s English-language version, succinctly titled The Montessori Method, was a ringing success on both sides of the Atlantic.
historical Montessori student with bead chains

Montessori Associations

In 1929, Dr. Montessori established Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) to support the swell of Montessori schools, teacher education programs, and national organizations around the world. In the United States, Montessori caught on quickly, propelled by prominent advocates and glowing media reports. But by the 1920s the movement had fizzled, and 40 years would go by before Montessori schools would return in substantial numbers. The leader of the American revival was Nancy McCormick Rambusch, a vibrant, persuasive educator intent on bringing about change. In 1960, Dr. Rambusch launched the American Montessori Society (AMS).
MSB first class
MSB whole school pic

History of MSB

The Montessori School of the Berkshires, founded by Todd Covert and K. Meagan Ledendecker, opened its doors in the fall of 2006. Since its humble beginnings with 24 Children’s House students aged three to six, MSB has more than quintupled its enrollment, expanding to a whole school Montessori approach encompassing toddlers through eighth grade. MSB graduated its first 8th grade class in 2012.

After outgrowing its initial space in the Lenox Shops, MSB relocated in 2010 to its current site on 40 acres of beautiful Berkshire woodland. The original 9,000 square foot LEED registered building, designed to house 125 students, was expanded by 7,000 square feet in 2017.

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