Mission:

Using the Montessori model, we nurture children's curiosity and empower them to become confident and self-motivated individuals with a strong sense of respect for themselves, others, and the world around them. 

Beliefs:

Each child is doing the best s/he can at the moment. The best a child can do changes from one day to the next and sometimes from one moment to the next. Beginning from this premise we seek to understand what each child needs and to help guide his/her natural efforts to learn and to grow.

A beautiful and interesting learning environment, both indoors and out, combined with the freedom to explore and to choose purposeful activity are key to a child's physical and intellectual development.

Capable teachers create and continuously improve such an environment and guide children toward every opportunity in the vast Montessori curriculum.

A community of friends and the support of a loving, capable adult guide are the foundation for developing a positive sense of self, the security of belonging, and the social and emotional skills needed to play and work with others.

A school is a community of learners when it includes the active involvement and loving support of its parents, grandparents, neighbors, and local businesses.

History:

Spruce Pine Montessori School was established in 1972 as a preschool (for children ages 3-5) by three parents who desired a creative, active learning environment for children instead of a traditional daycare. For over twenty years the program was housed in several rooms in the basement of the Episcopal Church, serving thirty students with two teachers and parent volunteer participation. In 1993 several involved parents decided to help the school expand by creating and staffing an additional space for our 6 to 9 year-old classroom that began with four students. Demand for this program quickly grew, and a year later, it was moved into a small, nearby house purchased by some parents to accommodate the sixteen students in attendance. The following year saw the creation and staffing of a 9 to 12 year-old classroom, thus completing the expansion of the school into the elementary grades. The elementary program currently serves over 30 students.