Since our founding in 1970, we’ve interwoven Montessori principles, peace curriculum, and problem-solving concepts to provide a stimulating and nurturing school environment for children ages 3-12. Our Montessori-credentialed staff support high academic and personal achievement. Students enjoy our wooded playground, home-cooked healthy lunches (included in tuition), and family-like setting in North Avondale’s Mitchell Mansion. Half- and Full-day available. Dual accreditation: AMS, ISACS.
General Info:
Address: 3 Burton Woods Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Phone: (513) 281-7999
Website: http://newschoolmontessori.com
Q&A with The New School Montessori:
What makes The New School Montessori unique?
Our lunch program is led by chefs, Audrey Cobb and JJ Brady. Audrey was the former owner and head chef of Mullane’s, and JJ has cooked in fine restaurants for years, specializing in baking. Together, they create numerous vegetarian options, home-cooked and healthful meals that children and staff love. Click here to learn more about our lunch program that is included in the price of tuition.
The New School Montessori has a welcoming feel, nestled among the beautiful homes of North Avondale. Two of the buildings on campus once served as residences, one being the historic Mitchell Mansion, with its gargoyles, turret and Victorian finishings. The New School’s outdoor spaces for children are called the Preprimary Woods and the Elementary Woods. These areas allow for age-appropriate active play in shaded, natural surroundings. In addition to more traditional climbing equipment, children enjoy tending flowers, playing in the sand, lifting logs in search of interesting insects, climbing on low tree branches and building huts. The older children also enjoy tetherball, outdoor ping pong and gaga pit.
For over 50 years, we were the only school in Cincinnati accredited by the American Montessori Society and have been leaders in Montessori methodology and philosophy. In addition to our AMS accreditation, we are also accredited by ISACS.
What is The New School Montessori’s age/grade range?
Ages three through 6th grade
What is The New School Montessori’s educational philosophy?
The New School Montessori is an independent Montessori educational center. Our mission is to foster the development of the whole child by providing an intellectually rich and challenging curriculum in a safe, caring and joyous environment. All our activities are carried out in an atmosphere of respect for the child and respect for one another. We strive to promote academic excellence, individuality, interdependence, imagination, creativity, inner discipline and self-esteem. We embrace all definitions of family, welcoming and honoring cultural, ethnic, religious and economic diversity. We are committed to teaching peace, conflict resolution and global awareness.Parental involvement is important in all aspects of the school’s operation in order to cultivate a genuine sense of extended family and community.
What is your enrollment policy? Are there any key dates parents should be aware of?
With waiting lists, it’s a good idea for parents to schedule their required parent tour the year before potential enrollment. We begin enrolling for the next school year in February.
What are the standard school day hours? Does your school offer flexible day/hour options? Is before/after school care available?
School Day is between 8:00 – 3:00.
Optional extended day with flexible pick-up between 3:00-5:30.
Full-time and part-time options for three- and four-year-olds with a 1:00 pick-up option.
How many children are in each class? How are children divided up?
Each class has at least 2 Montessori-trained teachers with class sizes ranging from 12-20.
As a Montessori school, children are grouped in age levels of (3-6), (6-9) and (9-12). Advantages of the multi-age level classroom include mentoring opportunities for children as well as differentiated learning to meet the child’s skills where they are.
What is the teacher/child ratio?
1:12 or lower in preprimary / 1:15 or lower in elementary
What are the teacher’s credentials?
All teachers have Montessori certification and a bachelor’s degree. Many have a master’s degree.
Is parental participation required?
Parent participation is strongly encouraged. There are a wide variety of ways for parents to participate in ways that work best for them.
How do teachers communicate with parents? How often do parents receive updates?
Teachers communicate with parents in a variety of ways, depending on the content. Twice a year, there are in-depth progress reports in conjunction with 25-minute parent conferences. They use emails and private classroom Instagram or Remind accounts to post photos and information. Parents receive a weekly newsletter with notices about upcoming events, deadlines, handy links, posts from the head of school and other levels.
Does your school offer support for students with special needs?
We do not have additional services outside of the classrooms. Depending on the special needs, we would decide whether or not a child’s needs could be met in our classrooms.
How much time do the children spend outside?
Preprimary students spend an hour or more outside each day. Elementary students have a 45-minute recess each day but also work outside often.
Are meals and/or snacks provided?
Yes. We have 2 chefs who begin cooking our lunches very early each morning. We smell garlic sautéing, pizza dough rising and chicken curry bubbling. We have a no-sugar policy and our chefs create both amazing vegetarian and meat entrées for staff and students alike.
Snacks are provided for extended day children, however, children can also bring supplemental snacks.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Yes.
What enrichment programs/activities are offered?
Art, Spanish, music, dance, physical education, and appreciating differences/civics are offered throughout every elementary year. Preprimary students have art and music integrated into each day. We also offer seasonal, optional after-school clubs.
What are your school’s safety policies?
Because of TNSM’s unique campus and low student-to-teacher ratios, the entire school was able to be present all day, 5 days a week since the fall of 2020 with extended-day services available as well.
We are committed to keeping our school community safe through the guidelines provided by the Cincinnati Health department and the CDC.
Who should parents contact for more information about your school?
Ceara Comstock is our admissions director and would be happy to speak with anyone interested in learning more about our school. Her email address is [email protected]
Do you have any exciting projects planned?
In 2024, TNSM will start a building project to create our Kaleidoscope Center. We are exploring many eco-features of the new building, including solar array options, geo-thermal, high efficiency electric heat pumps, green power sourcing, green roofs, native pollinating gardens, high efficiency building envelope, white roofs, efficient water fixtures (low flow), permeable paving, natural lighting, rainwater collection, outdoor learning areas, and renewable materials.
We have an opportunity to be a leader in the region within the education sector by applying some of the newest and most innovative approaches to building green.
