Montessori Academy is a private, tuition-based, multi-age Montessori school nurturing and teaching children from infancy through sixth grade.
Montessori whose philosophy is now practiced in schools worldwide. This philosophy, that in a carefully prepared environment rich experiences from all disciplines, filled with books, collections and materials for learning math, the foundations of language, history, geography, drama, art, music, sciences, and literature, a child would seek learning for its own sake and be filled with joy at its acquisition. Dr. Maria Montessori’s teachers became guides in this great adventure, quietly opening doors so that the students may glimpse the universe and come to a consciousness of its workings and of their own place in it.
Montessori Academy began in 1967 with one Children’s House class in which Sandy Schmidt became involved as the parent of a two year old. She was instantly intrigued with the Montessori philosophy and captivated by the development she saw in her children. So much so, in fact, that she became a certified Montessori teacher in 1969. In 1971, Sandy became the owner of the Montessori Academy of Claremont. As the children grew, so did the school.
All of our programs are deeply rooted in Dr. Montessori’s philosophy of learning and of participation in the classroom society with personal responsibility and accountability to the group on a level appropriate to the age of the students.
Today, Montessori Academy is located in Rancho Cucamonga and has over 100 children enrolled and 16 staff, many of whom have worked together for years. Although we have grown tremendously in size, Montessori Academy maintains a comfortable, homelike atmosphere where families have daily contact with their children’s teachers, children experience the joy of working together and lifelong friendships are formed.
Sandy Schmidt no longer is with us due to her unexpected passing this year. However, her daughter Julie Schmidt, herself an AMI-trained Montessori teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience, has stepped in and continues to build on the foundation that Sandy established 45 years ago.
