Montessori School

Established in 1955, the Austen Riggs Montessori School fosters important early learning concepts and positive attitudes towards learning for children ages two and a half to six.

Children at the Austen Riggs Montessori School are encouraged to explore, investigate and fulfill their natural curiosity about the world around them. Under the careful guidance of the Director, Paula Meade, children develop at their own pace and learn that school can be an unending adventure - one that inspires a lifetime of discovery. Paula and her assistants get to know their students’ strengths and weaknesses, interests, and personalities, and use the children’s interests to enrich the curriculum and provide alternate avenues for accomplishment and success.

The curriculum combines physical and emotional development with these academic disciplines: Language Arts, French, Mathematics, Geography, Science, Art, Music and Tumbling. Elementary-level children work at their own pace in a non-competitive atmosphere. Instructors help the children gain an understanding of themselves, develop sensitivity to others and master the tools and skills needed to pursue knowledge independently.

The School Year & Summer Program
The school year is from September through June, Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 12 pm. Parent-teacher conferences are held on Fridays. A six-week summer program is also offered, with field trips, swimming, gardening, crafts, music and more. For information on enrollment, contact Paula Meade, Director, at (413)931-5288.

Tuition Reductions and Scholarships
Funding for tuition reductions and scholarships is available, based on need. For more information about the confidential application process, call Chauncey Collins, Director of Operations, at (413) 931-5221.