School History

Montessori Schools of Irvine were founded because in 1976 after months of searching for a program meeting high expectations. Village Montessori, the first of four Montessori Schools of Irvine “under the rainbow” was founded as the solution to providing the very best early childhood education for the founders own 2 young children. Originally serving children ages 3-6, it is now also the home of our primary grade elementary program.

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The Village Montessori standards of excellence in program development, childcare, staff selection, and parent rapport led the University of California, Irvine to choose this program to build and operate University Montessori on the UCI campus. The winner of two architectural awards, University Montessori serves children from 3 months through kindergarten. It is also the home of the University Montessori Teacher Education Program at UC Irvine. This program trains Montessori Teachers across Southern California.

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The demand for the Montessori Schools of Irvine specific Montessori program led the Irvine Company to encourage the opening of Westpark Montessori School. This helped to fulfill the enrollment demands for a growing waiting list. Westpark enrolls children ages 11 months through Kindergarten.

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In 1997, Northwood Montessori School of Irvine opened to a then brand-new Irvine community, serving children 11 months through kindergarten. This beautiful school with its park-like setting is, like all the Montessori Schools of Irvine, built to be a beautiful place for children in a safe, quiet residential area.

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Our reputation for quality and services such as including lunch and childcare, has allowed us to continue providing generations of children with Montessori early childhood education for over 40 years and generations of returning families.

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The families enrolled in our programs represent a worldwide array of cultures offering many opportunities to learn about others, share celebrations, and instill a deep-seated respect for all of humanity.

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We are the ONLY Montessori programs in Orange County that are American Montessori Society affiliated and Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, documenting the highest National standards. Accreditation by this honored institution requires higher teacher educational qualifications, more favorable ratios of child to teacher more expansive curriculum, and higher administrative standards than the State of California licensing.

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We would like for you to get to know us and invite you to “come and compare” as you make this very important decision for your child’s early childhood years.

 

 

Tours

Visitor tours with the school director are scheduled Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m. Appointments are not necessary during this time. You will see our program in action, learn more about the Montessori method of working with children and be to speak with the school’s director regarding any questions you may have.