The Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana, founded in 1962, is owned by the Montessori Society of Champaign-Urbana. The Society is a not-for-profit corporation composed primarily of the parents whose children are enrolled in the school. The Society is non-discriminatory in its membership and the school is non-discriminatory in its enrollment and hiring practices.
The School uses the principles and philosophies developed by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian physician and educator who developed her educational method from a profound appreciation for the power and mystery of the child [see "Our Method and Programs"].
The School is an affiliate school of the American Montessori Society and is registered with the Illinois State Board of Education.
Each Montessori morning (8:30 - 11:30) and afternoon (1:00 - 4:00) class is composed of 20 children in a multi-age group of three, four and five year olds. There is a Montessori Directress and an assistant teacher in each classroom.
The extended day classes for kindergarten and pre-kindergarten age children, from 12 to 2:30 p.m., are each composed of 20 students, a Montessori Directress and an assistant teacher.
The full day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten class (2:30 - 5:30) has a maximum of 20 children with a head teacher and assistant teacher.
The pre-primary full day classes (11:30 - 5:30) have a maximum of 20 children with two teachers.
The Board of Directors of the Montessori Society, which is the governing and policy-making body of the school, is composed of ten volunteer members. Nine are elected by the Society from its membership and the treasurer is appointed by the Board. Board members serve two-year terms, with approximately half the members being elected each year.
The administrator of the school is hired by the Board of Directors and handles the day to day operations of the school. The administrator is responsible for hiring assistant teachers, full day program teachers and all support staff of the school. The board of Directors, with the assistance of the administrator, hires the Montessori Directresses.
Visit the Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana Website: http://www.montessorischoolofcu.org
