Valley Montessori School

Valley Montessori School is California's largest non-profit and only triple-accredited school. They are fully accredited at the Upper Elementary and Middle School Levels by the American Montessori Society (AMS) for non-traditional Montessori age groups, the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). VMS is a certified California Green Company, making us the only school with this distinguished honor in the Tri-Valley and just one of four Montessori schools in the state of California. Valley Montessori, attracting the best and brightest educators and workers, is a nationally recognized model of Montessori education.

 

Valley Montessori School grants all the rights, privileges, services, and activities usually given or made available to students at the school to students of any ethnicity, colour, national and ethnic origin. It does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan services, and athletic and other school-administered programs on the basis of race, colour, national and ethnic origin.

 

Mission

Valley Montessori School educates the whole child and inspires a joyful pursuit of learning.

 

Values

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Authentic Montessori Philosophy

VMS is guided by the principles and techniques of Maria Montessori to deliver a rich, engaging learning environment. VMS is accredited by the American Montessori Society and adheres to authentic practices recommended by this organization.

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The Child

VMS teachers guide children to self-discovery by embracing curiosity, creativity, and individual choice through meaningful work, so that they can realize their own unique journey.

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Academic Excellence

VMS students are encouraged, empowered, and equipped to reach their highest potential.

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Respect

VMS cultivates a harmonious environment of esteem, fairness and value for oneself, the classroom, the community and the world.

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Building Community & Global Citizens

VMS fosters a deep sense of citizenship in the classroom that carries into family and beyond and develops ambassadors of positive change.

 

History

Established in 1976, Valley Montessori School is a private, non-profit school that follows Maria Montessori's philosophy and currently serves more than 400 students from toddlers to 8th grade. Valley Montessori School was founded to serve the children of the East Bay by Montessori educator Elizabeth Marshall. In 1997, the school became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headed by Mary Ellen Kordas, former head of the school.

 

The main campus and additional campus sites moved six times over 35 years until the new site was built in 2002 at 1273 North Livermore Avenue. Ann Clark, Head of School, is currently under the leadership of Valley Montessori School.

 

Located approximately 60 miles east of San Francisco, the Livermore Valley is a multi-ethnic, predominantly suburban area that includes a diverse socio-economic community. Viticulture, ranching and a rising hub of high tech innovation are key companies and industries in the region. Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories are both located in Livermore.

 

The campus is located on North Livermore Avenue, just 3 blocks away from Interstate 580. A convenient journey to Valley Montessori is found for families from Livermore, Tracy, Mountain House, Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville.

 

Livermore is a lively East Bay neighborhood with a thriving economy focused on a strong mix of national research laboratories, high-tech industries and viticulture, which has received livability awards for its rehabilitated downtown area.

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