Work the Mind. Reveal the Child. Unleash the Potential.
Cambridge Montessori School educates children 18 months through middle school. CMS is a nurturing community that educates the whole child, applying the Montessori pedagogy in a joyful, authentically prepared, Montessori learning environment. Partnering with our diverse community, and using authentic Montessori principles, reveals each child’s innate quest for knowledge and prepares our students to thrive in a complex world.
A CMS education meets each child’s developmental needs – academic, social, cognitive, physical – at every age. Students graduate from CMS with a strong sense of self and an innate love of learning. They emerge with a maturity and independence that drives them to be confident problem solvers, who are aware of their larger community, who pursue their passions, and who are prepared for adulthood. It is an education for life.
Our Diversity Statement
We hold diversity itself as a value and nurture awareness of the global community by welcoming people of different races, cultures, genders, ages, abilities, languages, economic and social backgrounds, political beliefs and religions, family structure, nationalities and sexual orientations into a safe, accepting, and respectful environment where we learn together, honoring and embracing our humanity.
Montessori education, in its essence, is a pedagogy of acceptance, love, and understanding. Dr. Maria Montessori built a peace education curriculum to support the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and was nominated for two Nobel Peace Prizes for her important work.
“The needs of [humankind] are universal. Our means of meeting them create the richness and diversity of the planet. The Montessori child should come to relish the texture of that diversity.”
– Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Montessori believed that all young people should study both the similarities and the differences between communities around the world, to build an early understanding and awareness of our diverse and interconnected world.
CMS strives to provide a culturally competent curriculum within the context of the Montessori pedagogy’s commitment to social justice and peace. The curriculum is rich and diverse with an emphasis on multicultural and anti-bias learning.
Our commitment is that every member of our community experiences the sense of belonging which allows them to engage fully, share their uniqueness, and take thoughtful risks. Safety and belonging in our community also provide the foundation for building meaningful relationships, facilitating full emotional development and self-expression, and greater overall achievement. It is the duty of every member of our community to support the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as we guide our students in becoming responsible and engaged citizens of the world.
Our Sustainability Mission
Cambridge Montessori School fosters a sustainable relationship to the global environment by linking knowledge, inquiry and action. We enable current generations to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs and building a future that supports all life on our planet.
Land Acknowledgement
Cambridge Montessori School is located on the traditional and ancestral land of the Massachusett people, the original inhabitants of what is now known as Cambridge. We acknowledge the painful history of this land, and the continued displacement of indigenous people in Massachusetts, where we live, learn and benefit from the native people’s stewardship and care of this place.
It is important that we acknowledge indigenous peoples of today and our history as we go forward as inhabitants and collaborative caretakers of this earth.
Land Acknowledgement is an important practice that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples and their ongoing connection to the land on which we live, learn, and work. It is especially significant at CMS because it aligns with the core values of respect, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity. A Montessori education emphasizes fostering a sense of global citizenship, empathy, and environmental stewardship. In our classrooms, we are given lessons on the fundamental needs of people that honors the diverse histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. By recognizing the Indigenous peoples as the traditional custodians of the land, CMS, and schools in general, can create a more culturally sensitive and equitable learning environment that nurtures the development of compassionate and responsible individuals.