Struggling to pick the perfect school for your child? You’re not the only one! Investigating Montessori schools in St. Petersburg, FL, can be overwhelming. Fear not! This article is here to help. Let’s learn why Montessori schools might be a great choice and how they compare to other areas’ choices. This article will shed light on some of the top Montessori schools in St. Petersburg FL. Let’s go!
Key Takeaways:
- There’s a variety of Montessori programs available for different age groups.
- Special events and community engagement are core to many of these Montessori institutions.
- Fees, working hours, and specific programs may vary among schools.
Alegria Montessori School
- Location: Maximo Presbyterian Church
- Address: 3200 58th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712, United States
- Phone: +1 727-866-1901
- Website: alegriamontessori.com
Alegria Montessori School is one of the prominent Montessori schools in St. Petersburg FL. For more than a decade and a half, it has been inspiring children through the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
Special Events at Alegria:
- Fall Festival: A celebration with autumn-themed crafts and games.
- Winter Show: A musical concert with a festive mood.
- Cultural Fair: A platform for Elementary and Middle School students to present their long-term projects.
- Spring Egg Hunt and Brunch: A springtime celebration.
- Book Fair: Managed by Middle School students, this event includes Dads and Doughnuts, Moms and Muffins, and a Grandparents’ Picnic.
- End of Year Show: A musical journey to wrap up the school year.
For detailed school events, check the 2023-2024 School Calendar.
Programs:
- Toddlers
- Primary
- Lower Elementary
- Upper Elementary
- Middle School
Tuition:
Tuition details for different age groups can be found in the respective links:
- One-Year-Old 2023-2024 Fee Statement
- 2-3 Year Old 2023-2024 Fee Statement
- 3-6-Year-Old 2023-2024 Fee Statement
De La Fontaine Trilingual Montessori School St Petersburg Campus
De La Fontaine Trilingual Montessori Schools is also one of the prominent Montessori schools in St. Petersburg, FL. For more than a decade and a half, it has inspired children through Dr. Maria Montessori’s educational philosophy.”
- Address: 300 58th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710, United States
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM | Saturday & Sunday: Closed
- Phone: +1 727-358-4358
- Web: www.dlf-montessori.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Social Media: Facebook
- De La Fontaine Trilingual Montessori School Reviews: The school has received varied reviews from parents, some appreciating the trilingual approach and others expressing concerns about operational aspects.
- Description: De La Fontaine offers a trilingual immersion program in French, Spanish, and English for children aged two months to 6 years in the Tampa Bay area. Adhering to Montessori philosophy, the school emphasizes child-centric learning and encourages a strong bond between children, their families, the school community, and the natural environment. Their dedicated team provides education in three languages while focusing on life skills and foundational academic principles.
De La Fontaine Trilingual Montessori School offers a multicultural environment with trilingual instruction.
Additional Resources:
| Working Days | Timing |
|---|---|
| Mon-Thu | 8 AM-5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM-5 PM |
| Sat-Sun | Closed |
De La Fontaine Trilingual Montessori School St Seminole Campus
- Location: Seminole Campus
- Address: 8351 Bayou Boardwalk, Seminole, FL 33777
- Web: www.dlf-montessori.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Social Media: Facebook
De La Fontaine Trilingual Montessori School offers a unique trilingual full immersion Montessori education for children aged 2 months to 6 years in the Tampa Bay area. At this institution, children are fully immersed in learning through three languages.
Recognition: The school has been honored with the title of “The Best Montessori School in St Petersburg”.
Additional Resources:
Montessori By the Sea
Montessori By the Sea, located at 1603 Gulf Way, offers a serene environment close to the sea. Their campus comprises the Blue Cottage building for Primary students and the Education Wing of the Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church.
- Type: Elementary School
- Location: St. Pete Beach, Florida
- Address: 1603 Gulf Way, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, United States
- Phone: +1 727-360-7621
- Website: Montessori By the Sea
- Social Media:
About the School: Montessori by the Sea is a non-profit, private Montessori establishment catering to children from 3 to 12 years of age. Set amidst the picturesque landscapes of Pass-A-Grille, this school stands near St. Petersburg and Gulfport and boasts a scenic view overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Its prime location and unique multi-age learning environments make it a sought-after institution in the historic neighborhood of St. Pete Beach, Florida.
Additional Resources:
Contact Details:
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 1603 Gulf Way St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
Accreditation:
- License: #C620076
Admissions Process:
- Virtual Tour: Get an insight into the school’s environment.
- Application: Open for the 2023/24 academic year.
- School Visit: Applicants are invited for an on-site visit.
- Admissions Decision: The final step of the process.
Montessori By the Sea Reviews
GreatSchools.org Reviews:
- Overall Rating: 4.5/10
- Highlights:
- Positive Feedback: Many parents highlight the school’s effectiveness in dealing with learning differences, its emphasis on character development, and its dedicated teaching staff. Specifically, teachers like Ms. Katie and Kathy have been applauded for their remarkable contributions.
- Concerns Raised: A few reviews have pointed out issues like cold environments, unclean premises, and toleration of poor behavior.
- “The teachers, principal, and aftercare staff are exceptional… It is such a happy environment, and we are blessed to have our child there.”
- “Unfortunately, this school was a major disappointment. Although on the beach, the environment is cold.”
- “MBTS has been a wonderful place for our children… I highly recommend it to any parent!”
Yelp.com Reviews:
- Highlights:
- 5 Stars: “I love this school. Both of my daughters excelled in the environment… It is a great learning environment.”
- 1 Star: “The head of school, Karen, has no regard for the well-being of the students… I highly caution anyone considering this school!”
Note: The above summaries are based on individual reviews and may not represent the general opinion. It’s always recommended to visit the school and make an informed decision.
Gulfport Montessori Elementary
Another Montessori school in St. Petersburg, FL is Gulfport Montessori Elementary. This institution emphasizes uniforms, with students required to wear solid-colored shirts with a collar and pants, shorts, or dresses in specific colors.
Basic Information:
- Type: Elementary School
- Location: 2014 52nd St S, Gulfport, FL 33707, United States
- Phone: +1 727-893-2643
- Website: Gulfport Montessori Elementary
- District: Pinellas County School District
- Grades Offered: Pre-kindergarten to Elementary grades
School Schedule:
- Hours: 8:45 a.m. to 2:55 p.m., Monday – Friday (“We Teach Bell to Bell”)
- Morning Routine: Gates open at 8:15 a.m. with free breakfast in the cafeteria.
- Afternoon Protocol: Car riders should be in line by 2:45 p.m. and must be collected before 3:10 p.m. Regular late pick-ups will be directed to the Social Worker.
- Tardy Policy: A Tardy pass is required if arriving after 8:45 a.m. If arriving after 9:00 a.m., an adult sign-in is mandatory, excluding late-arriving buses.
Additional School Details:
- Principal: Ashlea Zeller
- Uniform: Mandatory
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages): Not available
- Title I School: Affirmed
- Exceptional Student Education (ESE): Includes a variety of part-time programs like VE, SI, LI, DHH, VI, OT, and PT.
- Special Programs: Montessori Academy
- Feeder Pattern: Mainly to Azalea MS and Boca Ciega HS. Montessori students also have a priority feeder pattern for the John Hopkins MS International Studies program.
School’s Pride Points:
- After-school extended learning opportunities.
- Student artwork displayed both locally in Gulfport businesses and prestigious venues like the Morean Art Center and Administration building in Largo.
- Strong community support, emphasizing the role as a community-centered institution.
- Mascot: Bulldogs
School’s Vision & Mission:
- Vision: 100% Student Success
- Mission: Gulfport Montessori Elementary is dedicated to fostering a safe and constructive learning space, centering on team effort, aligned tasks, and ensuring success for every student.
Additional Links:
Gulfport Elementary Montessori Academy – Overview
Location and Contact:
- Address: 2014 52nd St. S, Gulfport, FL 33707-4928
- Website: Gulfport Elementary Montessori Academy
- Phone: (727) 893-2643
Points of Pride:
- Worldwide acknowledgment of Montessori Education as a superior alternative to traditional teaching methods.
- Affiliation with the North American Montessori Teacher’s Association (NAMTA).
- Collaborative projects with the University of Florida.
- Parent Education nights are dedicated to the Montessori approach.
- Teachers boast both Montessori certificates and state teaching certifications.
- Immersive field trips focusing on culture, arts, and nature directly tie with classroom research.
Application Process:
- Open to students residing in the southern section of Pinellas County during the specified application duration.
- For comprehensive details, visit Pinellas County Schools.
Transportation:
- Arterial bus transportation is provided for students over two miles from the academy. However, parents might need to drive their children to specific magnet bus stop locations.
Understanding a Magnet:
- Magnet programs offer a theme-centered curriculum in arts, communication, science, technology, and gifted studies. Some might have entry requirements, and applications are restricted to students from the southern part of the county.
Highlights:
- Each classroom boasts a Montessori-certified teacher and an assistant.
- Students receive instruction in social etiquette via Grace and Courtesy lessons.
- The Montessori ambiance fosters self-directed, lifelong learners.
- The curriculum emphasizes higher-level thinking skills, guiding students from concrete to abstract comprehension.
- Montessori peace curriculum empowers students to resolve social disputes independently.
- Learning is facilitated using didactic, self-correcting Montessori tools.
- Extracurricular activities include Art Club, Chorus, K-Kids service club, daily student-led news shows, and character education videos.
About the Academy: Gulfport Elementary Montessori Academy offers a genuine Montessori education tailored to the unique learning needs of K-5 students. Dr. Maria Montessori’s hands-on, didactic materials cater to individual learning styles and developmental phases. Classrooms have a multi-aged structure with a three-year cycle, fostering trust between students and teachers. These environments encourage exploration, inquiry, and peer collaboration. Graduates are independent thinkers with self-discipline and robust interpersonal skills, ready for middle school and beyond.
Starting from Kindergarten, students at Gulfport Elementary are introduced to the core areas of Montessori learning: practical life, sensorial, language, and mathematics.
Sunshine and Play Preschool
Location and Contact:
- Address: 5531 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710, United States
- Website: Sunshine and Play Preschool
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +1 727-344-9393
- Facebook: Sunshine and Play Preschool on Facebook
Operational Hours:
- Monday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Friday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
- Tuesday & Thursday: Closed
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
About the Preschool: Sunshine and Play Preschool is a licensed, insured, and home-based educational institution tailored for children between 1-5 years. Spearheaded by a certified Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist, it uniquely integrates the essentials that foster child growth:
- Outdoor Experience: Emphasizing the significance of nature for young minds, half of each day is dedicated to outdoor activities. This ensures children not only engage with the environment but also imbibe essential life skills, well-being, and holistic growth.
- Purposeful Play: Allowing children to lead, the preschool encourages self-driven and purposeful play. This ensures they have the freedom to explore, create, and learn in a nurturing environment.
- Holistic Learning Approach: The preschool’s curriculum is inspired by Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies, backed by contemporary child development research. It integrates hands-on learning materials, promoting core subjects like science, language, math, art, and music. Every aspect of the program, both indoors and outdoors, is meticulously crafted to enhance children’s learning experience.
Sunshine and Play Preschool stands out for its dedication to providing children the ideal blend of nature, play, and structured learning. With its strong emphasis on outdoor activities and an intentionally prepared learning environment, it ensures children receive a balanced and comprehensive early education.
For further information or enrollment inquiries, you can visit their website, send them an email, or follow their updates on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What’s the difference between a Montessori-style daycare St. Petersburg and a regular daycare?
A: Montessori-style daycare emphasizes self-directed learning, while regular daycares might be more structured.
Q: Is St. Peter’s Montessori School affiliated with any religious institution?
A: St. Peter’s Montessori School’s name might suggest a religious affiliation, but it’s best to contact the school directly for clarity.
Q: Are any coastal Montessori schools like Montessori by the Sea St. Pete?
A: Montessori By the Sea offers a unique coastal environment for its students, making it one of the unique Montessori schools in the region.
In conclusion, St. Petersburg, FL boasts a diverse range of Montessori institutions that cater to varied preferences, from ocean-side learning experiences to trilingual environments. These schools are an excellent option for parents and guardians in St. Petersburg, offering a unique educational approach that emphasizes hands-on, collaborative learning while nurturing each student’s individual strengths and passions.