With a collaborative and unified voice, we promote, support, and advocate for Montessori education in North Carolina.
FEATURED SCHOOL:
PARK ROAD MONTESSORI
To become a featured school, be sure your school is a current MANC member and contact Justin Tosco at jetosco@gmail.com.
Park Road Montessori School has provided public Montessori education in Charlotte, NC for over thirty years.
Established in 1992 as a full magnet program, Park Road Montessori is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) district. It is one of five public Montessori schools in CMS. There are four elementary schools and one secondary school. Park Road Montessori had the privilege of being established as the first public Montessori school in North Carolina. The school was first located at Amay James, but in light of the school's successful growth and community support, it was relocated to its current location on Park Road.
Originally built in 1948, the Park Road campus is home to three buildings that hold 20 classrooms, a stand-alone gym, a media center, a cafeteria, and two mobile units. The school sits on 26 acres that border the peaceful and natural beauty of the Sugar Creek Greenway.
The Park Road Montessori School community members have worked together to build and dedicate a Memorial and Peace Garden. There we seek to honor the extensive history of the school and those who made our current program possible. Students and staff who spend time there experience a place of beauty, peacefulness, and respite from the challenges of today, while also having opportunities to develop and demonstrate respect for our school’s past.
All classroom teachers, as well as several other staff members, hold a Montessori Teacher Education credential. Many teachers also hold advanced degrees and have achieved National Board Certification. Park Road Montessori School has not only received recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School, but also received a Magnet School award. It is recognized as the 2000th school in the United States to maintain a school yard natural habitat.
The goal of Park Road Montessori is to provide a quality Montessori learning environment that nurtures the whole child and encourages the love of learning all while building independence, grace, and courtesy.
Students are given opportunities to explore the wider world through field trips, research, and in-school presentations. Students participate in daily special area classes that have been uniquely modified to compliment the Montessori Method.
Throughout the year, Park Road holds school wide events to celebrate the diversity of its student population, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Winter Holidays, Peace Day, Earth Day, and an International Spring Picnic.
With a long wait list and a student population of nearly 500 students, families choose Park Road not only for the Montessori method, but also for the joys of community and accessibility. The school has an active PTO which provides generously to the school. Families become part of the school's extended family, coming back to visit long after they have left Park Road.
The students and staff of Park Road Montessori School invite and welcome you to visit our school as we host the Montessori Association of North Carolina’s Annual Conference, “Montessori For All,” October 6th-7th, 2023.