At Mountaineer Montessori School, we're spreading our wings!
Our elevated approach to education fosters learning without limits, freeing children to go as far and as high as they can.
We're nurturing West Virginia's future community builders, problem solvers, innovators, business leaders and peace makers...creating a brighter tomorrow...today!
Founded in 1976,Mountaineer Montessori is West Virginia’s original and largest Montessori school, offering a world-class educational experience to 140 students ages 3-14 right here in Charleston--the heart of Appalachia.
"Spreading Our Wings," the 2018 MMS Annual Appeal, will provide critical funding to help us meet the growing demand for superior academic options in our community and sustain our 42-year tradition of excellence and innovation in education. Your gift will help us:
- Increase community access through financial aid. Our annual tuition support fund is approaching nearly $50,000!
- Fund expansion of the early childhood program and enhance programs at all other levels. We have maintained a waiting list for Primary classes for several years.
- Benefit our teacher appreciation and training funds.
The goal of this year’s campaign is $25,000. We plan for 100 percent school participation to meet that goal….
every gift of every size makes a difference.
Thanks to your generous contributions to the 2017 campaign, MMS was able to:
- Implement several major upgrades to our facilities (including windows, air conditioning, flooring and furniture).
- Sponsor out of state training for teachers, contribute to the staff retirement plan, and bring in national consultants to guide our curriculum alignment through the AMS Pathways to Continuous School Improvement process.
- Provide financial assistance to 12 percent of students/families.
Learn more about the milestones we reached in the past year in our Annual Report.
At MMS, potential unfolds and possibilities take flight. With your support, we can continue to elevate education and our community in the year ahead. Thanks to you, the sky's the limit!
To show our appreciation for your support, we are pleased to offer the following gifts:
- Donations of $50-$499 by December 21: Entered into a drawing for one of five wooden coaster sets handcrafted in Roane County, WV, from wild cherry by Mark Bolton/Bolton Design Build. (Drawing to take place on 12/21 at MMS winter concert.
- Donations of $500-$999 by December 31: $25 Capitol Market gift certificate and "M" grocery tot
- Donations of $1,000 and up by December 31: $50 Capitol Market gift certificate and adult fleece "M" pullover jacket
Meet the 2018 Annual Appeal Ambassadors
The El-Gammal Family
"We love that our children’s education is in the hands of professionals who truly care about them, their well-being, and their future. They understand child development and behavior. Our children are encouraged to learn in ways that work for them and are supported in learning when they are truly developmentally ready to learn various concepts with a highly individualized curriculum. This allows our boys to expand upon their strengths as well as develop and grow in areas that are more challenging. Our goal is for our boys to reach their utmost potential, spread their wings and fly to whatever heights they aspire to. With MMS, we feel we are giving them the best foundation possible." Amanda Fields with Dr. Ahmed, Jacob, Rayan, Zach and Jonas El-Gammal
Read the El-Gammal family's MMS story.
David Victorson
"My favorite memory is as a kindergartener, eating honeysuckles that grew behind the school with my classmates. I was amazed to discover that their beauty, smell, texture, and flavor grew in nothing more than soil and water. I wasn’t in a classroom or a traditional learning environment, yet I was learning about nature, the food chain, and sustainability. As I look back, this memory fully encapsulates what makes MMS so great – every moment is an opportunity to learn and the teachers encouraged us to do so.
MMS is a special place for my whole family. My sister and I both attended, and both loved our time as students. I think we were especially able to appreciate it after attending other schools and being exposed to other methods of education. The academic freedom that MMS provided was unlike anywhere else and allowed us to advance as quickly as we were ready, rather than being bound to a lesson plan designed without any specific individual in mind." David Victorson, litigation attorney, BA/MFA, University of Southern California, JD Harvard Law School.
The West Family
"When one of our children seemed to need more than we could offer as home schoolers, we immediately considered Montessori. We enrolled our second grader, who felt befriended and needed as an important part of the school community from the first day. The individually driven and paced environment, created by the kind and enthusiastic staff, eliminated frustration and encouraged her to explore her interests at her pace and comfort level. We quickly realized our first grader needed the MMS experience too. The exceptional staff and students swept her into the school community. Our middle schooler soon became envious of the exceptional education her younger siblings received. As we looked into Middle School, we realized it offered opportunities for our eighth grader to expand her horizons. I love that my children's teachers see each of them as a unique being, perched daily on the ledge of the learning experience, ready for guidance on how to spread their wings and fly to the adventure of their choosing." Janell West with Dr. Brian and Amanda, Eve, Caleb and Jessica West
Read the West family's MMS story
Julianna Storm
"I have gone to Mountaineer Montessori my entire life. I have met so many great friends, teachers and families. Now being in the seventh grade, Montessori has impacted me a lot. It has taught me how to read, write, listen, and learn in an environment where I am able to express myself and be who I want to be. Montessori has showed me it is ok to ask questions and go deeper into what you already know." Julianna Storm
Karen Kelly
"MMS really is a family. We care about each other in a way that I have never experienced anywhere else that I have ever worked or attended school.
I have so many ‘Montessori’ moments, if not every day, at least once a week: Older children teaching younger ones how to play a game or going across the monkey bars on the playground. The look on a child’s face when we go to Kanawha State Forest and they catch a crawdad for the first time, or the pride and enthusiasm when an older child asks if they can read aloud at story time. But, one of my absolutely favorite memories was when I brought orphaned kittens to school for the children to care for. They were meticulous about measuring the formula, testing the temperature of the milk replacement, and feeding them. The tenderness, compassion and exquisite kindness that I saw took my breath away. (All the kittens were adopted by MMS families after they were weaned.)"
Karen Kelly, Plus Director/Science Specialist and MMS alumni parent
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