The Montessori educational method is based on theories of child development originated by Dr. Maria Montessori in the late 19th and early 20th century. Dr. Montessori was a medical doctor, anthropologist and educator who viewed education as the process of discovery. Her research revealed that children effortlessly absorb knowledge from their surroundings, leading her to develop a series of learning materials in a carefully “prepared environment” to nurture the child’s natural curiosity to learn. Children learn by doing.
Dr. Montessori reasoned that a child is enriched where he/she can manipulate materials – that the hand is the teacher of the child. The learning materials are thoughtfully sequenced to allow each child concrete experiences that continually build a foundation of learning throughout the stages of a child’s physical and mental growth.MSMS employs Montessori principles by providing classrooms, materials and teachers who guide children through hands-on materials designed to foster each child’s independence and initiative.
MSMS employs Montessori principles by providing classrooms, materials and teachers who guide children through hands-on materials designed to foster each child’s independence and initiative.
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies but the first one: the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself is being formed.”
WELCOME TO MOUNT SOPRIS MONTESSORI SCHOOL
MSMS classrooms offer
traditional Montessori learning materials that are designed to cultivate the child’s natural desire to learn by generating self-direction, concentration, independence and coordination.
Curriculum
MSMS aims to maintain ethnic, economic and cultural diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, national origin, religion, gender or ability. Please email for more info on our scholarships.
Diversity
MSMS is a welcoming community of children, parents and teachers who all work together towards a common goal – a commitment to lifelong learning.
Community
OUR HISTORY
MSMS was founded in 1981 by Mark and Kathryn Ross as a living memorial to Kathryn’s late parents, Elbie and Wilma Gann. Dr. Gann, former superintendent of the Aspen Schools and the president of CMC during its early years, was killed with his wife in a plane crash in Alaska in 1979.
After her parent’s death, Kathryn and Mark established the Elbie and Wilma Gann Memorial Foundation with Kathryn’s sister and brothers as the first board members. The Montessori school, a project which together Kathryn’s and Mark’s interests in early childhood education with the Gann’s interest in the welfare of the Valley’s young people, opened in September 1981.
MSMS is located in a residential area of Carbondale, CO just a few blocks from Sopris Park and downtown Carbondale. When Mark and Kathryn bought the property, they converted the garage into a one room pre-school classroom, “Mark’s Room”. By 1987 the school had expanded into two preschool/kindergarten rooms and one toddler room. Ten years later the school purchased the adjacent property and built another toddler room.
Every year on Mark’s birthday, April 22nd, we celebrate “Founders Day” to honor Kathryn and Mark’s passion for early childhood education and express gratitude for bringing the Montessori Method to this small mountain town. For that, this community will be forever grateful.