We are a place to grow; a place where indoor classrooms and outdoor environments provide children with direct access to the natural world; a place where dedicated, highly-trained faculty prepare beautiful, orderly classrooms and skillfully guide each child's progress through the curriculum; a place that confidently follows the Montessori philosophy to inspire academic excellence, a love of learning, and healthy social interactions.
Located on the border of Chapel Hill and Durham, MCS is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA). The Montessori Community School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
Located on the border of Chapel Hill and Durham, MCS is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA). The Montessori Community School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
Services
Our campus is set on 13 acres of natural landscape that lends itself to a Montessori environment. We offer children in toddler through adolescent wonderful indoor and outdoor spaces where they can work, play, discover, and learn. MCS has a strong community of teachers, staff, students, and parents, all working in concert to the best outcome for our children.
We are a vibrant Montessori community where together, through our dynamic and relevant curriculum, we guide students toward self-discovery and the realization of their unique contributions to the world. MCS has emphasized a strong sense of community since our school was founded in 1980.
At that time, a group of dedicated parents banded together to keep their children's preschool (called the Chapel Hill Montessori School) in operation when the proprietors decided to close.Over the years, we have continued to expand and add academic buildings to meet the needs of our growing student population.
At that time, a group of dedicated parents banded together to keep their children's preschool (called the Chapel Hill Montessori School) in operation when the proprietors decided to close.Over the years, we have continued to expand and add academic buildings to meet the needs of our growing student population.
Dr. Maria Montessori explained the goal of education as "the development of a complete human being, oriented to the environment, and adapted to his or her time, place and culture." At MCS, we are interested in the development of the whole person. Our goal is to nurture our students emotionally and socially, as well as academically.
The Strategic Plan ensures that MCS continues to be financially stable and forward-looking, with decisions about program enhancements made thoughtfully and in the best interests of children. In addition, the Strategic Plan provides the vision for a comprehensive Montessori education on an enhanced campus.
The Diversity & Equity Committee at MCS grieve & stand in solidarity with our Asian American community and others globally to condemn the recent domestic terrorist attacks in Atlanta, Georgia. The abhorrent murders of eight people, including six women, is another instance of anti-Asian violence that has been sweeping our country in the last year.
Reviews (10)
Anonymous U.
Feb 26, 2021
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This used to be a great school. Unfortunately it lost its way. In the last few years, members of the Board met in secret at off campus locations to alter the curriculum--no minutes taken or published. Teachers hid the reading of controversial books from parents. A resource for the school is a group called "Montessori for Social Justice" that wears t-shirts reading "The Future is not White". Despite being brought to the attention of the administration, the admin did nothing about it and it remains a blatantly racist resource. Social media posts from this school promote
Sam W.
Nov 08, 2017
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We love this school, and whatever happened with the 1 star administration, we have felt nothing but kindness, respect, and professionalism from the current administration.
This school us beautiful in every way, with such heart and soul. I want to invent a time machine so I can go back to being a kid and enroll myself here. Enough said.
This school us beautiful in every way, with such heart and soul. I want to invent a time machine so I can go back to being a kid and enroll myself here. Enough said.
Cecily Peterson
Oct 14, 2017
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MCS has provided and amazing educational environment for our children. We started here in the Elder (kindergarten) and second grade years after moving here from the west coast. We were really disappointed with the school choices we left and so thrilled to find MCS. The nurturing environment combined with a philosophy that instilled self-direction and internalized motivation has been perfect for our children. We now have a graduate thriving in a competitive boarding school environment and a 7th grader in the rich learning atmosphere of the Adolescent Community. The teachers are amazing at all the
Cay Cay Yay
Sep 25, 2017
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Michelle S.
Sep 13, 2016
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My son attended this school during the previous administration under Barbara Crockett. I experienced some very destructive experiences that were possibly similar to those described by Morgan E. For example my private and sensitive family matters were inappropriately discussed and mocked by Ms.Crockett and two teachers. This occurred at the end of a conference call I had with them, after they thought I had been disconnected. No apologies or efforts were ever made to address such unprofessional and cruel behavior. Also my requests for practical and humane help for my son were refused by the administration
Jl G.
Nov 05, 2015
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We considered other area private schools before choosing MCS. It is a wonderful village-like atmosphere with terrific families, great academics, a beautiful campus, and kindhearted people. "Grace and courtesy" lessons help bring all the children together in a spirit of cooperation and respect for one another. I couldn't be happier with the teachers, who have been extraordinary, and you cannot find another school with this ratio (10 to 1 in first grade!).
Rebekka B.
Jun 13, 2014
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I am sending my 3 year old son here and he loves the teachers, he loves the playground and he loves his classroom. When I drop him off in the morning, I leave him knowing that he is in a warm and loving environment where he learns what it means to live in a community. He just finished his first year and I am still amazed by how much he has grown and I don't think that just any environment could have produced those results. This is a great school!
Harry P.
Jun 19, 2012
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This is an excellent Montessori school. We're sending our son to pre-school there. Although it is pretty expensive ($8k+), he has really developed there and the educational staff there is top notch.
Montessori schools can be a crap shoot since Miss Montessori in her infinite wisdom never trademarked her school name or philosophy. So any joker can call themselves a Montessori school. There are a few in Chapel Hill like this. However this school is a legit Montessori school. It's accredited by one of the big Montessori organizations and they take their training seriously there.
I think
Montessori schools can be a crap shoot since Miss Montessori in her infinite wisdom never trademarked her school name or philosophy. So any joker can call themselves a Montessori school. There are a few in Chapel Hill like this. However this school is a legit Montessori school. It's accredited by one of the big Montessori organizations and they take their training seriously there.
I think
M. J.
Apr 12, 2012
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This is a great school, hidden in a nice wooded area between Chapel HIll and Durham. We have had all of our children here, staying through different levels. We have found the staff to be very professional and the teachers really dediciated.
I like that there are so many outdoor areas where the kids can explore and work. Not just the older ones, but starting right at the Pre-K level. They seem to really use indoor and outdoor spaces for teaching. It's like a garden when you walk through and so great to see the kids upkeeping the flower beds.
It would be nice to have a few more school sports
I like that there are so many outdoor areas where the kids can explore and work. Not just the older ones, but starting right at the Pre-K level. They seem to really use indoor and outdoor spaces for teaching. It's like a garden when you walk through and so great to see the kids upkeeping the flower beds.
It would be nice to have a few more school sports
Morgan E.
Dec 24, 2011
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On the surface, excellent school. There are MANY excellent teachers and the facilities are very impressive. It is a community, indeed. The only complaint or negative to be noted is that there was a member of the administration who violated confidentiality laws and discussed private issues in a public setting in front of other families, which to our family, was unacceptable. These were sensitive issues regarding our child and she approached them with us not behind closed doors but in public in front of other parents. We were saddened and surprised by the lack of professionalism. That situation
