Charlotte, NC, is a major city with plenty of restaurants, parks, and highly rated schools, including a number of quality Montessori schools. Montessori education has been around since Dr. Maria Montessori opened the first Montessori school in 1907. Despite its difficult start in the U.S., Montessori education made a comeback in the 1960s and has continued to gain momentum ever since. Furthermore, Montessori education can be a great fit for children of all ages. So, if you’re searching for the best school for your child, check out these top Montessori schools in Charlotte.
How Much Are Montessori Schools in Charlotte NC?
Montessori education has grown in popularity especially as studies have displayed the benefits for young children. There are many differences between private Montessori schools and public schools, with one of the biggest differences being the cost of tuition.
Although there are some public Montessori schools, such as Park Road Montessori or Chantilly Montessori School, most Montessori schools are private. The tuition and fees for Montessori schools vary based on location and which program you choose, but the average Montessori school tuition costs between $12,000 and $15,000 a year.
Top Montessori Schools in Charlotte
When you’re searching for a new school for your child, finding the right fit can seem overwhelming, especially in a large city. To help you in your search, here are the top Montessori schools in Charlotte, NC.
Anami Montessori School
- 2901 Archdale Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210
- Highly rated for excellent teachers, quality education, and clear communication
- Primary morning (3-4-year-olds): $9,984
- Primary extended day (5-6-year-olds): $12,864
- Elementary (6-12-year-olds): $13,758
Anami Montessori School offers programs for children ages 3 to 12 years old. They are committed to providing students with an authentic Montessori experience. The school is also one of the only schools in the Charlotte area certified by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Their goal is to help children explore and understand the world around them, while also encouraging them to make the world a better place. For over 30 years, Anami Montessori School has provided Charlotte families with Montessori programs that focus on teaching the whole child.
Omni Montessori School
- 9536 Blakeney Heath Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Highly rated for its nurturing environment, great staff, and rich learning experience
- Primary: $11,818-$18,980
- Elementary: $16,455
- Adolescent: $20,991
Omni Montessori School offers programs for children from 3 to 9 years old. All of their Montessori programs follow a traditional school schedule Monday through Friday with a 10-week break during the summer.
As an AMI-certified school, they closely follow Dr. Maria Montessori’s approach to education by creating an environment within each classroom for children to learn at their own pace. Part of their mission is to empower children to unlock their full potential within the school community.
Guidepost Montessori at Prosperity
- 4755 Prosperity Church Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269
- Highly rated for quality education, welcoming community, and wonderful support team
- Contact school for tuition
Guidepost Montessori at Prosperity is part of the larger Guidepost Montessori network and offers programs for children from 10 weeks to 12 years old. Each Guidepost Montessori campus includes spacious, light-filled classrooms and a nurturing classroom environment.
Their programs are nature-centered and allow students to spend plenty of time outdoors exploring. In addition to their academic program, they offer a summer camp that runs from June to August.
Park Road Montessori
- 3701 Haven Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
- Highly rated for amazing teachers, great school community, and effective leadership
Park Road Montessori is one of the public Montessori schools in the Charlotte area and has programs for preschool and elementary students. Park Road Montessori aims to provide a nurturing learning environment where students can grow and develop.
As a public magnet school, Park Road Montessori is open to students from any neighborhood in Charlotte, and families can apply for a spot through the school lottery. The campus has plenty of amenities such as a gym, media center, and an extensive outdoor habitat within the 26 acres.
In the News
In March 2023, WFAE reported on Park Road Montessori's “Bicycle Fridays“, an opportunity for students to bike to school instead of riding the bus or being driven by their parents. The concept was initially started by a teacher assistant at the school, who had to switch to biking after she was unable to afford a car. The students bike to the school in groups, with a safety brief before each ride. School officials are uncertain whether a planned move to a new campus in the next few years will end Bicycle Friday. For now, the tradition will continue.
Journey Montessori Academy
- 13601 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28278
- Highly rated for its clean facility, supportive director, and quality education
- $5,880 annually
Journey Montessori Academy is a Montessori preschool for children between 3 and 5 years old. Their campus includes a home-like environment and spacious outdoor area with a playground and garden.
Journey Montessori Academy has one multi-age classroom and follows a traditional 10-month schedule with classes Monday through Friday. Also, the classroom is equipped with Montessori materials, and children are guided by a lead and assistant teacher.
Chantilly Montessori School
- 701 Briar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
- Highly rated for its wonderful staff, excellent education, and caring environment
Chantilly Montessori School is a public Montessori school for preschool and elementary-age children. Part of their vision is to create an environment that meets the needs of each child individually while helping them develop and grow.
At Chantilly Montessori School, they focus on environmental stewardship, interdisciplinary integration, and responsible use of technology. In addition to the academic program, they also offer extracurriculars such as chess, orchestra, choir, and several athletics programs.
In the News
In March 2023, The Charlotte Observer reported that a new bond that had been approved by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board could impact Chantilly Montessori. The bond still needs to be sold, but its objective is to shift students out of outdated facilities and into better ones. If the bond goes through, Chantilly Montessori will relocate to the Billingsville Elementary campus.
Phoenix Montessori Academy
- 12340 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
- Highly rated for its effective Spanish immersion program, amazing staff, and comfortable environment
- Toddler: $11,620-$15,907
- Primary: $10,413-$14,834
- Elementary: $11,352
- Middle: $12,021
- High school: $12,825
Phoenix Montessori Academy offers programs for children from 18 months to 18 years. As a preschool-through-12th-grade program, Phoenix Montessori Academy is unique. Additionally, it has a mission to develop lifelong learners and productive citizens.
Phoenix Montessori Academy has been open since 2004 and is a member of the American Montessori Society and the Montessori Association of North Carolina. Families will be asked to tour the school and attend a class visit before enrolling.
Charlotte Preparatory School
- 212 Boyce Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
- Highly rated for its outstanding curriculum, low teacher-student ratio, and family-feel
- Pre-primary: $14,650-$22,050
- Primary: $15,300-$22,600
- Transitional kindergarten: $19,750-$23,550
- Montessori kindergarten: $21,300
- 1st-4th grades: $23,800
- Middle school: $25,000
Charlotte Preparatory School offers programs for children 2 years old through 8th grade. With an average of 16 students in each class and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, children at Charlotte Prep get the individual attention they need to grow and develop.
Their mission is to create lifelong learners and provide students with an exceptional educational experience. Additionally, the community and culture of the school are based on four pillars: respect, integrity, perseverance, and courage.
In the News
On July 20, 2023, WBTV reported that Charlotte Preparatory School had received a $150,000 donation from the Philip L. Van Every Foundation to help repair damages from a devastating fire in June. The fire destroyed an entire building on the school's campus. Fortunately, nobody was injured. Fire investigators initially assessed the cost of damages to be roughly $2.5 million, but school officials have claimed that the actual cost is much higher. Charlotte Preparatory hopes to be ready to use its campus again in the fall.
If you'd like to read more about Charlotte Preparatory in the news, check out this article from July 10, 2023, and this article from June 2023.
Ivybrook Academy Myers Park
- 347 N Caswell Rd Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28204
- Highly rated for professional staff, excellent curriculum, and beautiful facility
- Contact school for tuition
Ivybrook Academy Myers Park is a half-day Montessori preschool in Charlotte. This school is a part of the Ivybrook Academy network of preschools that have campuses across the country. The Myers Park campus offers programs for children from 18 months to 6 years old.
Ivybrook Academy Myers Park has both morning and afternoon classes to accommodate the schedule of busy families in the area. Their curriculum is a combination of Montessori, Reggio, and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The goal of this approach is for children to recognize their individual strengths and become compassionate citizens.
Conclusion
Even though Montessori classrooms are often filled with wooden toys and beautifully organized bookshelves, Montessori education is about more than aesthetics. This child-centered and child-led educational method has lifelong benefits for young children. If you’re looking for a Montessori school in your community, try one of these top-rated Montessori schools in Charlotte.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/SementsovaLesia.