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How far will your child go? At MMS, there are no limits!

'Transformed who I was and how I thought'

A new year filled with possibility at MMS begins just hours from now!

We invite you to help realize the limitless opportunity that awaits our students in the year ahead with your tax-deductible donation to the MMS annual appeal fundraising campaign

"Learning Without Limits" generates essential funding for financial aid, teacher training and appreciation, and facilities at your child's school. With your gift, you're not just giving money, you are investing in the next generation of innovative thinkers, problem solvers, community builders and visionary leaders.

There's still time to give this year... it's' as easy as texting mmsnolimits to 76278 or clicking on the link below.

Since our founding in 1976, more than 1,000 children have created a foundation for a bright future during their time with us, taking their learning far and wide to shape their world -- and ours.

We invite you to learn how an MMS education impacted one of these amazing alumni, Sophia Kaufman, whose work in public health brings her to Africa and beyond.

Just think how far today's students could go with your help!

Sophia Kaufman is a senior research data analyst, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, working on projects related to malaria control, zoonotic diseases, and water hygiene and sanitation. BA, Social Anthropology, Harvard University (‘18); MPHIL Health, Medicine, and Society, University of Cambridge (’19); MPH in Humanitarian Health and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University ('22).

What stands out from your time at MMS? 

Thinking back to when I was a young student at MMS, I remember how fun and dynamic learning was. We learned traditional subject knowledge like science while also doing experimentation, deep problem solving, and team projects. With the MMS teaching methods, I was able to lean into my interests and use art, visuals, and hands-on methods to work through any educational deficits or difficulties without feeling unintelligent or incompetent. 

What impact did your Montessori education have on your subsequent education and career? 

My current work in epidemiology and public health requires that I problem solve, work dynamically in a team, and be investigative. I learned all of these skills at Montessori from my teachers and classmates.

I remember learning about diabetes and epilepsy from classmates' presentations on how they managed their diseases on a daily basis. This provided personal stories and context for something that may have otherwise seemed abstract and distant, while also creating support and understanding within our class.

MMS taught us how important it was to help, have respect and compassion for others, forming morals and values that are integral to who I am and my work to this day. While I gravitated to art instead of science, Montessori showed me how I could use creativity in science and even represent and understand science visually. Now I make maps using health data and use anthropology to provide context for health research! 

Do you have a favorite MMS memory? 

I have always loved plants and animals, and Montessori always embraced learning about nature and its creatures. I remember in one class we watched for weeks as caterpillars metamorphose into butterflies. Another year, we hatched chickens from eggs. And one of my favorite teachers even brought newborn kittens to class that she was bottle feeding and let us help take care of them. One of my all time favorite memories was a class field trip at Spruce Knob where we learned about salamanders in the stream and had to do a large mountain hike using only a compass and a map. 

The theme of this year's campaign is "Learning Without Limits." What did you take with you from our school on your life journey? 

Montessori created a learning environment where you could sit on the floor and deep-dive into a topic for hours. You didn't just learn about France from a book, but you would pour over maps, learn about French history and art, and food through projects. No topic seemed too complex, vast, or distant.

I remember a friend of mine in middle school, who went to another school, asking me why I did my homework or any assignments at all if we did not receive grades. At the time, that question seemed so strange and the answer so simple, because that's how you learn and learning is fun. A few years ago when I was in France, a friend turned to me and said "where did you learn French?" I laughed responding, "from my Montessori school in third grade. This cooking vocabulary specifically came from a group project where we had to develop a French menu for our own restaurant." 

Career/education/personal highlights: 

To this day, my favorite and most impactful teachers (spanning across an educational journey including seven different schools) were from Montessori. The bond I built with my teachers there transformed who I was and how I thought. They made me believe in my abilities and that there was no limit to what I could do. 

How bright will your child go?

This year's Annual Appeal, "Learning Without Limits," provides essential funding for your child's classroom and school. This year's goal is $20,000.

Your tax-deductible donation is an investment in:

• Faculty: teacher appreciation and training funds and ongoing AMS accreditation initiatives, including sponsorship of one guide from each level (Toddler, Primary, Elementary and Middle School) to the 2024 AMS Montessori Event, the largest gathering of Montessori educators in the world.
• Facilities: continuing indoor and outdoor learning environment enhancements for all students, including new signage and facade upgrades at Staunton and ongoing updates at 20th Street.
• Families: widening access to our programs by providing $45,000 in financial aid and scholarships to our community.

We budget for 100 percent participation to reach our goal. No gift is too small to make a difference.

It's as easy as texting mmsnolimits to 76278!