Dear MMS Families,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a cozy, safe weekend. Thank you for your continued patience and support as we make our way through a wild, wonderful West Virginia winter together.

As we move through February, we’d like to highlight a few important upcoming dates. Current MMS families have until February 15 to complete re-enrollment and to enroll new siblings during our priority enrollment period. After that date, enrollment will open to new families.

We are also excited to share that we will be celebrating Montessori Education Week, observed worldwide during the final week of February. As part of this celebration, we warmly invite you to join us for a special Family Education event, Journey Through the Montessori Curriculum, on Wednesday, February 25, from 4:00–6:00 PM. Childcare will be available for MMS students of all ages, and we hope you’ll be able to join us for this meaningful and engaging evening.

Thank you, as always, for being such an important part of our school community.

Best wishes,

Jennifer

Jennifer Carriger, M.A.

Head of School

MMS will begin considering applications for new families starting on February 16. If you have friends or family members interested in becoming part of MMS next year, please encourage them to sign up for a talk and tour on our website at their earliest convenience. Space is limited.

IT'S TIME TO RE-ENROLL!

It may say "February" on the calendar but it's already August at Mountaineer Montessori!

Our team is hard at work laying the groundwork for a new school year, and re-enrollment is underway.

We are grateful that you have chosen MMS as the educational home for your child and look forward having your family be a part Mountaineer Montessori's upcoming milestone year (50!).

To confirm enrollment in 2026-27, returning MMS families must log into FACTS Family Online and complete the re-enrollment process by February 15.

Your prompt re-enrollment holds a space for your child and helps us meet staffing, training and facilities needs for all students in the year ahead. We do anticipate full classes at all levels for the 2026-27 school year.

After February 15, we will offer remaining classroom spaces to new students. We have been meeting with prospective families continuously since September and anticipate full enrollment once again next year.

Because space is limited in all classes, if we do not receive your materials in by February 15, we cannot guarantee that your child will have a place at MMS next year.

It is truly an honor to have you as part of our special school community--please don't wait to make it official in 2026-27 with your re-enrollment!

MMS parent Jennifer Young has the game plan for Sunday's Super Square event-

please watch this short video for details.

Journey through the

Montessori Language Curriculum

Wednesday, February 25, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

We invite all families to join us for a very special Family Education Event on February 25, "Journey through the Montessori Language Curriculum".

This engaging experience offers a unique opportunity to explore the Montessori environment through the eyes of a child. For a few special hours, you’ll step into your child’s role and experience firsthand how Montessori learning comes to life.

Participants will actively engage with Montessori language lessons and materials across each level, gaining insight into the elements that make this approach so meaningful and inspiring for children. 

Space is limited for this event.

Please register HERE to reserve your spot for the Journey Through the Montessori Language Curriculum.

MONTESSORI MOMENTS

Like these photos? Then you'll love MMS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Photos, school updates and Montessori news are posted nearly every day!

Like these photos? Then you'll love MMS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Photos, school updates and Montessori news are posted nearly every day!

Our combined Lower Elementary community harvested up a heap of memories and big smiles at a November Fall Festival. Thank you to everyone who helped our students "fall" into fun! More photos here.

Hands on learning is a hallmark of Montessori education, and thanks to Upper El physician parents, students recently had the opportunity to engage in some real life zoology anatomy work. An unforgettable lesson, brought to life by our wonderful parent volunteers! More photos here.

Congrats to Deborah, whose egg drop design survived three trips off the roof of our 20th Street campus--the only one out of the Middle School class physics experiment! Well done! See video clips.

Our Winter After School Enrichment programs are off to a colorful start. In the Mini Masters class, students are exploring the history and styles of famous artists, starting with Vincent Van Gogh and Starry Night! More photos here.

Hope love and friendship were in the spotlight on Friday as Primary-Middle School students took the stage at the annual MMS Winter Concert on Friday. It was a beautiful expression of the joy of learning and community our students experience every day and they were so proud to share their excitement with family members and friends at this very special gathering. Congratulations to our young musicians and thank you to our incredible Music Teachers Stephanie Spradling and Naphtali ReBrook, Stage Manager Tara Fought, and all MMS staff who helped present this memorable event for our community . We are also grateful for the volunteers who lent a hand with set up and breakdown and baked cookies for guests—we are thankful for each and every person who is a valued part of MMS. More photos/videos here.

When parents enroll their child at MMS, it's not only the student who becomes a part of our school community. Parents are also essential and honored members of Mountaineer Montessori, enriching and extending our programs in ways big and small, from supporting their own child's learning, to participating in Parent Education and school-wide events, to volunteering and fundraising, to presenting classroom activities. Recently, Brooke Smith led a delicious and fun lesson in making applesauce, which was a huge hit with the lucky students in Upper Elementary II. Thank you, Brooke, and all of our families and friends who make MMS a true community, not just a school! More photos and video here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Classroom Read Aloud - ongoing | Sign up to read in your child's classroom

Plus Session Three: January 20-March 27

NEW-Super Squares/Super School Raffle | February 8 | Details



Presidents Day | February 13 & 16 | NO SCHOOL

2026-27 Enrollment deadline for current families & siblings | February 15 | Details

Staff Meeting | February 19 | NO PLUS

Montessori Education Week | February 23-27

MMS Board Meeting | February 23 | Noon | Email Board Secretary Becca Stevenson for details

Family Education Event - Language Journey | February 25 | 4:00-6:00 p.m. RSVP HERE

Staff Meeting | March 12 | NO PLUS

Applications open for NEW Hope Scholarship students | March 15 | Note: ALL MMS students kindergarten age and up are eligible in 2026-27. See Hope website for details. | Application window for current Hope students opened January 5

Parent Conferences | March 16 & 23 | NO SCHOOL

MMS Board Meeting | March 16 | Noon | Email Board Secretary Becca Stevenson for details

MMS Financial Aid application deadline | March 31 | (Separate from Hope Scholarship)

Spring Break | April 6-10 | NO SCHOOL

Staff Meeting | April 16 | NO PLUS

MMS Board Meeting | April 20 | 4:00-6:00 p.m. | In person | Email Board Secretary Becca Stevenson for details

Standardized Testing | May 11-15: Upper Elementary and Middle School | May 18-22: Third years

Staff Meeting | May 14 | NO PLUS

MMS Spring Gala | May 15 | Edgewood Country Club | watch for details

MMS Board Meeting | May 18 | Noon | Email Board Secretary Becca Stevenson for details

Memorial Day | May 25 | NO SCHOOL

Eighth Year Graduation | June 4

Last Day of School/Annual Picnic | June 5 | 11:45 a.m. dismissal

Application deadline for all returning and new Hope Scholarship students to be eligible for 100% funding in 2026-27 | June 15 | See Hope Scholarship website for details

MMS Board Meeting | June 22 | Noon | Email Board Secretary Becca Stevenson for details

MONTESSORI MEET-UPS

Our school community connected at several Meet-Up events over recent months, including a fall playground get-together, new parent coffee, and the annual MMS Ice Skating Party (more photos here). Thank you to our wonderful School Life Committee for bringing families together at these fun activities. Have an idea for school Meet-Up? Contact Enybe DIaz!

PEDGOGY OF PLACE: THE PARENT PERSPECTIVE

"If parents understood how special our program is, we'd have a waiting list around the block for the Middle School."

Field study is one of the foundations of the Montessori Adolescent curriculum, connecting students with expertly curated pedagogy of place experiences that transform their lessons from theory to real life application.

But don't just take our word for it. Brad Barker, an MMS parent, recently shared his reflections on a recent MMMS trip to the world-renown Green Bank Observatory:



"Since I was able to drive this time and observe, I want to share a parent’s perspective how incredible the overnight trip to Green Bank was. I went in expecting a great tour and for the kids to observe astronomers doing their work. What actually happened was much more than that.

More Greenbank trip photos here.

In addition to touring all of the facilities, including the Green Bank Telescope, the students learned about radio astronomy and were given full control of the 40-foot telescope to do their own science. After being trained, they operated it themselves overnight, captured their own data, and even troubleshot issues as they came up. This was not a 'watch the adults do it' experience. They were trusted with a remarkable piece of equipment and handled that responsibility incredibly well.

The next morning, they analyzed the data they collected from our galaxy and used it to draw real conclusions about our place within the Milky Way, including details about its rotation.

I was fortunate to be able to drive and help chaperone, which gave me a front-row view into the experience, and it was amazing to watch Emily (Beal) and Greg (Moore) guide the students through something truly unique. I had no idea the experience would be this hands-on and immersive. I wanted to share for those who couldn’t be there.

Great job to all of the students. You should be proud."



Brad later added, "It's one of those things that as much as I've been involved in the school, I still didn't really appreciate what the experience would be until I saw it myself. If parents understood how special our program is, we'd have a waiting list around the block for the Middle School."

MORE MONTESSORI MOMENTS

Upper Elementary I & II celebrated community and culture at their annual International Feast heading into Thanksgiving. What a wonderful expression of gratitude for the gifts and perspectives each of our students, teachers and parents bring to our school! Thank you to all who took part in this very special celebration! More photos here.

Thank you for reading your "M" News!



Current and past newsletters are always available on your virtual newstand.

Mountaineer Montessori School

4801 Staunton Avenue | 308 20th Street | Charleston, WV 25304

304.342.7870 | Email | Website