The 2017-18 school year will mark the 50th anniversary of Beverly Montessori School – an important and enduring part of the fabric of the Beverly/Morgan Park community. Beverly Montessori School will be celebrating throughout the upcoming year, but will kick off its golden anniversary with a community block party Sun., Sept. 10 on 99th and Walden Parkway in front of the school. The family event will include food vendors, a jumpy house, face painter, live entertainment, school tours and other family-friendly fun. The school invites all to attend the festivities and help them celebrate this very special milestone.
Beverly Montessori School first opened in September 1967 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. It was the first Montessori-based school in Beverly and had an initial enrollment of 50 children. The school was founded as a not-for-profit educational organization by the Barry, Burke, Coffey, Foley and Geary families— caring and engaged neighborhood couples who believed in providing a different kind of preschool education for children in the area.
Beverly Montessori’s first Head of School Stase Vaisvila worked closely with the five families to ground the school in the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, which itself was rooted in a deep respect for the child and the adult to be. In only two years, the reputation of Beverly Montessori School and its talented staff had grown so substantially that the school purchased its current home at its present site at 9916 S. Walden Pkwy.
Over the last 50 years, Beverly Montessori School has educated over 2,600 children. The school and its educators have dedicated themselves to igniting a love of learning in each of the students that have passed through its doors. The school truly lives the authentic Montessori philosophy, believing that every child needs freedom to act on their surroundings to develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. All the compassionate and dedicated teachers at Beverly Montessori are Montessori certified in early childhood education and the staff has a wide range of backgrounds, schooling and experience. The staff works closely and respectfully with the children and families of Beverly Montessori School to support the individual needs of each student and family.
Beverly Montessori School offers half-day and full-day preschool and kindergarten programs for children 3-6 years old. It is a full member of The American Montessori Society and the Association of Illinois Montessori Schools, two important organizations that are charged with maintaining the quality and integrity of Montessori practice.
