Montessori School of Wooster expands to launch new opportunities

The Montessori School of Wooster has experienced success in the younger student realm, and now the school is eager to expand its operation and invest in building the future of older students.

Montessori School recently announced the launch of its new Secondary Education Center, which will include a high school program beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This expansion allows the school to now serve students in seventh grade through 12th grade, continuing its mission of “Education Beyond the Classroom Walls.”

“Parents were asking for the continuation of the program, and we started to explore how we could do that several years ago,” said Joe Edinger, Montessori School superintendent. “We looked at what else we could offer centered around the programs we have worked hard to create and then asked ourselves what a high school program would look like.”

As the school prepares for a new step next August, there will be community open house and tour opportunities Tuesday, April 14 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The tour and information session will take place at 621 College Ave., Wooster.

On Saturday, April 25, the annual Spring Music Program will take place from 4-7 p.m., and open house tours will be available during the event.

On Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m., there will be an additional tour and information session available with food provided.

Families will be invited to meet the secondary program team including Holly Davis, secondary program lead, and teachers Larissa Copley and Bankole Ogunkoya.

Enrollment, tuition and scholarships opportunities are available now by visiting www.woomontessori.org/enroll.

Edinger said once the board dug in and began exploring options, what transpired was the board adding a high school curriculum, and when it began to explore possible options as to where to locate the school — because their K-8 facility is limited in space — The First Presbyterian Church on College Avenue stepped up and delivered.

“It’s perfect for us,” Edinger said of renting the church property during the school week. “We could visualize a place that allowed kids to run a small business, a place for collaboration, a place close to the college for post-secondary work. It’s a big, beautiful space that allows us to do so much.”

To free up the growing preschool to elementary school, Montessori School will move its seventh grade and eighth grade classes to the new facility.

Founded in 1984 with just one preschool classroom, the Montessori School of Wooster has steadily grown in both enrollment and impact. The addition of a high school marks a significant milestone, bringing a high-quality, student-centered secondary option to families in the Wooster area.

Montessori education offers a child-centered approach that fosters independence, self-discipline and a lifelong love of learning. Key benefits include hands-on, individualized learning that develops cognitive, social and emotional skills.

Edinger said this program represents the next step in the school’s commitment to students and community.

“We are creating a space where adolescents can grow academically, develop independence and engage meaningfully with the world around them,” he said. “We admire what our area schools provide students, but we believe what we offer has real value for the families who choose to invest their trust in us to provide a quality education.”

The Secondary Education Center will offer an inquiry-based math and science curriculum, project-based and experiential learning, leadership and real-world application opportunities, a continuation of Montessori principles through adolescence, and a personalized and high-quality experience.

Initial enrollment will be limited to just 15 high school students for the first year.

“Montessori is about teaching kids how to think and solve rather than learning by rote memorization," Edinger said. “It’s about preparing students for the real, ever-changing world and challenging job market. We want to be able to offer our kids to learn to become engaged from preschool through high school and maybe beyond. This is the next step that will allow us to work with families from start to finish.”

As an EdChoice Scholarship provider, many students may qualify to attend at little to no cost while others may receive substantial tuition assistance. Additional benefits include sibling discounts and incentives for early payment prior to June 1.

Edinger said the school has a proven track record of student success.

“Montessori School of Wooster graduates are independent, confident and socially engaged,” Edinger said. “Alumni have excelled in speech and debate, earned National Merit recognition, competed as high-achieving athletes, gained admission to top colleges, and served as leaders in their communities.”

Those interested can learn more at www.woomontessori.org/high-school or call the school at 330-264-5222.