"Inn Street Montessori didn't feel like 'school'.  Even though we accomplished a lot of work and did a lot of projects, it was always FUN and the class felt like a family."
-Anna Blumenscheid, Upper Elementary Alumni

“Inn Street Montessori is a community that encourages independent thought, but also offers strong guidance and mentorship. It has an appropriate curriculum balance with a strong, experiential-based science and math curricula. I love the mixed age model. Inn Street has that hard-to-quantify, but unmistakably palpable energy, the 'I know it when I feel it’ factor: Inn Street has it in spades.”
-Tamara Battis, current Inn Street Parent

"The instant connection with me as a prospective parent with everyone at Inn Street gave me confidence they care deeply for their students"
-Jennifer Esty, current Inn Street Parent

“We have been amazed at how our shy six-year-old son has come out of his shell.  Three years ago, when he first entered Montessori preschool, he could barely muster the courage to raise his hand.  Imagine our surprise when he acted as "pilot" on "Inn Street Airways" during one of this year's Culminating Events.  There he was, our "quiet" son, welcoming a group of 50 or so parents and friends and informing them about the details of their "trip".   Yes, he was a bit nervous, but I think only a few in the audience could tell.  He clearly feels safe, cared for, and willing to challenge himself at Inn Street.”
-Lynn Barendson, current Inn Street Parent

"Hi, my name is Kate Nelson and I am what I like to call a Montessori veteran. Even though I only spent two years here (fourth and fifth grade), it always feels as though I've never really left.

When I began Montessori, it wasn't separated into upper and lower elementary. We were all one big family-- first grade through forth. Sometimes it was tough working with the younger kids until Elease, being the caring and student-conscious teacher that she always is, noticed our dilemma and immediately went to work on a special "4th grade" section of the classroom, where the younger students couldn't go, and where all the books and materials were 4th grade oriented. Elease was always looking out for us like that.

Then, in fifth grade the Inn Street School was created, with both upper and lower elementary. There were a mere six kids in my class, obviously a very rare situation, and everyone clicked right away. I wasn't sure if it was just the environment we were in, the kids, or Elease.That year there were some pretty hilarious, as well as exciting moments. I think my favorite part of the day was lunch, we were always getting into the most hilarious, or in-depth conversations, and Elease always seemed like she could relate to everything you said.

I remember one time, on Saint Patrick’s Day, Chris (a boy in my class) stated that on Saint Patty's day you had to wear green, otherwise you got a pinch. There was only one kid who had absolutely no green on and that was Seth. Everyone playfully reached over and gave him a little pinch, even Elease,  which made everyone laugh, even Seth. Another one of my favorite parts about Montessori were the culminating projects. Each month we researched a topic, then towards the end of the month we each pieced together a final project, which the whole school including parents could come see. I think my favorite culminating projects was one about the Indians, in which everyone studied a different aspect of Native American life. We even built our very own teepee out of logs and hand painted canvas for our classroom, which added all the more excitement and uniqueness to our presentations.

My other favorite was writing our very own play, based on crossing the country in a covered wagon. Our small class alone wrote the whole screenplay and made all the props. At the end of the month we presented it to all our family and friends. I think it was a hit!

Montessori has always seemed like an ideal school to me. The homework wasn't overwhelming, but at the same time it gives students a sense of time management and responsibility. Many of our reports were done independently, using the library and the internet for resources, always with Elease’s guidance. And I will never forget music appreciation where we listened to all types of music, and our drum circles, spent with Elease’s mother in-law, teaching us the ways of the drum and creating fantastic music the whole time.

I'm going into the eighth grade this year, and my experiences at Montessori may seem somewhat distant, but that place has always been like a second home. I even come back to visit every now and then to say hello, and to see my favorite teacher, Elease." 
-Kate Nelson, Upper Elementary Alumni