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Childpeace Montessori School
Childpeace Montessori School was founded in 1976 to provide children and families a community of learning and preparation for life. For 48 years we have provided a place for children to belong and be celebrated as individuals amongst a community of peers.
For the Portland community, Childpeace is the leading non-profit, AMI-certified Montessori school that offers developmentally-focused curriculum that meets children exactly where they are in order to foster a love of learning, self confidence, and community-mindedness. We empower children from toddlers to teens. Our programs include Toddler Community, Children's House, Elementary, and Middle School.
Students at Childpeace enjoy complete Montessori educational environments and access to an
abundance of learning opportunities in our neighborhood and surrounding communities. Our
Northwest Portland campus includes a 40,000 square foot main building, a playground, a green space and an 8,000 square foot building for our middle school program. Numerous
outdoor spaces feature a large grass play area, a greenhouse, a playground, basketball court, and raised garden beds to
grow plants and vegetables.
Accreditation
Childpeace Montessori School (Toddler Community through Elementary) is accredited through Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Offering national and international influenced curriculum that is true to Montessori pedagogy, highly engaging, interactive, and hands-on learning that develop high levels of critical thinking and student engagement.
The Middle School at Childpeace is accredited through The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). To establish a dynamic action plan to constantly review and improve the learning experience of students, leading to site visits where WASC studies all aspects of the program to critically assess its effectiveness and terms of best practices. Accreditation with WASC also means that our students are earning high school credits in Mathematics, Spanish and the Sciences.
Class Size & Composition
Montessori classrooms are designed for a three year age mix to allow for both individual and social development. The more experienced children share what they have learned with those new to the group. Each child's unique personality is encouraged, and each child is respected as an important member of the community.
Montessori Guide Qualifications
Certified Children's House and Elementary Montessori Guides must hold a Bachelor's Degree prior to entering a one-year Montessori training program. Upon completion of the appropriate Montessori training program, Guides are certified to teach at infant/toddler (2 to 36 months), primary (3 to 6 years), or elementary (6 to 12 years) level.
The Middle School Guides must hold a Bachelor's Degree at minimum, M./A. preferred. While not required, the following is preffered for Guides at the Middle School.
- Oregon teaching credential
- Montessori experience on adolescent level
- Completion of AMI Adolescent Diploma
School Administration
Childpeace is run by a Head of School who is responsible for the programs at all age levels. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the long-range planning and financial well-being of the school. Composed of Childpeace parents, community members and Montessori professionals, The Board brings experience in education, business, legal, and Montessori teaching.
Our Vision
Developing champions of positive change, one child at a time.
Our Mission
To empower children from 12 months through 8th grade to reach their full potential.
Why Montessori?
The Montessori approach to education offers a broad vision of education as an aid to life. The wholistic flexibility and self-directedness of a Montessori education provides a structure within which each individual child's inner directives guide the child toward wholesome growth.
Montessori education is designed to help children with their task of inner construction as they grow from childhood to maturity. It succeeds because it draws its principles from the natural development of the child.
About Maria Montessori
The Montessori Method of education was established decades before early childhood education was a course of study in our universities. Dr. Maria Montessori was an early 20th- century educator and physician from Italy.
Her first Casa de Bambini, (Children's House), was established in Rome where her revolutionary discoveries about the young child's interests and abilities elicited response from educators around the world.
Her observation that "meaningful work" was essential to a child's development was the cornerstone of her work.
Contact a Childpeace Parent
Email a parent to ask questions or hear first-hand about our programs from parents of students enrolled at Childpeace.
Toddler Community Parent
"Childpeace is a wonderfully warm and supportive community of guides and families"
SALAM TESSEMA
They are "committed to Maria Montessori’s vision of developing confident and joyful young people."
Children's House Parent
We were "drawn to Childpeace because of the stability and experience of the teachers."
STACEY ZANETTI
"What we found at Childpeace was an environment where our children are not only safe and secure, but where they are truly seen and appreciated."
Elementary Parent
"Our child started at Childpeace as a Toddler and she continues to thrive..."
REBECCA VAN SICKLE
"The Guides are phenomenal and so is the community of families supporting the school and these growing humans!"
Middle School Parent
"Engaging classwork, dedicated and available guides, small classes and meaningful lessons"
JACQUELINE SELLA COBBETT
"The middle school years have been a time of encouragement, growth and development. We are so grateful to be a part of this community!"
Meet the Head of School,
Marja Brandon
For 30 years, Marja Brandon has dedicated herself to teaching and working with young people and their families. Having graduated from Wellesley College, and then Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Marja has spent years as a teacher, administrator, and consultant at both independent, Montessori, and public schools. Marja has developed an energetic, engaging style that puts an emphasis on respecting students and valuing the powerful connection between student-centered learning, high expectations, neuroscience, and self-esteem.
In 2000, Marja moved herself and her family to Seattle to pursue her “dream job”, helping to found the Seattle Girls’ School. As a Quaker, educational principals that highly value social justice and diversity have guided Marja. Both in her career and in her personal life with her multiracial and diverse family, Marja is invested deeply in education that will improve our world one person at a time. Her dedication to all children, anti-bias work, and her commitment to making connection between neuroscience and the classroom in authentic ways are what drive her.
You can read some of Marja's thoughts on education, parenting and more on her blog
'Ask Marja'.
The children of today will make all the discoveries of tomorrow. All the discoveries of mankind will be known to them and they will improve what has been done and make fresh discoveries.
-Dr. Maria Montessori
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Our History
In our 48 year history we have grown immensely! Here are some of our major milestones:
1939
Robertson Transfer Company Terminal
Our main building was built in 1939 and was originally the Robertson Transfer Company Terminal.
1976
Child Peace Montessori School & Daycare Center was established.
Childpeace was housed in the YWCA in downtown Portland for the first 12 years.
1984
The School Grows
The school grew from two classrooms to three.
1986
Toddler Community
The Montessori Toddler Community was added in 1986.
1988
First Move
Childpeace moved to 105 NW Park Avenue on the historic tree lined North Park Blocks and leased a two-story, 20,000 square foot building.
1993
North Park Blocks
Childpeace was instrumental in construction of the playground on the North Park Blocks.
1999
The Terrace
A 5th Children's House classroom was opened in a senior living center in SE Portland and included an intergenerational component.
2000
Tuition Assistance
Childpeace received a life-changing donation of $750,000 from a very generous donor, $250,000 was used to start the tuition assistance program.
Elementary Program
The additional $500,000 allowed Childpeace to launch the elementary program with the first Lower Elementary class (6 to 9 years) at the Hanna Anderson building in the Pearl.
2002
Upper Elementary
The first Upper Elementary class (9 to 12 years) was added.
2003
Second Move and Expansion
Childpeace moved to the current location in NW Portland’s Pearl/River District in 2003, and began the second and third Lower Elementary classes.
2005
Sixth Grade Graduates
Childpeace celebrated the graduation of its first sixth grade class! The sixth graders, in true Montessori fashion, put together their graduation ceremony with each presenting a heartfelt speech thanking those that have inspired them along their path. We are very proud of our first sixth grade graduates, some of who came to Childpeace as toddlers!
2007
The Main Campus
The building at 1516 NW Thurman Street was purchased and the second Upper Elementary classroom was launched. The 40,000 square foot building enabled the school to finally realize the dream of combining all levels under one roof.
2008
Renovations and The Play Structure
Childpeace concluded the third and final round of planned renovations to the downtown building over the summer of 2008. With the hard work and expert help of the design and construction team, headed by Hennebery Eddy Architects and Howard S. Wright Constructors, the front entry and office, the two Toddler Community classrooms, and three Lower Elementary classrooms and aftercare space were created to be as beautiful and functional as the rest of the building. The children were also delighted at the installation of a new play structure at the playground.
Anniversary Year at the Terrace
The Children’s House classroom at The Terrace celebrated its 10th Anniversary also marking the 6th consecutive year of sending their kindergarten graduates downtown to join the lower elementary classrooms. Located approximately four miles from the main building, The Terrace classroom is a very special and unique part of the Childpeace community. Childpeace continued to fund an Intergenerational Laiason to connect the children with the elderly residents through hands-on activities.
2009
The Middle School
Metro Montessori was founded as a response to parents’ requests for continued Montessori education beyond 6th grade.
100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon
In a 2009 survey of more than 150 organizations around the state, Oregon Business magazine named Childpeace Montessori one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon. It is an accolade that illustrates the school’s dedication to attracting and retaining the finest teaching staff, the backbone of all top-notch schools.
2011
Middle School Graduates
The first group of Metro Montessori 8th graders graduated and moved on to area high schools of their choice. As the founders of the program, they were the first to benefit from the expansion of the Montessori curriculum into the adolescent years.
Going to College
The first group of graduating 6th graders, those who completed the Childpeace elementary program in 2005, graduated high school in June 2011 with numerous honors and awards. All eight were headed to college.
Setting the Stage
With help from the Facilities Committee and a Storefront Grant from Portland Development Commission, Childpeace painted the building and installed beautiful and functional portals at both sides of the building. In addition, the indoor playroom was outfitted with stage curtains, lighting, sound and a portable stage—all funded by the 2011 Auction Special Appeal.
2012
The Green Space
The Green Space provides students with a large grass play area. It includes a greenhouse and raised garden beds to grow plants and vegetables.
2013
Our Campus Grows
Metro Montessori Middle has a new home at 1418 NW Savier. Our dream for MMM students to have a facility of their own has been realized! A group of parents invested $1,200,000 to purchase and renovate the NW Savier Street building for use by Metro Montessori.
2016
40th Anniversary
2016 Marks the 40th Anniversary of Childpeace Montessori School! Our school has grown so much in the past 40 years, it's hard to imagine where we will be in another 40 years.
Middle School Building Purchase
Childpeace purchased the metro building and refinanced the other properties with a tax-exempt bond issuance. Parent investors donated to the school after the metro building sale.
