New Secondary Education Center to open in 2026, offering seventh grade through 12th grade in Wooster
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.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yourohionews.com ’
