Welcome

Thank you for your interest in Williamsburg Montessori School. I’m excited for you to explore these pages and learn a bit about who we are and what we offer to children and families. Choosing the right school for your child is as important as it is challenging; there is so much to consider.

When I first stepped into this school I was an experienced Montessori educator, deciding whether to join the WMS team. I was immediately struck by the exceptionally warm and welcoming atmosphere that I experienced. I was charmed by the respect and kindness that staff demonstrated toward the children, and to one another, as I visited each classroom. At arrival one morning, I witnessed the camaraderie, connections and easy communication among families and staff, as well as the eager confidence with which children greeted their Guides and walked to their classrooms. From my point of view, these characteristics are indispensable to a vibrant community school. Their strong presence at WMS inspired me to sign on. (There’s nothing like having the opportunity to make what’s already good even better!)

In addition to our culture of warmth, collaboration and kindness, what further binds this Montessori community together is our philosophy about the nature of children. We know that children arrive in this world ready to learn. They are eager to explore and figure things out for themselves. What they need from the adults around them is love, support, and guidance to help them build trust and independence. Beyond that, they need a safe, peaceful, thoughtfully prepared and intellectually engaging environment, designed to foster their natural curiosity and joy of discovery. That, in a nutshell, describes Montessori education done right. And that is what we strive to do every day for every child.

In the six short years since our founding, we have grown organically. We began with 16 children in two classes: one for toddlers and one for children ages three to six. We now serve more than 100 children and their families, and have expanded our programs to include Montessori Elementary for children from first through sixth grade. Some of our current Elementary students have been with us since the beginning.

WMS offers a powerful educational opportunity for children. If you would like to learn more, please set up an appointment to visit. I personally look forward to welcoming you when you do.

Sincerely,
Becky Simkhai
Head of School