I started with a space.

Almost 2 years ago, I spoke to my landlord about expanding into a space that had become available in my building to open a Montessori School. The summer before, I had visited my cousin's Montessori school (Hyacinth Montessori) in Philadelphia and when I walked into her classroom, the authenticity struck me. I realized during that visit what was missing locally; authentic AMI(Association Montessori Internationale) programming. I left inspired.

I immediately began my preparation by earning my AMI Administrator's Certificate, and this past summer I completed my AMI Elementary Teaching Diploma with Ellen Lebitz who displayed the fervent dedication to Montessori's approach that I had hoped to find in a trainer. I am now one course away from finishing my Master's in Montessori Education. My good friend from elementary school, Katie, has worked just as hard as our primary teacher and received her AMI Primary Teaching Diploma with Sarah Werner Andrews after A LOT of hard work and sacrifice.

Preparing for the imminent move, I connected like-minded support providers who were ready to bring therapeutic services on-site for children in need of extra help, an architect finished permit plans, we received special use approval to utilize the proposed location, and I found a business to sublet the current Music Academy space to offset the cost of our expansion. Unfortunately, it all fell through during the final lease negotiations.

Although devastated, I couldn't give up.

I couldn't give up on Katie who had made a huge sacrifice to open this school alongside me and who is just as committed to her students and Maria Montessori's mission as I am. Most importantly, I couldn't give up on our elementary class of students who I've seen make incredible strides in their self-esteem, curiosity, and creativity. All of this supported their gains in academic growth.

But...

I ran into hurdle after hurdle as I attempted to procure a new space to lease. Once landlords heard "school," the next word I heard was, "no". I looked into churches and other alternative locations. I eventually decided that buying a building was the only path forward. I put offers in on two different properties that didn't pan out and I was starting to lose hope.

I had stayed in touch with a property owner in Palatine whose building, I felt, was outside of my reach financially. When I was in Spokane finishing my diploma, he reached out to check in on how my property search was going. We struck up a conversation again and we were able to come to an agreement for me to buy his building.

Our Special Use Permit was Approved!

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and I feel so grateful now to have found the perfect location for our families. The children will have direct access to the outdoors and fresh air, the Palatine Public Library will be there when the children must find the answer to their query right away, and countless nature explorations will take place on the Palatine Nature Trail which is directly adjacent to our parking lot, and unlimited going-out opportunities are available within walking distance of our school.

"When a child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him. Let us take the child out to show him real things instead of making objects which represent ideas and closing them in cupboards." -Maria Montessori

I am not one to ask for help.

Helping others has always been the basis of my mission, and never the other way around. I never planned to own a commercial building and the money that I had reserved for the buildout is now tied up in a downpayment.

We hope to equalize Montessori access in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.

A large part of our mission is to support families wanting a Montessori education for their children who wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. We hope to equalize academic outcomes for students through personalized learning, social and emotional learning, and diverse culturally sustaining communities. By donating, you will not only be helping us to fund our buildout but every dollar donated will be distributed in scholarship funds and financial aid to those in need over the next 2 years.

Montessori education is a collaboration... between the teacher, the child, and the environment. We need your help to make sure that our indoor and outdoor environments are tailored to serve the children.

While your contribution will help our students in the short term, we know that investing in children is an investment in our future.

As Maria Montessori said, "Within the child lies the fate of the future".

Forever grateful,

Mallory

Grow Montessori Academy Playground Fund

By Grow Montessori Academy

Grow Montessori Academy Playground Fund

Support our playground fund now and our scholarship fund later.

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