Melrose Montessori Nature School

Melrose Montessori

Nature School

For forty years Columbia Montessori Children’s House operated at 1220 Woodrow St. as a Montessori school in a tight knit neighborhood. It has two beautiful schoolhouses on campus that share a shady playground and garden. Generations of Columbia children were able to grow in joyful learning in the two buildings. After closing in 2014, we were delighted to reopen the space in 2022 to continue the legacy of Maria Montessori and to provide a nature-based learning environment for children in our neighborhood.

Our Philosophy

Imagine a place where learning is playful, an environment where creativity is cherished and creation inevitable. A space where the lines of indoors and outdoors are blurred and the mood of the day is dictated by the sun herself. Melrose Montessori Nature School is a place where childhood is protected from the rush of the rat race in the outer world. A place that is purposefully simple and where time is purposefully slow.

Our Daily Rhythm

The day begins outside on our playground. The children seamlessly transition from home to free play, no matter what the weather. Children then make their ways indoors for the work cycle in a carefully prepared Montessori environment, during which they choose their own work, are guided by the teachers, and serve themselves snack. Children are then invited to a group music class and lesson, after which they enjoy their lunch. School ends on the playground.

More about Melrose Montessori Nature School

Our Schedule

Class begins at 8:15am. Pickup begins at 11:45am. All students must be off campus by 12pm.

Our Tuition

We offer tuition rates for students coming 2-5 days a week. We also offer discounts for siblings coming full time and we have scholarships available.

Our School Community

We are not just a school, but a community of friends. We regularly have outside-of-school play groups and potlucks. We celebrate holidays together and mark the change of the seasons with group activities. We also participate in community service projects as a school.

Our Campus

The Nest is our 1-2 year-old classroom located on Kershaw Street. The Burrow is our 3-6 year old classroom located on Woodrow Street. The buildings share a large playground under the shade of enormous oak trees.