Caroline Johnson Briggs, Pharm.D., SMS Graduate (1997)

After four years of college and an additional four years of graduate school, I still consider some of the teachers I had at Statesville Montessori School to be some of the best.  I believe early education is key to a successful future and that is what SMS has provided for me.  I received a strong and well-balanced foundation that helped to prepare me for the road ahead.

Not only, did I receive an excellent education but also believe SMS provides students with a nurturing environment.  The small class size and dedicated teachers create an atmosphere that encourages learning and reaching new goals.

Some of my fondest memories at SMS were being in Mrs. Dodick’s classroom.  She is one of the few that could make diagramming sentences and Shakespeare exciting to a 12 year old!  I will be forever grateful to her for encouraging me to always strive for success.

Spencer Perry, SMS Graduate (2002)

Statesville Montessori School is a perfectly well-balanced environment that afforded me the tools I needed to be successful through the entirety of my educational experience.

Nurturing, challenging and maturation are a few action words I think of when reflecting on my experience at Statesville Montessori.

Supportive teachers that are committed to pushing their students to reach their full potential is a tangible benefit for any student at Statesville Montessori.  Personally, I was unmotivated in school from the start, but the patience, effort and belief that my teachers exemplified when molding me aided in improving my self-esteem and work ethic as a student.

Henry Armistead, SMS Graduate (2002)

Patient! Engaging! Motivating! Interactive! These are just a few of the many words that come to my mind when thinking about the people that set Montessori apart. The teachers of course. My parents decided to enroll me in Montessori in the 2nd grade once it was determined I lacked the necessary reading and writing skills to continue in the “typical” grade school classroom atmosphere. Within a year, Mrs. Chris had my reading and writing skills quickly up to speed through the use of creative, innovative and inspirational teaching techniques. Fortunately for Montessori and the kids who attend, every teacher is like Mrs. Chris: challenging but compassionate and most important, insistent upon preparing their students for the future.

In addition, the ability to take part in extracurricular activities is an incredible benefit of the overall education process and atmosphere. I still have personal relationships with classmates and sports coaches. As a matter of fact, three of my classmates still remain my closest friends to this day. After graduating from Montessori, I was well prepared for both high school and college. My work ethic provided me with the foundation from which to succeed on both a personal and professional level. If I raise my family in or around Statesville, without a doubt, my children will attend Montessori.

Susan Tharpe, Parent

When asked what sets Statesville Montessori School apart from other school environments, I believe it is that SMS takes a young person and gives them every opportunity to learn through a multisensory approach.  Auditory, visual and tactile methods of learning are implemented and given each individual learning style, the catalyst to attend and to thrive.  Each student is taught at a learning rate that is best suited for him/her in an environment that fosters increasing independence and a strong self-esteem.

Another wonderful advantage to being a part of the Statesville Montessori Family is that the kindergarteners know the students in the middle school and the middle school students know the kindergarteners.  Even in the classrooms, the third graders are working beside the first graders, the fourth working with the fifth. This benefits both ages as the older students develop their skills and set the example, while the younger learn by seeing and doing and one day will grow into that role as well.

 Once a child graduates from Statesville Montessori School, he/she is a well-rounded, confident young person that has been given the foundation to move into a different learning environment and meet whatever challenges come their way, a direct reflection of our strong network of dedicated teachers, support staff and the Montessori Method of learning.

Sriyani Hatharasinghe, Parent

Statesville Montessori School has been a part of our lives for almost 20 years and counting. Our first child started at the Children’s House in 1995 at the age of 3 1/2.  All four of our children have excelled in their studies, have been challenged and have an excellent work ethic.  We could not have asked for a better place for our kids to learn than the Montessori environment.

Michelle McMurry, Parent

Montessori was the perfect place for my children! My daughter is in college now and my son is a junior in high school, and I still feel like Statesville Montessori is part of our family. The foundation they received there was awesome! The Montessori approach to learning is fantastic, incorporating all the various learning styles to reach child in a way they personally learn best. I can’t imagine having been anywhere else.