Asheville – Mountain City Public Montessori, Western North Carolina’s premier tuition-free, public Montessori school, is proud to announce the expansion of its seventh-grade program in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. As enrollment opens for kindergarten through seventh grade, the school remains dedicated to providing a high-quality, relevant Montessori education that caters to the unique needs of all students and strengthens the community.
Lucy MacGregor, Primary Lead Guide at Mountain City Public Montessori, expresses enthusiasm for the expansion, stating, “Students learn in many different ways, and I believe that when we have more options in our community, we can meet the needs of more students and families. My greatest hope is for MCPM to continue to grow and flourish as a learning space that fosters the development of the whole child and that we expand our connections with the Asheville community.”
The addition of the seventh-grade program not only fulfills the school’s mission of providing a high-quality Montessori education but also extends its reach to sixth-grade students who would have otherwise had only one year at the institution. Cheryl McCabe Allen, MCPM Montessori Coach, emphasizes the importance of accessible Montessori education, saying, “I believe that every area needs access to high-fidelity Montessori, especially beyond those who can afford private education. In our world today, access to an educational philosophy that actively teaches from a perspective of peace and respect has the potential to actually change the world.”
The expansion of Mountain City Public Montessori’s middle school program aligns perfectly with its original charter agreement with the NC State Board of Education, showcasing the institution’s forward-thinking vision. Looking further ahead, the school plans to continue its growth by adding eighth grade in the subsequent 2025-2026 academic year.
To learn more about the Montessori Adolescent program at Mountain City Public Montessori, interested families are encouraged to attend a virtual information session on January 23 at 5:30 pm. The session provides an opportunity to gain insights into the program and its offerings. Families can RSVP for the meeting link on the MCPM website.
Mountain City Public Montessori received official approval from the N.C. Charter School Advisory Board in September 2022, followed by unanimous approval from the N.C. State Board of Education on December 1, 2022. These steps laid the foundation for the school to open its doors in August 2023, and the response was exceptional. During the first lottery last winter, the school received over 450 applications, highlighting the strong demand for a Montessori education in the region. Ultimately, Mountain City Public Montessori welcomed 103 students from Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison Counties, marking an impressive inaugural year.
As Mountain City Public Montessori opens enrollment for the upcoming academic year, students from kindergarten through seventh grade are now eligible to join this esteemed institution. In anticipation of the seventh-grade expansion, MCPM plans to add another upper elementary classroom for fourth through sixth graders. This will increase the enrollment capacity to 139 students in the 2024-25 school year. Families eager to provide their children with a unique and enriching educational experience are encouraged to apply for the enrollment lottery, with the application window open until March 31, 2024. The enrollment lottery is set to take place on April 10, determining the admissions for the new academic year.
Mountain City Public Montessori takes pride in its collaboration with Little Grove Preschool, as it enables the provision of exceptional programming for children aged three to five on its campus. Enrollment for Little Grove Preschool is currently open for the 2024-2025 school year. The multi-age classrooms at Mountain City Public Montessori group students by age, encompassing preschool and kindergarten students in the Primary level and first through third graders in Lower Elementary. With the addition of seventh and eighth-grade students, the upcoming school year will commence the Adolescent grouping at MCPM.
At Mountain City Public Montessori, the renowned Montessori educational method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, serves as the cornerstone of the institution’s pedagogy. With a focus on self-directed learning, personalized instruction, and hands-on, experiential approaches to education, this curriculum nurtures a child’s natural curiosity while promoting exploration, critical thinking, and creativity. Students have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and engage with hands-on materials that foster academic, social, and emotional growth.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Asheville on the Central United Methodist Church campus, Mountain City Public Montessori boasts a dedicated team of experienced Montessori-trained educators. These professionals are committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential. Through its expansion and continued commitment to excellence, Mountain City Public Montessori aims to provide an educational experience that transforms lives and shapes a brighter future for its students and the community.