History of the Academy

"There is a part of a child's soul that has always been unknown, but which must be known.
With a spirit of sacrifice and enthusiasm we must go in search,
like those who travel to foreign lands
and tear up mountains in their search for hidden gold."
Maria Montessori

The Montessori Academy began operations under the name of Little Flower Montessori with an enrollment of 16 students in the Fall of 1969, in affiliation with the American Montessori Society. The purpose of the school was to offer an outstanding Montessori classroom experience to as many children as possible, while maintaining itself on a self-sufficient, tuition-supported basis. In March 1970, the school was formalized into a not-for-profit corporation with responsibility resting in a Board of Directors. The school's enrollment increased substantially, necessitating several relocations over the next several years. In 1978, the School became the second in the United States, out of hundreds of affiliated schools, to achieve the high rank of accreditation status with the American Montessori Society.

A gift of property was made by Mr. and Mrs. Don Cressy at 15767 Day Road in Mishawaka, and in 1980 a new Early Childhood building was dedicated by the Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., then President of the University of Notre Dame. In 1982, an Elementary Division opened in downtown South Bend. In 1985, after three years' operation in two different locations, the school purchased its own building at 624 North Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend.

In 1987, Mr. and Mrs. Don Cressy donated the property adjacent to the Early Childhood building on Day Road in Mishawaka for a permanent elementary facility. A capital campaign was organized and ground was broken in October of 1988 for a new elementary facility. In 1988, a Junior High Division was established, making Toddlers through age fourteen the population served by the School. The name was changed to better reflect the ages served and programs offered. On August 1, 1989, the School became officially known as "The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes."

In August 1989, The Montessori Teacher Academy was developed as a program between The Montessori Academy and Indiana University at South Bend. This new Division offers Montessori teacher training and certification. The newly constructed Elementary/Junior High facility next to the Early Childhood building was dedicated as the second building on The Montessori Academy Campus, and in the Fall of 1989, the school year began with all programs consolidated on Day Road in the Edison Lakes complex. Enrollment had increased to 320 students.

In 1990, the newly constructed Elementary/Junior High Building received a distinguished design award from the Indiana Society of Architects. Also in 1990, the Academy was reaccredited by The American Montessori Society at its annual meeting in Washington and recognized as a "school of distinction." In October of that same year, the Montessori Teacher Academy was recommended for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Childhood Education Specialist Schools (ACCESS) in Chihuahua, Mexico. The Teacher Academy held its inaugural session in June 1991. Accreditation status was granted to the Montessori Teacher Academy in April 1991 by the Accreditation Council for Childhood Education Specialist Schools.

The Academy instituted a Development office in 1991. The new Director of Development began the groundwork for the school's first Annual Giving program which was implemented in 1992. Also in 1992, Montessori Teacher Academy was accredited by an international organization - Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). In 1993, the Board of Directors reorganized to focus on a governance structure. This resulted in a shift of several board committees to school committees and a three-year plan to achieve a composition that would better reflect the governance structure. In 1993 a Teacher Academy Program Manager was added.

In July 1994 an application for accreditation to the Independent Schools Association of Central States (ISACS) was made by The Montessori Academy. Also in 1994 The Montessori Academy celebrated its 25th anniversary. In commemoration of this event, and as a gift to the Michiana community, The Montessori Academy established an Early Childhood classroom at the South Bend Center for the Homeless.

In April 1995, two classrooms were added to the Early Childhood building, enabling The Montessori Academy to offer four additional classes for children ages 3-6. The addition was dedicated by Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., on October 24. In 1995 The Montessori Teacher Academy was re-accredited by MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education), formerly known as ACCESS.

In 1997 a fourth Lower Elementary classroom was added. Ground was broken for expansion of The Montessori Academy facilities. The expansion included a full-sized gymnasium, a new Junior High classroom, and a new Art Room. Also in 1997 The Montessori Academy was approved for accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

The 1997-98 school year was a year of continued growth. The Montessori Academy was annexed into the city of Mishawaka during the summer of 1997. A fourth Lower Elementary classroom was established and a gymnasium/auditorium/classroom wing was constructed and opened in May 1998. In August 1999, a third Upper Elementary classroom was added due to continued growth.

In 2000, the Montessori Classroom at the South Bend Center for the Homeless moved into its newly created space when the Center completed construction of its expansion.