a child’s place Montessori School History

a child's place Montessori School was founded in 1988 by Catherine Selhorst, "Ms. Pat."  Her strong belief that early childhood is the most critical stage of development attracted her to Montessori philosophy.  Her talent, hard work and love created her gift for children, a child's place.  She felt very strongly that children be given every opportunity to learn and grow.  Ms. Pat passed away in September 1996, but her legacy lives on through the schools.

a child's place Montessori first opened in Jacksonville in a small house in 1988.  In 1992 the Southpoint location was opened due to increasing demand for a quality Montessori program.  The Southpoint location is also located in a house which originally served as a family farm house when the Southpoint business park was a dairy farm.  Additional classrooms were added at the Southpoint location in 2007 and 2014.  We offer programs for children from infancy through eleven years of age. 

MISSION STATEMENT

a child’s place Montessori School is dedicated to the nurturing and education of young children in a peaceful and non-threatening environment which embraces an understanding of the Montessori philosophy of education and child development.

We respect and view each child as a unique personality and the most important person in our environment.

Our goal at a child’s place Montessori School is to assist children to reach their fullest potential as healthy, creative, constructive members of a community and to joyfully cultivate a genuine desire for life-long learning.  Part of that assistance is to work closely with the parents, to respect the individual child and his or her needs, and to nurture the qualities of independence, warmth, imagination, honesty, grace and resilience.

a child's place believes that social, racial, religious and cultural diversity in the student body contributes greatly to the value of the school experience. It therefore does not discriminate in admission or placement on the basis of sex, race, religion, disability, creed or national origin.