When my daughter Anna was about a year old, a friend suggested we check out Chiaravalle. I knew very little about the Montessori philosophy, but I was curious. As a new parent in the Parent/Infant program, it was a real gift at that time just to sit and observe Anna, to see how she engaged with the farm animals, or the pouring, or the graduated cylinders. What I discovered was that she was capable of a lot more than I thought. I think we were pretty sold on the whole idea after just a few months — any program that encouraged my strong-willed 16-month-old daughter to hang up her own coat, get herself dressed, and use the potty, was a winning philosophy in my book!
— Stephanie, mother of two
It was spring of 1999 when we first visited Chiaravalle, searching for
a preschool for our oldest daughter. I cannot believe how
quickly the time has flown by. She is now in her last year as a
Chiaravalle Middle Schooler. Our younger daughters,
who are in the Elementary program, are not far behind. We feel
fortunate that our whole family has been able to share the Chiaravalle
journey. We appreciate being part of a school community where all of
our contributions are welcomed and valued. We have all become lifelong
learners and made lasting friendships along the way.
— Shabnum, mother of three
A wonderful degree of intimate, small-scale and subtle understandings of our child as a person, as a unique and distinct learner characterized interactions between our son and his teachers at Chiaravalle. This was evident in our every conversation with his teachers.
Working as a student for oneself, learning how to work with others without losing oneself, these are fundamental gifts that not every school offers.
— Alexander, father of one