About Mountain City Public Montessori

Maria Montessori portrait"An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of [people], the enhancement of [their] value as individual[s], and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.”

These are the words of Dr. Maria Montessori, delivered to the International Office of Education in Geneva in 1932, as Europe began its descent into World War II. These words are as relevant today as they were in 1932. The Asheville community values Montessori education, and they have seen its benefits for their school age children, yet there are currently only two very small private schools that offer Montessori education for the elementary years. Mountain City Public Montessori is excited to bring public Montessori education back to the Asheville community.

Mountain City Public Montessori initially enrolled 106 students in grades K-6, and will expand to nearly 200 students at full enrollment at our present location. We utilize a shared leadership model, which is the practice of governing a school by expanding the number of people involved in making important decisions related to the school’s organization, operation, and academics. Rather than relying on a singular head of school, MCPM divides leadership responsibilities among a Curriculum Director, an Operations Director, and a Teacher Directorate. Shared leadership encourages the professional aspirations and growth of all members of the school organization. This model also nurtures the development of leadership experience and skills within the school, thereby cultivating the next generation of school leaders.

Location
Our school site is located on a quiet street just a few blocks from the vibrant center of downtown Asheville in the educational building of Central United Methodist Church. MCPM students are able to walk to the Asheville Museum of Science, the Asheville Art Museum, Pack Memorial Library, and participate in all that Asheville has to offer. 

 

Transportation
Mountain City Public Montessori offers free school bus transportation to any student that needs it and lives within the Asheville city limits. The school is also a block from the central downtown bus hub, making it easily accessed by public transit, on foot, or by bicycle.

 

Meals
MCPM contracts with Equal Plates Project to provide a hot lunch for all students. Meals are provided for free for all qualifying students, and for a fee for those who do not qualify.

 

Preschool
We recognize the importance of early childhood education and its impact on both academic and social-emotional development. However, NC state law prohibits public charter schools from serving children prior to Kindergarten. 

That’s why we have partnered with Little Grove Preschool to offer programming for younger children on our campus. These students enroll via the preschool, and learn in classrooms with MCPM Kindergarteners. It is important to note that children attending preschool on our campus will still need to apply for enrollment in MCPM prior to Kindergarten.