Main Street Montessori School of Silicon Valley is a Fully Implemented Montessori environment founded in 2012.
Our classrooms have mixed ages and our head teachers are formally certified in the Montessori Method.
We offer programs for children 2½ years to 6 years old with toilet independence which includes our Primary and Kindergarten classrooms
Our daughter has been attending Main Street Montessori for a little over a year now. She enjoys going to school each day and seeing her teachers and classmates. We often find her happily singing new songs she learns from class, and she tries to teach us as if she is the teacher. She especially loves the new after- hours art studio and cooking/gardening studio sessions.
My son started at Main Street Montessori when he barely turned three. He is currently three and a half years old, and in the matter of a few months I could see him grow more in so many ways. I notice his independence increase, his vocabulary exploded, and love for learning seems limitless. The teachers are professional, knowledgeable, caring and nurturing, I trust them every day to guide him to be the best he could be socially, emotionally, and academically, yet most importantly as a unique individual. Their connection with my son is warm. He loves coming to school, it’s like a second home for him. I couldn’t ask for a better place for my son to grow, learn and thrive. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
My daughter has been going to Main Street Montessori since she was 3 years old. She’s five now, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to start her off in MSM after we moved here from Virginia
My daughter has really blossomed over the last 2.5 years at MSM. From a shy child, she’s grown into a confident little girl. To start with, the atmosphere in the school is very welcoming and joyous. I have never seen a child crying while coming into class. At the age of 2.5 – 3, this mattered a lot me, to create a positive impression about school and MSM succeeded in doing that.
I am very happy with the teaching methods, which focuses on concepts rather than rote learning. The teachers have always been very responsive to questions and concerns. The director, it is evident, herself believes strongly in the Montessori Method and that passion comes through in the work everyone in the school does. It’s a balanced curriculum with arts, dance, cooking, gardening, in addition to academics. A special mention about the kindergarten program – my daughter is proud to be a kindergartner and I can see why. At 5, she can read chapter books, write stories, do basic multiplication and has even started cursive writing. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Choosing a school for your kid is never easy and as part of our search we looked at many aspects of schooling for our child and surprisingly Main Street Montessori came back on top in every list. So with a sense of cautious optimism that comes along with sending your kid to school for the first time, we sent our son to Main Street Montessori. And one year on we are glad that we did!
The atmosphere in the school is clean, pleasant and inviting with a very caring and engaging staff, truly they put children first always. We are very thankful to the Teachers and staff at Main Street Montessori
We are thrilled to have joined the Main Street Montessori family. The teachers and staff consistently practice the Montessori philosophy and through their examples we have learned positive and effective ways to communicate with our daughter. The teachers do an excellent job keeping us informed about weekly activities and student accomplishments. My favorite is when the staff pulls me aside to share a special story or observation involving my daughter. The classrooms are well organized and the teachers prepare meaningful activities that focus on overall personal growth. It has been a treat to watch our daughter blossom and show confidence in her abilities.
Head of School & Lead Primary Guide
Ms. Norma was born in El Salvador, near the beautiful black sanded beaches of Santa Anna.
It was there that her mother taught her to sew and instilled a love of the creative arts.
As a young adult, not speaking any English, Ms. Norma came to the United States.
She worked as a nanny for families with young children and it was then that she came to learn about Montessori Education.
Norma has earned her Montessori certificate through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies, a MACTE accredited Montessori teaching course.
After several years of being the Lead Primary Guide in the Maple classroom, she was promoted to the Head of School at Main Street Montessori School in 2018.
The mother of two daughters, Ms. Norma enjoys creative arts, hiking, and family time.
Lead Primary Guide
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Ms. Rachel enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school and subsequently served eight years on active duty. Her service took her around the world to countries such as Japan, Korea, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan where she enjoyed experiencing new cultures. Ms. Rachel currently serves in the Air Force Reserves.
Prior to discovering Montessori, Ms. Rachel had spent time as an after-school tutor, summer camp counselor, nanny and play-based preschool teacher. She always knew that she wanted a career working with children. She believes that early childhood education is key as it sets a proper foundation for the rest of the child’s development and school years. Ms. Rachel appreciates Montessori for the independence and love of learning it instills, and above all, the respect for the child.
As so many of our best teachers have done, Ms. Rachel started her career at the Montessori School of Silicon Valley as an intern, advancing over the years to become a co-teacher and is now a lead guide with her own classroom!
Seeing the spark in children when they discover something or master a new task, as well as witnessing phenomenal academic and social growth in the children in the Montessori environment is Ms. Rachel’s favorite part of leading a classroom.
Ms. Rachel’s personal educational journey includes earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland. Next she completed her American Montessori Society primary credential from St. Mary’s College of California and is currently in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Education.
In her spare time, Ms. Rachel enjoys hiking, paddleboarding and attending concerts.
Assistant Head of School
Prior to working with Montessori, Ms. Tamara has worked in a wide range of environments relating to helping children. She been a middle school tutor, an extended care activity leader for Kinder and first graders, and just before working with Main Street – she was a residential counselor working with abused and neglected youth.
Though this is her first time working in a Montessori setting; what inspires her the most is watching the children adapt to the Montessori environment and seeing them make creative choices in the classroom that allow them to discover people, places, and knowledge, both in their community and in the world.
Her favorite thing about being an Assistant Head of School is having the opportunity to be in the classroom. She enjoys having administrative responsibilities, but also continuing to guide children into becoming their whole, unique, and individual selves.
In her spare time, she likes to shop, cook, explore new restaurants, travel, clean, and organize.
