The vision of our founders, in 1963, is the driving force behind what we do and how we do it. They created a school that continues to reflect the rich cultural, ethnic and economic diversity of our neighborhood; a school which actively involves families in their children’s educational life; a school which embodies the best practices that have evolved in Montessori education over the past 100 years. They were deeply committed to better understanding what education for young children was all about, and to sharing these emerging understandings. It is these commitments to celebrating diversity, to a family¬centered institution, to the Montessori principles, and to furthering an understanding of how young children learn, that best describe the essence of our School.

WSMS reflects the rich cultural, ethnic and economic diversity of our neighborhood.

We are a warm, welcoming community in which children and adults find friendships and support, a place where all are encouraged to ask questions and broaden their understandings of themselves, others and the world. We have created various structures to further the development of each child’s and adult’s full range of abilities and talents. We are about developing physical, social and intellectual competencies.

We want our children to grow into autonomous, caring, responsive and responsible citizens-life-long learners and problem solvers. To this end we emphasize respect, competency, self-initiative, responsibility, self-management, and the ability to view the experiences from different perspectives.

We are committed to maintaining our position as a model urban early childhood program as well as a school that helps prepare future teachers through well-established intern programs.