NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In May, the North Little Rock Montessori school announced it was closing for good with little explanation to teachers and parents.
The community has worked all summer to make sure North Little Rock students have a Montessori school to go to this year. Parents said the hands-on learning concepts and self-directed activities are things their children rely on.
“When the previous Montessori school closed, it was pretty devastating for several people, myself included,” new administrator and parent Connie Gardner said.
For Gardner, word of the North Little Rock Montessori school closing meant it was time to get to work.
“A group of parents got together when the last school was not able to stay open and we asked the community and other parents if there’s a need and a want to keep a Montessori school open. And, we did get an overwhelming response,” Gardner said.
She hopes to keep the doors open at the tuition-based school for her son and other children who flourish better in a different environment.
“My son does not do well in a public school. He’s very active and with the way Montessori teaching is, he can get a lesson done and move on to a next lesson without waiting for the entire class,” Gardner said.
With the help of donations, the school will open August 19 as Central Arkansas Montessori.
“We’re doing a makeover of the building. We want to do everything new. We’ve gotten lots of donations for flooring and painting and people coming in and doing the actual labor,” Gardner said.
Volunteers are spending time at the school to make updates.
This school year, classes will be open to children ages three through 12 years old.
So far, about 35 kids are enrolled, three Montessori teachers are on staff, and Montessori trained volunteers will help out.
“We’re very pleased with the way the community has really embraced us. I get texts, Facebook messages constantly of ‘thank goodness there’s a Montessori in our area' and so forth. So, we see it to be a very successful school,” Gardner said.
The administrator said they have enough funds to get through this school year, but are hoping to get more donations to keep going.
They'll have an open house from July 29 to August 2 where people can learn more about the school.