Little Voyageurs’ Montessori School (LVMS) was founded in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, in 1968 by a group of dedicated parents. From the beginning, the school’s mission has been to nurture the development of each child’s unique potential.
For its first ten years, LVMS operated as part of the North Suburban Montessori Association, Inc., a nonprofit collaborative of five parent-led schools in the Twin Cities. In 1978 the school sought and received independent 501(c) 3 status. In 1981, LVMS began offering childcare before and after Montessori classes, and in 1989 the school added an all-summer program including additional Montessori class work. In 1997, a Montessori Guide joined the childcare staff, and the extended day enrichment program was redesigned to give the children more opportunities to work with Montessori materials, as well as meet their needs for social play.
LVMS’ intergenerational program, which began in 1988, is unique among Twin Cities Montessori schools. The momentum created by this innovative program led, in 1991, to LVMS’ move into an assisted-living facility, on the Crest View Campus. After the move, the elders and the children were able to interact spontaneously, as well as through planned events. The elders enjoyed the children and were fascinated by what they could do. In 2001, the assisted-living facility did not renew LVMS’ lease, choosing instead to use the space for a childcare facility for children of all ages, hoping that the availability of on-site childcare would help recruit and retain employees. LVMS moved back to its previous site, continuing the intergenerational program through visits between an assisted-living facility and the school.
Currently St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, LVMS’ rented facility, includes space for one large Montessori classroom, which is used for both the morning and afternoon Montessori classes, and two smaller rooms used to accommodate children in the extended day enrichment program and kindergarten extensions. LVMS Board and staff continue to search options for a new home for the school that will allow expansion of services. Ideally, a new facility will be located within or adjacent to a senior housing community that will allow the full-scale resumption of the school’s intergenerational program. Until then St. Timothy's Lutheran Church is the school's permanent home.
|
|
