From the Head of School

Welcome to The Montessori School of Durham

Almost 50 years ago, a diverse group of parents who wanted an alternative education for their children founded Montessori School of Durham. They had a vision of a school that fosters a child’s intrinsic desire to learn in an environment that nurtures them to become who they truly are rather than an environment that steers them into a product that society deems they should be.

That same vision is what drew my family to join MSD 29 years ago, and today, as Head of School, I am proud of the tradition of excellence we continue to deliver to our students and families. Founded on the work of Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), Montessori schools focus on each child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Montessori classrooms foster independence, organization, and problem solving skills while providing children with a solid academic foundation. Our excellent staff represents the foundation of our program, and it is through their passion for Montessori pedagogy and deep respect for each individual child’s gifts that support our students’ growth and our school’s mission to ignite passion and curiosity for lifelong learning.

Today, our seven-acre campus serves nearly 175 students from infant through 6th grade. Our campus is filled with beautiful and spacious classrooms, playgrounds, and garden spaces that offer our students the opportunity to to work and play in a natural environment.

MSD is accredited by American Montessori Society (AMS) and AdvancEd, and was the first Montessori school in North Carolina to acquire our AMS accreditation. When you choose MSD, you choose an extraordinary experience for your children and your family. I welcome you to learn more about our mission, the philosophy that drives our academic approach, our programs, and our community of faculty, students, and families. If you want your child to learn in this type of environment, then I invite you to come visit and learn first-hand just what makes MSD a remarkable place. We look forward to welcoming you to our school!

All the best,

Tammy Squires

Head of School

These are my kids (back in 2001) taking care of the school bunnies.

These are my kids (back in 2001 when MSD was "Montessori Children's House of Durham") taking care of the school bunnies.