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40th Anniversary

EACMSI’s first iteration, The Montessori School of Ithaca, was born in 1979, along with Jimmy Carter as President, the release of the first Walkman and the introduction of McDonald’s first Happy Meal.

What does it mean to be a school at 40?

Being 40 means a depth of experience that we can call upon, and we do so regularly. We pay attention to our institutional memory and have structures in place to continue bringing the School’s history forward.

Being 40 means that we have witnessed countless educational fads come and go. This gives us the confidence to make changes according to the School’s inner compass and how we see the needs of our students evolve, versus trying to stay in lockstep with others who have less control over their pedagogy.

Being 40 means that we feel comfortable, under a watchful eye, taking risks and forging uncharted territory. We have confidence to try new things and to abandon ineffective ways of doing.

Being 40 means a curriculum with both depth and breadth, a curricular robustness that would be impossible for a younger institution.

Being 40 means that we know what we do well, and where we shouldn’t venture without adequate resources.

Being 40 means that we have students who are the children of alumnae, and students who are the grandchildren of founding faculty.

Perhaps most importantly, being 40 means that our mission matters and resonates with parents across time…the very definition of sustainable.