About CMA
At CMA, we embrace the whole child. We foster academic, social, and emotional development equally within an authentic Montessori environment and curriculum.
CMA has created a nurturing space where every child is respected as an individual. They are taught to be independent, self-motivated, and to discover who they are and who they want to become.
Each child is valued as part of the community, shown how to socialize in a healthy way with both peers and adults, and cultivates a sense of responsibility and mindfulness towards others.
The Montessori Philosophy teaches and builds educational skills through hands-on learning and discovery.
18 months – 3 years old
The Montessori toddler environment promotes independence, order, coordination, and concentration, as well as supporting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Age 3 – Kindergarten
Teachers for this level provide gentle guidance to encourage self-directed learning that allows each child to move, manipulate, and work independently.
1st – 3rd Grade
Through observation, the teacher outlines individual plans to spark the child’s imagination, address their social-emotional needs, and promote working and learning with others.
4th – 6th Grade
Children at this tier receive individual lesson plans that teach logical thinking and understanding abstract concepts that lead to deep academic studies and gaining a broad cultural overview.
Our History
1978
A group of parents opened a Montessori pre-primary program in 1978 as a parent cooperative in Finneytown and named it The Children’s Way.
1992
We added a half day preschool, a full day kindergarten, and lower elementary program.
1997
We expanded the preschool classrooms, and opened an upper elementary which needed to move to a different campus due to limited space. The school became a non-profit accredited Montessori school now called Central Montessori Academy.
1999
Again the preschool and elementary programs expanded and CMA purchased five acres of land, a barn, a house, and a chicken coop on Springdale Road. This is the current location where we built a prefab building to bring our whole school together under one roof.
2005
The infant toddler program was started, and continued for five years.
2006
The elementary wing of the building was completed and the entire school was once again housed under the same roof.
2011
After years of fundraising, we were able to open a natural playground to enrich our campus and outdoor environment.
2018
We re-opened the toddler program for children aged 18–36 months.
Credentials
Central Montessori Academy is a member of the Ohio Association of Independent schools, the American Montessori Society, the Cincinnati Montessori Society, and the International Montessori Council.
Cincinnati Montessori Community Leader
Over the last twenty years, we have produced many members of the Cincinnati Montessori Society Board.
Central Montessori Academy also maintains close relationships with institutions of higher education in the Cincinnati area. Primarily, our relationship with Xavier University allows us to serve as an internship site for pre-service teachers and to collaborate with university stakeholders in considering best practices for teacher education and professional development. Additionally, we maintain relationships with the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education/Crescent Ridge Academy and the College of Mount St. Joseph.
CMA is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. We are licensed by the State of Ohio Department of Early Childhood Education and the State of Ohio Department of Education, as well as meeting the Montessori standards (American Montessori Society). Because CMA stays abreast of Ohio state standards, students are fully academically prepared to transition to non-Montessori environments, if desired.
Testimonials
Long-term Benefits
My two children have attended CMA for many years. They love it and we love it. They constantly surprise us with what they know. The knowledge is deep and intuitive — it’s become a part of them. We had no idea what Montessori learning was before CMA but we now know this is at its core. The physical school, the teachers, the staff and all the wonderful families and volunteers make learning an exciting, joyful part of life. We would never consider anywhere else.
—Anonymous Parent
Open Communication
I’ve been really pleased with the teachers’ responsiveness to parents, taking the time to answer our questions and provide feedback. They have also given us many opportunities to support the classroom and be a part of the learning environment.
—Jennifer C.
A Good Match
Central Montessori Academy truly supports the development of the whole child, and has been a good match for both of my very different children! My 7 year old is very creative, sensitive, and academically advanced. CMA has been able to challenge her academically and the Montessori method provides endless opportunities for her academic growth. She is encouraged to use her creativeness through research projects, presentations, and story writing. She loves her school and teachers! My 3 year old is developing into a very independent learner. He needs lots of movement opportunities during his learning time and the Montessori environment provides lots of freedom for this to happen! He loves making his own work choices, preparing his own snack, singing and dancing with his friends, and of course playing on the beautiful natural playground. His teachers are consistent, loving, and enthusiastic. CMA is a great match for us and the CMA community is an extension of our family!
—Anonymous Parent
Individualized Pace
This school is wonderful. They teach that everyone is unique and learns their own way – no one is labeled as different. They allow children to advance at their own pace, so that those who are advanced can work on work appropriate for their abilities.
—Anonymous Parent
Child-centered Education
Teachers at CMA devote their lives to giving our children the tools to succeed and inspire them. Every day they meet them on the front lines of education. They listen, challenge, and encourage children to stand up for their values. Teachers see each child as an individual; and they keep their sense of humor against all odds.
—Chris & Vanessa H.
Alumnus' Reflection
An alumni student reached out to his upper elementary teacher after entering 7th grade at Walnut Hills to say: “I wanted to thank you for pushing me to learn my Classical Roots. I know I fought you on it. At my new school we are taking Latin, and I'm ahead of the others because I already knew the root word meaning of words. Even if I don’t know the actual definition of the word, it still gets me close enough to guess. I just wanted to say, thank you for teaching me all the things I needed know.”
—B.B.
Long-term Benefits
My two children have attended CMA for many years. They love it and we love it. They constantly surprise us with what they know. The knowledge is deep and intuitive — it’s become a part of them. We had no idea what Montessori learning was before CMA but we now know this is at its core. The physical school, the teachers, the staff and all the wonderful families and volunteers make learning an exciting, joyful part of life. We would never consider anywhere else.
—Anonymous Parent
Inspired Children
The children have a zeal to achieve and excel in life because of the teachers’ inspiration and dedication.
—The S. Family
Warm and Supportive
CMA is like a breath of fresh air. Every day, my child is greeted with a hug and a smile, and every afternoon, he is escorted to the car with a wish for a great evening. This school is like a large family, and every child is valued. I have spent time in the classrooms, and the level of engagement by the students is inspiring. THIS is what a Montessori school is supposed to look like. The teachers here get it , and they live it every day. They have created a lovely environment where following the child is possible. The strong organizational skills taught at the upper elementary level help prepare students for the more rigorous demands of Middle School. My son absolutely loves going to school. What more could a parent want?
—Anonymous Parent
Nurturing Environment
The compassion that the teachers have shown will always be with my daughter in her journey of life. I am so proud to be a part of the CMA family and know that my daughter is in a loved and nurturing environment.
—Margaret R.
Your child’s Montessori journey starts with you.