Desert Montessori School
Teacher led, student driven. Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Serving students aged 2 through 12.
aims
Why DMS?
Welcoming Environment
We see ourselves as part of your child’s team. We want to help families and students feel welcome and at home in our community of engaged learners.
Horizontal Governance
DMS is a teacher led school where all staff have a say and a stake in the direction of our institution.
Forward-Looking approach to Montessori
We take inspiration from Montessori’s role as an innovator, scientist, and observer. With our roots in the Montessori method, we use every resource to create an environment where all students can thrive.
Vision
Why teacher led?
At DMS, decision-making is distributed among the staff members, as opposed to a traditional top-down approach, where a single leader or small team makes all the decisions. DMS is organized instead around accountability circles that teachers join according to their strengths and interests. Every voice is heard and all faculty have a chance to contribute to the growth and operations of our school. This model offers increased job satisfaction, enhanced professional development, more opportunities for student engagement, and a strong sense of community and shared values.
Mission
Why Montessori?
Love of Learning
A Montessori education teaches students how to be active, confident, and engaged learners who can think for themselves. The Montessori foundation allows for children to become critical thinkers, logical problem-solvers, and masters of their own learning process.
Personalized Education
A Montessori education at DMS aims to meet each child where they are. As Montessorians, we don’t expect every child in the class to be in the same exact academic, social, or emotional place, and we respect each child enough to observe where they are and what’s right for them right now.
Learn More About Our Programming
Academics
Our rigorous academic program is personalized for each child, building their confidence and nurturing a love of learning through exploration.
Specials
Specialty classes are integrated with the academic curriculum to teach children to think creatively and to express themselves.
Extracurriculars
We offer a rotating selection of enriching after-school extracurricular programs, including swim, soccer, marimba, and theater.
