BRINGING THE PAST FORWARD

This coming school year marks the 25th Anniversary of the unique relationship between Montessori Education and the Des Moines Public Schools. In 1993, the Des Moines Public School Board affirmed the request to begin a Montessori program. The program initially brought a room full of three and four-year-old preschool children to Hillis Elementary. The first year was such a success that parents requested their five-year-old children attend Montessori Kindergarten. The program quickly grew and the School Board affirmed Montessori Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade. The early success required Montessori Education to expand to its own school location. The 1996-1997 school year brought Montessori Education to the Cowles building to accommodate the growing needs. Today, the school provides Montessori Education to more than 400 students in Preschool through Eighth Grade. Cowles Montessori School remains the only public Montessori School in the state of Iowa.

We will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Montessori Education in the Des Moines Public School District throughout the 2017-2018 school year. We will observe the official 25th Anniversary the week of February 25th through March 3rd. This is the same week we observe the International Montessori Week when Montessori Education turns 111 years old. The timeline outlines the history between Montessori Education, the Des Moines Public School District, and Cowles Montessori School.