The atmosphere in a Beverly Montessori environment is one of order and respect for all people and things. The classroom is a small society that encourages self-control and responsibility for one’s own actions. The one all-inclusive ground rule is respect. Teachers work with all the students to solve conflicts peacefully. They set clear limits, taking care not to overreact. Please see our full “Bullying Policy” in our Parent Handbook at the above link.
We welcome you and your child to Beverly Montessori School! We are very excited you have chosen our school for your child. We believe that as parents you make up one-third of the educational triangle: teachers, students, and parents. Therefore, we want you to be a part of the Montessori experience as much as possible. This handbook is intended to help you thoroughly understand how our school operates and our policies and procedures. Please take the time to read through the information, so that you can be comfortable with the works of our school.
Beverly Montessori School is a neighborhood school that has been serving the community for over 50 years! We follow the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, who held a deep respect for the child and the adult to be. Our school provides a nurturing environment in which wonder, joy, and love of learning are encouraged. Children interact with each other in their environment to develop physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and intellectually.
Our school opened its doors in September 1967, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 9401 South Oakley, with an enrollment of 50 children. Five couples — Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Barry, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burke, Mr. and Mrs. John Coffey, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Foley, and Mr. and Mrs. John Geary, founded the school. Mrs. Stase Vaisvila worked with the five couples in establishing our excellent school and served as its Head of School for 20 years. Because of the increased demand for Montessori education throughout the area, the School Board found it necessary to look for larger quarters. In the spring of 1969, the school purchased the building at its present site, 9916 S. Walden Parkway.
In November of 2010, the founding Board Members passed on their legacy and responsibilities to the new professional School Board: Susan and Brian Coffey, Chrissa Barry Dolan, Kristina Geary Meehan, Bill McMahon, Lisa O’Brien, and Rebecca Burton Range. In 2023, Siobhan Conroy, Karen Moran, and Tom Ruggieri joined our School Board, along with Susan and Brian Coffey, Chrissa Barry Dolan, and Rebecca Burton Range. Mrs. Virginia Maciulus served as the Head of School from 1987-2012 and Mrs. Linda Budewitz was the interim Head of School from 2012-2014. Mrs. Kelley Ciraulo served as Head of School from 2014-2024.
Mrs. Karen Quiroz is serving as the Interim Head of School for the 2024-2025 school year. She is a proud graduate of Beverly Montessori School. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has a Montessori Teaching Credential from the Seton Montessori Institute. She has a strong passion for teaching and education and is excited to bring her expertise and experience to this leadership role.