We aim to offer an important alternative to mainstream education in Humboldt County’s Eel River Valley that is just as academically rigorous and deeply rooted in community as local public schools, while meeting the individual needs and interests of children in a small multi-age classroom.

As a small independent school, Village Montessori will be structured to offer unique flexibility. Our program will embrace authentic Montessori principles to offer individualized, interest-led learning; an emphasis on arts, science and culture; purposeful community involvement; and a supportive, inclusive environment—all meaningful components of a well-rounded education that the public school system sometimes struggles to meet due to state-mandated constraints.

In addition to engaging, hands-on and project-based studies of mathematics, language arts, physical and biological science, geography, history and culture, Village Montessori students will enjoy weekly studies in art, music, foreign language (Spanish and/or American Sign Language) and community. Community studies will be a core component of the Ferndale Village School program and may include school visits and field trips in the areas of local agriculture, natural areas, arts, businesses, museums and more. We intend for our offerings to be always evolving, and we’d love to collaborate with local experts who have a passion for education and community about how we can work together!

Let us be clear: We are not here to compete with or criticize our local public schools, which we know have served many children well and are dearly loved by many community members. What we are doing is offering a choice for families who, for many reasons, are looking for a different kind of education.