Anchorage Montessori School

Anchorage Montessori School is dedicated to providing a holistic education that empowers children to approach learning with a curious mindset through the values and principles of the Montessori philosophy. We respect the inherent dignity of each child, promoting independence and responsibility to themselves and the community so that together we may create a more peaceful world.

1976-77 – Betsey Howard, Toni Serpe-Davis and Moira Padfield, all Montessori trained teachers, began investigating the possibility of opening a Montessori Pre-Primary that would adhere to that philosophy. The three advertised for interested parents who helped find space, make materials, and recruit families.
1977 – Anchorage Montessori School (AMS) opened in September under the co-direction of Betsey Howard and Toni Serpe-Davis in the First American Baptist Church building at the corner of LaTouche and Northern Lights. The school registered as a non-profit corporation.
1978 – The School began affiliation with the American Montessori Society.
1980 – A summer Montessori playgroup is started.
1986 – AMS moved to the downstairs of the Bethany Christian Community building at 2824 E. 18th Street. A group of parents, staff and their spouses helped us build new shelving and other furniture. We had two pre-primary classrooms, one toddler room and an office. Toddler classes begin.
1993 – A two-hour Kindergarten program begins in addition to the half-day preschool.
1995 – Full-Day Pre-Primary class opened.
1997 – AMS bought the building from Bethany Christian Community, remodeled the upstairs and added a Lower Elementary classroom.
1999 – Upper Elementary classes begin
2002 – Groundbreaking for our new building.
2003 – AMS moves into our current building in January.
2007 – Betsey Howard retires from Anchorage Montessori School.
2011 – Tim Seldin, Montessori author and leader (International Montessori Council) visits AMS.
2017 – AMS completes its 40th year.
2022 – AMS reaches Pathway 6 level with American Montessori Society