The Montessori School of Syracuse was started by three women — Mary O’Connor, Susan French-Lawyer, and Patricia Choice Getz — who wanted to offer a Montessori education to their children and the community. In 1995, they opened the Montessori Learning Center with seven students and one teacher.
In its first five years, the school grew from one classroom to five, and from seven students to nearly 100.
In the fall of 2000 the school was forced to relocate from its original home at Temple Beth El due to an arson fire directed at the Temple. The school reopened in a temporary location — St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church — before moving to its permanent home at 155 Waldorf Parkway in January 2001. Throughout this time parents, trustees and administrators worked together to keep students learning and to prepare the new space. Their effort and commitment to the school is why we are here today.
Currently, Montessori School of Syracuse serves approximately 120 children, ages 3 through 12, from several school districts throughout Central New York.