Montessori school begins teaching this fall in Midtown

This September, Detroit Montessori School will begin offering classes at its Cathedral Church at St. Paul location in Midtown. Founder and teacher Clima Fields says the new location's appeal is its proximity to cultural amenities such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the main branch of the Detroit Public Library and Wayne State University. With the motto of "Building a Foundation for College," Fields plans to inspire her young charges to dream big.

The school, for students two-and-a-half to five years old, is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is more academically oriented than traditional daycare. Fields says the Montessori philosophy has more one-on-one teaching. "We know that children learn at different times and have different interests," she says. "A student might be musical, artsy or quiet and independent -- we cater to all of those things."

Fields and the school's other teacher, Debbie Murray, both certified by the American Montessori Society , together have 37 years of Montessori experience. The school is AMS and state-certified with accommodations for up to 50 students. Amenities include two classrooms, a room for free-time and an outdoor play area.

Detroit Montessori will host an open house on Sept. 28, 4 to 6 p.m. Contact the school, which will be open year-round, at 313-833-7344.

Sources: Clima and David Fields and Debbie Murray, Detroit Montessori School
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh