Innovation and excellence
CMS taps curiosity to inspire learning
STORY BY JEANA DURST
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CMS
Creative Montessori School (CMS) enrolls
250 students each year at the toddler, preschool,
elementary, and adolescent levels (18 months
through 8th Grade) on their two-and-a-half acre
campus located in the center of Homewood.
The school’s mission is to provide an authentic
Montessori environment for its students.
With the Montessori approach, students are
allowed to learn at their own pace, under the
guidance of a professionally-trained Montessori
teacher, who understands and nurtures each child’s
interests and abilities. Children remain in the same
multi-age classroom with the same teachers for
three years. Older students have opportunities to
mentor younger students and develop leadership
skills; younger students naturally challenge
themselves as they strive to emulate their older
classmates. Students’ differences and individuality
are valued over uniformity.
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that are child-sized and self-correcting, motivating
the child toward self-control and maximizing
independent learning.
Designed to tap children’s innate curiosity
and natural drive to master concepts themselves,
activities are hands-on, multi-sensory, often
collaborative, and seamlessly interwoven.
MILESTONES
In the fall of 2018, CMS celebrated its 50th
anniversary. Founded by Barbara R. Spitzer in 1968
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school in Birmingham founded as an integrated
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and foreign languages for preschoolers.
From 2012 to 2016, CMS undertook an
endeavor to transform their campus into one that
will serve rising generations of students. In the fall
of 2016, students were welcomed back to a campus
that included: a dedicated administration building;
a new preschool and toddler building; a renovated
elementary building; a dedicated library, language,
and art space; a new cafeteria with a commercial
kitchen; a multi-purpose community room; new
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naturally landscaped spectator areas that serve as
a uniting focal point for campus and a haven for
children of all ages.
BUILDING ON THE LEGACY
The Board of CMS has launched the
“Advancing the Movement Another Fifty Years:
The 50th Anniversary Campaign for Creative
Montessori School, with a fundraising goal of
$1,000,000. CMS hopes to break ground on a new
gymnasium and additional classroom space by
Spring of 2020..
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