History Timeline

1962

A group of parents in Baltimore called the Suburban Child Study Group, shared an interest in learning more about the Montessori method of education.  One of the parents, Hanna Gitter Hornstein, suggested they invite her mother, Lena Gitter, to speak to the group.  Mrs. Gitter was a Montessori teacher and speaker, and a pioneer in the American Montessori movement.  Inspired by Mrs. Gitter’s words, they set up an experimental Montessori summer program for preschoolers.  The Montessori Children’s House began with  thirty students, two new teachers and borrowed equipment from other Montessori schools, and was located in a single classroom at Har Sinai Congregation on Park Heights Avenue.  The program was more than successful that summer, and the group was well on its way to developing a year-long program.

1965  

The Suburban Child Study Group became incorporated as The Montessori Society of Greater Baltimore, Inc.  The Society purchased a small building at Liberty Heights Avenue that opened as a school later in the year.

1973

A satellite campus, called Towson Children’s House, was opened in Towson.  Towson Children’s House was added to accommodate The Montessori School’s growing number of toddlers.  (The toddler program moved to the Emerson Farm Campus in 2008.)

1974

The Society established its first Junior Class (what we now call Elementary) for ages 6 to 9.

1977  

MSCM purchased the Emerson Farm Dairy buildings and seven acres of property with plans to renovate and build an educational facility.  In the fall, The Emerson Farm Children’s House opened to approximately 140 students.  There were two classrooms for children ages six to twelve, and four classrooms for children ages two and one-half to six.  The six classrooms were located on the first floor of the Main Building.

1979

Two classrooms and the faculty office were opened on the second floor of the Main Building.

1980

The Friedberg Building was renovated, and its two new classrooms opened in September.  The renovation of this building was made possible by a generous donation from the Julius C. Friedberg, Jr. family.

1982  

The Little Barn renovations were completed, and added two more classrooms and a music room to the campus.

1984  

The center silo next to the Main Building was renovated to serve as part of the newly created library.

1985  

The renovation of the Multipurpose Building provided the school with several
essential additions including a stage, computer room, art room and one additional classroom.

1989  

Through a three-year capital campaign, two new classrooms opened, along with improved science and computer classrooms and a greenhouse.  A modular
building was also purchased to house the Facilities Department.

1993  

The Maryland Center for Montessori Studies began offering a Primary (Early Childhood) Montessori teacher training program at Emerson Farm.

1997

In August, the last two grain silos were renovated.  One was converted into
additional library space and has been designated as the Story Gallery.  The third and last silo, now called the Silo Gallery, has been renovated into a uniquely shaped meeting room that will also serve as an art gallery to showcase the work of local artists as well as our own students’ work.

2005

Emerson Farm Middle School began in September with its Montessori-based two-year program for grades 7 and 8.

2007

The Student Activity Center opened in the fall of 2007, providing a spacious middle school classroom, a foreign language classroom, state-of-the-art gymnasium and administrative offices.