Children's World Bilingual Montessori

Children’s World Bilingual Montessori was started by Maria de Leon in September, 2001. Maria was the founder of Children’s World Bilingual Montessori in Ashland, Oregon in 1984. She sold the school to her teachers in 2000 and moved to Alaska to marry her husband.

Maria bought what we call today “the old house,” and made it into what is today the Pre-Kindergarten classroom (main floor) and the office (basement.) In September 2001, the school opened with 8 teachers, 48 children and 2 programs: Preschool and Toddler.

In 2004, we rented from Jewel Lake Parish 2 classrooms for 15 more toddlers and 5 teachers. In 2008, we rented 2 extra classrooms for 20 more toddlers and preschoolers.

In 2010, we bought the next door lot and built the “North Building” where we moved our Preschoolers and Older Toddlers from Jewel Lake Parish.

In 2011, we started our Infant Program in the Calvary Church with 2 classrooms and 12 Infants. We have now 3 classrooms, 20 infants and 7 teachers.

Finally, our dream of having an indoor gym became a reality in 2015 when we were able to build the “South Building.” This building gave us the opportunity to convert the lower floor of the North Building into our Indoor Gym, 1500 sq. ft. of beautiful space, for our children to play.

Additional Information: Financial Assistance: State of Alaska Child Care Assistance, Tribal; Learn & Grow Program: Yes;