Choosing the right school for your family can be a daunting task, but if there is one thing we learned while putting together this guide it’s that we are incredibly fortunate to have so many wonderful options to choose from in Cincinnati and NKY!
Do you have a favorite school that is not on our list? Please tell us about them! Email us at [email protected] and we would love to add them to our reader recommended section of the guide!
Don’t forget to check out our Open House resource HERE!
The Summit Country Day School
The Summit Preschool offers a full Montessori preschool experience and is one of only a few schools applying the Montessori philosophy in an educational program that starts at 18 months! Whether you are interested in half-day or full-day, there are multiple options, including academic enrichment programs.
The Summit Montessori Program
The Montessori curriculum provides objects, relationships and an environment which fulfill a child’s innate compulsion to learn. Learning is self-directed and supported in each classroom by university-trained Montessori curriculum experts.
Absolutely an amazing environment to expand a child’s horizon. Every staff member has been friendly, professional and concentrated on the best interest of the children at Summit – Lisa
The classrooms and gym equipment are specifically designed to stimulate fine and gross motor skills indoors and outside children enjoy a rooftop playground Naturescape, a dedicated Outdoor Learning Space and the Leibold Pond.
As children advance through the toddler program they move seamlessly into the Pre-K and Kindergarten Montessori program, which continues the development of confidence and enabling them to face new challenges as they grow.
2019 Open House Dates:
- January 8th; 8:30am – Montessori Information Session, Registration Required
- February 7th; 8:30am – Montessori Information Session, Registration Required
- March 5th; 8:30am – Montessori Information Session, Registration Required
18 - 36 Month Program
The Summit Toddler Montessori Program focuses on three distinct developmental needs:
- Movement: Toddlers use specialized play equipment both inside and outside that stimulates fine and gross motor development.
- Language: Because toddlers are acute listeners, activities include singing, rhyming, reading stories and naming and labeling of materials.
- Order: Materials are kept in an orderly manner and activities follow a predictable routine that lets toddlers build self-esteem and take initiative in learning new and challenging skills.
The Primrose School of Symmes
The Primrose School of Symmes provides the best in early childhood learning for infants through private full-day kindergarten as well as afterschool programming through age 12. The balanced Learning program is their proprietary exclusive, time-tested approach to education. Created from the best early education wisdom, it balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence, and compassion.
Primrose is an EXCELLENT, structured, yet fun place for kids and staff! – Tina
Tuition includes all curriculum, two healthy, snacks, and lunch prepared fresh daily (by their chef!), The Music Class music downloads, and low student to teacher ratios. The Primrose curriculum supports their belief that; who children become is as important as what they know. The CMB team loves this about them!
2019 Open House Dates:
- February 5; 4-6:30pm – Kindergarten Open House
- July 16; 4-6:30pm – Summer Enrollment
- October 15; 4-6:30pm – Winter Enrollment
9175 Governors Way
Cincinnati OH 45249
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Step into CHCA and you will discover an extraordinary, Christ-centered education unlike any within the city, where students have countless opportunities to CHOOSE MORE – where they find their place, pursue their gifts, strengthen their faith, and make an impact on our world.
CHCA is an investment not only in my child’s education, but in her whole person; character, community, and spiritual development that lasts a lifetime. – Amy, Parent
CHCA is more than your child’s school, it’s a vibrant, nurturing learning community where students have the opportunity to do more and be more! (CMB Fun Fact: We have a few CHCA alumni on our team!)
2019 Open House Dates:
- January 24; 8:45am – PreK – Kindergarten Prospective Parent Coffee (Symmes Twp. Campus)
- February 23; 10am – All campuses Open House
- April 2; 8:30am – All campuses Campus Visit Day
8283 East Kemper Road
Cincinnati, OH 45249
513-247-0900
Children's Meeting House
Children’s Meeting House (CMH) seeks to foster the development of the whole child by implementing the philosophy, practices, and curriculum of Dr. Maria Montessori. CMH strives to nurture a child’s life-long love of learning, honor the diversity of each individual, and instill self-confidence, independence, respect, and personal and social responsibility. They create partnerships with families for the benefit of each child and work to cultivate a genuine sense of community.
We have loved our going on 8 years at CMH. Over our time with the school, I have watched my children grow educationally, physically and emotionally under the very careful eye of the loving staff of CMH. The staff knows my kids and they create a nurturing, fun and safe learning environment that my kids have thrived in. We will miss CMH the day we “have to” leave, but know they have well prepared our children for what is to come. – Megan, Parent
CMH also offers students a nature experience like no other, with a full-time Naturalist on staff to bring the great outdoors to life on the 7+ acre campus. CMH offers curriculum from preschool-6th grade (3-12-year-olds). Stop by and see where learning happens naturally.
2019 Open House Dates:
- January 27; 2-4pm
- Tour also held every Wednesday at 9am during the school year at Coffee with Casey:
[email protected]
927 O’Bannonville Road
Loveland, OH 45140
513-683-4757
The New School Montessori
For 49 years, The New School Montessori has been leading the way as a model for Montessori methodology and philosophy and is Cincinnati’s only Montessori school accredited by the American Montessori Society. TNSM embraces diversity – valuing differences in race, culture, family, and thought.
As a grandfather of a first-grade student who has attended TNSM since she was 3 1/2, I am completely impressed with the philosophy, faculty, and staff. The students we have met are equally impressive. – Paul
Their kitchen staff, (led by the former chef of a downtown café), prepares made-from-scratch, hot, nutritious lunches every day with many vegetarian options. This is one school that has truly given thought to every little detail to make your child’s school day as nurturing as possible.
3-year-olds through 6th grade
2019 Open House Dates:
- January 27
- April 28
3 Burton Woods Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45229
513-281-7999
La Casita Learning Center
Welcome! Bienvenidos! Ahlan wa Sahlan! Huan Ying!
La Casita Learning Center is a licensed childcare center and full language immersion preschool/kindergarten for children ages 12 weeks – 6 years. This full immersion program is the first of its kind in the Cincinnati area and they have recently expanded their language options to include education in Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic. This child-centered educational program is based on an engaging, hands-on, creative and diverse curriculum taught fully in non-english languages.
Great School! We enrolled our 3 year old on a trial basis at the end of the last school year and he will now be stepping up to attend 2 full days in the new school year! This is due to the development we are seeing in him from both an intellectual and social perspective! Very reliable and communicative staff! – Parent
A unique partnership with Perfection Gymnastics School allows them to offer formal gymnastics and dance classes throughout the year at no additional charge, as well as provides a space for large motor activity when the weather does not permit them to use the outdoor playground.
Saturday camps are also offered for each language to ensure people of any age have access to multi-lingual education. Raising happy, healthy, multi-lingual kids is the mission of this local business!
12 weeks – 6 years old
Private tours of the center are offered during normal school hours any day! Please feel free to contact the school or stop by whenever is convenient for you.
5641 Union Centre Dr.
West Chester, OH 45069
513-889-3939
[email protected]
St. John's Westminster Learning Center
St John’s Westminster Learning Center has been providing quality preschool and childcare since 1962.
A full time child care center located on the West Side of Cincinnati, St. John’s Westminster Learning Center takes care of children from ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. They use a creative curriculum that supports each child where they are at developmentally and promotes the use of imagination and learning through play.
We love all the staff! We love how much each staff member cares for each child. My son always comes home fed, clean, and happy as can be….. and worn out from all the fun which is a good thing. – Parent
Our CMB team loves the acknowledgement that movement and the ability to be outdoors are an integral part of the St. John’s curriculum. They are located in a safe and beautiful setting, far away from busy streets with plenty of room to run, jump, and play, while enjoying nature.
6 weeks to 5 years (Pre-K)
2019 Open House Dates:
- September 18; 6:30-7:30pm
1085 Neeb Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45233
513-922-2703
[email protected]
Northstar Classical School
Northstar Classical has been such a blessing to our family. The amount of confidence and knowledge our daughter gained through junior kindergarten was remarkable. The staff continues to go above and beyond to nurture students as a whole person, not just a number. I have a background in education and can’t recommend Northstar enough. – Kristin, parent
If you’re wondering if Northstar could be a good fit for your family, you can find some good questions here.
- January 20
- March 3
103 McKnight Drive
Middletown, OH 45044
513-318-8823
[email protected]
Montessori Center Room
Founded in 1966, Montessori Center Room (MCR) prides themselves on an approach which respects the whole child and puts the child’s best interest at the heart of everything they do. The purpose of MCR is to provide young children with a quality Montessori learning experience, in order to promote intellectual, physical, and social/emotional growth. MCR is equipped fully with the Montessori materials of daily living, sensorial, math, language, art science, and geography, as well as many supplemental activities, including large-muscle activity in an indoor gym, field trips, and School House Symphony.
MCR is a hidden treasure! It has been the best experience for our family. Our children are so fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of the MCR community. Best Montessori school in Cincinnati! – Maure
As their first school experience, MCR makes it their goal to help children leave with a love of learning, a respect for others, and respect for the environment and the classroom. MCR strives to enroll children from all socio-economic backgrounds and provides tuition assistance for families with a demonstrated financial need.
Preschool-Kindergarten
Check out more great information about Montessori and MCR HERE.
2505 Riverside Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-321-3282
[email protected]
The Gardner School
The Gardner School is an academically-focused preschool with state-of-the-art facilities for six weeks old to six years old. In addition, they provide a full suite of enrichment classes (some starting as early as 18 months!) and our summer camp, Camp Gardner.
[The Gardner School] infant teachers were amazing, beautiful, loving people. The management at TGS is top notch, the teachers are top notch, and the facility is beautiful and clean. – Sarah R.
Four-year degreed lead teachers create a rich, learning environment to stimulate your child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
Enrolling Year Round
Blue Ash, OH 45242
Mercy Montessori
Mercy Montessori is Cincinnati’s first Catholic Montessori elementary school and provides students from preschool through 8th grade with a personalized education.
It’s a place where I feel safe and can be myself, where friends become family. It’s not really a school, it’s a home. – Riley (Current Student)
Mercy offers a sliding scale tuition model, in-school swimming instruction, a farm-to-table micro-economy program and attracts students from over 60 zip codes. Mercy educates the whole child and develops a strong foundation for learning.
2019 Open House Dates:
- January 15; 9:30-11am – Meet the Teacher Morning
- February 3; 1-3pm – Preschool & Kindergarten Open House
- March 21; 9:30-11am – Meet the Teacher Morning
- May 3; 9:30-11am – Meet the Teacher Morning
Mercy Montessori Center
2335 Grandview Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
513-475-6700
Admissions Director
Amanda Grimm [email protected]
Children, Inc.
Children, Inc. offers affordable, high-quality early care and education in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. The majority of their programs are Five Star rated by Step Up for Quality and Kentucky All-Stars. They are dedicated to innovative programs that prepare children to succeed in school and life.
“My son’s teachers are amazing! They are constantly doing innovative and creative projects and the teachers are always informing me of his progress.” – Parent
Classroom environments reflect best practices and curricula that help children gain the skills necessary for kindergarten while providing a comfortable, home-like environment for children.
Serving ages 6 weeks-5 years old with both Montessori and traditional options.
Tuition assistance is available.
Variety of locations in Kentucky and Ohio.
859-431-2075
I can’t wait to send my twins to http://www.creativetotsmason.com
My oldest went there and I fully believe he is doing so well in kindergarten because of the start he got there. The teachers are amazing and it almost becomes like a family! I can not recommend them enough!