
Choosing the right preschool 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!
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.
Schedule a tour online.
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 and a great summer camp. 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!), music program, character development program, technology, and low student to teacher ratios. The Primrose curriculum supports their belief that; who children become is as important as what they know. The CMC team loves this about them!
Schedule a tour online.
The New School Montessori

For over 50 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
For more information on enrollment, please contact the Admissions Director, Ceara Comstock, at 513-281-7999.
Mercy Montessori

“If every child had an opportunity to go to a school like this, the world would be a better place.” – Abby (Current Parent)
For more than 50 years, Mercy Montessori has educated the whole child, developing a strong foundation for learning. Mercy offers outdoor learning spaces, weekly swim lessons (K-8 for 20/21 school year), a farm-to-table microeconomy program, sliding scale tuition, and financial aid. Currently offering 5-day, in-person classes for preschool-8th grade. Virtual tours available year-round. Discover the magic of Mercy!
2021 Admission Events:
Virtual Chats with the Administrators
We invite you to join Mercy principals, Patty Normile and Krista Taylor, and Admissions Directress, Amanda Grimm for a virtual information session about Mercy Montessori. At these sessions, our administrators will share information about our school and answer your questions. All chats will take place on Google Meet and will start at 6:30pm, click here to register. We look forward to meeting you!
- Preprimary (3-6 years): February 2, March 2, April 13, May 4
- Lower Elementary (6-9 years): February 9, March 9, April 20, May 11
- Upper Elementary (9-12 years) & Junior High: February 16, March 16, April 27, May 18
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!