History

Henson Valley Montessori was founded in 1965 by families who were passionately committed to giving their children both an excellent academic education and an education for life.

They believed that a real education would nurture a child's self-confidence, personal creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. They sought an educational system that would teach their children to think and to explore possibilities. These forward-thinking, dedicated parents discovered the work of Dr. Maria Montessori finding in her pedagogy the system they sought.

The school was the result of the combined efforts of dozens of individuals who worked diligently to draw up the By-Laws, incorporate the school under the laws of Maryland, and searched southern Prince Georges County, Maryland for a suitable site. They settled on rental space in the Methodist Church of the Redeemer on Iverson Street in Hillcrest Heights. Prospective teachers and students were interviewed and the process for a new school began in earnest.

Special materials were ordered from a supplier of Montessori materials in Holland. Meetings were arranged with perspective families. Every member of the fledgling corporation spent nights and weekends in basement workshops, sewing, gluing, sanding and painting. Except for the specialized teaching equipment, nearly every piece of classroom material was constructed by hand by the members of the corporation. The school began with two fully-equipped classrooms in September 1965.

Since the establishment of HVMS, community demands have been overwhelming. The school originally moved from the church on Iverson St. to another church site. With the continuous growth of the school, these rental sites proved to be inadequate. Once again, parental effort achieved a miracle. Years of effort culminated in 1976 with the donation of 4.5 acres of prime real estate at 7007 Allentown Rd. in Temple Hills, MD. The grandparent of a student in the school donated a parcel of land to satisfy the growing need for a larger facility. The parents worked together to provide an ideal Montessori environment. They sold bonds, took loans, conducted fundraisers, and even worked personally on the construction in order to get the new school built. Local businesses stepped forward with donations and soon enrolled their children in this rare, alternative learning environment. The new school was completed in August 1974, and it began with four fully equipped Montessori classrooms. The school continued to expand until in the spring of 1985, coinciding with Henson Valley Montessori school's twentieth anniversary celebration a new elementary classroom wing was built.

In 2002, Henson Valley Montessori School added a new section for middle school and the student population climbed to 260. The school has increased its numbers to the point where a larger, more appropriate school facility was needed. After much discussion between the Board, parents and teachers, it was decided that a new property would be found for the school. In November 2006 HVMS bought a pastoral 15-acre property on Edgemeade Road in Upper Marlboro, MD. This new facility will hold 310 students with expanded facilities for a 1,000 square foot library, an art room and music room.

Throughout its entire growing process, Henson Valley Montessori School has remained true to its roots and philosophy. It continues to provide an exceptional Montessori education, in a warm and supportive community of parents, teachers and students.