Get to Know Us

We’re a private, independent, nonprofit educational facility for children 6 weeks to 12 years.

Who We Are

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission and vision are for all children to reach their full potential independently and collaborative as they become a part of our communities. Developing social skills and sense of worth thorough contributions and education that nurtures the child’s spirit and intellect. Our teachers observe and provide guidance and lessons on an individual level in math and language as well as group lessons in History, Botany, Zoology, Geography, Art, and Culture.

Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.
Dr. Maria Montessori
Educator, Founder of the Montessori Institute

Meet Our Founder

Michelle Roblero

“McKenzie Montessori Institute was established from a desire to make a difference in our community, ‘educating the world, one child at a time,’ as I like to say.

We started McKenzie Montessori in a couple of rented rooms at a church, and as we grew, we moved to sharing a building with another business. We eventually needed even more room to grow, and that’s how we found our wonderful home here at 285 S. 42nd Street!

Since 2008, we’ve had the joy of successfully educating hundreds of children using the Montessori method. The school has open enrollment, but because so many families love what we do, there’s been a wait list for quite a while now. Our best advice is to sign up and get on the list about a year before you hope your child will start.

Our program truly shines because of our incredible teachers and staff. We’re so proud of their dedication and how much of themselves they pour into creating such a wonderful environment for our students. They are the heart of everything we do, and without them, we are nothing!”

—Michelle Roblero

Children that are taught a “love for learning” become lifetime learners.
Michelle Roblero
McKenzie Montessori Institute Founder

A Love for Learning

Why Choose Us

At the heart of our approach is Maria Montessori’s philosophy, enriched by a kinesthetic method that embraces the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Our environment is thoughtfully set up each morning, ensuring every child steps into a space primed for their unique success. Through hands-on learning, children develop both fine and large motor skills while freely moving and working within a collaborative setting.

At some given moment it happens that the child becomes deeply interested in a piece of work; we see it in the expression on his face, his intense concentration, the devotion to the exercise.
Dr. Maria Montessori
Educator, Founder of the Montessori Institute

Our commitment to Dr. Montessori’s principles is unwavering, drawing from her teachings in training centers, books, and lectures. This dedication extends to our certified team, trained by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), which Dr. Montessori founded to advance her educational method.

We foster a sense of community and pride in our classrooms, empowering children to care for and maintain their space. Communication skills are nurtured, teaching children to articulate their thoughts and resolve conflicts peacefully. We prioritize a community-centric ethos over a competitive culture, encouraging parents to support and engage with our educational journey. We invite parents to foster creativity at home, promote self-exploration through hands-on activities, and make daily reading a cherished routine.

The Montessori Approach

The Montessori approach views education as a lifelong journey, aiding children in their inner development from early childhood to adolescence. Rooted in the natural growth of each child, this method thrives on its adaptability, allowing each child’s innate curiosity to shape their learning path.

In a Montessori classroom, the environment is meticulously prepared to foster independence and exploration. Children are empowered to follow their natural inclination to learn, engaging in purposeful activities that ignite their curiosity, all while guided by a trained adult. This hands-on approach cultivates concentration and instills a sense of joyful self-discipline. Operating within a structured yet flexible framework, children progress at their own rhythm, honoring their individual capabilities and pace.

As we observe children, we see the vitality of their spirit, the maximum effort put forth in all they do, the intuition, attention and focus they bring to all life’s events, and the sheer joy they experience in living.
Dr. Maria Montessori
Educator, Founder of the Montessori Institute