Our History

Interest in the Montessori philosophy was growing in the region and in 1972 letters to the editors searched for a Montessori school in the Golden Triangle however, the closest operating school was in Houston (set up 12 years earlier).

The Port Arthur News, Tuesday, March 2nd, 1971 and Sunday, April 18, 1971

That changed in 1973 thanks to Banker & Charlene Phares who’s daughter, Candace, had attended a Montessori school in Washington DC. Banker & Charlene wanted their younger son, Rhett, to have the same opportunity. They organised a meeting for March 12th, 1973 for parents interested in setting up a Montessori School.

The News, Port Arthur, Texas, Sunday, February 23rd, 1973

On April 26, 1973 The School of Montessori Inc. was born when the corporation was created as a domestic nonprofit corporation with the Texas Secretary of State.

The school opened on September 1st 1973 at Tri-City Baptist Church, 3239 39th St (formerly a day care facility). Gretta Van Paasschen was the founding teacher, an accredited Montessori teacher through the Associate Montessori Internationale Institute (AMI) and from Miami Florida.

The News, Port Arthur, Texas, Sunday, June 17, 1973

Between 1973 and 1976 (actual timing unknown - if you have details, please let us know), the school moved to 2405 Memorial Boulevard, Port Arthur and in 1980, the Board started looking for more a more spacious home.

Tragically on September 22, 1974, George and Fay Lynn Cruse White passed away with their two children, Mitchell and Matthew in a multi-vehicle pile up. George and Fay had been involved in helping set up the school and Matthew was a student at the school. The George and Fay Lynn Cruse White Family Memorial Scholarship Fund was set up and provided grants to students attending schools in the area, including the School of Montessori, for at least 7 years after the accident.

Between 1983 and 1985 (actual timing unknown - if you have details please let us know), the school moved to 1348 9th Avenue, Suite 104, Port Arthur.

The News, Port Arthur, Texas, February 1st, 1980.

On the 27th March, 1985, President June Chen and Secretary Terrie VanderWeg purchased the land at 1503 16th St Nederland from Robert B Pool and Pearl Pool for a $5,000 loan at 11% interest on behalf of The School of Montessori Inc. A loan for $57,065 from Allied Nederland Bank (now First Interstate Bank of Port Arthur) was taken to construct a building on the site with Custom Building Systems, Inc of Texas. Construction began in April 1985 and the school opened at the new (and current) location of 1503 16th St. Nederland in Fall 1985.

In 1999 a 10 year reunion was held on May 16th and organised by C Hebert and on January 9th 2000 an all-class reunion was organised. (If you have details, please get in touch)

In 2001, Mahveen Husain joined the school as lead Montessori accredited teacher beginning 18years leading the classroom and as Director of the School.

In 2005, Hurricane Rita inflicted heavy damage to the school. The school board worked tirelessly, with insurance covering most of the rebuild costs with additional funding from AMI schools around the country fundraising with bake sales and other events and provided new Montessori materials.

The school had only been open for one week of the 2017-18 academic year when Hurricane Harvey rolled around South-East Texas dumping torrential rain on communities between Houston and Orange. The Golden Triangle was inundated and the school saw 28 inches of water through the building. Flood and business interruption insurance covered most of the recovery costs. The board got to work managing contractors and thankfully, the parents were patient and after being closed for 3 months, the students returned in December. Lowe’s Port Arthur, graciously paid half of the $2,500 for a new playground equipment (Chateau Tower Treehouse & Swing Set). The Tower Treehouse was removed in 2024.

The News, Port Arthur, November 2nd 2005

Following the recovery from Hurricane Harvey the School Board completed the process of becoming an official 501(c)(3), paving the way for tax deductible donations.