About The Glen Montessori School
The Glen Montessori School is an independent, single-campus Montessori school located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s North Hills.
The Glen Montessori School is a place where every child is supported, inspired, and empowered
to grow and become their very best self through a Montessori educational environment.
The Glen has achieved an AMS Pathway Verified School status by the American Montessori Society (AMS)
and serves students, ages 15 months through eighth grade.
An independent, private school located in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh,
funding is primarily provided through tuition payments, donations, fundraising, and grants.
History
In 1986, The Glen Montessori School was formed by a group of six mothers who dreamed of bringing a nurturing Montessori educational environment to the North Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh. Identifying a need in the community, the mothers were determined to create a rigorous academic environment that combines the direct involvement of families while encouraging independence––using the transformative research of Dr. Maria Montessori.
After the first school year, word quickly caught on. The Glen, which started with one class of 15 students, tripled its enrollment the following year, and today welcomes more than 225 students and families across four program levels each fall (Toddlers through Middle School). The Glen’s admissions remain competitive, and the school often has waitlists for enrollment.
Over the past several decades, the school has called three spaces “home,” moving from The organization relocated from its original location in the Sewickley Valley to a larger facility in Emsworth in 2001. In 2012, it purchased the current historic building in Ross Township, complete with necessary educational amenities and conducive to beautiful Montessori classrooms. Since 2012, the school has acquired additional land and property behind the current footprint, with the addition of a Middle School and expanded outdoor educational opportunities.
The Glen’s very first students in 1986-1987
Mission
The Glen Montessori School is dedicated to providing an enriching Montessori educational environment where all children are encouraged to grow to their fullest potential.
Philosophy
Anchored by the principles developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, The Glen’s curriculum and spaces are designed to emphasize individualized learning and the inherent curiosity of children. Classrooms of The Glen are child-led environments that are colorful, nurturing, and full of appropriate materials for each age group. School days consist of “work cycles” for the children, allowing them to engage with tasks through “deep work.”
Exceptionally trained faculty provide individualized care, encourage self-directed learning, and establish deep relationships with students and their families for multiple years in the same classroom. This holistic approach is designed to cultivate a child’s respect for themselves and others while instilling in them a lifelong motivation to learn and discover.
Outcomes
Montessori education fosters independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Children learn at their own pace through hands-on exploration, developing strong problem-solving skills, empathy, and a deep understanding of core academic concepts. With guidance from trained Montessori educators and a thoughtfully prepared environment, students become self-motivated, curious learners who are well-prepared not just for the next grade—but for life.
Read more about Montessori outcomes here.
Community
At The Glen, every family is part of a strong, welcoming community where students, teachers, and families grow and learn together. Children from diverse cultures come together to share ideas, celebrate their differences, and build lasting friendships. Glen families report speaking over 20 languages at home, demonstrating a vast diversity of Asian, European, South American, and African cultures represented at the school.
While English is the primary language used at school, students begin learning Spanish in Kindergarten, explore the world through exciting geography lessons, and have unique opportunities, such as the Montessori Model United Nations conferences, which give older students a chance to learn global leadership skills early on.
The cultural diversity emphasized by Maria Montessori continues through an optional summer camp program, where campers “travel” to new countries, learning about international geography, cultures, and languages.
An energetic Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) takes the lead in planning and executing community events, offering long-standing Glen traditions and new fun activities for everyone to celebrate being a part of The Glen Family.
Programs
The Glen currently offers four educational programs and summer enrichment to a wide age range of students, thoughtfully designed to foster independence and celebrate the strengths of each child through Montessori practices.
Learn more about our Academic Programs, including:
Toddlers (15 months – 3 years), centering around structured activities designed to spark intellectual and sensory stimulation and enhance motor development.
Children’s House (Ages 3 to 6 years) offers a joyful, child-centered curriculum designed to spark the love of learning in each child and foster respect for themselves, others, and the environment. Kindergarten is the capstone experience of the Children’s House program.
Elementary (6–12 years) offers an individualized, academically rigorous curriculum that enables each child to explore big ideas through self-directed learning.
Middle School (12–14 years) combines vibrant academic growth with meaningful, real-world projects to support students’ development, preparing them to lead with confidence in high school and beyond.
Additionally, The Glen offers:
Specials – Unlike many Montessori schools, The Glen is proud to offer a robust program of specialist-led instruction. We’ve invested in trained, certified educators who provide year-long, thoughtfully designed curricula in Art, Music, Theater, Physical Education, and Spanish—broadening each child’s learning experience and supporting their creative, physical, and cultural development.
International Summer Camp (3 – 12 years) – This optional summer program is a vibrant extension of The Glen experience and is also open to children who do not attend The Glen year-round. Each week features a new “destination,” inviting campers to explore global cultures through hands-on learning, including traditions, languages, music, and more. It’s a fun and enriching way for children to stay curious, connected, and engaged throughout the entire summer.
After-School Clubs (4 – 12 years)– Is your child curious about dance, soccer, cooking, or music? Each semester, students in the Children’s House and Elementary programs can explore a variety of engaging after-school clubs designed to spark new interests and deepen existing passions.