Montessori
Internationale School
Serving children ages 3 years old through kindergarten for 30 years

Why Choose Us?

 

A century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori discovered one of the key principles of what is now the

Montessori Method of education: every child creates the person he or she will become.

Children construct their personalities, intelligence, and language as they interact with the world around them. In Montessori schools across the United States and around the world, those principles are as true today as they were over a hundred years ago. A Montessori learning

environment provides children with an opportunity to explore and experience the world as

individuals and to become prepared not just for success in school but in life as well.

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At Montessori Internationale School, we know that families face many options when choosing

the best educational style and school for their child. Maria Montessori believed that, “Our

care of the child should be governed not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the

endeavor always to keep burning within him the light which is called intelligence.” The

committed and experienced staff of Montessori Internationale School strives to not only focus

on a rich academic education, but to establish intellectual, emotional, and physical strength

within each child as a means to develop a student with self-direction, creative problem-solving

skills, flexibility, and responsibility.

 

Maria Montessori understood that the foundation of a young child’s education was important to their development and future academic success, and we are dedicated to following the natural development of each child, to help him or her develop a love of learning and a sense of independence that allows for exploration and excitement from newly gained knowledge.

 

Montessori Internationale School is dedicated to providing a quality Montessori program for

all children and families, and does not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, national 

origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religious belief, or political affiliation. We have a

wonderfully diverse student body and parent community, which we celebrate, respect, and

enjoy.

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School History

 

As the past school year came to a close, Montessori Internationale School [MIS] celebrated its 30th Anniversary! MIS was established in 1995 by Sue Wimalasena (affectionately known as Ms. Sue). With the help of some local business partners, her vision for a primary Montessori school serving the Knoxville area became a reality. They secured an ideal location on Northshore Drive and built the school to Ms. Sue’s specifications.

The first school year at MIS (95-96) led to many more, and word quickly spread about the outstanding program at this small school. In fact, both children of one of her business partners attended MIS and thrived!

 

Ms. Sue worked diligently for many years to maintain an exemplary program and school community. In 2013, with retirement on the horizon, the process of transitioning the school to a new owner began. After working closely with Ms. Sue throughout 2013, Amanda Swiger took over ownership and direction of MIS for the 13-14 school year, as Ms. Sue and her husband were off to begin their next chapter in Sri Lanka.

 

Ms. Sue and Ms. Amanda were committed to keeping the school open for families and children in the community. We are proud to share that since the transition, the school has continued to improve, grow, and serve. Our staff works to maintain the level of excellence for which MIS is known, and we continue to evolve to meet the community’s needs. We are proud of our legacy and look forward to continuing a path of education and service for many years to come.  

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