The school, which was originally called The Children’s House, was established by Sylvia Kriebel in 1976 as a model of quality education based on the Montessori Method. The school was originally located at 321 Locust Street in Florence.

In 1986, Ms. Kriebel, who had been Director and Head Teacher for ten years, decided to move on. Parents of children in the school felt so strongly that it should continue that they found a site for it, renovating a farmhouse at 51 Bates Street in Northampton. The school moved to its current location at that site in 1987.

In 1993, the Elementary program was added. The school now includes children through the age of 12 (sixth grade) in its three programs:

• Children’s House (ages 2 years nine months through six years)
• Lower Elementary (ages 6 through 9 years)
• Upper Elementary (ages 9 through 12 years).

Since 1986, the school has been operated by the Northampton Montessori Society Inc., a nonprofit corporation which is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of parents and community members.

In its over 30-year history, the school has had five head administrators, who were:

• Sylvia Kriebel, Founder and Head Teacher, 1976-1986
• Darlene Dulchinos, Administrator, 1986-1989
• Bill Farkas, Administrator, 1989-1992
• Susan Swift, Head of School, 1992-2000
• Gretchen Courage, Head of School, 2000-2003
• Susan Swift, Head of School, 2003-Present.

Susan Swift has over twenty-five years of Montessori teaching and administrative experience and expertise. Susan and her highly-trained, dedicated staff continue the school’s excellent reputation for its caring, comprehensive educational practices and its spirit of involvement among parents.