Black Mountain Montessori

We rebranded in 2020 and are still excited to be Black Mountain Montessori!  Formerly Swannanoa Valley Montessori School, we felt it was time for a change that grounds us in the Buncombe County community we call home.  Aside from a new name and look, we remain the same: a cohesive and authentic Montessori educational community built on the pillars of academic achievement, innovative learning, character development, and social responsibility.  We believe in the child— in each dream, in each mind, and in each individual.  Our goal is to help students become the best version of themselves.

Our school at a glance:

• Black Mountain Montessori is an accessible, North Carolina-licensed private school serving the greater Asheville area

• We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization registered with the State of North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State

• We are a Member School of the American Montessori Society (AMS)

• Our school is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors

• We serve Black Mountain, Asheville and surrounding areas

• We offer individualized, holistic and hands-on learning for preschool-6th grade (ages 2.5-12)

• Our school grounds include two playgrounds, a basketball court, beach volleyball court, small skate park and community garden

• We emphasize a strong partnership between parents, educators and the Board of Directors that benefits the children, school and community

Our Montessori school was founded as a non-profit in 2003 by parents who sought a creative, active and hands-on learning environment for their young children.  The preschool and kindergarten program for ages 3-6, called Children’s House, began our journey. In the fall of 2004, we opened our Lower Elementary class for ages 6-9.  Then in 2007, we added an Upper Elementary program for ages 9-12. We are continuing to grow, and in 2022 we opened a Stepping Stones class for ages 2.5-3 year olds

Black Mountain Montessori continues to evolve by adding new programming.  In 2019, we renovated the kitchen space to create a teaching kitchen that allows our elementary students to learn and enhance meal preparation skills.  Every other Friday our elementary students prepare a hot lunch for kindergarten-6th grade students. This programming will be expanded during the 2020/2021 school year to include additional kitchen skills, meal planning and community programming.  Looking into the future, we plan to expand our Learning Support Program with the help of grant money. This will allow us to offer one-on-one services for students identified with learning differences. We strive for improvement in every way possible to ensure that we meet the needs of our students, staff and families.