Denali Montessori

08/31/2026

In honor of Dr. Maria Montessori’s 156th birthday today, we are sharing some Montessori history.

In the United States, the Montessori Movement caught on quickly. The first Montessori school opened in 1911, in the home of a prominent banker in Scarborough, New York. Others followed in rapid succession. Unlike Maria Montessori’s first Casa dei Bambini, which was for children from poor, disadvantaged families, these catered to children from wealthy, cultured families striving to give their children the best education possible. Prominent figures, including Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, gave their support.

In 1913, Maria Montessori traveled to the U.S. on a 3-week lecture tour, where she was met with crowds of curious and interested supporters. A reception was arranged for her in Washington, DC. Four hundred people attended, including Margaret Wilson, the daughter of President Woodrow Wilson, and many foreign ministers and dignitaries.

She returned to the U.S. in 1915 to California and continued to see the growth of the Montessori movement.

World War I derailed the growth of Montessori schools in the U.S. for a variety of reasons.

By the 1950s, the cultural climate was changing in the U.S., including a growing discontent with traditional American education. Among those seeking alternatives was a young, aspiring teacher from New York City, Nancy McCormick Rambusch.

Having “happened upon” the writings of Maria Montessori, Rambusch was struck by the freshness of her ideas. In 1953, she traveled to Paris to attend a Montessori Congress and learn more. There, she met Mario Montessori, Maria’s son, who encouraged her to bring Montessori back to the U.S. One thing led to another, and out of Rambusch’s subsequent Montessori schooling and vigorous efforts to promote the Method in the U.S., Montessori education once again took off. Parallel to this, in 1960, and also as a result of Rambusch’s efforts, the American Montessori Society was born.

Currently, there are more than 3000 Montessori schools in the U.S., including over 500 public Montessori schools (Denali Montessori is one of those public Montessori schools in the U.S.).

Source: AMS

08/30/2026

Our phenomenal BPO, Mr. Eddy, has his own fan club which is basically everyone. Some of the fan club members have new shirts with one of Mr. Eddy's catch phrases on them, "Put a paper towel on it, I'll be there in a minute."

08/25/2026

Sharing for our families wanting to go to the vaccine clinic.

ASD Back-to-School Vaccine Clinic!

ASD students can get required vaccines free of charge at the ASD Education Center on August 25 from 1–7 p.m. No insurance required.

📍 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd.

Learn more: https://www.asdk12.org/departments/mental-health-and-student-supports/healthcare-services/immunizations

08/25/2026

Sharing important Kindergarten information from one of our frequent Denali Rocks donors

The end of August means one thing... School is back in session and our young learners are getting back into their routine. The tiniest of the bunch are awaiting their very first day of "Big Kid School" and we want to celebrate this very special day.

On Wednesday, August 26th all Kindergarteners will receive FREE SPRINKLES upon request. We will also be hosting a photo station at our Midtown Scoop Shop (and the 49th State Cone-tainer-- weather permitting) to help you commemorate the big day.

Happiest and healthiest of Back to School season to all our friends!! 😁🩵🍦📚

08/24/2026

In Montessori, we work to provide freedom within limits and we help children to do it by themselves.

To help foster this, please help us by providing your child the opportunity to go to class independently. If your child isn’t ready, we have a staff member able to support your child. If you aren’t ready for this (we understand, this is your child), please come through the main office between 7:50 and 8:00 am. You will need to get a RAPTOR badge to be in the building.

Any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or the front office at 907-742-4500.

08/24/2026

Reminder that Mondays we start one hour later. We do have childcare in the MPR starting at 7:45 am. If you need to use the Denali Montessori staffed morning childcare, please have your child enter through the main door.

At 8:45 am, all students need to wait for their teachers on the playground. Teachers get their students at 8:50 am and go immediately inside.

Any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or the front office at [email protected] or 906-742-4500.

⏰ Know your school's start time before the first day!

Monday PLC Schedule:
🏫 Elementary – 9:00 a.m.
🏫 High School – 9:45 a.m.
🏫 Middle School – 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday–Friday:
🏫 Elementary – 8:00 a.m.
🏫 High School – 8:45 a.m.
🏫 Middle School – 9:30 a.m.

Some charter, preschool, and alternative programs have different schedules.
🔗 asdk12.org/schoolstarttimes

08/23/2026

On Friday, Ms. Shanna’s Lower El class went on a community walk to pick raspberries. They ended up picking 8.9 pounds!

We greatly appreciate our family volunteers who make these educational experiences possible.

Also, who has some great recipes on things to bake or make with raspberries?

08/22/2026

Students from Mr. Funatake’s Upper El class worked in teams to design and create devices to protect an egg 🥚 from a one-story drop using only the given materials. One team succeeded in protecting their egg! They learned about teamwork, failing, and effort. Mr. Funatake learned more about his class!

08/22/2026

Our students are enjoying the new meals. 🥗 🍕 🥘 🍝🥕🍈