History
Athens Montessori School has been providing students with a rich, vibrant learning atmosphere since August of 1978. Warren and LaVonne McPherson founded our school with a commitment to creating a comfortable space that nourishes curiosity and nurtures a love for learning. It began in a rented room with one class of twenty students, and grew to ten classes and over 250 students, housed in seven landscaped buildings with four playgrounds, a variety of gardens, a bog, and a small aquatic pond.
Warren and LaVonne remain still active on campus today and serve as members of the school board, along with their dedicated staff, many who have been with the school for over 20 years. With the help of the devoted, seasoned staff and an enthusiastic body of parent volunteers, Athens Montessori School has continued to grow and refine their facility and program. Together, we strive for the whole development and individualized learning in an authentic Montessori tradition of constructivist education.
Director
Andrew Kim became the Director for Athens Montessori School in 2019 following the retirement of founder Warren McPherson. Andrew was born in Seoul, Korea and moved to Hong Kong at age 6. Upon completing his secondary education at King George V School, he came to the United States to attend Oberlin College where he received his degree in history. He has Montessori certification in both the Lower and Upper Elementary and has taught in the Vikings and the Aces classes for many years. In his time away from AMS, Andrew worked in the Information Technology field and also taught at Carrollwood Day School, an International Baccalaureate school in Tampa, FL. He returned to AMS 2018 and served as the Associate Director.
Andrew is supported by a staff of highly experienced educators who guide our hands-on, child-center program with a focus on individualized instruction and self-paced learning. Our lead staff are college-educated, Montessori trained and bring a unique array of talents and experiences to their work. They not only shine in the classroom but also as Montessori teacher trainers and workshop presenters. Specialized instruction weaves music, Spanish, creative movement, art, and physical education into the Montessori framework.
Learn more about our programs and how they instill a love for learning.
Primary
Ages 3-6
Blue, Green, Purple, and Yellow
Lower Elementary
Grades 1-3
Comet, Starts, and Vikings
Upper Elementary
Grades 4-6
Aces
Middle School
Grades 7-8
Rainbow Room
Afternoon for Ages 3-4