Mission Statement
Our Mission at BAMH is to focus upon the child by making available Montessori educational, cultural, Christian materials and instruction to further his/her own developmental journey into adulthood.
About Bay Area Montessori House
Bay Area Montessori House is a Christian Montessori school founded in 1988 in the Clear Lake Area of Houston, Texas.
BAMH is certified by the Association of Montessori International (AMI). One of only three AMI schools in Houston, we offer the world -renowned authentic Montessori education to children from the ages of 3 through the 6th grade. If you are considering other "Montessori" schools in the area, especially for pre-K and Kindergarten, we encourage you to ask about their certification.
At BAMH, we embrace Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy of “following the child.” We strive, as she believed, to provide a loving and nurturing environment, such that the child’s innate ability to discover and develop will be encouraged. As a small community, in many ways we consider ourselves to be a family, welcoming newcomers with open arms.
We believe not in "preparing the path for the child," but instead, preparing the child for the path. In doing this, we encourage the child to think for himself or herself by offering age appropriate activities in the areas of practical life, sensorial, mathematical and language disciplines in the primary and elementary classes. Additionally, opportunities for learning are integrated through music, art, dance, geography, history, science and social development. In Montessori, the children are offered opportunities to experience the natural environment, outdoors, through gardening plots, play equipment and group projects. Because we are interested in developing well-rounded children, we provide weekly classes in the history of the Christian faith with emphasis on Old and New Testament Bible stories. God’s loving nature and respect for all are prominent themes.
History
Bay Area Montessori House began classes in September 1988. The school was founded by Melinda Nielsen and Tommie Hebert. After moving to the Bay Area in1987, Melinda realized there was not an accredited A.M.I. school in the area. Wanting an A.M.I. Montessori education for her children, Melinda and her mother, Tommie Hebert, began working to open the school by 1988.
1,428 square feet was leased at the school’s first location on Kings Row in Webster. This area provided enough space for a Primary Class, office-observation room and storeroom. Classes began in September 1988 with six students. With the opening of classes in September 1991, at the location on Oakgrove, the school grew to two Primary Classes, office, Atrium-Library and multi-purpose room. Our present location with 7,600 square feet was purchased in August 1995. 6,800 square feet were added for the 04/05 term.
Accreditation
Bay Area Montessori House is accredited and supervised by the Association Montessori Internationale (A.M.I.). This affiliation is reviewed yearly and can be maintained only through the school’s strict observance of the education principles set forth by Dr. Montessori.