We built our school. Now let's help it thrive!
One year ago, our community came together to build a new home for Salida Montessori Charter School. Through the generosity, hard work, and dedication of our families and supporters, we brought that vision to life. Now, as we settle into our new building, we're focused on what comes next: ensuring our students, teachers, and staff have the resources and support they need to thrive.
Thrive SMCS is our annual giving campaign, supporting the everyday investments that make an SMCS education special. Your contribution helps provide:
Learning materials and classroom supplies that support engaging, hands-on Montessori education.
Teacher and staff bonuses that recognize and celebrate the dedicated people who make our school exceptional.
The extras that make SMCS distinctive and enrich our students' academic and social experiences.
Every Family. Every Gift. Every Student.
Our goal is to raise $40,000 through Thrive SMCS this year, with a larger goal of 100% family participation. Every contribution matters, regardless of size. We invite families to consider a suggested gift of $720 per student annually ($60 per month), or $1,080 per family for households with two or more students ($90 per month). Give more or less, depending on what works for your family.
Friends, grandparents, alumni, and community members are also an important part of our school community. We welcome your support!
Join us in making SMCS a place where every student, teacher, and staff member can thrive.
Thank you for being part of our community and investing in the future of Salida Montessori Charter School!
"The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind."
— Maria Montessori
New School - October 2025 (photo credit: Anabelle Soltz, Secondary Student)
OUR MISSION
To offer an authentic Montessori education leading to students who are independent, inquisitive, respectful and empowered to realize their individual potential in future academic and life endeavors.
OUR VISION
An educational experience instilling the skills and knowledge for students to determine their personal visions of success and to achieve them. A culture that encourages students to respect themselves, other people and the environment. A school community that values every child and encourages involvement from every family.
Salida Montessori Charter School strives to provide an authentic, public Montessori program in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Established in 2015, SMCS serves grades K-8*.
*Also serving one to four-year-olds in a public, tuition-based preschool.
Not all children are exactly alike, and therefore providing options for education ensures the success of all of our children.
CORE VALUES
These values are meant to clarify our Mission and Vision Statements and to help define our driving principles.
Montessori Method: We believe it is critical that our school follow key Montessori principles: multi-age classrooms according to planes of development, peace education, deliberately prepared student-centered classrooms with experiential learning activities, three-hour work periods, an individualized curriculum and place-based learning through frequent excursions. The curriculum is adapted to each child’s interests, capabilities and pace while meeting or exceeding Colorado state standards.
Montessori Trained Teachers: Our staff is comprised of teachers who have completed Montessori training and others who value the Montessori method and are pursuing training.
Peace Education: We believe learning to respectfully and effectively resolve conflict through daily practice brings inner peace that can spread throughout the world.
Welcoming Community: Taking care of our families is an important part of taking care of our children. We want everyone to feel that they have a voice in our school community.
Embracing Differences: We believe that every child is an individual to treasure and recognize for her/his unique capabilities and accomplishments. Differences are the norm.
Cooperative Culture: Students work together to complete projects. Students share their strengths by leading others. They celebrate each other and every students’ accomplishments.
Lifelong Learners: We believe that helping children to follow their interests within a learning environment from a young age leads to an inherent love of learning that they will carry with them in all future endeavors.
Global Community: We believe that teaching children how to participate in their communities will foster a willingness to interact with and impact the world around them, locally and beyond. This relationship also instills confidence in going into the world to find answers and feel comfortable presenting ideas.
Community Partnerships: We believe that developing relationships with local artisans and businesses exposes students to several types of careers, hobbies and interests. When they experience this exposure, they can begin to define their own goals and desires.
Whole-Child Focus: We believe that social and emotional education are as important to a child’s development as teaching academics. We educate to each of these areas.
Access: We believe that every student should have access to a wonderful education in the environment that is best suited to their individual learning style. We provide a public option for toddler-8th grades that caters to any student regardless of background, financial circumstances or learning differences (our preschool is a public tuition-based program).
Organization name
Salida Montessori Charter School
2015
Tax id (EIN)
46-3834026
Category
Education
Organization Size
Large Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
PO Box 1080 1040 I StreetSalida, CO, US, 81201