$680 raised by 9 donors
1% complete
$50,000 Goal
This year, all contributions to SMCS will support our future home - a new 23,000 square foot school building, built with Montessori philosophy at the forefront of the design. For the first time in our school’s 10 year history, all of our students, from our youngest learners to our 8th grade students will be together on one campus.
Your contribution makes a difference!
"The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind."
— Maria Montessori
In every class, the design team created cozy spots of folly, including circular window seats, toddler-sized doors, under-stair seating nook, large open windows that frame the mountains we get to call home, and so much more. Everything was considered, from acoustics, to safety, to maximizing the learning environment at every age.
Especially for our youngest learners, our 1-4 year olds, the physical environment is more than a backdrop — it’s also an active teacher. When a child can access the materials they need - chairs, tables, crayons, sinks, and more - it helps build their autonomy, independence, and confidence.
The new school is built for today, and for our future. Accordian style window doors open to outdoor classroom and play spaces, room partitions allow for lessons and rest simultaneously (for Toddlers & Children's House), additional accordian window doors open to allow flow between classrooms for lessons and student collaborations. Art & music rooms were designed with their own special considerations - extra sinks, outlets, and acoustic panels.
The Learning Stairs - the heart of our school and the multi-purpose room, will be home to Holiday Teas, Moving Up Ceremonies, Secondary-hosted movie nights, and students' work displayed a school fairs.
Did you know that Chaffee County is considered a "childcare desert"? SMCS is one of only 2 childcare centers in Salida that accepts students as young as 12 mos old and walking. In the new school, we have been approved for a much needed second Toddler room - essentially doubling the number of Toddler students at SMCS.
Gifts to the Building Campaign are eligible for a 50% Colorado tax credit. We encourage you to explore how this tax credit - combined with a pledge or recurring gift -Spread the Word: Share our campaign with friends and family to help us reach a wider audience. could allow your family to contribute more than you initially thought possible.
Salida Montessori Charter School is a licensed Colorado childcare provider and as such, gifts dedicated to SMCS’s licensed childcare programs and the facilities used to deliver those programs are eligible for the tax credit.
Colorado taxpayers who make a monetary contribution to promote childcare in Colorado may claim an income tax credit of 50% of the total contribution. Both corporate and individual donors may benefit from the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCCTC). Some important information on the tax credit is as follows:
• ln-kind contributions of property (non-monetary donations) and stock contributions do not qualify for the credit.
• Donors may not receive any goods or services in return for their contribution.
• The credit shall not exceed $100,000 per year.
• The credit allowed shall not exceed the tax liability for the year. Any excess credits may be carried forward for up to five years.
• SMCS is a licensed Colorado childcare provider and will mail you the DR 1317 Child Care Contribution Credit Certification form along with your thank you letter.
Multiply Your Gift x2 w/ CCCTC (or More for Itemizers)
EXAMPLE
*The example above is for a married couple filing jointly who itemizes and has a taxable income between $96,951–$206,700. Federal tax rates range from 10% (up to $23,850 in taxable income) to 37% (over $751,600 in taxable income). Federal tax savings in the example above takes into consideration reduced state taxes paid as an itemizable federal deduction.
The information above is provided as an example and is not intended to serve as tax advice. Donors should contact their tax advisor for advice about how the credit affects their tax picture. For additional information about the tax credit, visit the Colorado Department of Revenue's website: https://tax.colorado.gov/income-tax-topics-child-care-contribution-credit.
NOTE: Only gifts dedicated to support the design and construction costs for the toddler and preschool rooms qualify for the CCTC. To ensure the greatest benefit for both the SMCS capital campaign and our donors, gifts from CO taxpayers will be dedicated towards these purposes unless the donor chooses otherwise.
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