About Us Introduction

Welcome to SVCMS

Boulder County's only authentic Montessori charter school for ages 3-14

Founded

Fall 2009

Ages Served

Ages 3-14

Academic programs from preschool through 8th grade

School Leadership

Jessica Rawlings, Head of School

Cindy Moran, Director of Non-Instructional Programs

Jennifer Ramsey, Director of Business Services

Heather Gonsalves, Preschool Director

Jessica Chervenak, Lower Elementary

Heidi Genty, Upper Elementary

Christine Rivas Arriaga, Middle School

Lynn Lovett Barr, Communications

Jamie Hamilton-Jurkovich, Staff Secretary to the Board

Board of Directors

Current Enrollment

Approx. 256 students (2024-2025)

School Hours

Full-day K-8 Students: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Morning Preschool: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Afternoon Preschool: 12:30 to 3:30 pm.

Memberships & Accreditations

American Montessori Society (AMS)
Colorado Montessori Association (CMA)
Colorado League of Charter Schools
Colorado Department of Education

Financial Information

Tuition

Financial Transparency

Our Roots

St. Vrain Community Montessori School (SVCMS) was founded by a dedicated group of parents. This grassroots group recognized a need to expand the educational choices offered by St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) and shared a true passion for Montessori education.

Our Charter History

In 2007, this core group of over 30 parents, educators, and community members met regularly to form a steering committee and interim Board, which successfully completed a charter school application for a kindergarten through 6th grade school – founding the St. Vrain Community Montessori School.

The SVVSD Board of Education unanimously approved the school’s initial charter in October 2008. In August 2009, the school opened its doors to 99 students.

In 2012, our initial three-year charter was unanimously extended by the St. Vrain Valley School District Board of Education for an additional 10 years.

In 2022, our charter was unanimously extended again for 15 years by the St. Vrain Valley School District Board of Education.

Our Community's Growth

Since its founding, SVCMS has added new grade levels, hired additional highly qualified Guides, invested in new classrooms, and developed a community space.

The Board of Directors has also established a growth plan that calls for increased classroom capacity at all levels, in addition to more Guides, expanded classrooms, and additional outdoor space.

In a mission-driven decision, SVCMS opened a Middle School in the fall of 2014 with its first group of 7th years and continued to expand the Middle School in 2015-2016 with the addition of 8th years.

Today, St. Vrain Community Montessori School serves a diverse body of over 260 students from preschool through 8th year, ages 3-14, in an authentic Montessori environment.

We strive each day to foster high academic and personal fulfillment for all students while nurturing trusting and productive relationships among students, staff, volunteers, and families.

Read more about our growth plans for the future.

Our Mission

SVCMS fosters human thriving by nurturing the whole child in an authentic Montessori program as a public charter school.

Educating the Whole Child means addressing...

• Cognitive Development

• Social Skills

• Emotional Growth

• Physical and Spiritual Development

An Authentic Montessori Education offers...

• Teachers credentialed for the level they are teaching, who have the ability and dedication to put the key concepts into practice

• A partnership with families

• A 3 year mixed-age grouping based on Dr. Montessori’s Planes of Development: 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, & 12-15

• A full complement of Montessori materials in every classroom

• An uninterrupted work-cycle, every day

• An atmosphere that encourages social interaction, peer teaching and emotional development

A public charter school balances Authentic Montessori Methods with a standards-based environment by...

• Viewing all students through the lens of Dr. Montessori’s Planes of Development

• Aligning state standards to Montessori Curriculum

• Monitoring progress to inform instruction and optimize achievement of outcomes

• Participating in required assessments and accreditation processes

Our Vision

SVCMS students will become engaged humanitarians and stewards of the world who act with integrity, kindness, and wonder.