Our mission is to inspire our inclusive community of learners to shape the world with joyful curiosity, courage, and compassion and nurture a lifelong love of learning
Our History
The Sammamish Montessori School was started in 1977 by Founding Director Joan Starling and her husband, Chris Starling, in a location overlooking Lake Sammamish in what was then part of Redmond, Washington (decades before the City of Sammamish was established).
Our school has grown from an initial class of six preschool students into a vibrant multicultural school preparing toddler, preschool, kindergarten and lower elementary students with a maximum capacity of 300 students with strong academic and social skills and a love of learning. This history has seen the maturing of the original classes into adulthood, and even alumni returning as parents of new students. Joan’s two daughters, Janet Villella and Hilary Prentice, continued the storied journey for over two decades following in their parents’ footsteps.
Today, Jabeen Hussain (Head of School) and Kalai Elango (Business Director), along with a dedicated and talented group of teachers and supporting staff, continue to ensure high standards and a caring, family-centered atmosphere at our school conveniently located in Redmond, Washington near the end of SR 520/Avondale, close to Microsoft’s main campus.
As members of the Sammamish Montessori community, it is our shared responsibility to devote ourselves to implementing and sustaining each of our core commitments.
We prioritize safety in everything we do. We act with safety of our children, staff, and school premises as our single most important priority.
We ground ourselves in the Montessori Philosophy by building an environment that inspires inquiry, stokes passion for lifelong learning, and encourages agents of change.
We extend learning with our Montessori+ curriculum. This innovative program integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Music & Movement (STEAM) and signature enrichment programs into our curriculum.
We develop thinkers of the future. We cultivate creative thinking, collaborative problem solving, and critical inquiry. We celebrate growth and purpose in every child.
We treat everyone with respect and kindness. We treat others the same way we want to be treated. We build an anti-racist/anti-bias culture of belonging and inclusion.
We cultivate a diverse community. We partner with our parents and caregivers to conduct events and establish traditions that bring us together as one SMS family.
Our SMS experience
Our unique Montessori approach provides a holistic, well-rounded, and academically rigorous experience for our students. Teachers and parents work collaboratively to foster the child’s development and ensure each child’s well-being as they continue to grow and learn.
I have 7 years of teaching experience. I love working at SMS because of the Montessori aspect of it. I love the people I work with. Everyone is very warm and it is a very welcoming place. I feel like I can breathe here.
I started my teaching experience in Texas where I was for 6 years, and I have been working at SMS for 1 year. I love the environment as SMS. I love my relationship with the teachers and the kids. The kids here make my da
I started working at SMS in our computer room, and then I worked with Mrs. Ward in our enrichment class for 3 years, and now I have been working with Mrs. Muldowney in Room 6 for 4 years. There are so many fun memories!
This will be my 29th year in a Montessori classroom. Working at SMS has given me the opportunity to work with people from all over the world!
I have 12 years of experience in the educational field. A few fun aspects of working at SMS have been being surrounded by kids during the day, carnival at the end of the school year, and the winter party.
I first joined SMS as a lunch mom in room 5, then worked as a sub and am now an assistant teacher in Room 5. I feel like magic has happened that keeps bringing me back to Room 5; I have a connection to this room.
I have 17 years of experience in the educational field. I love working at SMS because of the staff; they help push me to do better. I love working with the kids.