Phillip EdwinLos Angeles offers a rich and diverse array of Montessori schools, reflecting the city’s commitment to innovative and child-centered education. Montessori education emphasizes independence, hands-on learning, and mixed-age classrooms, allowing children to develop at their own pace.
The city is home to schools ranging from long-established institutions to newer, specialized programs, with many offering bilingual education, arts integration, and extended care options. These schools can be found throughout the LA area, from Echo Park and West Adams to the San Fernando Valley and beyond.
Top 20 Montessori Schools in Los Angeles
1. Baxter Montessori School
Located at 2101 Echo Park Avenue, Baxter Montessori serves grades K-3 with 54 students. Parents consistently praise the school for its “old-school” no-frills approach and focus on fundamental life skills. The school has been led by director Ms. Li for nearly 40 years, creating a stable, loving, and non-pretentious community that prepares children for future learning with confidence and independence.
2. Southern California Montessori School
Located at 1430 S Centinela Avenue, this school has been dedicated to providing quality Montessori education for over 50 years. It offers a robust Montessori program with music, dance, yoga, and extracurricular activities. Parents describe it as a hidden gem with dedicated teachers who foster discipline, confidence, and a strong educational foundation.
3. Crenshaw Montessori Academy
Founded in 1977, this South Los Angeles school serves 45 students from pre-kindergarten through first grade. It features a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 and a student body that is 100% students of color, reflecting high diversity among California private schools. The school offers summer programs and two AP courses as part of its curriculum.
4. Montessori Shir-Hashirim
Located at 6047 Carlton Way in Hollywood, this school receives consistent praise for its authentic Montessori approach, caring teachers, and strong academic preparation. Parents note significant improvements in their children’s confidence, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning. The school is described as well-managed, safe, and nurturing with strong leadership.
5. Montessori of West Adams
Located at 4449 W Adams Blvd, this school offers a Montessori-based curriculum for toddlers and preschool-age children. It provides lessons in cultural, interpersonal, motor, sensory, reading, language, math, music, art, and yoga skills. The school features a learning garden and is community-oriented, encouraging parent participation in school performances and holiday parades.
6. Exposition Park Montessori Childcare Center
Located at 1024 W 38th Street, this center offers multilingual and developmental learning with a focus on self-sufficiency and independence. Parents praise its educational quality, small class sizes, consistent caregivers, affordability, and flexible hours. The director is noted as being highly responsive to parent concerns.
7. Bright Montessori School, Inc.
Located at 3010 Glendale Blvd, this school serves 38 students and offers a comprehensive Montessori program. It provides both kindergarten and elementary school options, supporting children’s educational journey through multiple developmental stages. The school is part of a network of Montessori institutions in the greater Los Angeles area.
8. Guidepost Montessori at Plum Canyon
Located in Santa Clarita, this school serves families throughout the greater Los Angeles County area. It offers programs from Nido (6 weeks to 18 months) through Children’s House (3 to 6 years), including a Spanish Immersion program. The school emphasizes advanced academic outcomes, with students learning to read by age four and performing complex math operations.
9. Casa Montessori
Located at 17633 Lassen Street, this school serves grades PK-5 with 15 students. Parents praise the family-oriented environment, love, and care of the staff, noting that children are looked after diligently and taught to become well-rounded individuals. The school emphasizes both academics and the arts.
10. Montessori Preschool
Located at 4024 Wade Street, this school receives praise for its caring staff, thoughtfully designed Montessori curriculum, and nurturing environment. Parents report significant growth in reading, math, confidence, and social skills. Director Ms. Virginia is noted for her attentiveness and excellent communication with parents.
11. American Montessori Pre-School
Located at 4817 Eagle Rock Blvd, this school offers a Montessori program for young children in the Eagle Rock area. It provides a caring and educational environment that supports early childhood development through hands-on, self-directed learning activities.
12. New World Montessori School
Located at 10520 Regent Street, this school provides Montessori education in a nurturing and supportive environment . The program emphasizes independence, practical life skills, and academic foundations for young learners in the Los Angeles area.
13. Los Angeles Montessori Academy
With multiple locations, including at Holmes Avenue and South Central Avenue, this academy provides comprehensive Montessori education across the city. The programs focus on child-led learning, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on materials that develop independence and self-directed activity.
14. La First Montessori School
Located at 213 S Hobart Blvd, this school offers early childhood education in a Montessori environment . It provides a structured program that fosters independence, curiosity, and a love of learning in young children.
15. Montessori Children’s World
Located at 4371 N Eagle Rock Blvd, this school provides a Montessori-based curriculum for children in the Eagle Rock area. The program emphasizes practical life skills, sensory development, and academic foundations through hands-on exploration and discovery.
16. Mel-O-Dee Montessori Center
Located at 3659 Motor Ave, this center serves children with a Montessori program that has received both praise and mixed reviews. Positive reviews highlight warm, caring staff and effective teaching methods that support children’s academic and social progress over multiple years.
17. Gan West Jewish Preschool
Located in Culver City, this school is enrolling for the 2026-27 school year and serves ages 20 months through 4 years. It offers a high-quality, women-owned preschool with an 18-year history. The program combines Montessori principles with Jewish values in a nurturing environment.
18. Young Minds Montessori
Located in Palms, this school receives high praise from parents who describe it as a place where children thrive. The staff is noted for creating a safe, loving environment where children are happy and engaged in learning activities.
19. Terra Montessori
Located in Palms, this school was described by one parent as the perfect preschool for their child, who learned a tremendous amount during their time there. The program emphasizes child-led learning and hands-on exploration in a supportive environment.
20. Kids Collective Preschool
Located in Del Rey at 4256 Inglewood Blvd, this school blends Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches with an environmental focus. The curriculum includes practical life skills, cultural arts, language, sensory, and mathematical development. Extracurricular activities include Spanish, yoga, cooking, music, gardening, and pet care.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Grades Served | Location | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baxter Montessori School | K–3 | Echo Park | 40-year director, no-frills approach |
| 2 | Southern California Montessori School | PK–K | Centinela Ave | 50+ years, music and yoga programs |
| 3 | Crenshaw Montessori Academy | PK–1 | South LA | 100% students of color, 11:1 ratio |
| 4 | Montessori Shir-Hashirim | Preschool | Hollywood | Authentic Montessori, strong academics |
| 5 | Montessori of West Adams | Toddler–Preschool | West Adams | Learning garden, multilingual program |
| 6 | Exposition Park Montessori | Toddler–Preschool | Exposition Park | Affordable, multilingual learning |
| 7 | Bright Montessori School | PK–Elementary | Glendale Blvd | Kindergarten and elementary options |
| 8 | Guidepost Montessori at Plum Canyon | 6 weeks–6 years | Santa Clarita | Spanish immersion, advanced academics |
| 9 | Casa Montessori | PK–5 | Lassen St | Family-oriented, arts emphasis |
| 10 | Montessori Preschool | Preschool | Wade St | Caring staff, strong communication |
| 11 | American Montessori Pre-School | Preschool | Eagle Rock | Eagle Rock area program |
| 12 | New World Montessori School | Preschool | Regent St | Nurturing environment |
| 13 | Los Angeles Montessori Academy | Preschool | Multiple | Multiple locations across LA |
| 14 | La First Montessori School | Preschool | Hobart Blvd | Structured Montessori program |
| 15 | Montessori Children’s World | Preschool | Eagle Rock Blvd | Practical life skills focus |
| 16 | Mel-O-Dee Montessori Center | Preschool | Motor Ave | Warm, caring staff |
| 17 | Gan West Jewish Preschool | 20 months–4 years | Culver City | Jewish values, women-owned |
| 18 | Young Minds Montessori | Preschool | Palms | Safe, loving environment |
| 19 | Terra Montessori | Preschool | Palms | Child-led learning |
| 20 | Kids Collective Preschool | Preschool | Del Rey | Montessori/Reggio blend, environmental focus |
Success Tips for Application
Start your search early by identifying schools that align with your child’s age and developmental stage, as programs range from infants to upper elementary.
Visit campuses in person and observe classroom environments, paying attention to teacher-student interactions and the availability of Montessori materials.
Read parent reviews on platforms like Yelp and private school review sites to gauge community satisfaction and school culture.
Ask about teacher qualifications and training, as authentic Montessori programs require certified Montessori educators. Inquire about class sizes and student-teacher ratios, as smaller ratios like 11:1 at Crenshaw Montessori allow for more individualized attention . Consider the school’s location and hours, as some offer extended care from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM for working families.
Discuss tuition costs and financial aid options, with some schools like Montessori of West Adams offering monthly rates from $1,080 to $1,930 . Finally, trust your instincts; the best fit is one where your child feels welcomed, engaged, and excited to learn.
Closing
Los Angeles offers a remarkable range of Montessori schools, from historic institutions like Baxter Montessori with its 40-year legacy to innovative programs like Guidepost Montessori with its advanced academic outcomes.
Whether you are seeking a bilingual program, a focus on the arts, or a strong community-oriented environment, there is a Montessori school in LA to meet your child’s needs.
By thoroughly researching each option, visiting campuses, and considering your child’s unique interests, you can find a school that will provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Note that all information, including tuition and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school.