Cambridge Montessori School

What Cambridge Montessori School does

Cambridge Montessori School (CMS) is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit Montessori school founded in 1963 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving approximately 150 students aged 18 months through 14 years (8th grade) across three owned campuses: the Toddler/Primary program at 161 Garden Street (since 1974), the Elementary program at 129 Sherman Street (acquired 1997), and the Middle School program at 96 Sherman Street (added 2008). The school delivers authentic Montessori pedagogy through multi-age classrooms (3-year spans), prepared environments with scientifically designed tactile materials (Golden Beads, Pink Tower, sandpaper letters, knobbed cylinders), and differentiated middle-school programming including Montessori Model United Nations, a NuVu Studio design thinking partnership, a micro-economy curriculum, and travel programs. CMS is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE), and is a member of NAIS, Montessori Schools of Massachusetts, and the International Montessori Council.

CMS operates four revenue streams: tuition across Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Middle School programs (rates not publicly disclosed; full-day and half-day options), Passport after-school care (3:00-6:00pm) for both CMS and Cambridge Public Schools students, Passport Summer Camp (8-week program, open to non-CMS students ages 18 months to 10), and philanthropic contributions including an Annual Fund, the annual Spring Gala and Auction (raised over $80,000 in 2025), and the Webster O'Brien 5K race. CMS receives no public funding; operations depend on tuition and donations. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising parents, alumni parents, and community members, and is led by Head of School Sue Angelides alongside CFO Nikki Jacobs and program directors for each age band.

The go-to-market is sales-led and community-led: prospective families submit an inquiry form, schedule a campus tour, complete an application with a $100 fee, and proceed through individualized admission decisions with a 10% tuition deposit upon acceptance. Word-of-mouth through the active Parent Association, alumni network, and existing families is the primary acquisition channel, supplemented by SEO, Instagram, email communications, and community fundraising events. Pricing is subscription/annual, opaque to the public, with need-based financial aid capped at 50% of tuition processed through Independent School Management's FAST program.

Name

Cambridge Montessori School

Legal name

Cambridge Montessori School

Website

https://cambridgemontessori.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cambridge Montessori School is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit Montessori school in Cambridge, MA, serving approximately 150 students aged 18 months to 14 years across three campuses, funded by tuition and philanthropic contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Montessori Education (Toddler through Middle School)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Montessori K–12 Schools (EDAJABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Montessori education
• Early childhood education
• Private K-8 schooling
• After-school care programs
• Summer camp programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Primary revenue source from tuition fees for Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Middle School programs. Full-day and half-day options available. Tuition rates not publicly disclosed; families must complete a form to receive rates.
2. Passport Extended Programs: After-school care and enrichment programs (Passport at CMS) running 3:00pm-5:30pm/6:00pm, plus vacation camp programs. Also serves Cambridge Public Schools students via bus drop-off.
3. Passport Summer Camp: 8-week summer camp programs for Toddler through Elementary ages, including specialized tracks (Toddler Transition, Little Explorers, Navigators, Voyagers, Pioneers). Open to both CMS and non-CMS students.
4. Philanthropic Contributions: Annual Fund donations, Gala & Auction proceeds (raised $80,000+ in 2025), and Webster O'Brien 5K race proceeds supporting scholarship funds. CMS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit relying on tuition and contributions.
5. Financial Aid Processing Fee: $60 application fee for FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) program through Independent School Management for need-based financial aid analysis

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cambridge Montessori School provides authentic Montessori education to approximately 150 children aged 18 months to 14 years across four age-tiered academic programs (Toddler, Primary, Elementary, Middle School) delivered on three Cambridge, MA campuses. The academic curriculum is supported by the Passport auxiliary programs, including Passport after-school care (3:00-6:00pm) and an 8-week Passport Summer Camp, with revenue generated primarily from tuition and supplemented by philanthropic contributions.

Product overview

Cambridge Montessori School offers a comprehensive Montessori education through distinct age-based programs: Toddler Program (18 months-3 years), Primary Program (3-6 years), Elementary Program (6-12 years), and Middle School Program (12-14 years). The school supplements its core academic programs with Passport auxiliary programs including after-school care and Passport Summer Camp. The programs follow authentic Montessori pedagogy with multi-age classrooms, prepared environments, and hands-on learning materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Toddler Program Montessori early childhood education program for children aged 18 months to 3 years, delivered on the 161 Garden Street campus adjacent to Danehy Park. Children use toddler-sized materials in a prepared environment to develop independence, language, concentration, problem-solving, and physical coordination. Full-day and half-day options are available.
• Primary Program Montessori program for children aged 3 to 6 delivered across a three-year cycle on the 161 Garden Street campus. Specially designed classrooms use hands-on materials covering Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, Science, Geography, and Practical Life; final year serves as the kindergarten equivalent. Full-day and half-day options are available.
• Elementary Program Comprehensive Montessori program for students aged 6 to 12 delivered across two three-year cycles (Lower Elementary 6-9 and Upper Elementary 9-12) on the 129 Sherman Street campus. Curriculum includes cross-curricular research, Great Lessons, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Spanish, Arts, and PE; 'Going Outs' provide real-world experiences and the final year includes a Senior Project.
• Middle School Program Two-year Montessori program for grades 7-8 (ages 12-14) delivered on the 96 Sherman Street campus, addressing adolescent identity, social responsibility, and high school preparation. Signature components include Montessori Model United Nations (culminating at the UN in NYC), 10 weeks per year at NuVu Studio for design thinking, the Capstone Project, a student-run micro-economy, and travel programs to Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.
• Passport After-School Program Extended-day care and enrichment program running from 3:00 PM to 5:30/6:00 PM. Open to CMS students and, via the CPS at Passport bus partnership, to Cambridge Public Schools students ages 4-12 from Amigos, Baldwin, Cambridgeport, Fletcher, Haggerty, King Open, MLK, Morse, Tobin, Graham & Parks, and Peabody. Includes clubs led by CMS faculty and outside professionals.
• Passport Summer Camp Eight-week summer camp modeled on Montessori classroom principles for children aged 18 months to 10 years, with specialized tracks (Toddler Transition, Little Explorers, Navigators, Voyagers, Pioneers), weekly themes, field trips, water play, and enrichment activities. Open to both CMS families and external families, with online registration via CampBrain.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students develop strong sense of self and innate love of learning
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Montessori Society (AMS)coreOthersCMS is accredited by AMS, the foremost advocate for quality Montessori education in the United States. AMS sets high professional standards that inform Montessori education as practiced in AMS-accredited schools and taught in AMS-affiliated teacher training programs.
• Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE)coreOthersCMS is accredited by AISNE, one of the largest regional independent school associations in the country with over 260 member schools. AISNE represents a diverse range of schools and maintains strict standards for curriculum, practices, and policies.
• Montessori Schools of Massachusetts (MSM)coreOthersMSM is a non-profit organization that supports Montessori schools in Massachusetts by promoting knowledge and understanding of the Montessori pedagogy and by supporting teachers and administrators in Montessori schools.
• NuVu StudiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner8th grade students spend 10 weeks each year at NuVu Studio, an innovative project-based program in Cambridge. Students are introduced to design thinking and challenged to apply knowledge of science, technology, and mathematics in new ways.
• Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMS Middle School participates in the MMUN program, partnering with the United Nations to provide students hands-on understanding of global cooperation, peace, and conflict resolution through a year-long program culminating at the UN in NYC.
• Independent School Management (ISM) FAST ProgramminorOthersCMS uses ISM's FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) program for need-based financial aid analysis. FAST provides recommendations on what families should contribute toward tuition. $60 application fee charged.
• Cambridge Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMS Passport program serves Cambridge Public Schools students ages 4-12 via bus transportation from multiple CPS schools including Amigos, Baldwin, Cambridgeport, Fletcher, Haggerty, King Open, MLK, Morse, Tobin, Graham & Parks, and Peabody.
• Heifer InternationalminorOthersThe entire school raises funds for Heifer International. Toddler and Primary children host bake sales, Elementary children participate in 'Read to Feed,' and Middle School students sell crafts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Buckingham Browne & Nichols (BB&N): Pre-K–9 independent school based in Cambridge. Closest large-scale independent school competitor competing head-to-head for Cambridge-area families across the same age bands that CMS serves.
• Belmont Day School: Pre-K–8 independent school in nearby Belmont, MA. Comparable age range, mission, and tuition profile, drawing from the same Greater Boston parent pool as CMS.
• Lexington Montessori School: Authentic Montessori pre-K–6 school in Lexington, MA. Most directly comparable Montessori-pedagogy peer in the Greater Boston market, competing for Montessori-committed families.
• The Meadowbrook School: Independent pre-K–8 school in Weston, MA. Comparable school size, tuition tier, and mission, serving the same Greater Boston affluent family demographic.
• The Fenn School: Independent K–9 boys' school in Concord, MA. Comparable pre-K–8 independent-school positioning and tuition tier in the broader Greater Boston independent-school market.
• Shady Hill School: Independent pre-K–8 school located in Cambridge, MA. Most direct geographic and program peer to CMS, sharing a progressive pedagogy, an applicant pool drawn from Cambridge families, and competition for the same K–8 enrollment.

Emerging players

• Acera School: Independent K–8 school in Winchester, MA emphasizing STEAM and inquiry-based learning. Comparable age range in the same metro; overlapping progressive/whole-child positioning but differentiated STEM focus.
• Atrium School: Independent K–8 progressive school in Watertown, MA. Overlapping pre-K–8 independent-school offering and progressive pedagogy; smaller and less Montessori-specific but competes in the same family set.

Regional players

• Charlestown Nursery School: Independent early-childhood/primary program in Charlestown (Boston), MA. Comparable toddler-through-primary Montessori-adjacent early years offering for Cambridge-area families seeking alternative entry.

Others

• The Montessori Society (Accrediting Body Reference): American Montessori Society (AMS), the same accrediting body that credentials CMS. Included as an ecosystem peer representing the broader network of 800+ AMS-accredited schools that compete for Montessori families nationally.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/cambridgemontessori
• Xx.com/CMS_Montessori

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge Montessori School