Ghent Montessori School

What Ghent Montessori School does

Ghent Montessori School (GMS) is a privately-held, single-campus Montessori school founded in 1978 in Norfolk, Virginia, serving children from 18 months through eighth grade across the Hampton Roads region. The school operates five program levels — Toddler House (18 months-3 years), Children's House (ages 3-6), Lower and Upper Elementary, and Middle School — all structured as multi-age classrooms spanning three years. The institution is fully accredited by the International Montessori Council (IMC), and every lead teacher holds Montessori training credentials at the developmental level they teach.

The school's core technology is the Montessori educational methodology itself: prepared environments with specialized learning materials (math bead chains, history timelines, practical life activities) that facilitate hands-on, individualized learning driven by each child's intrinsic motivation. All instruction is delivered in-person at the 610 Mowbray Arch campus; there is no digital product, app, or remote offering. Administrative and teaching staff total 12, led by Head of School Ruland Gagne (29th year at GMS) and supported by a Business Manager, Office Manager, Office Administrator, and Office Receptionist.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through recurring annual tuition, with 2026-2027 rates ranging from $9,217 (Children's House Half Day) to $14,140 (Middle School School Day), plus materials fees of $250-$400, supplemental Before/After Care ($2,973) or Full Day Plus ($3,849), and one-time enrollment fees. A $400 sibling discount and 4% annual-payment discount are offered. The go-to-market is a tour-led sales motion: prospective families must complete an in-person tour before applying, with enrollment priority given to currently enrolled students, siblings/alumni children, and transfers from other Montessori programs. Channel mix relies on the school website, parent testimonials, and community events; there is no digital advertising or paid acquisition visible.

Name

Ghent Montessori School

Legal name

Ghent Montessori School

Website

https://ghentmontessorischool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ghent Montessori School is a privately-held, IMC-accredited Montessori school founded in 1978 in Norfolk, Virginia, serving children from 18 months through eighth grade across five multi-age program levels at a single campus in the Hampton Roads region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), 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 industries

Montessori Early Learning Academies (EDACADAA), Montessori Preschools (EDACABAC), Preschool Programs within Childcare Centers (EDACABAL)

Keywords

• Multi-age classroom programs
• Before and after care
• Montessori education services
• Early childhood education
• Private K-8 education

Headquarters

HQ city

Norfolk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Toddler House: Annual tuition for toddler program serving children 18 months to 3 years. Options include Half Day ($9,394.99) and School Day ($13,557.68), plus $250 materials fee. Payment options include annual (4% discount), trimester, or monthly plans.
2. Tuition - Children's House: Annual tuition for early childhood program serving ages 3-6. Options include Half Day ($9,216.04) and School Day ($13,299.44).
3. Tuition - Elementary Classes: Annual tuition for elementary program (Lower & Upper Elementary). School Day rate of $13,579.52 plus $300 materials fee.
4. Tuition - Middle School: Annual tuition for middle school program serving students through eighth grade. School Day rate of $14,139.84 plus $400 materials fee.
5. Before and After Care: Extended day care services. Before and After Care at $2,972.58, Full Day Plus at $3,849.11. All programs meet 5 days per week.
6. Fees - Enrollment: Application fee ($50 non-refundable), New Student Fee ($100 non-refundable), and Enrollment Fee/Tuition Deposit ($600 non-refundable, not applied toward tuition).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ghent Montessori School delivers authentic Montessori education for children from 18 months through eighth grade at its Norfolk, Virginia campus. The school operates multi-age classrooms across four program levels (Toddler House, Children's House, Elementary, and Middle School) supplemented by before/after care services. All lead teachers hold Montessori-specific training at their developmental level, and the school is fully accredited by the International Montessori Council.

Product overview

Ghent Montessori School offers a unified Montessori educational program serving children from 18 months through eighth grade. The core portfolio consists of five program levels: Toddler House (18 months–3 years), Children's House (ages 3–6), Elementary Classes (Lower and Upper Elementary), and Middle School, all structured as multi-age classrooms spanning three years. Supplemental add-on programs include Before and After Care and Full Day Plus for extended childcare coverage. All programs operate five days per week and follow an authentic Montessori philosophy emphasizing individualized learning, independence, and hands-on educational materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Toddler House Early childhood Montessori program for children 18 months to 3 years in a prepared environment that fosters independence and natural development, with Half Day ($9,394.99) and School Day ($13,557.68) options plus a $250 materials fee.
• Children's House Multi-age early childhood program for children ages 3-6 emphasizing individualized learning driven by natural curiosity, with Half Day ($9,216.04) and School Day ($13,299.44) tuition options.
• Elementary Classes Multi-age Lower and Upper Elementary program with School Day tuition of $13,579.52 and a $300 materials fee, featuring hands-on Montessori activities including math bead chains, history timelines, and self-directed research projects.
• Middle School Adolescent Montessori program for middle school students emphasizing leadership development, multi-age classroom structure, and preparation for high school transition, with School Day tuition of $14,139.84 and a $400 materials fee.
• Before and After Care Extended-day care service providing supervision and activities before and after regular school hours, meeting 5 days per week, priced at $2,972.58 annually.
• Full Day Plus Full-day extended care program offering comprehensive before- and after-school coverage for working families, priced at $3,849.11 annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multi-age classroom structure produces natural peer teaching and leadership development
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Norfolk Academy: Largest independent PK-12 day school in Norfolk, VA, drawing from the same Hampton Roads feeder families as Ghent Montessori. Directly comparable as a private, tuition-funded K-12 alternative competing for the same parent segment.
• Cape Henry Collegiate: Independent PK-12 college-preparatory school in Virginia Beach serving the same Hampton Roads affluent families. Comparable as a premium private school alternative competing for the same tuition-paying demographic.
• The Geneva School: Private classical Christian school in Chesapeake, VA, serving K-12 students in Hampton Roads. Directly comparable as a private, values-based K-12 alternative competing for tuition-paying families in the same metro.
• Norfolk Christian Schools: Private PK-12 Christian school in Norfolk, VA, serving the same Hampton Roads market. Comparable as a tuition-based private K-12 alternative competing for families seeking alternative pedagogies.
• Hampton Roads Academy: Independent PK-12 day school in Newport News, VA, serving the broader Hampton Roads region. Comparable as a private K-12 alternative competing for tuition-paying families seeking non-public education.

Broad incumbents

• LePort Montessori: Multi-campus Montessori school network operating across multiple U.S. states with toddler through elementary programs. Comparable as an authentic Montessori operator with a scaled, multi-site model — a useful benchmark for GMS's potential expansion trajectory.
• Guidepost Montessori: Large global Montessori school network operating toddler through elementary programs across the U.S. and internationally. Comparable as an accredited Montessori operator with a broader geographic footprint and brand, illustrating both the scaled-Modelle opportunity and the competitive threat from chain entrants.
• Norfolk Public Schools: The default K-12 public school district for Norfolk residents. While not a tuition competitor, it is the primary alternative against which GMS's value proposition (individualized Montessori, multi-age classrooms) is positioned.

Regional players

• Chesapeake Bay Academy: Private K-12 school in Virginia Beach serving students with learning differences. Comparable as a regional private school alternative serving a niche segment of the same Hampton Roads tuition-paying market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Ghent Montessori School