The Children’s House Montessori School announced today, March 14, that it is under contract to purchase 330 Commercial Street in Rockport, to become the future location of the school. 

“After more than two decades in the historic schoolhouse on Elm Street in Camden, CHMS’ new home in Rockport will provide children with an even richer and broader experience,” said CHMS, in a news release.

Children’s House intends to build down in the back parking lot of the 330 Commercial Street property, well off of Route 1 and adjacent to the 23-acre Harkness Preserve, permanently conserved land owned by Coastal Mountains Land Trust.

“The new location combines the best of the school’s community-based programming, offering walking access to the local library, parks, and cultural venues, with the myriad benefits of nature-based learning,” said the release.

Students will have low-impact access to a stream and woods on the property, and the school has begun exploring, with the Land Trust and its Learning Landscapes program, options for sustainable access to the Harkness Preserve and its trails.

“We believe that a nature-based Montessori education nurtures happy, healthy, and resilient children,” said Rachel Nixon, Head of School. “We are thrilled that this new location will develop young naturalists and compassionate citizens who will make a difference in our complex, ever-changing world.” Children’s House enrolls children ages 18 months to 9 years old in school-year and summer programs.

Children’s House is planning a custom-designed, energy-efficient building, giving students real-time access to learning about the sustainable systems powering the school. The CHMS Building Committee – composed of school alumni, board and community members Ben Todd (chair), Ross Caron, Jeff and Helena Leclair, Caleb Lincoln, Harry Pearson, Heather Rogers and Todd Weeks – has selected BRIBURN, a sustainability-focused, Portland-based architectural firm, to design the building. 

The school has embarked on a capital campaign to purchase the property and build the nature-based school.

“Children’s House has taught my children and grandchildren true kindness and self-advocacy,” said Campaign Chair Ann Bresnahan. “It is an honor to lead the campaign to establish a permanent home for Montessori here in the Midcoast, for generations to come.”

The property is scheduled to close in August of 2024. The school will continue operations from the yellow schoolhouse in Camden through June 2026 and plans to open at the new location in September 2026. 

For immediate questions about Children’s House Montessori School and their plans for the future, please contact Head of School, Rachel Nixon, director@camdenmontessori.org.  

About Children’s House Montessori School

The Children's House Montessori school cultivates curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in young learners, while nurturing a sense of care for each other, the environment, and the world.

Founded in 1979, Children's House Montessori inspires a lifelong love of learning in children ages 18 months to 10 years in Midcoast Maine. We are guided by Dr. Maria Montessori's pioneering philosophy: we provide carefully designed, multi-age classrooms and nature-based opportunities where children master skills at their own pace and grow toward independence in a cooperative environment. Montessori-trained teachers provide children with the love, support, and guidance they need to thrive. 

In all that we do, Children's House honors the values of respect, inclusion, lifelong learning, community, and sustainability.