History
Many Montessori schools, like Quest, begin through grassroots efforts, fueled by the passion of parents who value the Montessori approach to education and child development. Until 2002, parents in southern Rhode Island seeking continued Montessori or other alternative education for their children had few affordable educational alternatives.
In April of 2001, 50 parents of a local Rhode Island primary school gathered to discuss the possibility of establishing a Montessori elementary and middle school in southern Rhode Island. The consensus from the parent group was their desire for a Montessori school, with reasonable tuition, that would focus on the development of the whole child (socially, emotionally, academically and physically). Using the Montessori approach, emphasis in the classroom would be on the process of “learning how to learn” rather than the traditional focus solely on academic achievement as measured by testing and standards.
The group immediately formed a Board of Directors and a non-profit corporation and launched the project to establish what has now become known as Quest Montessori School (“Quest”). The Board’s goal was to open the school for the 2002-2003 academic year. Remarkably, 17 months from its initial conception, on September 3, 2002, Quest Montessori School opened to 23 students in grades 3-5.
Quest is now located in Narragansett, RI, 5 minutes from well-traveled Route 4. Quest has grown from the early days of 23 students back in 2002-2003 to currently have 111 students from all across Rhode Island. Students with or without Montessori experience are admitted to Quest and thrive in our Montessori environment.
Quest teachers are Montessori trained and dedicated to creating a community of learners. They bring to our students a passion for life that extends beyond the classroom. A significant number of our teachers and staff are parents in the Quest community as well.