About Our School

Our Mission

Our school provides a prepared environment that encourages children to explore, learn, and joyfully master their world.  We are committed to the Montessori approach to education, which supports children to realize their full potential both academically and socially.  We are philosophically aligned with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the worldwide organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori herself.  Our Mission is to provide a high quality authentic Montessori education to children of all cultural and economic backgrounds.

We strive to instill in children completing our program: strong self-esteem, self motivation, academic confidence, a love of learning, and a vision of their place in the world. 

Governance

Oak Knoll Kinderhaus Montessori School is owned by Oak Knoll Kinderhaus, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation governed by a four-member Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors oversees the operations of the school and ensures that the school’s curriculum, programs and policies adhere to the school’s mission.  The Board is also responsible for development of the school, including all fundraising activities.  The Board may be reached at board@oakknollkinderhaus.com or by calling the office at (626) 345-9929.  Board members include, President, Jason Feldman, Secretary, Tricia Lanza, and Community Member, Nancy Potter Hill. Oak Knoll is also building an Advisory Board, which includes Maura Joyce, Head of School at Montessori in Redlands an AMI school.

Our Administrative Staff consists of Laura Shaw, the Head of School and Mona Shelton, the Assistant Head of School.  Ms. Shaw is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school, including all aspects of admissions, management of the staff and the Montessori guides and for ensuring that the guides adhere to a traditional Montessori curriculum. Ms. Shelton is responsible for Oak Knoll's day-to-day operations, including information dissemination, family paperwork and student records, and accounts receivable and invoicing.

Family Association

Our parents are active participants in our school through the Oak Knoll Family Association.  This association provides a sense of community among Oak Knoll families, provides a structure within which parents can volunteer to enhance and enrich our children's learning environment, and ensures that parents have a voice before the Board of Directors and the Administration.  You can contact OKFA at family_association@oakknollkinderhaus.com.

History of the School

Oak Knoll Kinderhaus Montessori School is the culmination of a dream to build a high quality program to nurture the potential of as many children as possible and to be part of the community of excellent Montessori schools in the Pasadena area. Founded by a mother and daughter team, Oak Knoll Kinderhaus is a school committed to establishing the highest-quality learning environment for children. 

After operating for a few years as a sole proprietorship, in 1999, the school incorporated as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation headed by a board of directors, which includes parents of enrolled and alumni children and other members of the community. Funding for the school comes from tuition, fees, annual giving, donations and grants. Gifts to Oak Knoll Kinderhaus are tax deductible. Oak Knoll Kinderhaus is both federal and state tax-exempt. Our tax ID number is 95-4766819.

Originally located in the (now demolished) Pasadena Christian Center at 140 N. Oak Knoll, Oak Knoll Kinderhaus relocated to its present space on North Lake Avenue in January 2001. With the help of our wonderful parent community, we have built a facility of which we are truly proud. In September 2003, we opened our elementary class for ages 6-12 years. We are delighted to welcome your family into our growing school, and we hope that you will be inspired to help us in our developing history!