Building blocks for a purposeful life
At Greene Towne Montessori School, we cultivate respect, confidence, autonomy, and curiosity—qualities that spark a lifelong love of learning. Our students develop a genuine delight in discovery, one that stays with them throughout their lives.
Every decision we make—as parents and educators—is an opportunity to empower children with the tools they need to make meaningful choices for learning and for life. Guided by our dedicated teaching staff, Greene Towne students embark on purposeful, active, and deeply personal learning journeys. Our classrooms are intentionally prepared to support hands-on, self-directed exploration. These spaces are filled with inviting educational materials and structured around uninterrupted work periods, allowing children the time and freedom to follow their interests and think deeply.
Our accredited classrooms are led by Montessori-credentialed teachers who thoughtfully prepare each space to inspire curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Using the unique Montessori materials, children engage in hands-on, self-directed exploration that helps them grow into capable, compassionate citizens of the world they will one day shape.
As a result, our students grow into capable, thoughtful individuals who are equipped to lead fulfilling lives—confident in their ability to learn, adapt, and bring their choices to life.
Over 50 Years Growing With Philadelphia
Greene Towne Montessori opened its doors in the fall of 1966 at Saint Clement’s Church, founded by a group of visionary parents committed to creating a “racially, religiously, and economically integrated school.” Since then, Greene Towne has become a vital part of the Center City community, nurturing generations of Philadelphia’s children in a warm, intentional, and inclusive learning environment.
To meet the needs of city families, we offer flexible school day, all-day, and summer programs—along with tuition assistance for those who qualify—ensuring access to high-quality Montessori education for a wide range of learners.
Greene Towne School opens its doors to 25 students on the 3rd floor of St. Clements Church. For a small group of dedicated parents, it is the realization of a dream.Two founding parents, Portia Sperr and Maryanne Hunter, take the Montessori Early Childhood certification course at Ravenhill under Mother Isabel who brought Montessori training to Philadelphia while founding parents Kaki Kriebel and Jane Unkefer run the office.
Portia Sperr and Mary Anne Hunter leave Greene Towne to found the Please Touch Museum, based on the hands-on, experiential learning experience provided by the Montessori classroom environment.
Our first fundraising auction, benefitting tuition assistance, is held. Greene Towne still offers tuition assistance today.
Greene Towne has a new home to call our own at 2121 Arch Street. After two years of fundraising, planning, and construction, the new Greene Towne opens in September, welcoming 3 returning classes and 1 new class for 3 to 6-year-olds.
Greene Towne expands to a neighboring property at 2215 Arch Street, known as West Campus, establishing the Toddler House with two toddler environments.
Greene Towne receives a first time 10 year accreditation from the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools and the American Montessori Society.
Greene Towne celebrates 50 years!
Greene Towne Montessori School officially opens the doors of their new home at 55 N. 22nd Street, with 11 classrooms, including an elementary classroom, an art room, a music room, 3 movement rooms, and a rooftop play deck.
Our Community
Celebrating Curiosity in a Diverse Community
Our entire learning environment is thoughtfully prepared to encourage hands-on self-directed learning, structured around uninterrupted time, where exploration can take its natural course, in classrooms designed to prepare the children for the society they will inherit.
We continually celebrate differences in ability, sexual orientation and identity, social background, religious belief, and racial, national, and ethnic origin, because we see a diverse student body, faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees as an essential reflection of the Montessori vision and our place in the city of Philadelphia.
Read the full statement
GTMS Diversity Statement
Dr. Maria Montessori, for whom the Montessori educational philosophy is named, fundamentally believed that children of all backgrounds possess an innate desire to learn, to be productive, and to find joy in work.
In creating the first “Children’s House” in Rome nearly a century ago, Montessori imagined the school as a reflection of the surrounding social world, and designed the classroom to prepare the children for the society they would inherit. In keeping with Montessori’s vision, Greene Towne Montessori School seeks to provide an environment within which each child can acquire a lifelong love of learning in a diverse community. In creating such an environment, the School emphasizes the need to respect differences in ability, sexual orientation and identity, social background, religious belief, and racial, national, and ethnic origin. GTMS extends this approach to all aspects of the life of the school, from teaching to hiring, governance, admissions, and financial aid decisions.
