OUR HISTORY

The Christian Family Community, a small, grassroots group of progressive Catholic families in D.C., founded CFMS to serve their children and their neighbors. They desired a school where the teachers would treat the students respectfully, as human beings loved by God, as well as nurture them academically. Christian Family Montessori School opened in September of 1981 with 12 students, meeting in the living room of Catherine and Charley Maresca. Rebekah Rojcewicz was their teacher, called to our school from her study in Rome with Sofia Cavalletti, initiator of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

In March 1982, CFMS made its home at St. James Catholic Church in Mt. Rainier, Md., where it would remain for nearly 30 years. During those years, the school added a second Primary class and two Elementary classes serving children from age 2.5 through 12 year olds in the sixth grade.

In June, 2011, CFMS moved to its present home at St. Paul's Rock Creek Episcopal Parish, surrounded by the beautiful grounds of the historic Rock Creek Church Cemetery. With the move, the school added the option of an extended school day to accommodate family schedules.

Nearly 40 years after that first day of school in the Maresca's living room, families still find a tight-knit, intentional community in which to raise their children together. Throughout its growth and in various locations, the school has maintained its founding vision of providing an education that nourishes children in body, mind, and spirit and its commitment to serving an economically diverse community of families.

The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) recognizes Christian Family Montessori School as a Recognized A.M.I. Montessori School at the Primary and Elementary levels.