About Us
Belleair Montessori Academy is a co-ed, non-sectarian academy that was established in 1944. It is one of the oldest family owned and operated Montessori schools on the gulf coast of Florida. The Media and Resource Center gives students the benefit of working in the Library and Computer Center for research. Kindergarten and grade school students are guided into each of the centers each day.
Belleair Montessori Academy provides individualized programs designed to meet the educational needs of students in kindergarten through grade six.
Objectives
Our objectives are to encourage the student to:
- Develop autonomy and academically advance according to their potential
- Receive academic challenges and guidance
- Participate in and experience meaningful development and instruction in:
- language
- literature
- mathematics
- science
- art
- history
- geography
- physical education
- study skills
- computer lab
- Acquire the ability to excel creatively and intellectually
Our atmosphere is open and welcoming to local as well as international students. We are dedicated to make the positive difference in our children's education and ultimately his/her future.
History of Belleair Montessori
Fifty years ago when Ms. Evelyn Twedt applied for a permit to build a school on Mehlenbacher Road, it was suggested by the Belleair Town Officials that she purchase property adjacent to the former Town Hall, which is presently the Garden Club, as they were withholding the sale of this property for a special purpose, that of a private school or something similar.
If not for a wonderful friend of Ms. Twedt's, Mr. E.W. Hallett, Tiny Tots would not have became a reality. His advice and assistance was sincerely appreciated and he will always be remembered as an integral part of the success of Tiny Tots School.
In the very beginning Tiny Tots Private School, as it was called in the early 1940's, began its operation on Clearwater-Largo Road. At this time its founder, Evelyn Twedt, had one other employee, Ms. Celia Hughes.
As the number of children increased Ms. Twedt knew she needed to look for a new location. So in 1947, a site was selected in Belleair Estates for the new school. Then in 1948 she opened her new school with fifteen children enrolled. Ms. Ruth McCrackern, a licensed kindergarten teacher was hired and school began. The building at this time was approximately 40 x 40 with a licensed capacity of fifty children. As the years passed enrollment grew and the little school was showing signs of being too small and more space was needed.
So in 1955, another room was added enabling us to increase our enrollment and of course at this time the staff also grew. Ms. E. Wise and an assistant was added to the faculty. Which now gave us a staff of four.
Tiny Tots found themselves again in 1964 with growing pains and added two more 32 x 40 rooms and two baths to accommodate the increasing number of children. With this expansion we added first, second, and third grades.
However, in the summer of 1967 we were forced to add our fourth addition, a second story, two rooms 32 x 40 and two more bathrooms. Then in 1962 the school received a new name and a new system of education. Mrs. Joan Kirk converted the school to the Montessori teaching system and the name was changed to Belleair Montessori School.
Generation after generation of children have come to Belleair Montessori, gone through its programs and exited with knowledge of science, English and foreign languages, math and enhanced social skills.
