About
Our Montessori Heritage
Aria Montessori School proudly maintains strong ties to the original Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House), founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori in Rome. As the first Montessori school in America, Aria shares a deep philosophical connection with this pioneering institution. The owners of both schools work closely together to foster a meaningful partnership that strengthens the foundation of Montessori education.
In 1913, after studying directly with Dr. Montessori in New York, Pasadena farm owner May Davies opened the first Montessori school in the United States, right here in Pasadena, California. In homage to the original, she named it The Children’s House. During a visit to the U.S., Dr. Montessori reunited with her friend Albert Einstein at Caltech in Pasadena and took the opportunity to formally inaugurate May Davies’ school.
Dr. Montessori’s revolutionary approach emphasized independence, hands-on exploration, and learning at each child’s natural pace. At Aria, we continue to honor her vision by creating thoughtfully prepared environments tailored to every developmental stage. Our classrooms are filled with purposeful materials designed to nurture sensory development, critical thinking, and self-confidence through discovery-based learning.
Today, that school is known as Aria Montessori School. While education has evolved in many ways, our dedication to Dr. Montessori’s core principles remains constant. We are committed to providing an environment where children are respected as individuals, encouraged to follow their natural curiosity, and supported in their cognitive, emotional, and social development—just as Dr. Montessori envisioned.