Montessori Academy for Peace is one of three magnet schools in Decatur Public Schools, serving approximately 680 students between the ages of 3 and 14. We are committed to living and learning the vision of Dr. Maria Montessori — read more information below about Montessori methods and practices that we utilize every day. We take great pride in our daily work and our service to the larger Decatur community. We hope you will will consider visiting our school community to observe our work in action.

The first Montessori school in Decatur Public Schools was established in 1994 as Garfield Montessori School, based on the philosophies of Dr. Maria Montessori, world renowned physician and educator. Another DPS school, Enterprise Elementary, then became a Montessori program in 2014 to help meet the growing demand for a Montessori education. Garfield and Enterprise merged at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, to form Montessori Academy for Peace, moving into the former Thomas Jefferson Middle School location that had been renovated to house the newly expanded Montessori program.

The Montessori curriculum is designed to encourage respect, responsibility, cooperation, courtesy, and a sense of community. Click here to read more about the Montessori practices and philosophy.