Montessori School of Pullman Relocates to New Facility
The Montessori School of Pullman has officially relocated from the Gladish Community and Cultural Center to the Pullman Public Schools’ Pioneer Center. This move comes after the Pullman School Board of Directors approved a lease agreement during their regular meeting on March 15, 2024. The private school will now occupy approximately 4,500 square feet at the new facility, located at 240 SE Dexter St., providing access to two classrooms, two offices, restrooms, and a gymnasium.
Director of Operations Crystal Helenske stated in an email that while the Montessori School is not affiliated with the Pullman School District, the new space will enhance connections that benefit local families. The Montessori School of Pullman serves children aged 2.5 to 6 and follows an educational model developed by Maria Montessori, emphasizing hands-on, self-directed learning. The school has been a part of the Pullman community for over 50 years, primarily operating from the Gladish.
Transitioning from its long-term home has been bittersweet for the school. Helenske noted that ongoing challenges with heating, water, and building stability at the Gladish highlighted the need for a new environment for students and staff. This winter, the school faced significant issues when the Gladish’s boiler malfunctioned, resulting in a lack of heat and the cancellation of classes during a particularly cold February. During this closure, the Pullman School District offered additional space for the Montessori to continue its classes, a gesture Helenske appreciated.
The move to the Pioneer Center aims to improve the visibility of the Montessori School of Pullman, especially in light of the closure of another local institution, Pullman Community Montessori. That school, which also operated from the Gladish and served grades kindergarten through seventh, ceased operations when the Washington State Charter School Commission revoked its charter in May 2023. Helenske emphasized that the Montessori School of Pullman had no affiliation with the now-closed institution and remained unaffected by its closure.
Classes at the new location began on March 15, 2024, with a temporary shortened schedule in place until necessary licensing and inspections are finalized. Currently, the school operates from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on weekdays, compared to its normal hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Despite the school year already starting, Helenske confirmed that the Montessori School of Pullman is still accepting new enrollments.
For more information about the Montessori School of Pullman, interested parties can visit their website at pullmanmontessori.org. For further inquiries, Helenske can be reached via email.
