Children's House was founded in l971 as an independent private Montessori school by Phyllis Boardman, and has operated continuously in the same location from that time until the present.  The name, "Children's House," was chosen, as it has been by many Montessori schools worldwide, following the name of the first school founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in Rome in l907, her "Casa dei Bambini."  When the school began, the original teachers, Phyllis Boardman and Karen Kerr, were certified Montessori teachers.

Children's House became a full affiliate of the American Montessori Society in l975.  Being a full affiliate requires adhering to the American Montessori Society's code of ethics, using genuine Montessori teaching materials, and having only certified Montessori teachers in lead teaching positions in the classrooms as well as paying annual membership dues.

In l981 Children's House became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and has remained so to the present.  This has enabled the school to accept tax deductible donations.  Many such donations have been received over the years, almost all small amounts given by patrons of the school.

Children's House is not affiliated with St. John’s Episcopal Church but they are our next-door neighbor and our buildings are rented from them.  The two buildings open onto a playground which is shared by all classes.  During most of its history Children's House has been a school for three-to-six-year-old children with the first two of those years being preschool and the third year being the kindergarten year.

Children's House has been active in the Montessori community here in Oklahoma throughout its existence.  The school has actively participated in teacher training in association with Oklahoma City University.  The classrooms have served as intern sites for many students, each of whom is required to spend one year in the classroom under the supervision of a certified teacher as part of the requirements for her own certification.  In addition, teachers at Children's House have served as observers and examiners in the teacher training program.  Our lead teachers have contributed to the Montessori community in general by publishing professional articles in the national journal of the American Montessori Society as well as contributing numerous articles to books published for teachers of young children.

Children's House has been fortunate to have a diverse student population, thanks in part to our proximity to the University of Oklahoma, and has always celebrated and welcomed ethnic and religious diversity and has practiced non-discrimination as stated explicitly in our school policies and in our informational brochures.  Children's House is a secular private school and does not offer religious education, but welcomes families of all different faiths.  We have also kept our tuition as affordable as possible over the years to enable families from diverse socio-economic levels to be part of the school. 

Because of the nature of Children’s House, being a full affiliate with the American Montessori Society and being a private secular Montessori school, we are able to offer the community in which we live a valuable and unique educational alternative.  Children's House is now in its 41st year and we look forward to maintaining the tradition of excellence and high level of quality education which has always been our standard.  With hard work and determination, we feel the future is very bright for the school.

Serving Norman since 1971