Our School History:

July 1970

* Sister Theresa Blauqiere was offered and accepted, for Holy Cross School, a grant for $5,000 from Dr. George Stranahan. The express purpose of the grant was to research the possibility of starting a Montessori preschool at Holy Cross.
* Between 1970 and 1972, there were a number of discussions by the Parish Council about how the parish could improve the west side of Lansing. The Montessori program was approved as a service program of the parish. It was to be operated as a non-denominational educational program.

September 1972

* Holy Cross Montessori begins! It was licensed by the Department of Social Services. The program was budgeted separately, and was able to operate without any direct cost to the parish.
* Thirty-eight (38) students were enrolled.

September 1973

* The program was expanded to include a second classroom for 3 – 6 year olds.
* Total school enrollment was up to 50 students.

September 1976

* Suzanne Husband is appointed as administrator.

September 1978

* The Montessori program expanded to include an elementary class for 6 – 9 year olds.
* Class size was 25 students & total enrollment was 75 students.

September 1979

* The Montessori program expanded to include yet another classroom (for 3 – 6 year olds).
* Class size was 22 students; total enrollment was 102 students.

June 1982

* The Montessori program initiates legal steps to become a separate organization from the Holy Cross School and from the Diocese of Lansing. As a part of this process, a board of directors was formed.
* The school name is changed to the Montessori Children’s House of Lansing.

July 1982

* The school moved from the Holy Cross School location to the location of the Seventh Day Adventist School at 2100 W. St. Joseph Street, Lansing, Michigan.

September 1982

* Total school enrollment is up to 115.

April 1983

* Claud Agnello is sent to the Washington Montessori Institute in Washington DC to begin elementary training.

July 1983

* The State Department of Education grants the school a charter to operate a K – 8 program.

June 1984

* Fund raising begins to support the addition.
* September 1984
* Claud Agnello directs our second elementary classroom (6 – 9 year olds).
* Total school enrollment is 128 students.

September 1985

* Construction of a 4-classroom addition is completed.
* Wayne Blackburn begins directing an Upper Elementary classroom (9 – 12 year olds) with 15 children.
* The After School Program begins for the children of working parents.
* September 1986
* Total enrollment is 195 children, 3 – 12 year olds.

June 1989

* Total enrollment is up to 200 students, 3 – 12 year olds
* There are 4 Pre-school classes (3 – 6 years)
* There are 2 Lower Elementary classes (6 – 9 years)
* There is 1 Upper Elementary class (9 – 12 years)

September 2006

* Total enrollment has remained steady around 200.
* Our 35th year in the Lansing community!
* Renovations are complete and enrollment begins for our new Montessori Childcare Center, serving primary children already enrolled at the school.