Exciting News for Downtown Memphis: Montessori School Set to Open in 2025

Memphis is buzzing with anticipation as a new Montessori school is scheduled to open its doors in Downtown Memphis in 2025. This initiative is led by St. Patrick Catholic Church and aims to serve the educational needs of the local community while also honoring the legacy of one inspiring figure.

The school will be named the Sister Thea Bowman Montessori School, after Sister Thea Bowman, who was an African American nun known for her passionate dedication to education, racial harmony, and cultural awareness. For many, including parishioner Debra Brittenum, Sister Bowman’s work serves as a guiding light for this new venture.

Brittenum shares her admiration, stating, “She [Sister Thea Bowman] said, ‘I come to my church fully functioning.’ That’s what we as Catholic Christians and as Christians hope for our children… that they will fulfill themselves and know themselves to be fully functioning.” With this philosophy in mind, St. Patrick Church is committed to helping children grow not just academically but also spiritually and emotionally.

To kick things off, the church has received a generous grant of $80,000 to establish the school. Plans are currently in place to start with one class for children aged 3 to 6 years old, consisting of about 15 students. The goal is to gradually expand this offering to include elementary school grades in the future.

What Makes Montessori Unique?

You might think that having one class with children of such varying ages is an odd concept. However, this is one of the special features of the Montessori approach to education. Classes are designed to promote self-directed activities, hands-on learning, and collaborative play.

Marilyn Jenkins, the school’s lead teacher, explains, “There’s also more simple, practical life activities. There’s work for all ages. Then the really beautiful aspect of having that mixed-age group is that the 6-year-old can teach the 3-year-old. There’s that peer teaching, peer support aspect.” It’s this guidance and mentorship that encourages children to learn from one another, enriching their educational experience.

Faith and Community Focus

The Sister Thea Bowman Montessori School is not just a place for academics; it will also incorporate the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd religious teaching method. Similar to the Montessori philosophy, this method emphasizes hands-on, self-directed learning. The school’s founders want to create a welcoming environment where children from all cultural backgrounds are respected and included.

Importantly, the school intends to accept students from the surrounding low-income neighborhood, making education accessible through affordable tuition and scholarship opportunities. This aligns with St. Patrick Church’s long-standing commitment to social justice and education, promoting diversity and equity within the community.

A Legacy to Continue

The initiative to open a Montessori school comes at a crucial moment, as the Catholic Diocese of Memphis had previously run a program known as Jubilee Schools, which provided low-cost private education but ended in 2019. This left many parishioners hoping for a new educational endeavor to fill the void. Brittenum and other church members felt strongly that something beneficial for the community should take its place, and they believe the Montessori school is just the answer.

As plans develop, excitement grows among parents and community members alike. They are eager to welcome students into this new academic haven, which not only honors the memory of Sister Thea Bowman but also embodies her vision for a better and more inclusive future.

Jenkins holds a particular sentiment close to her heart: “I think the difference between me and some other people is that I’m content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make change. But, if each one of us would light a candle, we’d have a tremendous light.” This message underlines the mission of the school as it prepares to light the way for many bright young minds in Memphis.

The Sister Thea Bowman Montessori School promises to be a beacon of hope and learning in Downtown Memphis by creating an enriching and welcoming environment for kids and families. With a meaningful mission and a passionate team, the future looks bright for this new chapter in Memphis education.