Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School
Jersey City, NJ
Independent school
Serving 44 students, 2.5 months–6 years
American Montessori Society member since 2014
In Jersey City, one of the most diverse cities in the US, a small Montessori school embodies the global community within its walls. The Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School (BLMS) brings together families who represent a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and abilities in a deliberately inclusive, bilingual learning environment. As BLMS enters its 11th school year, the community reflects on its unwavering commitment to delivering authentic Montessori education that embraces children from all backgrounds.
BLMS founder Myani Lawson is passionate about nurturing an environment where all children and their families can thrive. After an exhaustive search for a school for her daughter that would provide a firm educational foundation and access to a broad range of classmates, she decided to use her professional expertise to open a Montessori school that could welcome all children. “When we
consider diversity, we not only look at race and ethnicity. We also look at ability,” she says. “We know that the Montessori Method provides age-appropriate education for children of many abilities, including those who benefit from early-intervention supports.”
To ensure that low- to moderate-income families can attend, BLMS accepts Urban League daycare vouchers, and Friends of Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School organizes the school community and partners to raise All-Access Scholarships each year to make up the difference between the value of a voucher and the full tuition cost.
Universal access to sound early education is a foundational principle at BLMS. “Come on,” Lawson says. “We are among the number one most diverse cities in America. What’s the use of living in this area if we are not going to embrace it?”
With over two decades of experience in education and degrees from Lincoln University and Howard University, Lawson brings a wealth of expertise to her educational vision. Her diverse professional background—spanning roles from classroom teacher to educational consultant—ensures that Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School offers an exceptional, inclusive learning environment that celebrates the unique potential of every child.
January, 2025
Tuesday
August 26,2019
Awesome Job!
We have received your appointment and will send you a confirmation to your provided email upon approval.
Optimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
