About Meyer Montessori School

 Meyer Montessori School has deep roots in the Tempe community. The original Meyer School was built in 1965, and was named for Albert and Agnes Meyer. The Meyers were a husband and wife team who had served as almost the entire staff of Tempe’s Rural school starting in the 1920s. Albert drove the school bus and served as custodian, while Agnes taught grades one through eight during her 38 years with Tempe Elementary Schools. 

Meyer School served its neighborhood for decades until it closed in 2012 due to changing enrollment. The campus was reimagined and reopened as Meyer Montessori in August 2017, bringing a fresh approach to learning back to its familiar halls.

Today, Meyer Montessori is Tempe's only public Montessori school, serving families as part of the highly regarded Tempe Elementary School District.

Meyer Montessori serves children from preschool age all the way through elementary school. The Children's House program for ages 3–6 provides a curriculum that focuses on Practical Life Skills, Grace and Courtesy, Sensory Studies, Cultural Studies, Geography, Mathematics, Reading and Writing Development, and the Arts. For families with younger children, this makes Meyer an excellent starting point — children can begin their Montessori journey as early as age 3 and continue through 5th grade within the same educational philosophy.

As a public school, Meyer Montessori is tuition-free for kindergarten through 5th grade. The preschool program for 3 and 4 year olds is available at a significantly lower cost than comparable private options in the area. With the benefit of professional teachers, children who attend preschool at Meyer Montessori gain a significant head start in their education. 

Meyer Montessori has earned an "A" letter grade from the Arizona Department of Education, demonstrating that its child-centered approach produces strong academic results. Meyer Montessori is mandated to administer the same standardized tests as other public schools, so families can be confident their children are meeting or exceeding Arizona's academic standards — while also developing as curious, independent thinkers.

At Meyer Montessori, education doesn't stop at the classroom door. Family engagement and participation beyond the classroom fosters a learning community that nurtures the whole child. A minimum of 10 parent service hours per family is required every year. This isn't just a policy — it reflects a deep and well-founded belief that the adults surrounding a child are as important to their success as any curriculum or teaching method.

Research consistently shows that schools with strong, engaged communities produce better outcomes for children across the board. When parents are present and involved, children receive a powerful message: their education matters, and the people who love them are invested in it. That sense of being supported on all sides — at home and at school — builds the confidence and security children need to take intellectual risks, ask questions, and push themselves to grow.

Community involvement also strengthens the relationship between teachers and families. When parents volunteer in classrooms, attend events, and participate in school life, teachers gain a richer understanding of each child's home environment, interests, and challenges. That knowledge makes it possible to tailor support in ways that a more distant relationship simply cannot. Families, in turn, develop trust in the school — and children whose parents trust their teachers tend to engage more positively with learning.

Beyond the individual child, a strong school community raises the quality of education for everyone. Involved families bring skills, time, energy, and resources that extend what a school can offer — from enriched extracurricular programs to a warmer, more welcoming environment that benefits every student who walks through the door. 

Meyer Montessori PTO plays a vital role in community life at Meyer — organizing events that bring families together, raising funds that support programs the school budget cannot fully cover, and ensuring that every family has a way to get involved regardless of their schedule or circumstances. When you participate in PTO meetings, volunteer at an event, or simply show up to an event, you are contributing to something that directly benefits every child at the school, including your own.

Tours and open houses are available throughout the year. The best way to understand what makes Meyer special is to walk through the doors and see children learning in action.