Oak Farm History

“Only when I reflect on past roads taken, can I see the connection between myself and what was to become Oak Farm Montessori School. Traditional schooling never made that much sense to me, so I am sure it is with great surprise to those who knew me as a student, that they would one day find me starting a school, one I would teach, administrate, and lead to be a model of excellence. I would ask myself, ‘How many people find school meaningful? How many do well in our current system, and is it possible others would want something different for their children as well?’”

Lorene Salsbery Dekko, Founder

Education at Oak Farm Montessori School is based upon the philosophy and work of Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian physician and educator who developed her educational philosophy while working initially with children from low income families in the slums of Italy in the early 1900’s. Dr. Montessori’s discovery, that children teach themselves through their remarkable ability to absorb knowledge through meaningful work and from their surroundings, served as the inspiration and basis for her lifelong pursuit of societal and educational reform, curriculum development, psychology, teaching, and teacher training.