Our History

A legacy of community and growth: the story of community montessori school

Community Montessori School opened its doors in Lexington, KY in 1970.  It was started by a group of parents looking to provide Montessori education for their children.

Humble Beginnings

In 1970, a group of dedicated parents in Lexington, Kentucky, had a vision – to provide their children with a Montessori education. Driven by their commitment, they secured a teacher, Elizabeth Heiman Farrar, and a space in the basement of Second Presbyterian Church, establishing Community Montessori School (CMS) with a single preschool classroom.


Janet Ashby, one of the founding parents, took on the role of School Administrator, a position she held until her retirement in 2012. The "founding families" went above and beyond, building tables and bookshelves for the classrooms, exemplifying the community spirit that would become a hallmark of CMS.

Rapid expansion

CMS quickly grew, adding a second primary classroom and an elementary classroom. By 1976, the school had outgrown its initial location, prompting the formation of a building committee. With the generous support of the ninety enrolled families, CMS secured a loan to purchase two and a half acres on Crestwood Drive in Lexington.


Once again, the community rallied, with parents contributing their time and labor to construct the new building, laying tiles, hanging drywall, and painting walls. In 1984, Jock's Gymnasium, named after beloved CMS father, grandfather, and former board member Jock Gum, was built, further expanding the school's facilities.

Embracing growth and change

In 1996, the Montessori Middle School of Kentucky (MMSK) was established as a collaborative initiative with local Montessori schools. Two years later, MMSK came under the governance of Community Montessori School, Inc., extending the Montessori experience through 8th grade.


Recognizing the need for further expansion, CMS purchased 13 acres of land on Stone Road in Lexington in 2004. This new property would serve as the future home for all programs, from preschool through 8th grade, and offer agricultural land to support the middle school's land-based curriculum. In 2009, MMSK moved into a new building on the Stone Road Campus, followed by the upper elementary program (grades 4th-6th) in 2014. The toddler community (18 months - 3 years) was added to the Crestwood Campus in 2015, providing an opportunity for children to begin their Montessori journey at a younger age.

A Unified Campus

In 2017, a significant milestone was reached when all Crestwood Campus classes moved to the Stone Road Campus, uniting Community Montessori School's programs from 18 months through 8th grade under one roof. This move marked the culmination of years of dedication, growth, and the unwavering commitment of the CMS community to provide exceptional Montessori education.


Today, Community Montessori School stands as a testament to the power of a shared vision and the collective efforts of parents, educators, and community members. From its humble beginnings in a church basement to its current state-of-the-art facilities, CMS has remained true to its roots, fostering a nurturing environment where children can thrive and reach their full potential.

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