History of Sun Grove Montessori School

Sun Grove Montessori School, Inc. was organized under the laws of corporation of the State of Florida, on June 7, 1978.

Sun Grove Montessori School began in the Sunday school rooms of the First United Methodist Church in Port St. Lucie.

In the summer of 1978, parents, board members, and staff renovated a building on Dame Road in Fort Pierce that would be Sun Grove’s new home. There were 45 primary students and 15 elementary students.  The three original directresses received their Montessori training with Elizabeth Casparri,  who had been personally trained by Maria Montessori. 

In 1985 the Board of Directors decided to purchase five acres in White City. Two buildings were constructed – one held two primary classrooms and the other housed elementary classrooms.   Sun Grove opened the doors of the new buildings on September 10, 1985. 

In 1995, the Board decided to add an Infant/Toddler Program which required the construction of an additional building. While the addition was under construction, Infant/Toddler classes started in the elementary multi-purpose room. In September of 1995, the infants and toddlers moved into their new environment. 

In 2004, Sun Grove Montessori School purchased 4.78 acres directly across the street from the current location on Oleander Avenue.

In 2006, Sun Grove Montessori School sold that property, with the intention to use the profits from the sale in order to expand the school on its original property.

In 2007, the decision was made to add a Montessori Middle School Program. Middle School classes started in August, 2007, in the existing elementary multi-purpose room.  Three concrete classrooms were purchased, delivered complete, and set as one building on the original property, perpendicular to the current elementary building. One classroom was furnished and set up as the Middle School classroom. One classroom was designed to serve as the café and dining room for the Middle School’s business, “Wake Up, Montessori.” The third classroom is used as a multi-purpose area for classroom lessons and work, as well as, elementary before and after school care.

The current staff and students continue to thrive and benefit from the efforts of all the parents and staff past and present. The philosophy of Maria Montessori and the Sun Grove way of life remain as a constant in all our lives.