We are expanding our program!
Our expansion will include establishing an infant/toddler program to expand our Montessori continuum.
Big news from Shining Mountains Montessori School!
As of 2/24/2026 the Buena Vista Board of Trustees voted to move forward with our Memorandum of Understanding for Expansion into the Carbonate Street Child Care Facility.
This is an exciting milestone, and we are so grateful for the continued support of our community. More updates will be shared as they come - for now, we are celebrating this meaningful step forward!
We are striving to sustain and strengthen the Children’s House program with a comprehensive Montessori early childhood curriculum. We are committed to nurturing a thriving Montessori community that supports children from infancy through early childhood. By investing in programs, leadership, and educator training, we are building a strong foundation for the future of our school.
Our school is committed to expanding high-quality Montessori education and strengthening long-term sustainability. Our future goals include supporting strong student retention, highly trained guides, and continue to offer enriched program offerings.
A Community-Driven Expansion by Shining Mountains Montessori School (SMMS)
The Vision: From Desert to Oasis
Since May 2021, SMMS has been on a 5-year grassroots journey to address the childcare crisis in our valley. This project is a grassroots philosophy in action—a multi-tiered collaboration among a dedicated non-profit, the Town of Buena Vista, the Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF), and the Chaffee County Early Childhood Council.
The Impact: By The Numbers
The move into the Carbonate Street Childcare Center represents a transformative shift in local infrastructure, intentionally combining the high quality of Montessori education with the quantity of spaces our workforce needs:
48 New Licensed Spaces: Directly tackling the "childcare desert" for local families.
240% Capacity Increase: A massive expansion to serve Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers.
Continuity of Care: Providing families with a stable, long-term educational home from infancy through early childhood.
Economic Stability: Supporting the local workforce by providing dependable, licensed care that allows parents to remain in their professions.
Why This Project is Unique
Built on "Grit": This project is the result of years of blood, sweat, and tears by local educators and families who chose to stay the course for our community’s children.
Commitment to Accessibility: We serve families of all income levels and abilities, ensuring that high-quality early childhood education is a right, not a luxury.
Professional Dignity: Uphold Professional Legitimacy, Dignity, and Respect for working individuals who commit their lives to the Early Childhood profession.