Our Approach
Everbloom Montessori is a nonprofit Montessori school in Grand Rapids serving children from infancy through age six. Our approach to early childhood education is grounded in authentic Montessori philosophy and designed to support independence, concentration, and whole-child development.
We believe the first six years of life are foundational. During this period, children develop cognitive skills, social awareness, emotional regulation, and confidence that shape lifelong learning. Our Montessori education model respects each child’s natural curiosity while providing structured guidance from trained Montessori educators.
As a mission-driven Montessori school in Grand Rapids, we combine high-quality early learning with a commitment to accessibility, equity, and family partnership. Our goal is to prepare children not only for kindergarten, but for lifelong engagement as capable and empathetic learners.
Montessori at Everbloom
Montessori education is a child-centered approach to learning that positions the teacher as a trained guide rather than a traditional instructor. At Everbloom Montessori, our classrooms are carefully prepared environments where children are encouraged to initiate their own learning and progress at a pace that is developmentally appropriate.
Our Montessori programs include:
Infant Montessori program (3–12 months)
Toddler Montessori program (12–36 months)
Children’s House preschool program (ages 3–6)
Participation in Michigan’s Great Start to Readiness Program (GSRP) for eligible four-year-olds
In our Montessori classrooms, children work with hands-on materials that develop practical life skills, early math concepts, literacy foundations, fine motor coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Mixed-age classrooms enable younger children to learn through observation, while older children develop their leadership and collaboration skills.
Everbloom is a member of the American Montessori Society and is on the Pathway of Continuous School Improvement, working toward accreditation. Our implementation of Montessori education is aligned with national standards while remaining responsive to the needs of families in Grand Rapids.
Our Learning Environment
Our Montessori classrooms in Grand Rapids are intentionally designed to support independence, movement, and focused learning. The physical environment plays a critical role in early childhood education.
You will find:
Child-sized furnishings
Organized, accessible learning materials
Calm, orderly classroom design
Dedicated space for exploration and practical life activities
Children move freely within the prepared environment, choosing work that aligns with their developmental readiness. This structure fosters concentration, responsibility, and intrinsic motivation.
Our learning environment emphasizes both academic foundations and social-emotional growth. Children learn to care for their classroom, resolve conflict respectfully, and develop confidence through real responsibility. The result is a Montessori preschool experience that balances structure with independence.
Equity & Access
Everbloom Montessori is committed to expanding access to high-quality early childhood education in Grand Rapids. We believe Montessori education should not be limited by income.
Our tiered tuition model allows families across a wide range of income levels to access the same Montessori classrooms, trained guides, and educational standards. This approach supports economic diversity while maintaining program quality.
We participate in:
Michigan’s Great Start to Readiness Program (GSRP)
MI Bridges Childcare Assistance
MI Tri-Share Child Care Program
Through these partnerships, eligible families may access free or significantly reduced preschool tuition.
Equity at Everbloom extends beyond tuition assistance. We are committed to building a diverse learning community that reflects the families of Grand Rapids and prepares children to become engaged, respectful members of society.
Access and excellence are not competing priorities. At Everbloom Montessori, they operate together to create a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Join the Everbloom Montessori
Board of Directors
Everbloom Montessori is seeking committed community members to serve on our Board of Directors. Board members play a vital role in advancing our mission to expand access to high-quality Montessori education, support early childhood professionals, and build a strong, inclusive school community. We welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who are passionate about education, equity, and community-building. No prior board experience is necessary. If you’re interested in helping guide the growth and impact of Everbloom, we invite you to learn more and apply.
>>> Download the Prospective Board Member Packet Here
Our prepared and sensitive teachers are not only delivering a child-centered curriculum, they have a valued voice in leading the direction and growth of our community. They are the heart and soul of this cooperative learning community and we’re so grateful for the hard work and dedication they put forth everyday.
Our volunteer board of directors, made up of family members, staff and other community supporters. This group of folks are an integral part of making our program run effectively and sustainably. If you have interest in joining the Everbloom team, reach out to us at hello@everbloommontessori.com
Matt Van Sweden
Board President, Community Representative
Matthew VanSweden is a national expert in climate justice and regenerative design with over 20 years of experience in architecture, engineering, and construction. As Sustainability Lead at Progressive AE, he advances decarbonization efforts, sets sustainability strategies, and drives impactful, climate-responsive designs. With a BFA in Collaborative Design, Matthew is dedicated to fostering a healthier, more equitable future for communities and the environment.
Kate Robinson
Treasurer and Director of Partnerships & Growth
Kate Robinson is a co-founding parent and board member at Everbloom Montessori, with over 15 years of experience supporting startups, businesses, and nonprofits. As a Design Strategist and Partner at Further Degree, a strategy innovation studio in Grand Rapids, MI, she helps organizations translate their vision into meaningful impact.
Kate’s commitment to Montessori education is rooted in its potential to instill in every child a profound sense of self-worth and confidence, and the hope of fostering a generation of critical thinkers, unafraid to face the challenges of the future. Kate also served on the board of West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science in Walker, MI from 2014-2020
Emily Jacobson
Board Secretary and
Head of School
With 29 years in Montessori education, Emily Jacobson is a passionate advocate for early childhood learning. She has spent 28 years as a lead Montessori toddler guide and is American Montessori Infant-Toddler certified. As a founding director and Head of School at Everbloom Montessori, Emily is committed to creating inclusive, child-centered learning environments. She has served on multiple committees advocating for accessibility in early education. A mother and stepmother of five, her personal experience fuels her dedication to Montessori. Emily’s leadership and vision continue to shape Everbloom, making high-quality Montessori education accessible to all families.
Isis
Luna
Board Member,
Family Representative
With over 10 years of real estate experience, Isis Luna began her career in residential real estate in New York, continued in Los Angeles, and now focuses on commercial real estate in Grand Rapids, Michigan with Fancy Realestate. A bilingual professional, Isis uses her Spanish language skills to serve the Latinx community, empowering small business owners and local non-profits. As a parent and board member at Everbloom Montessori, she supports the school’s mission of providing an inclusive, community-centered education
Annie Cloyd
Board Member and Director of Education & Admissions
Annie holds a M.A.T. in Secondary Education and came to Montessori in 2012 as an assistant in the infant room at Stepping Stones Montessori School. She completed her studies for Infant/Toddler Certification from the American Montessori Society in 2020.
Annie loves working with infants and toddlers, and has a passion for working with new parents as a support to them as they move into a new and momentous life experience.
David Douglas
Board Member,
Family Representative
David is a retired teacher who spent 36 years serving children in public schools as a counselor, elementary teacher and administrator. He believes that children are our communities most precious treasure. Like tender plants they must be nurtured and developed so that in the fullness of time they become partners in the progress our entire human family.
Elly Barnette-Dawson
Board Member,
Community Representative
Ellie is a Non-profit executive leader with 19+ years of experience executing complex transformational strategies to target organizational goals and growth, building and cultivating high-functioning teams, and developing strong philanthropic relationships and programs that support institutional advancement. Her leadership style leans on respect, transparency, and deep collaboration.
Open Seat x3
Seeking Board Member, Community or Family Representatives
Everbloom Montessori is currently seeking to fill three open board seats for Family or Community Representatives who identify as members of the global majority, with a preference for individuals residing in the 49507 area. These board members will help guide Everbloom’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that our leadership reflects and serves the rich diversity of the communities we support. To learn more or express interest, please contact us at hello@everbloommontessori.com
“The teacher, when [they] begin work in our schools, must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal [themself] through work.”
- Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
Our Location
Everbloom Montessori is located at 1575 Jefferson Avenue SE in Grand Rapids, in a 15,000-square-foot facility designed to support high-quality early childhood education from infancy through kindergarten. Bringing all programs together under one roof allows us to provide a consistent Montessori learning environment while expanding access for more families across the city.
Our campus is just minutes from downtown Grand Rapids and easily accessible from US-131. We are located adjacent to the Seidman Boys & Girls Club, one block from The Rapid’s Silver Line stop at Cottage Grove, and along north–south bike lanes, making daily drop-off and pick-up convenient for families using a variety of transportation options.
This central location reflects our commitment to accessible, community-centered Montessori education in Grand Rapids.
