A Half Century of Nurturing Confident Learners

For five decades, Childpeace Montessori School has guided Portland children from toddlers through 8th grade, helping them grow into thoughtful, self-directed learners who are ready for the challenges of high school and beyond.

Founded in 1976, Childpeace is Portland's leading AMI-accredited Montessori school. Our approach is grounded in a simple belief: children thrive when they are deeply known, respected, and given time to grow at their own pace.

Families look to Childpeace for authentic Montessori education guided by AMI-certified teachers on an urban campus with a greenhouse, gardens, and hands-on learning at every level.

See Childpeace for Yourself

We'll be in touch within 24 hours.

A Half Century of Nurturing Confident Learners

For five decades, Childpeace Montessori has guided Portland children from toddler through 8th grade, helping them grow into thoughtful, self-directed learners who are ready for the challenges of high school and beyond.

Founded in 1976, Childpeace is Portland's leading AMI-accredited Montessori school. Our approach is grounded in a simple belief: children thrive when they are deeply known, respected, and given time to grow at their own pace.

Families look to Childpeace for authentic Montessori education guided by AMI-certified teachers on an urban campus with greenhouse, gardens, and hands-on learning at every level.

See Childpeace for Yourself

We'll be in touch within 24 hours.

Our Mission

To empower children from 12 months through 8th grade to reach their full potential.

Our Vision

Developing champions of positive change, one child at a time.

Why Families Choose Childpeace

Portland's Leading AMI-Accredited Montessori School

Every Childpeace guide holds AMI certification, the highest standard in Montessori training worldwide. This isn't a detail on a checklist. It means your child's teachers have spent years studying how children actually develop, and they bring that depth of understanding into the classroom every day.

Five Decades of Doing This Work

Childpeace was founded in 1976. That's 50 years of learning what works for children, refining our approach, and proving that when kids are given time, trust, and real choices, they grow into capable, confident people. We've been here long enough to see it happen, generation after generation.

The Whole Child, Not Just the Transcript

Our work goes beyond academics. We focus on emotional development, independence, social responsibility, and a genuine love of learning. In an environment designed for hands-on discovery, children build confidence by doing real work with real materials. They learn to think deeply, collaborate, and take ownership of their growth.

A Portland Institution

Located in Northwest Portland, Childpeace isn't just a school. It's a community. Families who walk through our doors become part of something that's been growing for half a century. Our urban campus, complete with greenhouse and gardens, gives children a connection to the natural world right here in the city.

Graduates with a Compass

The results of a Childpeace education show up long after graduation. Our alumni are recognized for their intellectual curiosity, their ability to self-advocate, and their willingness to engage with the world on their own terms.

Childpeace graduates have gone on to become high school Valedictorians and Academic All-Americans in Speech and Debate. They've been accepted to premier liberal arts colleges, Ivy League institutions, major research universities, and specialized honors programs.

But these milestones aren't the point. They're the byproduct of an education that teaches students how to learn, not just what to memorize. Because they spend their years at Childpeace finding their own voices, our graduates approach high school and college with a genuine sense of agency. They choose paths that align with their real interests and advocate for their needs as learners.

Listen To Their Childpeace Experience

Schedule a Time to Meet with an Admissions Team Member

"Jay started at Childpeace when he was 18 months old. The Toddler Community Guide and Assistant foster his interests as they evolve with age and exposure to the variety of work in the classroom. The added benefit to spending three years with the same guide means someone really knows him, and can inspire, encourage and support his needs as they change year over year. From the moment I observed how quiet & focused the children were in the Toddler Room to the interactive dialogue on literature in the Middle School, I knew this was the place for us."

-Laurel MacDonald, Parent

From First Steps to Big Adventures

Our dedicated faculty and staff is truly what makes Childpeace Montessori School shine! Here at Childpeace, all of our highly skilled Guides are AMI certified and prepared to support your child’s natural development, building the capability to become productive, fulfilled adults who contribute to the world. Our faculty, administration team and operations staff all work together to create the best environment for children’s growth.

Toddler Community

12 - 36 months

Education at Childpeace begins with the joy of discovery. In our Toddler Community, children build confidence through purposeful activities that mirror adult work: preparing a snack, choosing a workstation, caring for their environment. With a 1:4 adult-to-child ratio, every child is deeply known. These aren't just early learning activities. They're the seeds of independence that define our graduates years later.

Children's House

3 - 6 years

The Children's House is a vibrant community of 3- to 6-year-olds who work together and learn from each other every day. In mixed-age classrooms guided by AMI-certified teachers, children develop independence, curiosity, respect, and a genuine love for discovery. They learn grace and courtesy. They experience the satisfaction of real accomplishment. It's where the Childpeace approach comes to life in its most foundational form.

Elementary

1st - 6th Grade

Our Elementary program spans six years, with a three-year experience in Lower Elementary (ages 6-9) and a three-year experience in Upper Elementary (ages 9-12). Students build on the independence and curiosity they developed in earlier years, taking on deeper academic work, collaborative projects, and real research. The three-year cycle means children aren't just moving through grade levels. They're growing within a community where they learn to lead, mentor, and take responsibility for their own learning.

Middle School

7th - 8th Grade

Childpeace calls the middle school years what they really are: a "magnificent adventure." In the Metro program, students don't just study the world. They engage with it. Through hands-on interactive studies, community involvement, and increasing independence, adolescents discover their interests, develop their passions, and find their own voices. This is where the Childpeace difference becomes most visible. Metro graduates leave as articulate individuals who know their own minds. They're ready for high school and beyond.

Fifty Years of Montessori Excellence Starts Here

For 50 years, Childpeace has developed children who belong: to themselves, to others, and to their community. We'd love to show your family what that looks like in person. Submit an inquiry and our enrollment team will reach out with next steps, including scheduling a campus visit.

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