Don’t bank on it yet.
But a Montessori school may be in Westport’s future.
Apple Montessori Schools has applied for a special permit, and site plan approval, to convert the Bank of America building — next to Starbucks, on Post Road East — into a 2-story private school.
As a first step the Architectural Review Board will review the proposed addition, facade renovations and outdoor play spaces and pool at its March 18 meeting (7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 309).
The building has been vacant since Bank of America closed several Fairfield County branches, early in the pandemic.
This vacant bank building … (Photo courtesy of Google Earth)
Montessori is a non-trademarked method of education that emphasizes hands-on learning and the development of real-world skills, rather than formal instruction.
Montessori schools believe that children are capable of initiating learning, and that education should not be measured by grades or tests.
There are Montessori schools for children 14 months through 8th grade in Fairfield and Wilton. There is currently no Montessori school in Westport.
The building is in the Highway Service District, with a portion of the rear property zoned Residence A. Schools are permitted — subject to special permit approval — in the HSD and Residence A zone.
Interior renovations would convert the bank into a Montessori school providing “curriculum based early learning,” with infant/preschool programs through kindergarten.
… could become this.
The maximum capacity is 124 children: approximately 40 kindergartners, 60 preschoolers, 16 toddlers and 8 infants. The proposed hours are weekdays, 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dropoff and pickup times would be staggered.
On average, 8 to 10 staff members would be at the school during peak times.
There would be a small addition where the drive-in area is now, along with “new paint and materials for added visual interest and an improved aesthetic.”
Montessori also proposed enclosed outdoor play and learning spaces, and a small saltwater pool used only for preschool swim lessons in the summer.
The ARB meeting is the first of several in the town approval process.
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Excellent schools. Approve this application! We could definitely use this type of school in Westport
In the early to mid 1960s, there was a Montessori School on South Morningside Dr. as a matter of fact, we had the owners over our house for dinner one evening. Their heritage was from India. The school was in the large brick building set back off the street
I keep seeing low student scores on math and reading nationally. How are Westport scores?
How do Montessori schools deal with the cellphone in schools problem? (asking for a friend – initials are TS)
Eric, Each individual school might have their own rules. The school I referred to on Morningside Drive was independently owned and operated.
This proposed Montessori school’s eldest students will be kindergarteners so I don’t think cell phones will need to be addressed at this one. I don’t know how they control cell phones for schools that have older students though.
This would be a great addition to Westport and traffic shouldn’t be adversely affected since drop off and pick up times will vary.
Yes it was. The property was originally owned by Hugo Barthlomew. My great aunt was an RN and was the private duty nurse for he and his wife for at least a decade. What a chunk of real estate!!
Sounds like a fine idea. Possibly there are some negatives, but I am not aware of any.
I am a big fan of Montessori, however Apple Montessori is owned by a private equity firm and so this is not the kind of program that most folks are familiar with. The growth of private equity backed early learning programs in the country has steadily been undermining a very fragile early care and education system in communities across the country. The town should be very careful when supporting an early learning program that has a strong profit motive.