Our Story

Peninsula Montessori School is the vision of Claudia Krikorian, who has dedicated more than four decades to creating a child-centered, authentic Montessori community in the South Bay.

Born and raised on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Claudia began her career in education after graduating from Loyola Marymount University. Her first years teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District revealed something that would shape the rest of her career: traditional classrooms often felt adult-driven and fragmented, leaving little room for the natural curiosity and independence of the child.

At the same time, Claudia was searching for a preschool for her young daughter. When she visited Piera’s Montessori School in Torrance, she encountered something that changed everything. The Montessori classroom was alive with focus, freedom, and joy — a holistic environment where children could learn at their own pace. She immediately recognized it as the right path for her daughter, and, after lots of involvement with the school, as her calling as an educator.

Determined to bring this approach to more families, Claudia earned her Montessori teaching credential and, in 1978, purchased the school. Under her leadership, the program grew to include Upper Elementary, ensuring a seamless Montessori education from early childhood through the foundational elementary years.

Today, Peninsula Montessori School continues to reflect Claudia’s vision: a close-knit community where children are respected as individuals, inspired to explore, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Her lifelong commitment has not only shaped the lives of countless students but also established Peninsula Montessori as a cornerstone of authentic Montessori education in the South Bay.