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Montessori School in Palos Verdes — Authentic, Accredited, and Close to Home

For nearly five decades, families across Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, and the South Bay have trusted Peninsula Montessori School to give their children the strongest possible start. Our Palos Verdes campus, located on Hawthorne Boulevard, serves children from 18 months through 5th grade in a calm, purposeful environment where each child is known, guided, and genuinely challenged at their own pace.

We are one of a small number of AMS-accredited Montessori schools in Los Angeles — a distinction that means our teachers hold formal Montessori credentials, our classrooms follow authentic methods, and our families can trust that what we call Montessori is the real thing.

What a Day Looks Like on the Palos Verdes Campus

The Palos Verdes campus is a thoughtfully prepared environment — spacious classrooms with natural light, carefully chosen Montessori materials, and multi-age groupings that allow children to learn from and with each other. Mornings begin with independent work time, where children choose their own activities within a structured framework, building concentration and self-direction that will serve them far beyond the classroom. We also incorperate collaborative projects, outdoor time, and enrichment activities.

Unlike many schools where children are moved through a conveyor belt of whole-class instruction, here your child is seen as an individual. Teachers observe, guide, and challenge — rather than lecture.

Programs at Our Palos Verdes Campus

Our programs are designed to meet children at each stage of development, with a seamless flow from one level to the next:

Toddler Program — Ages 18 Months to 3 Years The youngest members of our community develop independence, language, and practical life skills in a warm, low-ratio environment. This is Montessori's foundation — and one of the most important investments a family can make.

Pre-Primary Program — Ages 3 to 5 Years Children in Pre-Primary develop reading readiness, mathematical thinking, cultural awareness, and a genuine love of learning through hands-on materials and discovery.

Transition Program — Ages 5 to 7 Years Children begin moving toward more abstract reasoning while still working with the concrete materials that make Montessori unique.

Lower Elementary — Ages 6 to 9 Years Children explore history, biology, geometry, language, and the interconnectedness of all life — guided by credentialed elementary Montessori teachers.

Upper Elementary — Ages 9 to 11 Years Students take on real leadership, in-depth research, and collaborative projects that prepare them for middle school with confidence, intellectual curiosity, and strong character.

Learn more about our programs

Learn more about our Curriculum

Why Palos Verdes Families Choose Peninsula Montessori

• 48 years of authentic Montessori education — we have been doing this since 1978, longer than any other Montessori school in the South Bay
• AMS-accredited — our credentials are independently verified, not self-declared
• Credentialed Montessori guides in every classroom, not just certified teachers
• Toddler-through-elementary continuum — no need to start over at a new school every few years
• Small class sizes with intentional multi-age groupings
• Spanish, PE, music, computer science, and enrichment woven into the regular curriculum
• Strong parent community through the Montessori Parents Association

Families We Serve

Our Palos Verdes campus draws families from throughout the Peninsula and greater South Bay — including Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Palos Verdes Estates, San Pedro, Torrance, and beyond. Many families choose us after visiting other options and recognizing that Peninsula Montessori offers something rare: genuine continuity of philosophy from the toddler years all the way through elementary school, with teachers who know your child over time.

Come See It for Yourself

The best way to understand what sets Peninsula Montessori apart is to walk through our doors. We welcome prospective families to tour the campus, observe classrooms in session, and meet our staff. Tours are available weekdays and fill quickly — we encourage you to schedule early, especially for the fall semester.

Book a Tour