A Montessori classroom for a holistic kind of learning.
location_on Maple Valley, Washington
Whole child education
At Grateful Grove Montessori, we practice whole child education—cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and linguistic development. Our program supports motor skills, language, and daily living skills while fostering curiosity, creativity, and independence for lifelong growth.
The Montessori Method
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Building Independence and Confidence
In the Practical Life area, children engage in hands-on activities that teach essential life skills like self-care, organization, and responsibility. These tasks—such as pouring, cleaning, dressing, and preparing food—help children develop fine motor skills, concentration, and coordination.
By practicing real-life tasks, children build independence, confidence, and a strong sense of order. The Practical Life area is designed to nurture self-discipline and prepare children for success in everyday life, fostering a love of learning and a deep sense of accomplishment.
At our Montessori school, we believe that learning through doing helps children gain the skills and confidence to take on the world.
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Sharpening the Senses and Building Foundations
Montessori Sensorial materials help children refine their senses by encouraging them to observe their environment carefully, make intentional choices, and engage their whole body in learning. These hands-on tools stimulate exploration and discovery through activities like grading sounds, color exploration, and building three-dimensional structures.
Through these exercises, children develop critical math and reading skills, such as order, logic, and sequencing, while fostering concentration and attention to detail. By actively engaging their senses, children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, laying the groundwork for both cognitive and creative development. -
Laying the Foundation for Literacy
Montessori language materials offer a carefully sequenced approach to developing essential literacy skills. Starting with vocabulary building, children progress through phonological and phonemic awareness, and on to early literacy skills.
Through hands-on, concrete materials, children learn to encode, decode, and explore blends, phonograms, and grammar—all while developing strong handwriting abilities. This method fosters a deep understanding of language, helping children build the critical foundation they need for reading and writing success. -
The Math area in a Montessori classroom begins with foundational skills like quantitative understanding and one-to-one correspondence, helping children grasp the concept of quantity. Through hands-on materials, children explore number recognition, odd and even numbers, sequencing, place value, and number operations.
This tactile approach allows children to develop correct number formation and build a solid foundation for all future mathematical learning, using their senses to understand math concepts deeply. -
Exploring the World Around Us
At our Montessori school, we provide a comprehensive education in science, nature, culture, history, art, and music, offering hands-on learning experiences across these rich areas. Children actively explore their world, discovering the differences between living and non-living things, plants and animals, and vertebrates and invertebrates.
Through the study of animals of the continents, biomes, and global celebrations, children develop a deep appreciation for the diversity of the world. In addition, they engage with history, exploring different time periods, historical figures, and key events that shaped our world.
Our art and music programs encourage children to express themselves creatively, fostering skills in self-expression, problem-solving, and cultural appreciation. Through music, children explore rhythm, melody, and harmony, while in art, they develop an appreciation for different artistic techniques and cultural art forms.
This holistic approach nurtures an understanding of the beauty in our differences, instilling respect for nature, cultures, and the creative achievements that have shaped our global history.
Meet your teacher
Robyn Atkins, a Montessori educator with over 30 years of experience, is excited to welcome you to her new classroom in Maple Valley. She is dedicated to creating an individualized learning environment that honors each child's unique strengths, with a focus on supporting social-emotional development and integrating nature and music to inspire creativity.
The Property
Nestled where Maple Valley meets Hobart, our 3 ½ acre family property provides children with peace, space, and a connection to nature.
The setting offers a tranquil and natural environment, away from the bustle of daily life where deer and elk often wander, and a variety of birds soar overhead. Overall, it serves as a quiet backdrop for learning and discovery. As we continue to care for and nurture the land, it provides an ever-growing space for children to connect with nature and learning.
20+ years of trusted teaching experience
“Mrs. Atkins followed our child’s lead with patience and love throughout his Montessori preschool journey. She took time to understand his needs and always strived to support him. He developed love for school and now exceeds expectations in his elementary school years and still talks about Mrs. Atkins often.”
“My experience with Mrs. Atkins has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has taught both of my daughters and has a remarkable ability to cater to their unique personalities. She encourages them to explore new ideas and instills a love for reading that has stayed with them. Mrs Atkins has a special way of making learning fun and engaging while allowing each child to grow at their own pace. I am so grateful for the positive impact she has had on my daughters’ educational journeys.”
Having had the pleasure of working alongside Mrs.Atkins as a colleague, I can confidently say that her passion for teaching is unmatched. She has an innate ability to connect with students of all backgrounds and abilities, making sure each one is given the support and encouragement they need to succeed. I’ve seen her work with diverse students, and the care and enthusiasm she brings to her teaching are inspiring. As a parent, I am grateful to have had her guide both of my daughters, watching them flourish under her guidance.”
“Right from the start, Mrs. Atkins and my child just clicked, a connection that instantly put this parent’s heart at ease! She’s not only genuinely sweet and a true believer in traditional Montessori, but her teaching style was just magic; my daughter learned so much and still talks about her with such fondness. That kind of lasting impact? That’s the mark of a truly special teacher. Any child who gets to learn from her will be incredibly fortunate!”
“We feel incredibly fortunate to have had Mrs. Atkins as the teacher for both of our daughters. She has a remarkable ability to balance Montessori academics with fostering the social and emotional development of each child. Mrs. Atkins took the time to truly understand our two girls, who are very different from one another, and built strong, trusting relationships with both. She met them exactly where they were, guiding each of them with personalized care and attention. What stands out most is her ability to nurture their growth as individuals, never trying to mold them into something they weren’t, but rather encouraging them to become the best versions of themselves. Even at 9 years old, our eldest still talks about her deep affection for Mrs. Atkins, and how she made learning something she truly loved. We are forever grateful for the profound impact she had on both of our daughters and their lifelong love of learning.”
“I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible impact Ms. Atkins had on my son’s growth and development during the time he spent in her class. As a Montessori educator, she fostered an environment of independence, curiosity, and respect, encouraging my son to explore at his own pace while still providing gentle guidance. From the very beginning, Ms. Atkins took the time to truly understand my son’s strengths, and areas for growth. Her personalized approach helped him thrive, both academically and socially. She always created a warm and welcoming atmosphere where he felt safe to take risks and learn from his mistakes. She incorporated real-life experiences and materials that sparked my son’s natural curiosity. Over the course of the time she was my son’s teacher, I saw a transformation in his confidence, problem-solving skills, and sense of responsibility. More than just a teacher, Ms. Atkins became a mentor and role model for my son. The values of patience, kindness, and respect that she embodied have left a lasting impression on him, and I am deeply grateful for everything she did to nurture his growth. I can’t recommend her highly enough!”
Transparent pricing for exceptional learning.
We believe in providing transparency into our tuition and program fees so that Grateful Grove families have all the information they need from the start to make confident, informed decisions about their child’s educational journey.