Southeast Alaska Friends of Montessori (SEAFOM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which was formed in 1994 by a small group of Montessori teachers and parents wishing to make Montessori education available to the children of Juneau, Alaska. Our membership consists of parents, teachers, and members of the community who wish to support Montessori education in Juneau. We receive funding from cyberschool allotments, grants, donations, fund-raisers, membership dues, and charitable gaming proceeds (per state law).
SEAFOM currently provides support and financial assistance to Montessori programs in Juneau for children from 15 months to 15 years of age. As of fall 2004, these programs consist of: (1) a private nonprofit school program for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, (2) a public school program for first through sixth graders, and (3) a school district cyberschool program partnered with private donations for seventh and eighth graders. Descriptions of these three programs follow:
The Juneau Montessori School (JMS) is a private, nonprofit Montessori school for toddlers through kindergartners. Housed in a city-owned building which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it serves approximately 55 students in an authentic Montessori toddler/primary program. It also serves 20-30 children in a summer camp program which focuses on outdoor recreational activities. JMS staff includes a director, a toddler teacher and two primary teachers, all certified by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI); one of these teachers also holds a State of Alaska teaching license. In addition, JMS employs eight staff members. Waiting lists exist for all classes, and expansion plans include the addition of a toddler class and a primary class.
The Juneau School District Elementary Montessori Program consists of three Montessori classrooms currently housed in two public elementary schools. Harborview Elementary School (HBV), one of six public elementary schools operated by the Juneau School District, houses two of the classrooms and, under a temporary arrangement, Glacier Valley Elementary School (GV) houses the third classroom. This program serves approximately 65 students in an authentic Montessori elementary program and employs three full-time elementary teachers and one part-time specialist, all of whom are certified by AMI and also hold State of Alaska teaching licenses. One half-time instructional aid is also employed. Expansion plans include the addition of an upper elementary class (for grades 4-6).
The Adolescent Montessori Program (AMP), a Montessori program for seventh and eighth grade students, is a partnership affiliated with the Juneau School District and SEAFOM. It currently offers an authentic Montessori adolescent program for approximately 20 students. It is housed in a privately-owned building in downtown Juneau and employs one full-time adolescent teacher who is certified by AMI, and one half-time teacher who holds a State of Alaska teaching license. This is Juneau's only alternative educational program for middle school students. Expansion plans include enlarging student enrollment, and the possible inclusion of ninth grade.
