Our History
Embark on a journey through time with The New School! Our story began as a pioneering training center for Montessori educators in the late 1970s. By June of 1984, we transformed into The New School Montessori Center (TNS) and the North Carolina Center for Montessori Teacher Education (NCCMTE).
As our journey unfolded, we obtained our 501(c)(3) non-profit status and cemented our affiliation with the American Montessori Society (AMS). Join us as we continue to shape the future of education with passion and innovation!
Early Years
The school quickly outgrew its original site in Raleigh and relocated to Johnson Pond Road in Apex. Soon after, a second location was established on Rand Road in Garner.
In a move to consolidate operations and facilitate further growth, the school constructed a new, purpose-built facility at its current location on Sunset Lake Road in Holly Springs. Construction on this site ended in 1999 and classes began shortly after.
The building was meticulously designed with student comfort and effective learning in mind. It includes several features aimed at enhancing the learning environment, including ample natural lighting in classrooms, spacious interiors, gracefully-curved hallway layouts, a combination of carpeted and tiled areas within each classroom, and individual outdoor learning space for every classroom.
Furthermore, the use of neutral colors throughout the building created a calming and conducive atmosphere for learning. The campus itself was thoughtfully laid out to offer numerous outdoor spaces for children to explore and enjoy, fostering a deeper connection with nature and encouraging outdoor learning experiences.
New Facilities
In the fall of 2014, The New School embarked on its next phase of growth by reintroducing its Montessori Adolescent Program. To accommodate this expansion, an additional classroom was constructed behind the main building. This strategic move enabled the school to extend its programs up to grade eight, meeting the evolving needs of its student body.
In 2016, a pivotal moment occurred as The New School and the NC Center for Teacher Education underwent a formal separation, emerging as two distinct entities. With this transition, the school redefined its mission and vision, redirecting its focus solely toward enhancing its educational programs for our students.
This strategic shift underscored the commitment to providing an unparalleled educational experience for its children and students ranging from infants to 8th grade.
Expansion
In May 2019, The New School made a significant investment by acquiring two adjacent land parcels, expanding our property to over 11 acres of wooded and graded land, complete with trails and a creek.
This strategic acquisition lays the foundation for the future expansion of our school community. We are currently in the planning stages to erect additional buildings, including a dedicated community space, to accommodate the growing needs of our students and staff. Plans also include the installation of additional classrooms, an expanded parking area, and more outdoor workspaces with access to natural surroundings.
In collaboration with our parent volunteers, our Campus Improvement Committee is dedicated to establishing a network of trails and outdoor spaces that offer students enriching experiences and opportunities for growth.
Exciting development plans are underway as we embark on this new phase of expansion. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to evolve and enhance our educational offerings! In the meantime, please visit our Campus Improvement Page for current information on our progress!
Campus Improvement Project
The school is currently pursuing expansion initiatives to enhance our campus facilities. In addition to accommodating our current families’ needs for sibling enrollment, our expansion plans aim to create opportunities conducive to supporting students as they progress through all age groups within the Montessori program.
Please visit our Campus Improvement page to learn more! Scroll through the timeline below for detailed information on our ongoing projects and developments!