Our mission is to provide an authentic, diverse, inclusive Montessori community where every child can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically in thoughtfully prepared environments led by trained Montessori guides.

Our vision is to nurture the next generation of confident, compassionate, and independent thinkers. We believe our Montessori foundation inspires a lifelong love of learning, a respect for diversity, and prepares children to be peaceful, responsible citizens of the world.

We value authentic Montessori, community, and nature education.

Midsouth Montessori was founded in 2022 by Josh and Santina Campbell, lifelong Montessori students and educators with over twenty years of experience at Maria Montessori School. Built on a deep commitment to authentic Montessori education, the school was established to bring a high-quality, child-centered learning environment to families in the Memphis area.

The program opened with no enrolled students and grew to 16 children in its first year through word of mouth and strong community connections. Since then, enrollment has steadily increased, reaching 34 students for the 2025–2026 school year and filling current capacity. What began as a single Primary classroom (ages 3–6) has expanded to include an Elementary program (ages 6–9), driven by strong retention and demand from existing families.

Midsouth Montessori is rooted in authentic Montessori practice. Classrooms are carefully prepared with hands-on materials that support individualized, self-paced learning. Children develop independence, confidence, and problem-solving skills within a structured environment guided by trained Montessori educators. The program emphasizes the whole child—balancing academic growth with social and emotional development.

A key strength of the school is its strong and engaged community. Families are active partners in their child’s education through open communication, classroom observation, and school events. This connection builds trust, deepens understanding of the Montessori approach, and reinforces learning beyond the classroom.

Just as central to the mission is a commitment to accessibility. Midsouth Montessori is positioned in the affordable end of the Memphis private-school market. Our tuition is below the Memphis-area private-school average and well below many independent-school competitors. This is not incidental—it is a deliberate decision to keep an authentic Montessori education within reach for more families while still supporting high-quality staff and programming. Tuition is approached each year thoughtfully, with the goal of balancing sustainability, teacher support, and family accessibility.

Retention is a defining indicator of success. Many families choose to remain with the program long-term and have directly influenced its expansion into Elementary. New families continue to enroll through referrals and reputation, with strong interest each admissions cycle.

Midsouth Montessori is positioned for continued growth. The Elementary program is expanding, and demand exceeds current space limitations. Future plans include additional classroom space and the development of an outdoor learning environment that supports hands-on, experiential education aligned with Montessori principles.

With experienced leadership, a clear vision, and a strong community foundation, Midsouth Montessori is building a sustainable growth model while remaining committed to delivering an authentic Montessori education.