Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is set to open a new Montessori school in Madisonville this fall, adding more opportunities for its diverse student population. The Bramble Montessori Lab School will serve students from preschool through eighth grade, located at the Bramble Nature Campus on Homer Avenue. As reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer, this new school comes at a time when the district, which educates approximately 35,000 students, has a strong demand for Montessori education. CPS currently has about one in six students enrolled in Montessori schools across the district.
The new Montessori school is also a direct response to recent changes at Xavier University, where the Montessori Lab School will no longer operate under the Montessori model. Families from the Xavier school have been seeking alternative educational options, and CPS has stepped in to fill that gap. The new Bramble Montessori Lab School is expected to accommodate many of these students, ensuring continuity in their educational journey.
A legacy of Montessori education
Cincinnati Public Schools has long been known for its commitment to Montessori education, with its Sands Montessori School being the nation’s oldest public Montessori school. The district has built a solid reputation over the last 50 years for offering Montessori-style education within the public school system, a model traditionally associated with private schools. Montessori’s child-centered approach, where students learn through hands-on projects, encourages independence and self-directed learning.
Superintendent Shauna Murphy expressed excitement about the opening of the new school, noting that it would help CPS maintain its commitment to providing “authentic, student-centered learning” opportunities. As quoted by the Cincinnati Enquirer, Murphy said, “We are thrilled to welcome these families into Cincinnati Public Schools. Montessori education has been a cornerstone of CPS for 50 years, and this new pre-K-8 lab school at Bramble will ensure that students continue to thrive in an authentic, student-centered learning environment.”
What to expect at the Bramble Montessori Lab School
The new school will open its doors in fall 2025, with students from preschool to eighth grade. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bramble Nature Campus provides an ideal setting for the Montessori approach, emphasizing community and collaboration. In Montessori education, students often work in mixed-age groups and have the freedom to explore subjects based on their interests and readiness. It’s a learning model that promotes not only academic skills but also social and emotional development.
The district is hosting an enrollment session on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the Bramble Nature Campus. Families interested in enrolling their children in the new Montessori school can also reach out to CPS’ customer care team or visit the Education Center for more information, as reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer.
With this new initiative, Cincinnati Public Schools continues to strengthen its commitment to offering a wide array of educational opportunities to meet the needs of its students and families.
