We are overjoyed to share some exciting news with our community! Maple Tree Montessori Academy is now an official partner in Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). This partnership represents a major milestone, not only for our school but for Montessori education as a whole. As an American Montessori Society (AMS) Verified School, we are proud to offer this incredible opportunity to families seeking a high-quality, authentic Montessori education for their children.
A Decade of Advocacy and Dedication
Our journey to becoming a GSRP partner has been over a decade in the making. From the very inception of GSRP, we recognized its potential to provide meaningful educational opportunities for children across Michigan. Our founder, Sue Cherry, a long-time member of the Child Connect for Family Success Board, was among the first to become aware of the program’s development. In 2012, alongside other members of the Michigan Montessori Society, we co-founded the Michigan Montessori Educational Advocacy Network (MMEAN).
This committee was instrumental in addressing critical challenges, such as ensuring authentic Montessori programs could be appropriately evaluated within the GSRP framework. Working closely with the State of Michigan and the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI), we emphasized the importance of:
- Montessori authenticity
- Teacher credentialing
- Creating pathways for authentic Montessori schools to achieve GSRP partnership
While much work remains to ensure Authentic Montessori Schools and Teachers achieve equitable footing within evaluative frameworks, Maple Tree Montessori Academy chose to forge ahead in collaboration with the Livingston Educational Services Agency to bring GSRP to families in our community. Over years of advocacy, dedication, and partnership, we have remained steadfast in upholding Montessori values while paving the way for authentic Montessori programs to be included in GSRP—a milestone we hold with great pride. We are also eager to assist other Montessori programs interested in navigating the GSQ and GSRP processes, fostering broader access to high-quality, authentic Montessori education.
Setting a New Standard for Quality
We are honored to be the first AMS Verified Montessori School in Michigan to become a GSRP partner. Additionally, we are delighted to share that Maple Tree Montessori Academy holds an “Enhancing Quality Validated” rating with Great Start to Quality and are on track to achieve the highest rating, “Demonstrating Quality.” During a recent assessment, evaluators praised our program as “amazing,” noting that no changes were needed at any level. This recognition affirms the excellence of our Montessori approach and the dedication of our incredible team.
Our Toddler Community and Elementary programs were also highly praised, reflecting our commitment to delivering a holistic, high-quality educational experience across all age levels.
The Pilot Program: Expanding Access to Montessori Education
We are launching a pilot program offering a limited number of GSRP spaces in one of our Primary classrooms. To maintain the integrity of the Montessori model, which requires a three-year age span in each classroom, we are carefully balancing the number of GSRP spaces with our overall enrollment. In a classroom of 20 students, we are offering just 7 GSRP spaces, ensuring that our authentic Montessori environment remains intact.
We anticipate that demand for these spaces will grow as the GSRP income caps are expected to be removed for the 2025-26 school year. Current students will receive priority for these spaces, and we encourage interested families to join our waitlist for future enrollment opportunities.
Supporting Families Beyond GSRP
In addition to GSRP, We also participate in the Child Development and Care Fund, work with employers providing Child Care as a benefit, and also are able to provide limited need based scholarships to our community. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting families in accessing the best possible education for their children.
Looking Ahead
We believe that the introduction of GSRP at Maple Tree Montessori Academy marks the beginning of a new era for our school and community. As we expand access to authentic Montessori education, we remain steadfast in our mission to nurture confident, independent, and joyful learners.
For families with younger children, such as those with children who will turn 4 by September, 1st in the 2025-26 school year, this program offers a wonderful opportunity to access paid preschool through GSRP. Children who will be eligible for the program during their 4-year-old Pre-K year, can experience the benefits of both state-funded preschool and our Montessori education.
We invite all interested families to learn more about GSRP, explore our programs, and join our waitlist for the upcoming school years. If you have questions or would like to schedule a tour, please contact us today!
Together, let’s celebrate this incredible achievement and look forward to a bright future for our children and community!