In 1901, Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that children pass through universal phases of development, and she developed an approach to education based on those phases. This approach is still used today at the Montessori School of Greater Hartford, which is located in the Boatner Building behind the American School for the Deaf. The mission of the Montessori School of Greater Hartford is to "foster a strong foundation for confident, compassionate participation in the world by nurturing each child's unique gifts, passion for learning and independence. As a community we enrich families, live our diversity, and embody the Association Montessori Internationale's standards of excellence."
MSGH has four main programs: the Toddler Program for children aged 15 months to 3 years; the Primary Program, for 3- to 6-year-olds; the Lower Elementary Program for 6- to 9-year-olds; and the Upper Elementary Program for 9- to 12-year-olds.