Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District, Student Services Office, 85 Wilbraham Rd, Hampden, MA 01036, US

HistoryThe Pioneer Valley Montessori Society was incorporated in June of 1964. The land for the school was donated to the society by Richard and Emma Anderson, owners of the land around the school that also included Camp Wilder. The first classes, with thirty-seven students, were held in Greene Hall at American International College in Springfield, and then at Christ Presbyterian Church, until a one-classroom building was constructed in 1965. On November 23, 1965, the school began holding classes at the current Parker Street site. In response to requests from parents, a Montessori elementary program was started in 1979 with ten first graders, and in 1981 the school undertook another building addition, adding three classrooms, the multi-purpose room and the kitchen. Starting in 1979, an additional grade was added each year for the next five years until in 1985 that group of first graders graduated 6th grade. We have been thoughtfully educating young children ever since.