For Jones Valley families, the Montessori School of Huntsville (MSH) is about as convenient as a private school can be. We're a secular, nonprofit Montessori school founded in 1965, serving children from infancy through 9th grade. Our campus sits just 5 to 10 minutes away in South Huntsville.
Why Jones Valley Families Choose MSH
At the heart of MSH is a learning environment where every child is understood as an individual. Our small classrooms allow our teachers to take the time to know each student’s strengths, interests, and areas for growth, allowing them to provide meaningful challenges and guidance at the right time.
Our classrooms encourage children to think deeply, ask questions, and take purposeful action. Through meaningful work and real-world experiences, students learn to think independently, solve problems, and approach challenges with confidence.
A 2023 review of 32 studies covering more than 132,000 data points concluded that Montessori students showed stronger outcomes than their conventionally schooled peers across academic subjects and non-academic measures alike (Randolph et al., Campbell Systematic Reviews, 2023). Those findings reflect what many families notice when they visit MSH: children who are engaged in their work, comfortable asking questions, and confident in their ability to learn.
Many Jones Valley families come to us looking for more than strong academics. They want a child who's kind, curious, and confident enough to solve problems independently. Our Montessori classrooms reward focus and self-direction, creating innovators and critical thinkers.
Here's what Jones Valley families find when they visit MSH:
- Classrooms and outdoor spaces that invite children to explore, garden, care for their environment
- Credentialed Montessori teachers who guide students through individualized & developmentally appropriate learning experiences
- Small class sizes with multiple teachers present supporting instruction
- Support for diverse learners, including dyslexia programming included as part of the MSH experience
Programs From Infancy Through 9th Grade
As your child grows, their school should grow with them. At MSH, families can start in infancy and continue through 9th grade, building lasting relationships in a familiar community with a consistent Montessori approach.
The path starts with Montessori Mornings, our guided infant and caregiver program for babies from 6 weeks to 18 months. Because a child forms 700 to 1,000 new neural connections every second in the earliest years (Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University), this stage lays a foundation that everything else builds on.
Children then continue through Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Middle School, finishing with 9th grade, which you can reference on our programs overview page.
Minutes From Jones Valley
Our campus at 15975 Chaney Thompson Road is only about 5 to 10 minutes from Jones Valley. Families from Jones Valley and nearby McMullen Cove often find the drive to MSH to be an easy part of their morning routine. With a convenient location and a straightforward commute, getting to school is simple for many local families.
Our convenient location is just one part of the experience. Nestled among the trees and in the foothills of mountains, our nature-integrated campus gives children space to explore, garden, and learn outdoors.
Southeast Huntsville is home to many families who are building lasting roots in their communities. With mixed-age classrooms and programs that welcome children from infancy through 9th grade, MSH allows siblings to learn together and families to remain part of one supportive school community for years to come.
Affordability and the CHOOSE Act
A quality private education should be within reach, and Alabama's CHOOSE Act helps make that possible. MSH is an approved education service provider under the program, which places funds in parent-controlled education savings accounts (ESAs). For the 2026-2027 school year, eligible K-12 students at a participating school receive $7,000, and starting in 2027-2028 the program becomes available to all Alabama families regardless of income (Alabama Governor's Office, 2026).
To estimate what your family might actually pay, visit our tuition and fees page and our CHOOSE Act guide, where our net-cost calculator does the math for you.
What MSH Families Say
Parents consistently tell us their children thrive here. As one MSH family shared in a review, "Our children have had an amazing experience at the school. They love learning at their own pace and have far exceeded our expectations!" (MSH parent, verified GreatSchools review)
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is MSH from Jones Valley?
Our South Huntsville campus is only about 5 to 10 minutes from Jones Valley, making it one of the closest private schools to the neighborhood.
What ages does MSH serve?
We serve children from infancy through 9th grade, beginning with Montessori Mornings for babies 6 weeks to 18 months and continuing through Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Middle School.
Is MSH a religious school?
No. MSH is a secular, nonprofit Montessori school that welcomes families of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Does MSH accept the CHOOSE Act?
Yes. MSH is an approved education service provider, so eligible families can apply their CHOOSE Act ESA toward tuition. See our CHOOSE Act page for details.
Schedule a Tour
Since we're so close by, come see us. We invite Jones Valley families to tour the campus, watch a classroom in action, and meet our teachers. When you're ready, schedule a tour or begin the admissions process, and we'll help you move forward.