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Holliday Montessori School is a PreK-6 public school within Kansas City Public Schools. It is a signature school so applications are required. Holliday has a limited number of seats which are filled on a first come, first served basis. Students from throughout the district may attend Holliday, but since it is a Montessori school, students are not admitted after kindergarten unless they have prior Montessori experience. -
Which is exactly how Principal Bass-Barlow prefers it. She often gets hugs as she walks around the building. -
In the front office parents and kids are always greeted with a smile. -
A school nurse is on staff to keep kids healthy. -
As a part of Kansas City Public Schools, breakfast and lunch are free every day to every child. Students may bring their own if they would like as well. -
In the school library, students have multiple books to choose from and several seating options. -
Learners at Holliday Montessori often have guest speakers like the Mayor. When they come, teachers can bring their classes to this open atrium-like space in the front hall. -
In lower elementary, students are learning about classification and have shown their work, combining art and science, here. -
Holliday students are surrounded by learning opportunities. -
To keep her building in line with Montessori principles of autonomy and ownership, Principal Bass-Barlow uses whole child mediation strategies as her discipline method. She tells students to use grace and courtesy with one another when they disagree. -
Here is another one connected to the lower elementary side of the building. Holliday has 3 courtyards that are utilized as outdoor learning environments where purposeful and meaningful work occurs. -
Students can enjoy another outdoor space with play equipment. -
Students also help grow food in these raised garden beds through the same partnership. When these plants are harvested, students take the produce home to share as well -
These apple trees grow at Holliday Montessori and were planted through a partnership with Kansas City Community Gardens. When the trees bear fruit, students take the apples home and share them with their families. -
Here is another area where students can play outside. -
Here is another area where students can play outside. -
When it is time to go outside, this is one of the playgrounds students and teachers have to choose from. All play spaces are open for every class to use. -
When students go to gym class, they work together on physical fitness and team-building. Here, students cheer on their classmate as she tries to break the (one-handed!) push up record for upper elementary. -
This is the computer teacher. He says hello to students in the hall even though they don’t come to him until later in the day. Students at Holliday have uninterrupted 3- hour work cycle that occurs the first 3 hours of the day - the work cycles provides opportunities for the students to engage and develop high levels of concentration while working. -
In upper elementary classrooms (grades 4-6), students use technology to write research projects. These students are completing a report on climate conditions in the desert. -
Each Children’s House (3-6 year olds) and Lower elementary environments (1st - 3rd) has trained Association of Montessori International assistants in the classroom environments. The assistants received their AMi Diplomas this past May. This arrangement allows the lead teacher to work individually and in small groups with other students while the assistant can attend to the needs of other students. -
These friends opted to work together on a writing assignment. -
This student has found a quiet corner to do his math work independently. Small rugs like these are part of the Montessori experience and caring for them (and all of the classroom materials) properly is expected of all students. -
In lower elementary (grades 1-3), this teacher has pulled students for a small group lesson. The seating arrangements are flexible in every classroom to allow students choice. -
...while this student is identifying animals on her own. -
This Pre-K student has chosen to work alone on a puzzle... -
In the Children’s House environments, students are given the freedom to choose their work. Most lessons are presented individually to children while others are presented in small groups. Children have the choice to work with peers after lesson presentations. These young ladies are working together in a sensory center to explore their sense of smell. Classrooms at Holliday are well-equipped with official Montessori materials that are specific to Montessori learning. -
In every classroom, students are expected to enter and put their belongings away. In this Children’s House environment (mixed ages 3-6 year olds) students also stop to hug their friends. The home like environment fosters a sense of belonging and community for the students. -
Breakfast is free for every student at Holliday Montessori. When students arrive they eat in their classrooms with their peers. -
This upper elementary classroom is for grades 4-6. In Montessori programs, multi-age classrooms mean teachers can serve each student based on their ability and not their grade level. Students are in the same classroom for three years and have the experience of being the youngest, middle and oldest children. -
This lower elementary teacher waits to say hello to her students as they enter her classroom for the day. In Montessori programs, multiple grade levels are in the same class. Lower elementary means this class has grades 1-3 in the same room. -
Parents regularly walk students directly to class and greet their teachers. Students at Holliday Montessori are required to wear uniforms. These include khaki or navy blue bottoms with red, light blue, or navy tops. -
Staff on duty and LINC workers greet students and ensure they get to class. As a part of Kansas City Public Schools, Before and After School care is free for all students at Holliday Montessori. -
Many parents choose to drop off their students, but kids in grades K-6 can take the school bus to school as well. KCPS provides transportation to students who live more than a half a mile away from Holliday. -
Holliday Montessori principal KaLinda Bass-Barlow is leading the work as she and her team build a Montessori school of excellence. As a unit, they are working towards achieving Association of Montessori International Accreditation. The staff and Principal Bass-Barlow are currently AMI or AMS (American Montessori Society) trained or enrolled in AMI training. Principal Bass-Barlow understands the importance of being a trained Montessorian as the knowledge equips her with the tools to fully support her staff.
Harold Holliday, Sr. Montessori (PK-6)
School Leader(s)
KaLinda Bass-Barlow, Principal- NO Tuition
- No space available for 2019-2020
- Transportation provided
- Before and After-Care Available
Quick Facts
Our Mission
The mission of Holliday Montessori is to prepare the learner for life in an educational and social environment where each child is challenged to become a self-motivated learner by developing the qualities of self-worth, concentration, coordination and independence.
Points of Pride
- String Sprouts, a free music education program, is available for students starting in preschool teaching music education through hands-on playing of orchestra instruments.
- Each child is treated as a unique individual learner.
- Holliday offers a rigorous yet innovative academic program.
School Hours
- School Hours: 8:20 am - 3:20 pm
- Before Care Hours Start: 7:00 am
- After Care Hours End: 6:00 pm
School Details
- Year Established: Information not shared with SMKCS
- Total Enrollment: 330
- Specialized Focus: Montessori
- Affiliation: KCPS-Neighborhood
Tuition
- Tuition: NO Tuition
Our Demographics
Receive Special Ed Services
English Language Learners
Programs and Features
Specialized Programs
- Montessori
Arts Programs
- Instrumental Music
Sports Programs
- N/A
Clubs + Activities
- Chess Club
Family Engagement
- Evening Family Events
- Parent-Community Association
- Parent-Teacher Association
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Schoolwide Volunteers
Application Process
Application Details
Although many schools have application deadlines, most continue to accept applications for available seats on an ongoing basis.
- Application Open: December 5, 2019
- Application Close: February 14, 2020
- Kindergarten Cutoff: August 31, 2020
- Offer Date: March 2, 2020
- Residence: Students must live within the KCPS boundaries.
How to Apply
Submit applications online here or in person at the Board of Education building, 2901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109. Applications CANNOT be submitted at the school. Seats are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: Students are eligible for admission based on available seats. Students must be 3, 4 years old by August 31st to qualify for Pre-K.
Grades 1- 6: Previous Montessori experience is required for admission to grades 1-6. Families must attend a parent meeting upon student acceptance to the program.
Student Performance
Standardized Test Results
English
Math
Why It Matters
Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests are scored (or graded) according to four achievement levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. The number shown here is the percentage of students who scored Proficient or Advanced. When comparing scores between years, please remember that the test Missouri gives has changed several times.
Please note that private schools are not required to participate in these exams.
In 2019, the average English score in Missouri was 48.7%; the average Math score was 41.9%, source
Attendance Rate 90/90
Why It Matters
Schools strive for students to have at least 90% of their students have 90% attendance because kids learn best when they’re IN school.
In 2019, 87.3% of Missouri students were in attendance at least 90% of the time, source.
Third Grade Reading Scores
Why It Matters
Third grade is the important time when kids switch from learning to read to reading to learn and is an important benchmark for a student’s educational development.
In 2019, the average 3rd grade reading score in Missouri was 48.7%, source
Parent Perspective
Marvia Jones, Holliday Montessori Parent
Both of my children are thriving at HHMS! My oldest son is in the 1st grade (his second year at Holliday), and my youngest son began PK3 this year. We chose this school because the principal is driven to excellence, especially when it comes to ensuring that the school’s Montessori program is on-model at the highest level of fidelity.
The principal and her staff stay up-to-date on the latest teaching methods and social challenges that might impact students’ learning. She is also adamant about growing a strong culture of parent engagement at the school. There are so many ways that parents can be involved at the school–from creating art smocks, to working in the school’s garden, to constructing activity equipment for the school’s playgrounds!
The classroom environments are very peaceful and functional, which allow for students to select and complete class work that engages their attention. I am still shocked by the pace at which my oldest son has developed reading skills, as well as the creative methods by which my youngest son’s teacher guides him to early literacy and phonetics.
After a full day of learning, students who remain after school are engaged in enriching LINC experiences, such as Chess Club, piano lessons, violin lessons, art classes facilitated by teachers from the Nelson Atkins Museum, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and more.
We are convinced that we have made the very best decision for our family and we look forward to enjoying HHMS for years to come.