Thank you for our interest in Children's House Montessori. Our school is accredited by the South Dakota Department of Education (SDDOE) and is an American Montessori Society (AMS) member school. We adhere to both state and Montessori learning objectives. Whether you are looking for a primary (3-6 years old) experience for your child or you are hoping to find a school that will serve you and your child through the 6th grade, we think you will be excited about the educational opportunities0 that CHM can provide for your child. 

Our Primary classrooms are multi-age with students ages 3-6. Children ages 3 and potty trained can choose from 3 Mornings or 5 Mornings per week. Children ages 4 and up can choose from morning only or full day preschool. We offer a full day kindergarten program. The teacher serving the kindergarten students holds both a South Dakota teaching certificate and a North American Montessori Center Primary Certification (3-6 Year Olds).

Our Lower Elementary program is for students in grades one through three guided by an experienced teacher certified by the SDDOE and the North American Montessori Center. Students in this class benefit from personalized learning in a home-like environment with lots of outdoor time and regular field trips.

Our Upper Elementary program is for students in grades four to six guided by two teachers, a Montessori trained and certified Upper Elementary Guide and a SDDOE certified teacher with a master's in secondary education. Students in this classroom expand their knowledge of math, science, and language arts using hands-on and project-based learning opportunities.

Mission & Belief

Mission
We will prepare a safe and nurturing Montessori environment while maintaining South Dakota Department of Education accreditation. Our classroom community, including our families, will be one where mutual respect and empathy are modeled and respected. We will meet all students at their individual developmental level and inspire them each day to reach their full potential – socially, physically, academically, and spiritually. We will encourage them to challenge themselves by highlighting their individual successes and assisting them as they refine their areas of difficulty. We will advocate for their individual and collective rights. Our classroom will be a joyful place where children can develop relationships and build self-confidence. Intrinsic gratification and pride in their accomplishments will be their motivation as they develop the love of learning. We will strive to make every day an excellent day for each student.

Belief Statement
Our belief statement articulates the basic tenet that:

• Children have the right to a safe, nurturing environment which maximizes Montessori learning
• Children are to be respected as different from adults and as unique individuals who are different from one another
• All children can learn
• Children will create themselves through purposeful activity
• Intrinsic gratification is its own personal award
• Education is a shared responsibility involving students, teachers, parents and community members
• Learning is a lifelong endeavor

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Message from the Director

Welcome to Children's House Montessori School and thank you for visiting our website!

We are proud to offer the Rapid City community a Montessori educational experience. Montessori provides a hands-on, interactive and individually geared education that gives students a strong foundation in problem solving, higher order thinking and an appreciation for the love of learning. When given tools to construct meaning to every day tasks, children will do incredible things!

Primary children learn how solve problems by trial and error, learn social skills and discover independence in a very concrete way; elementary students take those previously learned skills to a higher level and begin to think abstractly through comparing, inferring, analyzing and evaluating.

As you look to discover the world of Montessori, we encourage you to come observe a classroom. We think you will be amazed at all of the discoveries that are taking place with our children.

Thank you for your interest and we welcome you to come join us on our journey of learning.

- Ms. Michelle Kagarmanov

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Primary Guides

In Montessori, teachers are often referred to as "guides" because they are experts at assisting children in finding their own strengths and capabilities through the use of developmentally appropriate lessons and enticing, self-correcting materials.

Nikki Butler - Primary Lead 

Mrs. Butler started teaching at CHM in 2012. She is a certified Montessori guide for ages 3-6 years old.

Jessa Birkholt - Primary Lead

Ms. Birkholt is a certified Montessori 3-6 year old guide as well as a South Dakota State Certified teacher for grades K-5. Ms. Birkholt started teaching at CHM in 2021.

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Lower Elementary Guides

Echo Logan - Lower Elementary Guide

Echo joins CHM as the lead guide in Lower Elementary. She graduated from University of Idaho where she studied child development and family relations. More recently, she completed her Master’s in elementary education at Western Governors University.  Echo has worked in various child advocacy and family education roles in both Idaho and Alabama.​​

Kaitlin Klopfenstein - Lower Elementary Assistant

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Kaitlin joins CHM with a background in art education. She loves helping students discovery their creative capabilities. She is moving back to Rapid City from Utah where she taught art to elementary and middle school students. She loves spending time outdoors with her husband their two boys. 

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Upper Elementary Guides

 Parastou Ghazvini - Upper Elementary Guide

​Parastou started at CHM in 2013 as a Primary (3-6 year old) guide until obtaining her Upper Elementary Montessori Certification. Parastou has been instrumental in creating our Upper Elementary program.

Golnesa - Upper Elementary Assistant 
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​Golnesa started at CHM in 2021 and is a state certified teacher with her master's in secondary education. She is currently working towards her Upper Elementary Montessori Certification (expected completion May 2025). 

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Board of Directors

As a non-profit organization, Children's House Montessori is guided by a Board of Directors whose responsibility is to ensure that the school has adequate resources to fulfill its mission. Board memberships are available to those who have a passion for education and who are interested in helping guide a growing school. Reach out to the Board President if you are interested in serving as a CHM school board member. 

President
Ryan Ryder [email protected]

Vice President
Sarah Baron Houy [email protected]

Secretary
Sarah Brown [email protected]

Treasurer
Open position

Members-at-large
Stacie Lande [email protected]
Emily Ditlev ​[email protected]
Eric Martz  [email protected]