About St. Peter's Montessori

    Our Story

    For more than sixty years, St. Peter's has offered the West Valley an authentic Montessori education rooted in a welcoming faith-based community.

    How it began

    From a mission to a community

    St. Peter's began with the founding of St. Peter's Mission in 1964, and grew as the community of Litchfield Park grew up around it — beginning in an apartment, then a one-room building that served as both church and school, before finding its permanent home in 1974.

    Over the fifty years since, the campus has grown to include a nursery wing and the buildings known today as Nido II, Children's House, and Elementary.

    St. Peter's educates each student to their full potential in an academically challenging and caring environment, reflecting the traditional Anglican appreciation of cultural and socio-economic diversity.

    Our school is a member of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), and in 2025 our Children's House earned AMI's highest distinction as a Recognized program.

    Dr. Montessori once said, "Establishing lasting peace is the work of education," and we believe our mission is to contribute to a world at peace, beginning with the child.

    A 1974 architectural rendering of the original St. Peter's church building
    The original St. Peter's kindergarten
    Our History

    Sixty years of growing together

    1964

    St. Peter's Montessori School established with 6 kindergarten students.

    1974

    Groundbreaking for the permanent church and school building.

    2001

    Nursery wing created; today it houses our Infant & Early Toddler program for infants and early-walking toddlers.

    2004

    Building A added on the west side of campus — today "Angelfish," a Children's House classroom.

    2010

    Buildings B & C added — today "Clownfish" (Nido II) and "Betta Fish," our second Children's House classroom.

    2025

    Our Children's House program earned Association Montessori Internationale's highest distinction as a Recognized program.

    2025

    Became the first Montessori school in Arizona recognized by the U.S. military's Purple Star Program.

    Today

    Authentic Montessori education for 120+ students, from infants and toddlers through pre-K, kindergarten, and elementary (6th grade).

    Tomorrow

    Serving the fast-growing West Valley with thoughtful campus expansion and enhancements that honor Dr. Montessori's legacy and St. Peter's campus.

    Our Community

    A peaceful place with deep roots

    What began as a single all-in-one building has grown into a warm, walkable campus in the heart of Litchfield Park — a place where families from across the West Valley and around the world come together to learn, grow, and belong.

    Who we are

    Mission, Vision & Values

    Our Mission

    To bring out the best in every child through the Montessori curriculum — guided by the traditional Anglican appreciation of diversity, inclusion, and open inquiry.

    Children working outdoors in a St. Peter's playground
    St. Peter's students working together
    Our Vision

    Children who grow into intrinsically motivated, compassionate, curious, and innovative global citizens.

    What we hold dear

    The values that guide us

    The whole child

    We nurture the whole child — academic, social, emotional, moral, and spiritual — because a person is so much more than a set of test scores.

    Diversity & inclusion

    In the traditional Anglican spirit, every family is welcomed and every honest question is honored. Our community spans many cultures, faiths, and backgrounds.

    Peace & kindness

    Peace education is woven through our days — from everyday conflict resolution to our annual celebration of the International Day of Peace.

    Independence & curiosity

    We help children discover their own capability and follow their genuine interests, building the kind of motivation that lasts a lifetime.

    Reverence for the world

    A deep respect for nature, for other living beings, and for the world's many cultures grounds everything we teach.

    Faith & formation

    As a faith-based school, we make space for faith formation and reflection — with a chapel and chaplain — while warmly welcoming families of every belief.

    Schedule your visit

    There's a place for your child here.

    Tours are filling for the 2026–27 school year. Spend a morning on our campus and experience the difference an authentic Montessori education makes.

    Schedule a Private Tour