At St. Peter's, we often say we aren't just a school — we're a family. And like any family, we're held together by the traditions we return to year after year. For more than sixty years in the West Valley, these gatherings have turned a campus in Litchfield Park into a genuine community. Here's a look at the rhythms of our year.
The International Festival
One of our most beloved traditions, the International Festival begins in the classroom, where each child studies a country of their choosing. Then the whole school comes together to celebrate — with performances, presentations, and tables full of dishes families bring from around the world. It takes countless hands to pull off: students who study and practice, guides who plan, and parents and grandparents who cook, host, and cheer. It's diversity not as a lesson, but as a lived, joyful day.
World Peace Day
Dr. Montessori believed that "establishing lasting peace is the work of education." We take that to heart. On the International Day of Peace, our students dress in white to symbolize unity, carry flags from around the world, and walk our labyrinth together while singing songs of peace. Inside, classrooms share items and stories from different cultures. It's a quiet, beautiful day — and one our children carry with them.
Life in the Garden
Three days a week, our Elementary students work alongside a Master Gardener in our outdoor classroom. They plant, tend, and harvest — applying earth science, math, and practical life, then bringing their bounty inside to cook and share. Watching a child proudly show off the tree they grew from a seed they found on the ground is its own kind of celebration, one that happens all year long.
Honoring Our Military Families
As the first Montessori school in Arizona recognized as an AZ Purple Star School, we hold a special place for our military-connected families — more than one in ten of our students. Throughout the year we honor their service with recognition luncheons, a "Purple Up" tribute, and Month of the Military Child events. Just minutes from Luke Air Force Base, we welcome families from across the branches and around the world.
Fall Festival, Parades, and Everything In Between
Our Fall Festival brings families together each autumn, powered by a small army of parent volunteers. We've marched in the Christmas in the Park Parade with our very own float. We celebrate teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, mark Dr. Montessori's birthday in every classroom, and find a hundred small reasons to gather in between. Summer brings themed camp weeks — Space Week, Ocean Week, and more — with guest visitors and hands-on adventures.
Why Traditions Matter
Traditions aren't extras layered on top of learning — they are learning. They teach children that they belong to something larger than themselves, that different cultures are worth celebrating, and that a community is built by showing up for one another. That sense of belonging is exactly what we hope every child carries out our doors and into the world.
Want to keep up with what's happening on campus? Follow along on our News & Events page, or come experience the community for yourself — schedule a tour and see what makes St. Peter's home.
