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Parkside Montessori
Parkside Montessori, nominated by an anonymous organization, is an elementary/middle school in San Mateo, California, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily suburban area.
Location San Mateo, California
Governance Public District School
Grades Pre-Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle
Students 450
Locale Suburban
Principal Nima Tahai
Demographics
Percentage of students*
20%
English Learners
18%
Free/Reduced Lunch
17%
Students with Disabilities
African American or Black 2%
American Indian/Alaska Native —
Asian 25%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 1%
Hispanic or Latino 22%
White 38%
2+ Races —
Why Parkside Montessori was nominated
Parkside Montessori implements a public Montessori model that is rooted in human development and centers independence and agency within a social community to foster a sense of purpose and collective responsibility.
Student experience design
Parkside strives to implement Montessori with fidelity in the public sector. Helping student develop independence, intellectual curiosity, executive functioning, and a genuine love of learning.
Core Practices
| Core Practices | Length of Use |
|---|---|
|
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery |
3-4 years
|
|
Multi-age Classrooms |
3-4 years
|
|
No Tracked Classes |
3-4 years
|
|
Project-based Learning |
3-4 years
|
|
SEL Curriculum |
3-4 years
|
All Practices
Assessments For Social-emotional Skills
Competency/mastery-based Education
Individual Learner Profiles
Restorative Practices
School-based Enterprises
Student-led Conferences
Student-led Goal Setting
Students Develop Projects
Career Prep
key reasons for innovating
Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools
Increase student agency
Respond to stakeholder demand or advocacy
Date Updated: 4/1/2026
*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.