About us

Crescent Montessori School is an independent, non-denominational preschool Montessori school in Sonoma, CA.  We offer programs for children ages 2-6 in the Primary Class with half day and full day options, a Montessori After School program and summer camps.

Welcome

Whether you are meeting us for the first time or are a returning visitor, welcome and thank you for taking time to learn about Crescent Montessori School. Choosing a preschool for your child can be a daunting task. Through our website, the tour, and enrollment process, we hope to show you what Crescent is made of, and why we consider it by far the best education for your child in Sonoma.

Crescent is in its 32nd year serving children in Sonoma. We are proud to carry on the legacy of Dr. Montessori for the families and community of Sonoma. Dr. Maria Montessori is one of the world’s most respected educators, and her philosophy, often referred to as “Education for Life,” is practiced in over twenty thousand schools worldwide.

We create an educational choice based on a time tested and proven approach to learning that is unmatched for its effectiveness. It is the Montessori method that forms the root for the Crescent Difference, and which we look forward to sharing with you here, and when you tour.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Crescent. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our enthusiasm for our wonderful school.

~Persy Kreider, Director, in partnership with the CMS Board & Faculty

Crescent is Bilingual

Crescent Montessori School offers a bilingual program, incorporating Spanish throughout the Montessori curriculum. Our classroom regularly use Spanish in daily activities, songs, and lessons, creating a natural and immersive experience for the children.

By incorporating Spanish into daily learning, we create a rich, inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the community we serve.

Mission & History

At Crescent Montessori School, we value a learning experience that promotes confidence, individual responsibility, and a strong sense of collaboration. We foster in our students a love of learning that will last a lifetime. We endeavor to build long-term respectful relationships with parents as partners in the education of their children. These values therefore define our mission.

Our Mission:

• Inspired by the work of Maria Montessori, we work to provide the very best care and education of our students by continuing to create an authentic Montessori environment where each child is inspired every day in an engaging, dynamic learning experience as an aid to life.

• We support the parents and staff in our school community to achieve their highest goals by continuing to become lifelong learners.

Our History:

Crescent Montessori School has offered quality Montessori education for the children of Sonoma, California since 1994. Our school is located in the historic Sonoma Community Center, which was built in 1915 to house the Sonoma Grammar School.

The school year 2025-2026 marks the thirty-first year for Crescent Montessori School, formerly Vintage Country Day School.

In the thirty-one years since our founding, Crescent grew from a single classroom serving preschool students to multiple classrooms, a library, and music and resource rooms, serving preschool through middle school students at its peak by 2017. In 1994, Crescent was a primary (preschool) program with two teachers. As demand for an alternative to traditional and often ineffective educational practices grew, so did Crescent. In 2005, the school expanded by adding a junior elementary for kindergarten through second grade. In 2008, Crescent added a senior elementary, allowing the school to serve preschool through fifth grade students in the Montessori tradition. In 2013, Crescent further expanded to include middle school students. This history of growth and continuous learning reinforces the importance of Dr. Montessori’s understanding of child development: teaching children at their development level and understanding the characteristics of learners at each stage allows students of all ages to develop their ability to gain knowledge.

In 2018, Crescent faced major challenges to keep its doors open. With the possible closure of the school and the retirement of founder Karin Niehoff, preschool parents joined together to save their beloved school. As a result, Crescent refocused exclusively on serving preschool and Kindergarten children ages 2 to 6, continuing classes without interruption.

Since 2020, Persy Kreider has served as Director and Head of School, continuing to guide Crescent with a focus on academic excellence, Montessori principles, and the well-being of every child. Under this leadership, Crescent remains the school of choice in Sonoma, where children can learn and develop at their own pace in a prepared environment designed especially for them.

Accreditation

Non-Profit

Crescent Montessori School is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and managed by its Board of Directors.

State of California

Crescent Montessori School is licensed by the State of California Department of Children and Family Services. Crescent Montessori maintains a Private School Affidavit on file with the California State Department of Education and fully complies with all requirements of the California Education Code pertaining to private elementary schools.