the Bala House
At Bala House Montessori, young children discover themselves as creative, independent learners in a diverse, supportive Montessori environment.
Bala House Montessori was founded in 1969 by a Montessori teacher, Donna Powers, at the request of a group of parents who wanted a small Montessori school for preschoolers and kindergartners. Since that time, Bala House has remained an intimate learning environment where children are respected, the curriculum is challenging, and classrooms are welcoming and peaceful.
These founding principles of respect, challenge and peacefulness are an integral part of our mission today and have guided administrators and teachers as they have shaped Bala House over the years. In addition to teaching traditional Montessori elements in child-centered classrooms, staff model and teach positive social skills and caring values. Our diverse community encourages children to discover themselves as individuals and explore the larger world around them; our strong school-family relationships have contributed to the development of a very special learning community.
Today, Bala House occupies a new, state of the art facility adjacent to St. Asaph’s Episcopal Church at the intersection of Conshocken State Road and St. Asaph’s Road in Bala Cynwyd. Bala House Montessori serves preschool and kindergarten children in the greater Philadelphia area, including the city of Philadelphia, Lower Merion, the Main Line, Delaware County and New Jersey.
Bala House Montessori is licensed by The Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools and the Office of Child Development (formerly called The Department of Public Welfare). Bala House has a full license with the American Montessori Society.