Special Edition
2025-26 School Year in Review
Dear Children's House and Compass Families,
What you'll find in this special edition of Waypoints is a story about people who believe in children.
It's a story shaped by guides who have chosen Montessori not just as a method of teaching, but as a way of seeing the world and who follow each child's lead with patience and genuine conviction. It's shaped by families who have made a deliberate choice to trust a different kind of education and show up for this community in ways that make everything we do richer. And it belongs, most of all, to the children, who concentrate deeply, form lasting friendships, and meet the world with a joy that reminds us daily why this work matters.
We are grateful to every one of you.
Warmly,
Michele Shane
Head of School
Graduates reflect on time at Compass Montessori Junior High at 8th Year Graduation
"As I prepare for the future, I know that many of the values that will guide me came from my years here at The Children’s House. Curiosity, independence, perseverance, and a willingness to learn are qualities that will continue to help me wherever life takes me next. Looking back, I’m grateful for the teachers, classmates, and community here that helped me develop those qualities long before I realized how important they would become."
- Lilah Gray, Traverse City Central High School Class of 2026
Lilah Gray is the recipient of the 2026 Braiden Voss Memorial Scholarship. She graduated from Traverse City Central High School on May 31st and will be heading to Michigan State University in the fall. She addressed the 8th-year graduates on June 3rd with words of wisdom, and we'd like to share a few quotes from her speech that stood out to us:
"One of the greatest lessons I learned at The Children’s House was how to be independent. Montessori education encourages you to take responsibility for your work, manage your time, and learn because you’re genuinely curious. At the time, I didn’t always appreciate those lessons. But when I entered high school, I quickly realized how valuable they were. While everything around me felt bigger and more overwhelming, I had already been given the tools to adapt, problem-solve, and trust myself."
"Perhaps the most important thing I learned is that success isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about being willing to learn as you go. As you get older, it can feel like everyone else has a plan and knows exactly what they’re doing. The truth is, most people are figuring things out one step at a time. You don’t need to know exactly who you’re going to become. You just need to keep showing up, working hard, and being open to opportunities you never expected."
Elementary Program Highlights
The Children's HouseBuilding Confidence & Creativity through an Immersive Theater Experience
Theater offers elementary-aged students powerful opportunities to build essential life skills, including confidence, communication, creativity, and collaboration. This winter, all lower and upper elementary students, faculty, staff, and specialists worked together to create and perform an original stage adaptation of Montessori’s first Great Lesson, The Coming of the Universe.
Students dove into research, exploring the historical periods in which their scenes were set: early human times, Roman civilization, the Victorian era, and the modern day. They investigated the animals, people, and climates of these times and places, deepening their understanding and enriching their storytelling.
Lessons and experiments engaged children in learning about states of matter, gravity, magnetic forces, hot and cold particles, how temperature and force affect states of matter, the life cycle of a star, the distance of the earth and planets to the sun, constellations, and more, while also enjoying sketching time and listening to Gustav Holst’s The Planets and George Crumb’s Spiral Galaxy.
Students enjoyed learning about many concepts related to the universe, including: states of matter, temperature, atoms, elements, heat, distances between planets and their sizes, combining solutions, and layers of the atmosphere. They learned about volcanoes, layers of the earth, effects of temperature, density of liquids, plate tectonics and types of plate boundaries, and seismic waves, such as shear and pressure waves.
Thank you for sharing your children with us and allowing us to explore - and create - the universe with them.
Cosmic Fair & Compass Convention
Our Cosmic Fair & Compass Convention on Friday, May 1, was a beautiful celebration of hard work, growth, and community. First through eighth-year students proudly presented their research projects, MMUN work, and Montessori lessons to Primary students and families. Thank you to our dedicated teachers for guiding and supporting each student, to our families for showing up with enthusiasm, and to our students for inspiring us all to remain lifelong learners.
6th Years Travel to New York City for Montessori Model United Nations
6th Years and Upper Elementary faculty traveled to New York City for the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) conference, culminating months of research and preparation. Throughout this school year, students delved deeply into global issues, including environmental protection, human rights, food security, conflict resolution, refugees and migrants, the advancement of women, and more.
At the conference, students joined international committees modeled after the United Nations General Assembly, collaborating with peers from around the world to draft and present thoughtful resolutions. Many shared that working together in these committees—debating ideas, building consensus, and presenting solutions—was the highlight of the experience.
Beyond the conference rooms, students built global friendships during Cultural Performance Night and Social Night, explored the Museum of Modern Art, experienced Times Square, and made unforgettable memories (including stories of pigeons, of course!). We are so proud of the confidence, collaboration, and global citizenship our students demonstrated on this incredible journey.
Piano Lab Funded by Daffodil Circle
We are incredibly grateful to the Daffodil Circle for funding our new Piano Lab and helping bring more opportunities for creativity, learning, and connection to our community. Thank you for investing in programs that make a meaningful impact.
Mental Health Program equips students, educators, and families with mental fitness tools that build greater emotional literacy
Blurb from Jen.
The Children's HousePrimary Community
A Day in the Life of a Primary Student (Ages 3-6) by Kristi Johnson, Feb 2026
When people imagine a Montessori Primary classroom, they often picture small children quietly working with beautiful materials. While that image isn’t wrong, it barely scratches the surface of what truly unfolds each day. A Primary environment is alive, humming with purpose, curiosity, movement, connection, and, yes, a little bit of chaos sprinkled throughout.
This is a space where independence is practiced in a thousand small ways, where learning is not rushed or forced, and where children are trusted to follow an inner drive toward growth. It is a place where a three-year-old learns to pour water with care, a four-year-old writes their first word, and a five-year-old steps confidently into the role of leader, all within the same morning.
A day in Primary is not defined by a clock (unless it is gym day) so much as by rhythm. There are long stretches of uninterrupted work, moments of deep concentration, bursts of joyful collaboration, and quiet pauses for rest and reflection. Social learning happens alongside academic discovery, and emotional growth is honored just as much as intellectual achievement.
Growing Together by Megan Fellows, Nov 2025
When I think about The Children’s House, one simple truth comes to mind: this place is me.
I was a Montessori child. Like so many of our students, I had the freedom to move, to ask questions, and to explore things deeply without someone rushing me to the “right” answer. That early experience shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand until much later.
As an adult, I became a traditional teacher. I stepped into that world because I loved children, but something didn’t feel right. I found myself constantly pushing against the structure. I was rushing children, correcting them, and silencing their curiosity so we could “stay on schedule.” Eventually, I realized that everything I knew about children and how they truly learn, I could not do in that setting.
Building Community Among Students, Families, and Across Generations
The Children's House
Maple and Thistle, Education for Peace by Taylor Vancil, May 2026
"Everyone talks about peace, but no one educates for peace. In this world, they educate for competition, and competition is the beginning of any war. When educating to cooperate and owe each other solidarity, that day we will be educating for peace." -Maria Montessori, Education and Peace, 1949
The children of Maple and Thistle are not simply spending time together. They are learning to truly see one another. And in doing so, they are creating the kind of world Maria Montessori imagined. A world built not on competition, but on cooperation, dignity, and peace.
Parents' Journey Through Time and Space at Our All-School Educational Night
Montessori Up Close: Partnering with You to Raise Lifelong Learners
November 2025
We developed a new approach to sharing with parents how the Montessori philosophy comes to life in our classrooms. On Tuesday evening, participants explored the classrooms, manipulating the materials and reading descriptions of their purpose. The guides explained how they inspire and connect with children in their learning at every level. Small group reflection and socializing had a positive vibe. A few takeaways from participants:
“I appreciated hearing how a lesson might be tailored to the age group it’s presented to, with thought around what concepts are still developing in their minds.”
“The elementary story was really passionate and wonderful - I felt so engaged and eager to hear more!”
“In the Primary classroom, there was a station where the children could sit together and have a conversation with one another. Especially in the times of smartphones, social media, etc., it’s more important than ever to instill and foster this foundational skill.”
“To be able to see and manipulate the materials and to read how each material relates to a specific subject was a very helpful way to see what my child might be experiencing academically in the future."
Elementary Students Visit Our Neighbors, Meadow Valley Senior Living, Throughout the School-Year
Community Beyond the Classroom
This past school year, a new partnership took root. After Alexandra, Jane, and Estelle introduced the idea to CHiPA (Children's House Parent Association) in November, elementary students began visiting our neighbors at Meadow Valley — joining residents for crafts and puzzles, guided by a dedicated parent volunteer. By year's end, they'd shared 17 visits together, building something quietly meaningful: connections across generations.
At the Dance of the Cosmos Closing Ceremony, we said farewell to a family that has been at our school for 30 years! McKeel Hagerty made a guest appearance as a comet and said a few words to close the ceremony.
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- McKeel Hagerty
Dance of the Cosmos
Our community showed up to celebrate our learners despite the rain!
The Eileen Mikulski Exemplary Volunteer Award
The Eileen Mikulski Exemplary Volunteer Award
During the Dance of the Cosmos celebration, Rob and Renee Mittelstaedt were recognized and thanked for their outstanding volunteerism in support of our school over the last twelve years.
Bright Futures on the Fairway Golf Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first annual golf outing! Together, our incredible community raised more than $55,000 for the Bright Futures Fund in support of the students and teachers at The Children’s House.
A heartfelt thank you to our leading sponsors for helping make the day such a success; Northwestern Michigan Dermatology and Events North and our supporting sponsors; Form Modern Pilates, Independent Bank, Rehmann, and Cherry Capital Airport.
By the Numbers86
Junior High graduates since the first 8th-year graduated ten years ago in 2016.
17
Visits to Meadow Valley involved 59 elementary students, 15 chaperones, and 1 special Halloween visit by both upper elementary classrooms.
3,820+
19
262
Children attended our school, ranging in age from 3 months to 14 years.
71
Adults worked as faculty, classroom staff, specialists, administrators, operations staff, and part-time substitutes.
Miles traveled by the Compass Montessori Junior High students and guides by foot, van, ferry, train, and airplane.
80+
Volunteers supported our school on campus and off with special events, grounds work bees, office tasks, and with children.
United Nations topics studied for the Montessori Model United Nations, representing four countries.
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