The Mission Statement of Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy is
to provide the opportunity for all students to grow to their fullest potential cognitively, socially,
emotionally, spiritually, physically, and aesthetically.
Our Vision
The vision of Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy is to provide children and families with an education according to the Montessori philosophy and curriculum. Our focus is not only to provide cognitive education for our students, but to also model a commitment to creating peace and care for the environment for years to come. In theory and practice, we will explore how the traditional Montessori curriculum can be combined with current best practices in education as well as technological advances in order to develop a successful group of 21st century learners. At JBMA we treat each child as an individual, building on their strengths and abilities to become life-long global learners.
Our Core Values
Respect– We embrace with respect all students regardless of racial, cultural or religious background, gender or the physically or mentally challenged.
Peace– We create an atmosphere that will promote the development of peaceful individuals. All students will become committed to creating peace, and taking care of the environment in their homes, school, and communities.
Collaboration-We provide each child a foundation for a lifetime of learning by having multi-age classrooms and multi-level collaboration.
Independent Thinker– We foster students’ development of positive self-esteem; so they will become independent thinkers and accept leadership roles in the world of tomorrow.
World Class Faculty
Our incredible faculty and staff provide the students of JBMA with a one-of-a-kind education based on experience and best practices. They believe in creating classroom environments in all programs that foster peace, collaboration, and growth.
Through the past 37 years, Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy has transformed and established a long-lasting legacy in the way children are educated. Building upon the foundations of Maria Montessori, and with the consistent encouragement of a child’s self-discovery, JBMA has kept a singular mission throughout its three decades of existence: to provide the opportunity for all students to grow to their fullest potential cognitively, socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and aesthetically.
The Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy was founded in 1982 by Joseph Bruno and Theresa B. Sprain. Originally named the Whispering Pines School, the school began accepting children ages 3 through 6 to come and learn. The original campus included ten acres of beautiful wooded land, meadows, and a small house. A short time later, a small classroom building was built.
In 1983, Theresa Sprain received Montessori Certification and the school became Whispering Pines Montessori School. In 1984, Ms. Sue Richards joined her as a preschool teacher. Ms. Margaret Lewis, already a certified Montessori teacher from New Orleans, became our third preschool teacher in 1985. By 1989, enrollment had reached ninety students and a lower elementary/office building was constructed. and the first classroom for children ages 6 through 9 years old opened with twenty-two children. During this time, the school was renamed The Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy.
Major expansion occurred again in 1992 with the addition of new campus buildings and classrooms. In 2002, the middle school building was opened and additional land was purchased. The increased acreage allowed space for a running track, two tennis courts, beach volleyball, and an outside basketball court. In 2007, a ropes course was added to the wooded and pond area of the school campus.
In 2009, the Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy became accredited with the American Montessori Society. This accreditation allowed for Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy to be recognized for its high standards in education.
In 2013, Ms. Theresa retired after 30 successful years as head of school. Anthony Marino, who formerly taught in Bruno’s Middle School Program, is now JBMA’s Head of School. Below is a short documentary of Ms. Theresa’s ideas about the benefits of the Montessori Method and the impact this philosophy has had on the growth and development of JBMA. She was extremely influential in establishing a foundation at JBMA for long-lasting student success.