History & Campus
“To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.”
― Maria Montessori
The Oldest Independent School in Boulder
Founded in 1964, Jarrow pioneered child-centered learning as the very first Montessori school in Colorado, born from a group of dedicated founders seeking a high-quality, holistic education for their own children. The school began as a single preschool class of twenty-one students, but enrollment blossomed so rapidly that by 1966, Jarrow invested in its future by moving to its current 3.5-acre campus in North Boulder. This move anchored the school’s role in Colorado’s early independent school movement, proving the viability of a progressive approach that prioritizes the education of the whole child. By its tenth anniversary in 1974, Jarrow expanded again to introduce the region's very first Montessori elementary program, cementing its reputation for authentic, experiential practice and earning prestigious, full accreditation from the American Montessori Society.
Today, Jarrow has grown from those original twenty-one students to a thriving community of nearly 200 children, serving toddlers through sixth grade. The school continues to evolve to meet the needs of its students, notably expanding its footprint in 2023 with the purchase of an additional space at 15th and Quince to house the growing Upper Elementary program.
Celebrating over six decades of excellence, Jarrow remains a vibrant cornerstone of the Boulder community, cultivating an environment where generations of children discover a lifelong love of learning.
Our Founders
James Scarritt, Margot Brauchli, Andor Toth, Gary Stahl, Christopher Brauchli, Florence Becker Lennon, Hardy Frank, Prudence Scarritt, James Frank, Margaret Stahl
Two Campuses:
One Connected Community
Main Campus
The Heart of Jarrow for our Younger Learners
Nestled on 3.5 acres in beautiful North Boulder, Jarrow Montessori School’s main campus offers a secure and inspiring environment designed to foster curiosity and independence for our preschool-third grade students.
The main campus features bright, child-centered classrooms each with a dedicated, enclosed outdoor patio and yard, allowing students to transition effortlessly between indoor work and outdoor exploration. We believe our learners learn best in comfortable, beautiful environments and our classrooms are prepared with right sized furnishings, dedicated bathrooms, ergonomic and varied work environments, and calming areas for reading and re-focusing. Beyond our classrooms, every corner of our campus is designed to support hands-on learning, physical movement, and environmental stewardship for our lower school students.
We welcome visitors onto our secure campus by scheduling a tour.
Main Campus Highlights
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3 beautiful outdoor playgrounds for active, age-appropriate play
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A new all-school amphitheater built in 2025 for community gatherings and performances
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A multi-purpose / movement room supporting physical activity and group events
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Dedicated art space where students can express their creativity
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A flower and vegetable garden where students gain hands-on environmental education.
Jarrow East Campus
A New Home for our Upper Elementary Students
Located just a few blocks from our main site, Jarrow’s new East Campus was purchased in 2024 to provide a dedicated, age-appropriate environment tailored specifically for Upper Elementary students. This expanded facility features larger classrooms and specialized areas designed to support the growing independence and academic needs of older children, and continues to improve with the dedicated support of our teaching and facilities staff, families and alumni.
The short, easy walk between campuses maintains a strong sense of unified community across our programs. To make daily routines convenient for parents, families with students at both locations can take advantage of simple single-location drop-off at the main campus; Jarrow staff walk with students over to the East Campus each morning and afternoon.
Families interested in our Upper Elementary programs can visit campus by scheduling a tour.
