About
Our School
A community dedicated to raising confident, compassionate, globally minded learners through the timeless wisdom of Montessori education.
A Place Where Children Come First
Founded over 15 years ago, Montessori Academy was born from a simple belief: every child deserves an education that respects their individuality, nurtures their natural curiosity, and prepares them for a complex world.
Our school serves children aged 2 to 12 from more than 28 nationalities, offering a fully English-language Montessori curriculum that blends academic rigour with joyful, self-directed discovery.
Our prepared environments, trained guides, and rich learning materials create the conditions for children to develop independence, concentration, and a genuine love of learning — qualities that last a lifetime.
View Our ProgramsOur Core Values
Every decision we make centres on the child's wellbeing, dignity, and developmental needs.
Beautiful, ordered spaces invite exploration and support focused, independent work.
Children of different ages learn together, fostering natural mentorship and collaboration.
We celebrate diversity and equip children with the skills to thrive in an international world.
Meet Our Educators
Certified Montessori guides with international experience and a deep passion for child development.
Sarah Mitchell
James Okonkwo
Elena Sorokina
David Hartmann
Priya Sharma
Marco Ricci
What Our Families Say
"Montessori Academy has transformed our daughter completely. She used to be shy and reluctant to learn; now she wakes up every morning excited to go to school. The teachers truly see each child as an individual."
"As expats, finding the right school was our biggest concern when relocating to Moscow. Montessori Academy made the transition seamless. The international atmosphere feels like home."
"The depth of English language development here is remarkable. Our son arrived speaking very little English; within a year, he was reading chapter books. The immersive approach really works."
"The staff's dedication goes far beyond teaching. They communicate with us regularly, celebrate every small milestone, and genuinely love what they do. I recommend this school to every expat family we meet."
"Four years at this school and I can honestly say it is the best educational decision we have ever made. Our children are independent thinkers, kind, and genuinely love learning. The Montessori method, delivered this well, is something truly special."
Sarah Mitchell
Head of School · AMI DiplomaSarah has dedicated over 18 years to Montessori education across four countries. She holds an AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) Diploma for 6–12 and a Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of Edinburgh.
Under her leadership, the Academy has grown from 40 to over 200 students and has been recognised as one of the leading international Montessori schools in Eastern Europe.
Sarah believes deeply in the role of the teacher as an observer and facilitator — creating the conditions for children to surprise themselves with what they are capable of.
James Okonkwo
Lead Guide, Primary · AMI DiplomaJames brings energy, warmth, and scholarly depth to his Primary classroom. Originally from Lagos, he studied mathematics at UCL before completing his AMI Montessori training in Bergamo, Italy.
His particular passion is mathematical exploration — bringing abstract concepts alive through Montessori materials so that children develop deep numerical understanding alongside genuine love for the subject.
James is known for his extraordinary patience and ability to meet each child exactly where they are, inspiring confidence in even the most hesitant learner.
Elena Sorokina
Toddler Guide · AMS CertifiedElena specialises in the critical 18-month to 3-year window, creating gentle, beautifully prepared environments that support the toddler's enormous developmental work: language, movement, order, and social connection.
With a background in child psychology and AMS Infant & Toddler certification, Elena guides the youngest members of our community with quiet confidence and exceptional attentiveness.
Parents consistently describe Elena's room as the happiest place in the building — a testament to her gift for creating genuine security and joy in small children.
David Hartmann
Upper Elementary Guide · AMI DiplomaDavid brings the Upper Elementary classroom to life with a passion for history, science, and the great stories of human civilisation. His AMI training was completed in Munich, and he has taught in Germany, the UK, and now Russia.
His approach to the Elementary curriculum centres on Montessori's cosmic education — presenting the universe as an interconnected whole and inspiring children to see themselves as part of a grand, ongoing human story.
David runs the school's popular astronomy club and authors the Academy's quarterly parent newsletter on educational philosophy.
Priya Sharma
Arts & Music EducatorPriya holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Slade School in London and a Diploma in Music Education from the Royal College of Music. She joined Montessori Academy six years ago after teaching in schools across India and the UK.
Priya leads the Academy's vibrant creative arts programme — including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and instrument tuition — believing that the arts are not a supplement to education but its very heart.
Her creative workshops have won national recognition and featured in several international publications on arts in Montessori education.
Marco Ricci
Physical Education & Chess CoachMarco is a qualified PE teacher and former competitive chess player who studied Sports Science at the University of Bologna. He has coached youth sports and chess across Europe for over a decade.
At the Academy, Marco leads all physical education sessions, outdoor movement activities, and our celebrated chess programme — which has produced several regional junior champions.
Marco firmly believes that physical movement and strategic thinking are inseparable from academic development, and he brings this philosophy to every session he runs.
