Welcome to Rising Star Montessori
Welcome from Ann Rose Gavey, Co-Founder & Owner
Dear Rising Star Families,
On behalf of the teachers and office staff we want to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year. We are excited and happy to be returning and seeing your wonderful children. I am Ann Rose Gavey, the founder and owner of Rising Star Montessori School which has been in Alameda since 1982. I have been in the background for the past several years, supporting our staff. At this time, I will step in as the Interim Educational Director. In addition to being the founder and owner I have been a Montessori Consultant and Staff Trainer for the past 25 years. I hold a Master’s Degree in Education from Notre Dame de Namur University and Montessori certifications in Infant Toddler, Early Childhood, and Elementary levels. I have consulted at schools in southern California, Alabama, and Taiwan as well as schools in the Bay Area. I have observed a variety of schools that have adapted and grown to meet the current needs of families and I will bring my experience and insights back to our team.
As we face the challenges of the new school year, we are focused on the health and safety of our children, staff, and families. We have spent the summer preparing, researching, and planning the policies and protocols for the fall. Our team has worked closely with the Alameda County Public Health Department and the Community Care Licensing Division to establish our procedures for a safe re-opening. We completed a successful three week “Summer Camp” with three groups of children at High Street. Parents were pleased with the steps we took for safety and now we will expand the routine to accommodate five classes at High Street and two classes at the Cottage Campus.
Each member of the office team has a unique role. Ms. Sharon is the Admissions Director and Licensing Liaison. She works closely with our analyst for updates and new requirements. She maintains close contact with parents regularly to ensure you are kept informed. Ms. Sima is our Financial and Human Resource Director. She oversees the financial and personnel aspects of the school. Ms. Cassie is the Administrative Assistant; she supports the directors and teachers in facilitating the smooth running of the school. Together they have implemented many details needed to get us ready for the fall.
My purpose this year will be to support and guide the teachers so they can elevate your children’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Our aim is to return to the “normalcy” of our school however this must wait and until we can, our goal is to ensure the health and safety of everyone and to make sure the children thrive in this challenging time. I sincerely appreciate the support and confidence our parents have shown us, and we are grateful to our staff who express their dedication every day to your children. Together we will continue to adapt and fulfill the mission of the school!
Best regards,
Ann Rose Gavey M. Ed
Founder, Owner, and Interim Educational Director
News and Events
News

A Brief Introduction and Explanation of The Sensorial Curriculum and its Purpose in the Montessori Classroom
The Sensorial Curriculum is considered the second foundational pillar through which the child learns in the classroom, the first being the development of large and fine motor skills developed in the first pillar of Practical Life.
read more
An Insight into Dr. Montessori’s Materials and the Brilliance of Their Design
Dr. Montessori gave special care and thought into the design of her materials. She used the observation skills honed through her education and many degrees to design her materials to meet both the educational needs of the children and to allow for independent correction and success in the child’s pursuit of knowledge.
read moreSchool is OPEN for Monday, November 19th
Hello Rising Star families, The air quality index forecast for tomorrow will be in the red range as it was today. We will be open and will stay indoors. We will however cancel drive through for the morning and afternoon. We will check what the forecast for Tuesday is and will email everyone as soon as a decision has been made. Thank you all for understanding the decisions that are being made for the health of everyone involved. Sincerely, Rising Star Montessori... read more
Campuses
Today we maintain two campuses with a collective student body of 160 children.


High Street Campus
1421 High Street, Alameda, CA 94501 (Google Map)
Phone: 510-865-4536 Fax: 510-865-4538
Our High Street Campus serves children ages 2 years 9 months through the kindergarten year, and is also where our administrative offices are located. In addition to our traditional Montessori classrooms, this campus includes two playgrounds, an outside classroom, garden, art studio, computer lab, and our 7,000-book school library. We use the Alterena Theater for performances, assemblies and other special gatherings. We also make a great deal of use of Lincoln Park (one of the largest in Alameda) for physical education, special park days, independent study and our barbeques and picnics.
Cottage Campus
770 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda CA 94501 (Google Map)
Phone: 510-521-8940
Our Cottage Campus serves children ages 2 years 4 months to kindergarten. Our renovated schoolhouse includes a charming interior Montessori class, as well as a beautiful outdoor classroom. At the Cottage, children experience a smaller, more intimate setting, with all the same resources available at our High Street campus.
See Rising Star For Yourself
What Our Parents Say
Son really liked it there and didn’t want to move but he was too old to continue. Very supportive atmosphere for introverted kids.
John P.I searched high and low for a private school for my daughter. From Lamorinda area to Hayward This is the only school that met all of my high standards. From PreK to 5th grade this school is completely dedicated to the education, growth and happiness of each child.
Jessica M.I’m so glad I found Rising Star and recommend this school to anyone looking for a school that believes in community, child growth, parent involvement, and educational achievement.
Great SchoolsMy daughter has been going to Rising Star since she was 2.5 years old. She has learned so much at Rising Star both academically and socially. I feel very safe with her there and love the teachers.
Great Schools