STEP 1
Submit an Application
Get on the waitlist sooner than later, or check out a virtual tour first.
Fishtown Montessori is Growing!
Third Building Opening in 2026!
We are pleased to announce that Fishtown Montessori will be adding another building to our Marlborough St. Campus in the summer of 2026! We opened the second building at 1212 Marlborough St. in 2022, offering even more children the opportunity to thrive in an environment specially designed around how they naturally learn.
- Over 7,000 sq.ft. of naturally curated outdoor space
- Excellent teacher: child ratios
- Toddlers ages 18 months through 3 years old
- Primary Classes ages 3 – 6 years old
- Qualified teachers with Montessori training
Enrolling Now
Our Programs
Our programs are designed to provide children the most ideal environment in which to grow and thrive while offering parents extended hours that fit their busy schedules.
Toddler Classroom
Your child will grow more rapidly between birth and age three than any other time in their life. In our joyful and loving Montessori toddler classroom curiosity, creativity and confidence are nurtured and the inner drive for understanding becomes a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
Primary Classrooms
Your child will receive a learning experience designed specifically to help them reach their full potential. Our focus on intellectual, social, and physical development is manifest in this hands-on approach to learning.
The ``Kindergarten`` Year
During the first two years in our primary Montessori classroom children learn enough concentration and coordination to become independent in their actions and thoughts. In their third year, (traditionally referred to as Kindergarten), children apply these skills and take their learning to a level of mastery previously not attained.
Extended Care Programs
The extended care program gives children time to play freely and choose between a multitude of open-ended materials such as dramatic play items, blocks and art materials. They may use the time to work on any of their Montessori projects, spend time in our outdoor play area or may have the opportunity to visit the local park (if pick-up schedules permit).
Admissions
STEP 2
Attend a Virtual Tour
See for yourself why our students are so successful. You can attend before applying.
STEP 3
Visit in Person
Parents attend a small group or private tour, a required part of the admissions process.
STEP 4
Finalize Enrollment
Families are invited to enroll on a rolling basis when space permits. Waitlists are common, so act fast.
About Us
Fishtown Montessori was founded by a lifelong educator who brings a wealth of knowledge about early childhood development, teaching, learning, curriculum and educational administration to our center.
Fishtown Montessori is locally owned and operated and was founded in 2017 to provide children in the neighborhood with the highest quality early learning environment possible. Our research-based Montessori program follows the guiding principles of the American Montessori Society, which we have been a member of since our inception.
Our Mission is to nurture the curiosity and wonder that inspires learning so that children develop a deep understanding of the foundational skills essential to fulfilling their human potential. We are guided by the question, “What is best for the child?” and we’re rooted in the following values: development, integrity, respect, empathy, communication, and teamwork.
Along with providing an incredibly rich learning environment, Fishtown Montessori is geared toward providing consistency to working families and is conveniently located in the heart of Fishtown. We run on a typical school year calendar, with dynamic summer programs offered to provide full year care. Our natural Montessori toddler program serves children 18-36 months old and our two mixed-age primary preschool classrooms are for children ages three through six.
The Curriculum at Fishtown Montessori
Fishtown Montessori offers early childhood education that is a hands-on, child-centered, research-based approach to learning developed by the Italian scientist and physician Dr. Maria Montessori over a century ago. The traditional Montessori curriculum includes Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural Studies, encompassing history, geography, science, and the arts.
Outside of the traditional Montessori work period, our curriculum is elevated with methodologies from Reggio-Emilia, International Baccalaureate, and the Virtues Project. Children explore artistic mediums, display their artwork, explore in-depth units of study, and learn about character-building virtues. These methods compliment the Montessori approach and add depth and meaning to the learning.
Our trained Montessori educators carefully prepare an environment filled with hands-on materials that spark each child’s natural curiosity and drive for independence. Children engage in multi-age classrooms with uninterrupted periods of focused activity, allowing them to follow their interests and achieve mastery at their own pace.
COVID-19 Health & Safety
Safety, before everything else, is the most important part of childcare and we take this responsibility very seriously at Fishtown Montessori.
The Fishtown Montessori COVID Policy has become obsolete but, if needed, will return in the future. We are now exclusively following the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) COVID guidance.
More on Montessori
We love the Montessori approach to learning in early childhood because we believe it is the most supportive of a child’s natural drive to fulfill their curiosity through exploring the environment. Children love to challenge themselves. We invite children to find their next challenge and master it at their own pace, based on their own interests and curiosities. Fishtown Montessori values, trusts and cultivates this intrinsic motivation in hopes that our students will bring it well into their future to enjoy a lifetime of joyful learning.
Learn More
Interested in finding out more about Fishtown Montessori?
We’d love to hear from you!
Contact us here with questions about our programs, admissions, inquiries about career opportunities, or for any other reason.
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Administrative Team
Denise Spetrino
Founder, Head of School, Admissions Director
Denise Spetrino is a lifelong learner and educator and has had the pleasure of working with children and their families for over thirty years. She attained a Master’s Degree in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum from Drexel University in 2011, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education From Temple University in 2006, and has completed several Montessori education courses at Chestnut Hill College. Denise is currently enrolled in the Montessori Administrator Credential Program at West Side Montessori School’s Teacher Education Program in New York City. Denise is a certified principal and teacher, gaining certifications in Education Administration, Elementary Teaching K-6 and Early Childhood Teaching N-3 throughout her career.
Guided by the question, “What is best for the child?”, she opened the doors of Fishtown Montessori on E. Girard Ave. in 2017, and on Marlborough St. in 2022 in order to fill a need for high-quality early childhood education in the neighborhood where she lived for over fifteen years. Denise now lives in Wallingford with her supportive husband and two vibrant children.
Jamillah Meekens
Director of Operations
Jamillah Meekins has over 20 years of experience in the field of early education, including more than 8 years in school leadership. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Philadelphia and is continuing her education at Arizona State University, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Human Development.
Outside of educating young learners, Jamillah is a mother of three girls and two fur babies; a dog and a cat. A musician at heart, she sings and plays the viola and is currently learning to play the bass guitar. She also enjoys creating art and gardening in her spare time.
Sasha Feinman
Curriculum Director
Sasha came to Fishtown Montessori in 2022 after managing a start-up social and learning club for families called Cocoon, in Tribeca in the midst of the pandemic. Prior to that she spent 10 years as a bilingual lead teacher in various schools in Maryland and New York receiving her Infant/ Toddler American Montessori Society teaching certification. She has coordinated Twos programs and written curriculum for elite Infant and Toddler Montessori and elementary visual arts programs in New York City including an International Baccalaureate school in the Financial District. Coming from a multicultural family; mom is Peruvian and dads from West Philly, Sasha learned early the value of diversity, education and being surrounded by a warm caring community. Aside from being a passionate educator she is also a visual artist and current home renovator. Born in Philadelphia, Sasha returned to her hometown in 2022 when she bought a house in Manayunk with her partner, Mattias, where they live with their two cats, Koko, Toulouse and spicy chihuahua, Ginger. This year, Sasha’s daughter, Loki, joined the Toddler program.
Lead Primary Teachers
Joann Adams
Lead Primary Teacher
Joann is a lead Montessori teacher in the Primary classroom, currently completing her AMS Montessori training and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a degree in Criminal Justice, bringing a unique perspective on structure, responsibility, and community to her classroom. With three years of Montessori experience, Joann is passionate about guiding children through hands-on learning and fostering independence, curiosity, and a love of exploration. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she incorporates her love of nature, plants, and animals into her teaching, helping children connect with the world around them. Joann believes deeply in the transformative power of education and views each child as a catalyst for positive change in the world. One of her favorite Montessori quotes is, “We must look to the children as a vehicle for bringing change to humanity.“
Payal Shah
Lead Primary Teacher
Payal Shah comes from an extensive background in Montessori education and early childhood development with about 14 years of experience. She earned her formal degree in early childhood development from Adrian Montessori Academy in Michigan. Payal says, “As a child brings out a parent in a person, the children of my classroom brought out the teacher in me.”
Payal is dedicated to bringing out the best in your child, endeavoring to help your child find their passion, enabling them to dream big, and creatively engage them in its pursuit by providing them an environment for their overall holistic development as visioned by Maria Montessori.
Lead Toddler Teachers
Dyonna Heard
Lead Toddler Teacher
Ms. Dee has worked in early childhood education for the past eight years. Her connection with the Montessori philosophy began five years ago with the birth of her son. Through this personal experience, she fell deeply in love with the core tenets of Montessori education, particularly its emphasis on fostering a child-led learning environment and respecting the child as an individual capable of self-directed growth.
Her journey with Fishtown Montessori began in 2023 when she joined the community as an Assistant Primary Teacher. Ms. Dee was thrilled to transition into the role of Lead Toddler Teacher in May of 2025. Ms. Dee is driven by a strong commitment to creating an atmosphere that is both physically and emotionally safe, a true sanctuary where children feel secure enough to explore, learn, and flourish. She is deeply passionate about creating environments where children can authentically foster their independence, build strong self-confidence, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning through hands-on discovery and self-correction.
In addition to nurturing young minds, Ms. Dee is a proud South Philadelphian. Her personal interests include experimenting with new recipes, traveling globally, and reading.
Samantha Kulanko
Lead Toddler Teacher
Ms. Sam has worked with children for the last ten years and was exposed to the Montessori method when working as a nanny for several years. She was drawn to the philosophy and the way it inspires confidence and nurtures the child’s innate desire for learning, discovery, and social interaction skills.
Samantha is working toward earning her AMS infant/toddler Montessori certification at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education. She has a passion for art and exploring different artistic mediums with children and creates an inspiring and engaging learning environment that fosters creativity, kindness, and curiosity for the natural world around us!
After growing up outside of Philadelphia, Samantha now lives in South Philadelphia with her partner Mark, her two cats Albie, Gexter, and two bunnies Lucy and Lou!
Victoria Butler
Lead Toddler Teacher
Victoria Butler has been teaching in early childhood education and childcare for over 8 years as Lead Toddler Teacher, Lead Infant Teacher and Art Teacher. She incorporates holistic teachings with Reggio Amelia, Nature Based Learning, process-art,and open ended learning along with Montessori education. Ms. Vickie earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Rowan University in Fine Arts and Art History and is currently enrolled in a masters program at Eastern University and expects to earn a teaching certification in Early Childhood Pre K – 4th.
With an art and education background, Vickie loves to teach, learn, and be creative with her environment and students. She finds wonder and truth in allowing children to be the leaders in their learning and embrace creativity. Vickie values developing meaningful relationships with students, parents, and fellow educators alike. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, taking hikes through the Wissahickon Trails, doing yoga, and painting.