A vision that still guides us.

For nearly sixty years, Countryside has been a place where children are known, respected, and inspired — through an authentic Montessori education that honors childhood and prepares children for a meaningful life.

Countryside Day School was founded in 1967 by Franklin C. and Annette B. Kulle, with a clear and enduring vision: to create a school where children would be known, respected, and inspired to become confident, compassionate, and capable human beings through an authentic Montessori education.

Long before Montessori became widely recognized, the Kulles believed that children learn best in an environment that nurtures curiosity, independence, concentration, and a genuine love of learning. They envisioned a school where childhood would be honored, each child would be seen as an individual, and education would prepare children not only for academic success, but for a meaningful life.

That vision continues to guide Countryside today.

What began as a small school with just 52 children has grown into a thriving Montessori community serving children from Toddler through Elementary. Throughout the decades, generations of families have chosen Countryside because they recognize that the values established by our founders remain as relevant today as they were nearly sixty years ago.

While education has changed in many ways since 1967, our commitment has not. We continue to embrace authentic Montessori principles, foster strong relationships between children, families, and teachers, and cultivate the qualities that matter most: independence, kindness, responsibility, resilience, and respect for others.

Nearly six decades after Frank and Annette Kulle welcomed their first students, their vision lives on in every classroom, every child, and every moment of discovery. We are proud to carry that legacy forward — preparing children not only for the next stage of their education, but for a lifetime of purpose and contribution.

Come see purposeful independence in action.

The best way to understand Countryside is to see the classrooms, meet the adults, and observe the calm confidence children develop through meaningful work.