The 2019-20 school year marks the Montessori School of Bowling Green 40th anniversary as a private,
not-for-profit Montessori school.
MSBG was founded in 1980 by Marie Pendleton under the name the Nazarene Montessori School, with half-day
programs for early childhood at the Nazarene Church. Full-day kindergarten was added in 1986.
In the summer of 1990 when the school moved from its church home into the Greenwood Center, the school’s
name changed to Montessori School of Bowling Green to better reflect the programs and services offered.
That same fall, the elementary and extended-day programs opened, followed by the middle school program.

In the summer of 1992, the school moved into its current facility at 515 Sand Ridge Road. Nearly 10 acres
were donated to the school in 2003, which facilitated the addition of classrooms to house new upper
elementary and multi-purpose rooms. In the fall of 2018, the toddler program opened for ages 18 months
through 3 years.
“As a parent and professional educator, I appreciate the excellent, holistic education students receive
at the Montessori School of Bowling Green,” said Executive Director Bev Bechstein. “This type of
educational setting is like no other I have experienced and thrives on mutual respect among students,
parents and staff. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of this wonderful education environment.”
The MSBG campus is situated on 14 acres of woods, meadows, paths and gardens. Each class has two
highly-trained teachers, and class size is limited to 24 students. Programming includes art, music,
physical education, world language, cultural sciences, and a tailored math and language curriculum where
each child’s ability is met and challenged.
“It has been a great to joy to witness the growth and thriving of hundreds of children in our Montessori
community” said Sue DiBiasio, who has been at MSBG since its inception 40 years ago. “Our alumni are
carrying the message of peace, kindness and service to others into the fields of healthcare, education,
business, the arts, the military, science and others. I feel deep gratitude to the founders of the
school, Marie Pendleton and Cheryl Samples, the children, families, dedicated staff, the board, friends
and supporters who have made MSBG a unique place for the education of peace.”
MSBG was the first school in Ohio to be accredited by the American Montessori Society.