MSMS was founded in 1981 by Mark and Kathryn Ross as a living memorial to Kathryn’s late parents, Elbie and Wilma Gann. Dr. Gann, former superintendent of the Aspen Schools and the president of CMC during its early years, was killed with his wife in a plane crash in Alaska in 1979.
After her parent’s death, Kathryn and Mark established the Elbie and Wilma Gann Memorial Foundation with Kathryn’s sister and brothers as the first board members. The Montessori school, a project which together Kathryn’s and Mark’s interests in early childhood education with the Gann’s interest in the welfare of the Valley’s young people, opened in September 1981.
MSMS is located in a residential area of Carbondale, CO just a few blocks from Sopris Park and downtown Carbondale. When Mark and Kathryn bought the property, they converted the garage into a one room pre-school classroom, “Mark’s Room”. By 1987 the school had expanded into two preschool/kindergarten rooms and one toddler room. Ten years later the school purchased the adjacent property and built another toddler room.
Every year on Mark’s birthday, April 22nd, we celebrate “Founders Day” to honor Kathryn and Mark’s passion for early childhood education and express gratitude for bringing the Montessori Method to this small mountain town. For that, this community will be forever grateful.
After her parent’s death, Kathryn and Mark established the Elbie and Wilma Gann Memorial Foundation with Kathryn’s sister and brothers as the first board members. The Montessori school, a project which together Kathryn’s and Mark’s interests in early childhood education with the Gann’s interest in the welfare of the Valley’s young people, opened in September 1981.
MSMS is located in a residential area of Carbondale, CO just a few blocks from Sopris Park and downtown Carbondale. When Mark and Kathryn bought the property, they converted the garage into a one room pre-school classroom, “Mark’s Room”. By 1987 the school had expanded into two preschool/kindergarten rooms and one toddler room. Ten years later the school purchased the adjacent property and built another toddler room.
Every year on Mark’s birthday, April 22nd, we celebrate “Founders Day” to honor Kathryn and Mark’s passion for early childhood education and express gratitude for bringing the Montessori Method to this small mountain town. For that, this community will be forever grateful.
