Perth Montessori is an independent, co-educational school located in Burswood, just south of Perth’s CBD and the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) on Whadjuk Boodja. Established in 1980, Perth Montessori has a long and proud history of offering high-quality, Montessori education and the Big Picture Pathway to children from birth to 18 years.

Our Vision

Encouraging curious, independent, lifelong learners. To empower our children in an environment based on the values of resilience and respect.

Our Approach

Following the Montessori National Curriculum and Western Australian Curriculum, we provide a multi-age, prepared environment that encourages students to feel valued, safe and secure. Students are encouraged to become independent learners, problem solvers, and critical thinkers who can take initiative and responsibly make their own decisions in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

School Structure and Organisation

Perth Montessori is an independent school operated by Perth Montessori School Inc., a not-for-profit association incorporated in Western Australia. Please refer to the Governance page for more information on our school’s structure and management.

Our History

The school began in 1980 as the Victoria Park Montessori Playgroup, with Anne Zekas as Principal. In 1982 it became known as the Montessori Children’s Centre with the opening of the first Children’s House, Hibiscus. The Centre expanded throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, increasing the size of its primary education facilities and obtaining a second property, which now houses Playgroup and a music room.

In 2000, Gary Pears joined the School as the Principal and the Centre changed its name to the Perth Montessori School Inc.

The school again expanded in 2006 acquiring an adjoining property on Burswood Road, which now houses the Administration and Adolescent Program. The school first began accepting secondary enrolments in 2007.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Perth Montessori.

We hope that children and adolescents from playgroup to high school will thrive in our inclusive, personalised, small school environment.

At Perth Montessori our core purpose is to empower children in an environment based on the values of resilience and respect. Every day in the prepared environment of our Montessori classrooms, our educators strive to realise our shared vision through their child-centred work; encouraging and nurturing students to grow as curious, independent, lifelong learners.

The culture of our classrooms is based on a strong belief in the potential of every student to learn at their own pace, so long as they are treated with respect and given opportunities to discover their passions and acquire skills within a supportive and caring environment. Students are given freedom with responsibility, allowing them to make their own choices but also learn how to take responsibility for these.

Montessori children learn how to learn for themselves from a young age. They are empowered to find their voice and explore their interests under the supportive guidance of the Montessori Director. Our children are uniquely well prepared for what we expect to be an uncertain future.

As you explore this website, I hope that you learn more about our school and about the Montessori philosophy that underpins it. I invite you to reach out to us for further information or to book a tour.

To stay up-to-date with school news and special events, such as open days and parent education sessions, please connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.

I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming your child, and you, to our Perth Montessori community soon.

Sally Alderton

Principal

B.A. (History), Grad. Dip. Ed. (Primary), Grad. Cert. of Ed. (Educational Research), Grad. Cert. of Ed. (Principal Preparation), Montessori 6-9 Diploma, AMI Administrators Certificate.

YEAR 11 BIG PICTURE SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN FOR 2027

50% tuition scholarship available

Perth Montessori School is inviting Expressions of Interest from current Year 10 students interested in joining our Senior Adolescent Program in 2027.

The Big Picture pathway is designed for motivated, curious and self-directed learners who are excited by project-based work and want a rigorous senior secondary experience without the pressure of traditional exams and tests.

Students work with an advisory teacher to pursue meaningful projects, build a portfolio of learning and connect their studies with real-world interests and opportunities.

Expressions of Interest close 14 September 2026.

Our Adolescent Program allows students to follow their Montessori learning journey right through to 18 years of age. In the senior years, Big Picture learning design provides a fresh, credible pathway to the future.

Big Picture is not a curriculum but a design for learning; students follow the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline but they do so in ways that are unique to them.

In years 11 and 12 pathways to university, TAFE or employment are provided through completion of the International Big Picture Learning Credential, enabling each student to follow a personalised plan.