Alumni
Montessori education prepares students academically, socially and emotionally for any high school experience and beyond. Of course, we can’t imagine what careers might be available for today’s children, so we are teaching them to think, adapt to a changing world and solve problems.
Recent Alumni Data
Over 95% of the students who attend CMS through Upper Elementary or the Adolescent Program are admitted to their first-choice secondary school. This flyer illustrates examples of where CMS alums have gone after graduating, from top high schools, to prestigious higher education and fulfilling careers!
Connect with CMS
Please use this form to update your contact information or address, share alumni career news, tell us about an alumni wedding or birth, or submit an announcement for our community newsletter. We'd love to hear about your post-CMS academic experiences, professional accomplishments and/or personal milestones. Photos are encouraged!
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“Education is the help we must give to life so that it may develop in the greatness of its powers. To help those great forces which bring the child, inert at birth, to the greatness of the adult being, this should be the plan of education – to see what help we can give." – Dr. Maria Montessori
Distinguished Alumni Examples
With a rich history, values rooted in peace, and community of lifelong connections, we are vibrant network of alumni and friends worldwide. We often hear from alumni that their time at Chesterfield Montessori brings back memories of meaningful friendships, exploring the outdoors, and making monumental discoveries - both academically and about one's self!
Kaia Brathwaite
Graduated from CMS: 2020 (8th grade)
Years of Montessori Education: 11 years (from age 3 to 13!)
High School: Marquette HS (MO), Dublin HS (CA)
College: Xavier University of Louisiana
Kaia is an undergraduate research assistant at Xavier University of Louisiana in a materials science lab focusing on rechargeable batteries (lithium ion, etc.). Kaia expanded her experience in materials science through a summer internship at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), where she conducted hands-on research in crystal growth and synthesis. She presented her work at the Gold Experience Research Symposium and gained experience in laboratory research, scientific writing and presentations.
When asked about what stands out to her about her Chesterfield Montessori School experience, she said,
“One word:
Curiosity. In order to study chemistry (or any STEM subject), you have to be curious about everything. CMS gave me so much exposure to different topics and got me to be curious about everything that I came across. That curiosity has helped me not only succeed academically, but also enjoy every second of learning.”
Alya Pellegrini
Graduated from CMS:
Years of Montessori Education:
High School: John Burroughs School
Alya wrote and illustrated a series of Latin books designed specifically for early elementary readers. Inspired by the way she first fell in love with Latin while attending CMS, her goal was to create something that young children could truly engage with. These books perfectly match their reading level while introducing them to the beauty of the language - rare features in Latin learning materials! Alya has generously volunteered her time to return to CMS several times to share her books with Lower Elementary students. During her visits, she presents the stories and offers a short lesson, giving younger students a glimpse into the joy of language learning.
Emily Widder
Graduated from CMS: 2007
Years of Montessori Education:
High School: Clayton High School
College: MIT for undergraduate and Stanford for MS (both in aerospace engineering)
Emily is an Astrodynamics Engineer working at Boeing Satellites in Los Angeles where she’s been living since she graduated from MIT in 2017. Emily feels a strong sense of gratitude for CMS for enabling her to build a holistic model of how the world works. Emily notes that, “This solid foundation has given me the confidence to approach new life experiences (be they middle school, homework, or moving to California), and I am grateful for it every day.” Emily serves on the CMS Board of Trustees, helping preserve and cultivate the school’s mission and enabling current and future students to develop the same passion for learning that she did at CMS.
Henry Noel
Graduated from CMS: 2024
Years of Montessori Education: 8 years
High School: De Smet Jesuit High School
Henry Noel is thriving academically and creatively as he finishes middle school. Henry has been a nearly straight-A student, with teachers noting his intellectual curiosity and willingness to tackle challenging material, even attempting college-level work in some subjects. Henry is especially drawn to history, politics, psychology and theater—particularly Shakespeare and improvisation. He also composes his own music, enjoys glassblowing and recently learned how to sail.
He is a freshman at De Smet Jesuit High School. He is in the fall play there and training to join the tennis team in the spring. He is in the Chess Club, Entrepreneurship Club and Mock Trial. He participated in several comedy workshops with The Improv Shop. And, he is frequently The Billiken at Saint Louis University alumni events!
I only got to spend two years at this school, and I wish I could have been there so much longer! The teachers were always so kind and helpful, as were my classmates, and I learned so much about both typical school subjects and more with hands-on learning.
In my short time there, I was able to participate in bake sales, help run school-wide events, connect with people outside of my own grade, and build a supporting community there. I learned so much about who I am as a person. I felt I had grown enough to truly take on the world by the time I went to high school. I really could not recommend this program enough.
If you are looking for a school with an inclusive community, hands-on learning, accommodating teachers, and an all-around great community, this is the place for you!
Middle School Student
I was a student here back in the early 00s, from 1st-6th grade, and I can honestly say that CMS was the catalyst for a lifetime of joy of learning. Many of my most cherished memories come from my time at CMS: learning long division with the "racks and tubes" in lower elementary; tracing the chronology of our history on the timeline of life; presenting a research project on stars in upper elementary. At CMS, I learned more than just math facts and how to write an essay--I learned how to be responsible for my own learning and how to nurture meaningful relationships with my teachers and peers.
Emily Widder
