A School Made by its Community
C’E brings together children, families and educators from across Brooklyn and around the world. We learn from one another, care for our shared spaces and build the kind of community we hope our children will one day create beyond school.
The school as a whole is built to be representative and participative. Dr. Montessori developed the concept of ‘Peace Education’ to instill children with purpose, a sense of justice, and in order to create communities of positive change.
42 countries | Five continents | 30 Lead Guides | 150 Families
Belonging
Growing
Impacting
Belonging
Every Race and Background
Every Gender and Expression
Every Family
We believe children learn belonging by experiencing it every day. Our classrooms intentionally reflect a wide range of cultures, identities and family structures, where every child can see themselves represented and every family is welcomed. Through literature, art, music, conversation and the daily life of the classroom, children encounter diverse voices and histories—including the contributions, excellence and lived experiences of Black communities. Rather than treating inclusion as a separate lesson, we weave it into the culture of the school, helping children develop empathy, recognize injustice and grow into citizens who value dignity, equity and peace.
We strive to create a community where every child feels safe, respected and free to be themselves. Our classrooms welcome all families and expressions of identity while thoughtfully challenging limiting stereotypes. Through carefully chosen materials, ongoing teacher development and everyday interactions, children learn that differences are something to understand and celebrate. Beginning with our youngest students, we also teach and model consent, respect for personal boundaries and care for one another as essential parts of belonging.
Families are essential partners in the life of C’E. Parents shape our community by sharing their cultures, professions, talents and perspectives, enriching the experience of every child. Throughout the year, they read in classrooms, lead celebrations, present lessons, participate in school traditions and help create the welcoming, connected culture that defines our school. As children see their families learning alongside their teachers, they come to understand that education is not confined to the classroom; it is a shared commitment between school and home.
Growing
Our Brooklyn Garden
Our Brooklyn garden is a living classroom where children experience growth firsthand. With a working greenhouse and a full-time gardener, students plant, cultivate and harvest flowers, herbs and vegetables, developing a deeper understanding of where food comes from and how living things thrive. Gardening nurtures patience, responsibility and curiosity while creating meaningful moments of collaboration among children, teachers and families. Each season offers new opportunities to care for the Earth—and to grow alongside it.
Our Food and Snacks
Food is an essential part of life at C’E and an important extension of our Montessori curriculum. Through our partnership with Rainbow Kitchen program, classroom cooking, monthly tastings and our school garden, children develop a lifelong appreciation for fresh, nourishing food while discovering the cultures, traditions and stories that meals can share.
Children prepare food, set tables, serve one another and clean up using real dishes and utensils, building independence, responsibility and respect for their community. From our youngest students preparing snacks to older children planning recipes and cooking more complex meals, every stage offers meaningful opportunities to develop practical life skills, healthy habits and confidence. We serve thoughtfully prepared, whole-food meals and snacks, carefully accommodate allergies and dietary needs, and believe that sharing good food around a table is one of the most powerful ways to build community.
Our Differences
No two children develop in exactly the same way, and we believe that is something to protect rather than overcome. Montessori education begins with the individual child; their interests, strengths, pace of development and unique way of engaging with the world. Rather than asking every child to fit the same standard, we adapt the environment to help each one discover their own path.
Multi-age classrooms, uninterrupted work cycles and individualized lessons allow children to progress when they are ready, pursue meaningful challenges and develop confidence in who they are becoming. Our goal is not to create children who all look the same at graduation, but young people who have grown into thoughtful, capable and authentic versions of themselves.
