ABOUT > Our School

What makes a school an excellent place for a child to learn, grow, create and play? At Crabapple Montessori School, we believe it is a magical mix of many things. Here, the people, curriculum, and environment set the scene for a child to develop a love for learning. This love of learning becomes evident when a child is delighted when she has an “aha!” moment, when she offers a helping hand to another, or when she feels joy to be a part of a nurturing community.

Curriculum for Continuous Learning

Our programs are tailored for children at each stage of their intellectual, emotional and social development, from toddlers through Elementary school.

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Faculty Credentials

Our teachers hold college, and often post-graduate, degrees. They have also earned certification from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) based on their completion of a rigorous training program. The Montessori Institute of Atlanta is a valuable local resource for Crabapple Montessori School. Our teachers receive training there and they provide a link to the Association Montessori Internationale community.

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AMI and SACS Certifications

Crabapple Montessori School is recognized through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Though not all Montessori schools have this certification, this endorsement is important to us because it confirms that our programs are fulfilling all the dimensions of the Montessori educational standards. Crabapple Montessori School is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) which validates that we are on the path of continued excellence.

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Active Parent Association

The Crabapple Montessori Parent Association (CMPA) enriches the community immeasurably. They help to coordinate a year-round calendar of fun and educational activities for Crabapple Montessori School families, and CMPA gives parents a chance to form supportive friendships with one another.

After-School Enrichment

From chess to art, ballet to cooking, the opportunities for children to develop a well-rounded pattern of interests is a central part of the Crabapple Montessori School program.

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Designed for Montessori Learning

Crabapple Montessori School founders built the private school in 2002 to support Montessori methods of experiential learning. The classrooms are bright and spacious. Every class has a children’s garden, and the protected playground has modern play equipment and a gazebo – all reflecting Montessori principles of beauty and functionality. Our school serves north metro Atlanta including the cities of Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Canton, Woodstock and Cumming.

In 2018, we opened a beautiful Elementary building with large and bright classrooms equipped with a running track, garden, sports field, and plenty of spaces for outdoor learning.

See how our school is designed for Montessori learning ►

Owner Involvement

Mrs. Maria Haider and Dr. Wali Haider are the owners of Crabapple Montessori School, which they founded in 2002 because of their passion for making a difference in their community. They believe that giving children a Montessori education is one of the best ways to make a positive contribution to society and see the school as their personal legacy. That’s why it’s especially important to them to be accessible for conversation with students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Mrs. Maria and Dr. Wali, have been a part of the Roswell community for over three decades. They have two daughters. Dania is a graduate from the University of North Carolina School of Law and joined the school’s administrative team in 2018 after practicing law for several years in Atlanta. Saira is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, worked for an IT recruitment company for over eight years before joining the school’s administrative team in 2021.

Wali retired from IBM, where he was a consultant for 25 years. He was formerly a member of the faculty of Texas A&M and Lehigh University and worked for Bethlehem Steel Company.

Maria, the School Director / Head of School, taught in elementary and middle schools for several years. She took time off from work when her daughters were younger and then returned to school and became an AMI-Certified Montessori teacher. To Maria and Wali, Crabapple Montessori is a way of building a legacy for the community and our society. They believe in the Montessori Method as a way of preparing children to grow up to be happy, confident adults who make positive contributions to the world around them.

Meet our dedicated owners and staff ►

What Our Parents Say

"There are obviously many options when it comes to educating your child. My wife and I feel strongly about the Montessori method, based on hands-on learning and collaboration. Many schools claim to be Montessori, but Crabapple Montessori School (“CMS”) is one of the few schools in the area that is AMI accredited. AMI stands for Association Montessori International, which is an organization that certifies/trains teachers with high-quality skills to help children learn. CMS has teachers that are passionate about their job, which creates a perfect environment to help your child succeed. From an administration perspective, CMS is a pleasure to work with and provides a smooth process starting with tours and on-boarding, all the way to the daily operations. The tuition rates are reasonable and worth every dollar. I would not consider sending my son to any other school!"

– ZACH