Our Mission
The mission of Ruffing Montessori School is to employ the philosophy and methods of Dr. Maria Montessori to educate young people to their fullest potential, instilling a deep sense of personal independence and social responsibility. With the knowledge that they are citizens of the world, they will contribute to that world by making decisions based on the highest order of ethics and conscience.

Programs and Facilities

• Multi-age classrooms, with Montessori curriculum based upon the developmental level of child
• 11 bright and spacious Montessori classrooms, seven newly constructed and four completely renovated
• State-of-the-art Middle School science laboratory
• Full gym, including climbing wall
• Competitive archery program
• Athletic competition with local schools in soccer and basketball
• Choral and instrumental music program
• Foreign language study in Spanish beginning with Toddlers; Latin added in Sixth Grade; French added in Middle School
• Comprehensive art program, including a pottery kiln
• Technology program beginning in Fourth Grade, fully integrated with curriculum

Enrollment
306 total students:

• Toddler: 14
• All Day Children's House: 28
• Children's House: 86
• Lower Elementary: 84
• Upper Elementary: 56
• Middle School: 38

Faculty
The school employs 35 classroom teachers with an average of ten years teaching at Ruffing.

After-School Programs
Various activities from supervised study and play to skill classes and athletics. Ruffing's summer camp, Summer Ruffing It (SRI), provides an enriching experience for children age 3 through 14 and spans six weeks. Registration occurs in the spring.

Size of Campus
2.2 acres

Tuition Range
Varies, depending upon age of student. For the 2007-2008 academic year: $5,119 to $11,041.

Financial Aid
Application may be made by the families of current students. Eligibility is determined by School and Student Service for Financial Aid.

History
Established in 1959, Ruffing is the second oldest Montessori School in the United States. With a gift from David Ingalls of land on Fairmount Boulevard that contained a small cottage, Ruffing established school's Ingalls Campus with a Children's House for three-to-five-year olds. Over the years, contiguous property was purchased and additional classrooms, buildings and facilities were constructed. In 2005, a major campus redevelopment was undertaken to unify the school "under one roof," to replace older and less efficient spaces and to make the healthiest possible school, using "green" construction technology and methods.

Governance
16-member Board of Trustees, presided over by Tim Duff. Members are Parents, Parents of Alumni and Friends of the School.

Administration
Head of School, Gordon L. Maas, 2001- present

Accreditation
ISACS (Independent Schools of the Central States); Ohio Department of Education

Memberships
CCIS (Cleveland Council of Independent Schools); NAMTA (North American Montessori Teachers Association); ISM (Independent School Management); ISACS/OAIS (Ohio Association of Independent School) Consortium