History of DMS

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Our Roots…

In 1990, local educator Lou Genova started a small Montessori program in his home. After several years, demand grew, and it was clear that a larger and more formal space was needed. Damariscotta Montessori School soon moved into a retail space that it shared with Women of Substance at 508 Main Street.

For eleven years, the school existed as a primary program and a small elementary program, providing Midcoast Maine families with a quality Montessori education option.

In 2001, the school was purchased by Chip DeLorenzo, who aided in shifting the school to nonprofit status after several years. By this time, the school served approximately 30 students, and it was clear that there was a strong desire for an expanded elementary program.

 In 2002, this dream came to fruition, and a new elementary program was established. 

In 2005, the school moved to its current location in Nobleboro, and in 2009, an addition was made. This allowed for more classroom space, including space for a middle school program that began in 2010. DMS has consistently served just over 100 students each year, providing a well-established, high-fidelity Montessori program with all the benefits of a small school.

In the fall of 2020, Shawnaly Tabor moved into the Associate Head of School position. She then became the Head of School upon Chip’s retirement in 2021. Shawnaly was the Lead Teacher in the Lower Elementary classroom at Damariscotta Montessori School for twelve years prior to her role in administration. She has helped the school rebuild and strengthen its sense of community in the years following COVID-19, started a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and continued to support the school’s high-fidelity Montessori programming.

Shawnaly’s son attended the school from Pre-K through 8th grade, the Maine School of Science and Mathematics for high school, and then graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Maine. He credits his time at DMS for helping him develop a strong sense of independence, passion for learning, and a high work ethic. Shawnaly also loves to point to his kindness and creativity as being fostered at DMS.