Updated: Santa Monica Montessori School to Close; Director Cites Family Circumstances, New School to Take Over Facility

Santa Monica Montessori School will conclude its summer Camp program on Friday, July 17, 2026, and will not reopen for classes in September, according to a letter sent by Executive Director Pamela Crisman to families.

In the letter, Crisman wrote: “This decision was not made lightly. Due to family circumstances that now require my full attention, I have made the difficult decision to prioritize those responsibilities after much reflection and consideration.”

She added that beginning in August, “a new school will assume occupancy of the facility as they prepare for the upcoming academic year. While Santa Monica Montessori School will no longer operate at this location, it is my sincere hope that each of your families will find a new Montessori community where your children can continue to learn, grow, and thrive.”

Letter from Pamela Crisman to parents

Crisman thanked families for their “loyalty, trust, and support throughout the years,” calling it “a privilege and an honor to be a part of your children’s educational journey.” The letter was signed “Pam Crisman, Executive Director.”

Parent Reactions and Earlier Reports

The news has left many families shocked and scrambling. Alex Mulvaney, a parent of a preschooler at the school, told the *Santa Monica Observer* that parents received limited notice and were deeply upset.

“The parents were crying, a lot of them, because they depend on this school and they have very little notice,” he said. Mulvaney also expressed concern about the nature of the transition, noting initial information that the school would be replaced by a national company featuring iPads and online/AI instruction. “He thought AI would not work for his child or many of the others in the program,” Mulvaney added.

Crisman’s letter does not detail the incoming operator or mention a shift toward tech-heavy instruction, focusing instead on her personal reasons for stepping away after many years leading the school (since 2003).

School Background

The independent Montessori program at 1909 Colorado Avenue has long emphasized hands-on, child-led learning for toddlers through elementary students. No prior public announcement appeared on the school’s website or social channels before the letter reached families.

This closure reflects broader challenges in the Montessori and early childhood education sector, including high operational costs for materials, trained staff, and facilities, as well as enrollment and financial pressures that have affected both independent programs and larger networks in recent years.

Families are urged to explore alternative placements for the fall. The school’s contact remains (310) 829-3551 during the final weeks of summer Camp.

*The Santa Monica Observer* will provide further updates as more information becomes available about the transition and the new occupant of the facility. This story incorporates the official letter from leadership alongside parent accounts.