Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is an independent Montessori day school serving more than 315 students, Toddler through Eighth Grade.

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
• First LEED(TM) certified school facility in northeast Ohio
• State-of-the-art Middle School and Upper Elementary science laboratories
• Weekly service learning for Middle School students
• Weekly experiential field excursions for Upper Elementary students connected with Science curriculum
• 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
• Full gym, including climbing wall
• Competitive archery program
• Athletic competition with local schools in soccer, Ultimate Frisbee and basketball
• Choral and instrumental music program

• 316 total students:
  • Toddler: 14
  • All Day Children's House: 27
  • Children's House: 85
  • Lower Elementary: 91
  • Upper Elementary: 62
  • Middle School: 37

Faculty
The school employs 37 classroom teachers with an average of ten years teaching at Ruffing. All lead teachers and most Assistant Teachers are Montessori trained.

After-School Programs
Various activities from supervised study and play to skill classes and athletics. In addition, Ruffing has a summer camp, Summer Ruffing It (SRI), which provides an enriching experience for children age 3 through 14 and spans six weeks.

Size of Campus
2.2 acres

Tuition Range
Varies, depending upon age of student. For the 2011-2012 academic year: $8,000 to $14,200.

Financial Aid
Applications are accepted beginning in December of the year prior to desired enrollment. Awards will be determined by the Financial Aid Committee and are based on need.

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 the 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
12-member Board of Trustees, presided over by Rebecca N. Holland. Members are parents, alumni and friends of Ruffing.

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); OAIS (Ohio Association of Independent Schools); ISM (Independent School Management); ISACS/OAIS Consortium