HISTORY
The Ted DiRenzo Montessori School was founded by Dr. Ted DiRenzo in 1969. He had a dream to build a better generation and his school has been serving the needs of families for over 40 years.
After 25 years of government service, at the age of 52, Ted retired to open the Ted DiRenzo Montessori School. Dr. Maria Montessori's educational philosophy and teaching methods correlated so closely to his own beliefs about life and learning that he realized his dreams would take flight in a Montessori School. He began the school in 1969 , on Clifton Avenue in Collingdale. He began with only four students, but the school grew at such a rapid pace, that within a few years, the enrollment had soared to 80 students. This necessitated the purchase of the present school location on Bartran Avenue that had previously been the home to the Powell School. After many renovations , the school grew to over 150 students and expanded to educate children infants to sixth grade. The school was one of the first facilities to offer infant care in 1970.
After 25 years of government service, at the age of 52, Ted retired to open the Ted DiRenzo Montessori School. Dr. Maria Montessori's educational philosophy and teaching methods correlated so closely to his own beliefs about life and learning that he realized his dreams would take flight in a Montessori School. He began the school in 1969 , on Clifton Avenue in Collingdale. He began with only four students, but the school grew at such a rapid pace, that within a few years, the enrollment had soared to 80 students. This necessitated the purchase of the present school location on Bartran Avenue that had previously been the home to the Powell School. After many renovations , the school grew to over 150 students and expanded to educate children infants to sixth grade. The school was one of the first facilities to offer infant care in 1970.
Dr. Ted DiRenzo served as the president of the United Private Academic Schools Association of Pennsylvania. He also pioneered research in the field of technology in the early childhood classroom. He wrote his Doctoral research paper addressing "Learning through Computers in Early Childhood." In 1982, he established Computer Frontierland which instructed small groups of children in computer education. Additionally, Dr. Ted DiRenzo, an avid musician and song writer, wrote a number of songs for the school and introduced "learning through assembly programs." Dr. DiRenzo's legacy lives on today. Each classroom has a computer for the children's daily use and each year, children, parents and staff gather for a unique, educational, and entertaining year end program.
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The Cube of Life
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| In 1987, Dr. Ted DiRenzo presented the" key" to the school to his daughter, Connie DiRenzo , who had been instrumental in helping to run the school since its founding. As the owner and administrator, she continues to work closely with her dedicated staff, overseeing the curriculum development and implementing all the special events, including the theme based musical year end graduation program. Connie, influenced by the works of Mamie McCullough, created the schools "I-Can-Bee" program. She also infused Janine Brady's "Brite Music" curriculum into the schools music programing. Inspired by her fathers vision, Connie has brought the school to where it is today, serving the needs of thousands of children and families in the greater Philadelphia area.
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