Core Values at Our Lady of Grace Retreat Center and Montessori School

We, the administrator, principal, faculty and staff of Our Lady of Grace Montessori School and Center, commit ourselves to providing an atmosphere that is conducive to spiritual growth. We nurture the love of learning in our students. We welcome searchers of peace and solitude to the Center. As we do so, we are aware of our treasured connection to the mission of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Congregation's legacy of quality education and the ministries of hospitality and spirituality. It is with trust in God and with deep conviction that we claim these core values as our own:

Love

We extend love, concern and welcome to people of all races and creeds. Our commitment is to teach in light of the Gospel of Jesus and our curriculum is based on the child-centered philosophy of Maria Montessori. Consequently, our students experience genuine acceptance and profound respect for their unique gifts. We welcome all visitors to the Center as brothers and sisters, companions on our shared journey to our Creator.

Spirituality

We remain conscious of the common human desire, need, and right to know the Creator of all life and the Source of all wisdom. We endeavor to lead our children to maximize their God-given gifts, to reach their highest potential, and in doing so, to find their God. The staff and programs of Our Lady of Grace Center foster a profound awareness of the presence and action of God in the lives of all people. It is our hope that Gospel values will inspire and empower our children and the adults we serve to seek and create a more just society.

Respect

We strive to model cooperative relationships for our students. We call them to extend to others the respect that is shown them, their ideas, questions, choices, styles and pace of learning. Providing them with age appropriate freedom within healthy and safe structures, we delight in the development of their self-esteem, self-confidence, and their ability and willingness to learn from each other. We meet the needs of our Center guests in such a way as to affirm their individual dignity and the value of the organizations they represent.

Community

We nurture a wholesome sense of self and the human need for interdependence in our students. The School and the Center are places to be at home and to experience membership in an extended family where the comfort of belonging is expected and enjoyed. Membership in Our Lady of Grace community of faith is a grace to be treasured, a gift to be shared.

Beauty

We recognize with deep gratitude the providence of God and the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. J. Peter Grace. The convergence of God's plan and the gift of the Grace family gave life to this place of beauty. We offer to our students, their parents and our Center guests, a place of tranquility, an environment that enhances learning and a space that invites reflection and prayer.