Dear Urban Montessori Families,

As we close our doors today after twelve years of serving the children and families of Oakland, we do so with deep gratitude. Urban Montessori Charter School was built on a bold vision: that a high-quality Montessori education—rooted in peace, independence, and a deep respect for children—should be accessible to all. That vision became a reality because of you.

From the earliest days, UMCS has been sustained and shaped by the dedication of our founders, the tireless work of our staff, and most importantly, by the families who believed in this model and chose to be part of it. Together, we built something rare and powerful—an alternative to the traditional public school system that honored each child’s potential and nurtured their curiosity and sense of justice.

What we created here was not easy. It required courage, commitment, and collective care. And we hope everyone who stayed with us through this final chapter feels proud. Because something truly special happened here.

While today marks the end of UMCS as a school, the work is far from over. We are excited to continue the mission of public Montessori education next year at Brookfield Elementary with  1 primary and 2 elementary classrooms led (pending OUSD hiring) by, Ms. Denisse, Ms. Laura, and Ms. Jodi! We hope that many of you join us there. Moving forward, UMCS will live on as the Public Montessori Institute of Oakland, the name of our teacher training center that we started four years ago. Through this work, we will continue to support schools, teachers, and communities with the same passion and purpose that brought UMCS to life.

Before we go, we invite you to watch this video we’ve created – a tribute to the love, labor, and learning that made this school so extraordinary.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for believing. And thank you for helping us build something that will continue to inspire, grow, and live on in many forms.

With deepest gratitude,

Daniel Bissonnette
Head of School