Springfield Montessori School Walnut Creek is Now Enrolling for Fall 2025: Hands-on Learning With a Purpose
Acclaimed Springfield Montessori School Walnut Creek, 2780 Mitchell Drive, has been educating and enriching the lives of toddlers and children in pre-K and kindergarten since 1990.
On Mitchell Drive in Shadelands, set safely back a ways from the street, stands Springfield Montessori School Walnut Creek. Operating in a custom designed, award-winning building on a spacious and picturesque four-acre site, with a prominent monument sign, a long, private driveway, plenty of parking, and a welcoming entrance, Springfield Montessori School has called Shadelands home since 2006, though it has been educating little ones since 1990.
Rosanne Esplanada is Springfield’s admissions director and tour guide, enthusiastically sharing the Springfield story with families and visitors. She has 26 years of experience in public and private education administration and is energized to see the Montessori philosophy in action every day.
Springfield Montessori School’s entryway is decorated with student art and the school’s many awards.
Springfield started as a vision of long-time and dedicated educator Shashi Lal, who, years ago, with a mission to improve educational experiences and outcomes for her students, explored the Montessori philosophy of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870–1952). The Montessori philosophy is a child-centered approach to education that focuses on self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and a carefully prepared environment where children are encouraged to explore their interests, choose their own work, and progress at their own pace, fostering independence and feeding their natural desire to learn.
Mrs. Lal realized the benefits of the Montessori philosophy and set her mind on opening her own Montessori school in Walnut Creek. Springfield Montessori School Walnut Creek was created with the goal of helping children develop a love of learning and a strong sense of joy in exploration by engaging the whole child.
“At Springfield, we serve preschoolers ages two to six — toddlers, pre-K, and kindergarten,” said Rosanne. With an emphasis on academics, graduating kindergarteners are ready for the next step to private or public first grade. “They know their numbers and letters, they’re reading and writing paragraphs, and have been working on their public speaking skills.”
Students, ages two through six, work independently, with a friend, and in groups to complete academically focused classroom projects that engage the whole child.
“The difference between traditional teaching and Montessori is the difference between teacher-led and child-led,” said Rosanne. “Here we follow the child, creating an environment that is open and organized, and that fosters their curiosity and sense of exploration, encourages hands-on engagement and independence, and provides a foundation for positive academic experiences.”
Classrooms are furnished with child-size chairs, tables, floor mats, shelving, and school materials for children to freely explore,
Dr, Maria Montessori observed that children have different learning styles and that they will thrive in an environment that supports their natural curiosity and development.
As you walk around the campus inside and out, you can see the child-led approach to learning in action. No large adult desks or chairs in the classrooms. Rather, rooms are furnished with child-size chairs, tables, floor mats, shelving, and classroom materials for children to freely explore, fostering collaboration and peer learning. Student art decorates the classrooms, hallways, and school entryway. While ever watchful and attentive, teachers act as guides, observing children and providing support when needed. They encourage independence and self-discipline, allowing children to take the lead in their learning.
Gardening is a co-curriculum program within the Montessori curriculum, allowing children to learn hands-on about nature and the environmental, health, and aesthetic benefits of gardens.
Learning gardens — as outdoor classrooms — are tended to by students, who develop an understanding of and connections to the food they eat.
Learning gardens are tended to by the students. Playground spaces are designed for physical, mental, social, and emotional activity. Music and movement classes and American Sign Language as a second language are part of the curriculum for young minds and bodies that are finding their own voices and instruments for expression and communication. Lunches come from home and the children feed themselves.
“We are curriculum-focused, emphasizing self-directed learning, independence, and hands-on exploration, even for the youngest two-year-olds,” said Rosanne. “Our focus is developing the whole child — intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically — while preparing them to move on their educational journey.”
The materials on the shelves are referred to as jobs. Rosanne explained, “When Mom and Dad go to work, they have jobs to do. And so do the children of Springfield. Classrooms are organized in several distinct areas, which are designed to foster specific skills and allow children to explore and learn. Teachers demonstrate and guide students in how to use the materials properly for each job. Then, children have the opportunity to work on the jobs independently, on the floor or at a table, and complete those jobs at their own pace.”
At hands reach are the materials for the daily jobs students are to complete, just like their working parents and guardians.
Montessori classrooms use sensorial, language, and practical materials designed to engage children's senses and help them develop skills in coordination, concentration, and math concepts, among others.
Springfield has eight classrooms that max out at 24 students each, with two teachers for each pre-K and kindergarten classroom and three teachers for each toddler classroom. All lead teachers are Montessori trained and certified and follow the Montessori approach to teaching. However, there is flexibility and each teacher brings their own flair to their classroom.
The annual Springfield Montessori Cultural Faire celebrates the world’s countries and cultures with a Parade of Flags and classrooms that are transformed by students into far away places.
Throughout the year, Springfield holds a number of student and family events and celebrations, including the Fall Harvest Festival, Winter Sing Along, Lunar New Year, Parent Day, Cinco De Mayo, and Cultural Faire, in which the pre-K and kindergarten classrooms are transformed into a different country or culture and all students visit each of the classrooms with their “passports” to learn about those countries and cultures. The school year ends with a Kindergarten Graduation and school-wide end of year celebration.
Enrollment opened March 1 for the 2025-2026 school year. For parents interested in exploring Springfield Montessori Walnut Creek, the first step is to visit the school’s website, then call the office at 925.944.0626 to schedule a tour.
Springfield Montessori provides an environment where children’s natural curiosity and social natures can blossom.
“Our approach to educating the whole child at Springfield Montessori is to follow the child — in a safe and structured environment,” said Rosanne. “If we always lead with that, our children and families will always find success.”
