Mel-O-Dee Preschool was established in 1964 in a single building facility in Los Angeles with an initial enrollment of less than 20 children. The school was purchased 10 years later by Peggy Keelaghan, a Montessori educator with many years of experience in early childhood education, and she began integrating Montessori teaching methods into the school's curriculum.  As the school's enrollment grew to over 80 children, she was joined by Mel-O-Dee's Director, Zevart Tamer, and Assistant Director, Elvia Chaidez, both Montessori-trained teachers. Together they established a curriculum at Mel-O-Dee based exclusively on Montessori teaching methods.

 

Over the years, children graduating from Mel-O-Dee Montessori enrolled in both public and private elementary schools throughout the Los Angeles area. Their high level of academic achievement and mature approach to learning earned Mel-O-Dee a reputation for emphasizing rigorous educational standards in an innovative setting.

 

Mel-O-Dee Montessori’s goal is to provide high-quality, early childhood education for pre-school and kindergarten children, from 18 months through 6 years of age.  It is our intent to create a loving and secure environment where the children can develop emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically. We welcome all students regardless of race, color, national origin, religion or gender.

 

At Mel-O-Dee Montessori we encourage children at every level to be tolerant of others, to recognize and appreciate the differences of others, and to be comfortable with themselves.

 

We believe that: