Summit-Questa Montessori School
is a community of educators, children, parents and extended family committed to the Montessori philosophy. Dr. Maria Montessori, whose life work centered on the care and education of children, so eloquently said, “Within the child lies the fate of the future.” Summit-Questa assists in developing all aspects of the individual, including the child’s self-creation of who they become. We are located on a beautiful 10 acre campus, with native habitats, edible schoolyard vegetable gardens, butterfly gardens, a wetland preserve, and brand new gymnasium and pool.
We offer classes from Toddler – 8th Grade:
- Toddler Program (2 Years to 35 Months)
- Early Childhood (Pre-K – Kindergarten, Part-time & Full-time)
- Lower Elementary (1st – 3rd grades)
- Upper Elementary (4th – 6th grades)
- Questa Middle School (6th – 8th grades)
- Summer Camp (2025)
Meet our Principal
Judy Dempsey, Principal
Welcome to the Summit-Questa Montessori School website. We are thrilled that you have chosen to glimpse a view of life at Summit-Questa. We are a unique community of Montessori educators, parents, children, and friends dedicated to the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. This school originated in 1981 as Summit Private School of Ft. Lauderdale, primarily a Montessori preschool. In 1991 I bought the school and focused on building our Montessori elementary and middle school levels. Read more
Judy Dempsey has been awarded the 2016-2017 Richard & Dorothy Lear Distinguished Educator of the Year—the highest honor given by the Association of Independent Schools of Florida. Read more
Judy Dempsey – Good Neighbor Podcast
Turning Education Inside-Out
Judy is the author of Turning Education Inside-Out: Confessions of a Montessori Principal which is now available (February 2017) for purchase worldwide. Buy online on Amazon or through her publisher, Jross Publishing.
Teacher Training Institute
Summit Montessori Teacher Training Institute in Davie, Florida offers a complete overview of the Montessori philosophy. This program offers MACTE Accredited instruction in Infant/Toddler (2 Years-36mths), Early Childhood, (3-6 years) as well as in Elementary 1, (6-9years). Read more
What’s new at SQMS!
Our school community came together to share a wonderful Thanksgiving feast! A bi…
Our school community came together to share a wonderful Thanksgiving [...]
Science in action! The kids were captivated by this amazing volcano eruption cre…
Science in action! The kids were captivated by this amazing [...]
The love of gardening at Summit-Questa spreads through every classroom, from tod…
The love of gardening at Summit-Questa spreads through every classroom, [...]
Step into A Night at the Museum, proudly hosted by our middle school students! T…
Step into A Night at the Museum, proudly hosted by [...]
The Halloween spirit filled the air as Ms. Judy led our festive parade, followed…
The Halloween spirit filled the air as Ms. Judy led [...]