Bulgarian state standards, international Montessori education – AMI, global PYP and MYP of International Baccalaureate (IB)
Ministry of Education and Science, Innovative school, STARS, IB World School Candidate with PYP and MYP
in all educational levels – early years, pre-school, primary, middle and high school
Pre-school – Grade 12
English, Spanish, German, Russian, Bulgarian
from 6 continents
Unique learning environment, supporting with care the development of children’s talents.
Discover Montessori School is committed to delivering a high-quality Montessori multilingual education tailored to children aged 14 months through 18 years. As an authentic Montessori school, our classrooms are led by AMI-qualified guides fluent in Bulgarian and English. Currently, we are a candidate for the IB World School designation, offering the PYP and MYP programmes.
At Discover Montessori School, education is a unique journey for each child, set within a meticulously planned, supportive, and well-resourced environment. Our approach provides abundant opportunities for children to explore and develop to their fullest potential.
Founded in 2012 by a newly trained Montessori teacher, Discover Montessori School started as a bilingual, multicultural nursery focused on creating a child-centred, prepared learning environment that supports natural development and self-construction. In 2016, we expanded to include an Elementary school program spanning 1st to 7th grade. From 2022, our school evolved into a secondary school, offering education throughout the developmental journey up to 18 years (up to Grade 12).
Distinguished as Bulgaria’s pioneering institution, Discover Montessori School seamlessly integrates the IB programs with Montessori education, preparing students for global challenges from preschool through 12th grade.
We offer programs for Infants (from 0 to 18 months) and Toddlers (from 14 months to 4.5 years).
Our classrooms include Early Years: Preschool (from 4.5 to 6 years), Primary Years (1st to 4th grade), and Middle Years (5th to 12th grade).
We invite you to visit Discover Montessori School and witness how we nurture socially, morally, and emotionally prepared children for real-life challenges.
Learning to Love. Loving to Learn.
We support the natural development of children, unlocking their true potential and talents, equipping each student to navigate today’s challenges and those on the global horizon.
Recognising each child as an individual, we nurture every facet of their growth through guidance, inspiring curiosity, and fostering the knowledge, flexibility, and love of learning essential for thriving.
Our core educational framework is designed to cultivate creative and critical thinkers—individuals who are not only skilled communicators but also globally aware and respectful, acknowledging our shared humanity and values in the pursuit of a more peaceful world.
We aim to spark natural curiosity and empower children to pursue their interests and passions. We guide them in developing their talents into enviable skills, instilling values, understanding, commitment, and knowledge to contribute to a better and more peaceful world.
Our learning spaces are centred around the child, promoting holistic growth and self-direction in all learning areas. This includes cultivating work ethic, mental and social competencies such as focus, self-discipline, time management, conflict resolution, independence, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Our educational environment nurtures inner intelligence, facilitating the manifestation of each child’s unique potential.
When the school year begins?
A school year consists of school terms, school days and school holidays. Each school year lasts 12 months and starts on 15 September; if 15 September is a holiday, it begins on the next working day. Discover Montessori School is closed for National holidays, school holidays and the period between the 23rd of December and New Year. The Primary and Secondary school programmes include the school days between 15 September and 15/30 June, as well as opportunities to participate in sports, green and forest school programs during the summer – between 15/30 June and 25 August. For each school year, the Minister of Education and Science determines with an order the beginning and the end of school holidays, except for the summer holiday, non-attendance days and Discover Montessori school complies with them.
A school year comprises school terms, school days, and school holidays. The academic year spans 12 months and commences on September 15th; if September 15th falls on a holiday, the academic year starts on the next working day. Discover Montessori School observes closures for National holidays, school holidays, and the period between December 23rd and New Year.
The Primary and Secondary school programs cover the school days between September 15th and June 15th/30th, with additional opportunities for participation in sports, green, and forest school programs during the summer from June 15th/30th to August 25th. For each school year, the Minister of Education and Science issues an order determining the beginning and end of school holidays, excluding the summer holidays and non-attendance days. Discover Montessori School fully complies with these regulations.
What are the school’s hours?
The Core School Day is between 8:00 am and 4:30/5:00 pm, and there is a possibility for Extended School Day until 6:00 pm.
Is Discover Montessori School licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science?
Discover Montessori School is licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science in Bulgaria. Since 2017, Discover Montessori School has been certified as an innovative school by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. We offer a holistic education, meeting and exceeding the national standards set by the state for each level.
What international accreditations does Discover Montessori School have?
Discover Montessori School works under the auspices of the Montessori Society Bulgaria – AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) affiliate in Bulgaria. Discover Montessori School is accredited by the STAR Montessori Assessment and Accreditation Board (MEAB), UK. Discover Montessori School is an IB World School candidate.
What аrе the qualification of the teachers in Discover Montessori School?
In addition to their university degrees, all community guides at every school level hold diplomas from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organisation founded by Dr. Maria Montessori, and are qualified AMI Montessori teachers. The assistant teachers are also AMI trained. Teachers attend IB courses every year to support their professional development and participate regularly in international conferences.
We know that the best way to ensure children’s learning is to hire and retain good professionals whose desire to meet students’ needs is only matched by their dedication to continuous professional growth. Consequently, we invest heavily in professional development and program development following the latest innovations in education.
97% of parents rate as exceptionally well how the teachers support the child’s holistic development (*2023 Annual Parent Survey).
What is your health and illness policy?
Each morning, a medical professional checks the health index of the children. Monthly examinations are conducted for all children, and referrals are made to parents if necessary. Our policy emphasises that sick children should stay at home, as sending them to school is not in their best interest or the well-being of other children in the class. Sick children do not benefit from being in school and may potentially cause other children to become ill. This measure is implemented for your child’s overall health and welfare and the entire school community.
Do you provide lunch and snacks for the children?
Every child at Discover Montessori School benefits from our nutritious school menu. Various seasonal fruits, vegetables, water, and herbal tea are offered throughout the day. Our school menu is meticulously crafted to provide a broad, nutritionally balanced diet, playing a crucial role in our students’ healthy growth and development. It is balanced, nutritional, and delicious, contributing to energetic and full-spirited well-being. At Discover Montessori School, we recognise the vital link between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy brain, and we fully comply with nutritional standards.
Our school menu is curated by a child nutritionist and executed by a licensed kitchen with all the necessary sanitary permits, driven by a passion for preparing exciting and wholesome food. Additionally, students actively participate in preparing some of their food and drinks, fostering a sense of connection with their meals.
We emphasise teaching our children to respect food, cultivate excitement about different foods, and develop good eating habits and table manners. To support this, children are given ample time to eat and enjoy the social interactions attached to mealtimes.
98% of parents believe that the food in Discover Montessori School is healthy and balanced (*2023 Annual Parent Survey).
Do you offer sports?
Every day, all children actively engage in various physical activities, participating in, initiating, and organising sports games, hikes, and walks. In the Extended School Day program, students can select age-appropriate activities based on their interests. Our offerings include various clubs and classes such as sports games, football, tennis, swimming, dancing, and yoga. All activities are designed to be inclusive and accessible to every student who wishes to participate.
89% of parents say they are delighted with the choice of extracurricular activities in Discover Montessori School (*2023 Annual Parent Survey).
How does Discover Montessori School support children’s connection with nature?
Our children can engage in outdoor play every day, all year round. We are committed to educating them about healthy lifestyles and promoting daily physical activity. Nature serves as an extension of our classroom, providing countless occasions for outdoor exploration.
Weather permitting, we organise nature walks to nearby parks, trips and picnics in parks and mountains, nature hikes, horse riding adventures, and visits to animal farms. Additionally, we regularly arrange camps in mountainous and coastal settings, offering our children diverse experiences in natural environments.
What sets you apart from other independent/private schools?
Discover Montessori School is Bulgaria’s pioneering institution to integrate IB programmes with Montessori education from preschool through 12th grade, equipping students for the global challenges ahead.
We possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to apply Montessori principles in accordance with the highest international standards set by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Discover Montessori School is a flagship institution of Montessori Society Bulgaria, affiliated with AMI. We are honoured to mentor aspiring Montessori teachers on their journey to support natural child development. As the sole provider in Bulgaria offering quality Montessori education for children aged 14 months through 18 years, we regularly undergo international external supervision to ensure our Montessori setting aligns with global best practices in applying Montessori pedagogy.
Every facet of our organisation is designed to support children’s natural growth. Regardless of their job title, each team member is devoted to providing superb education for our children. When decisions must be made, we adhere to a simple guiding principle: “Is it good for the child/children?” A positive response indicates that we are acting in the best interest of our children and families.
Our primary commitment is to unlock the true potential within each child. While cognitive development and a solid academic foundation are crucial, they represent only one dimension of our aspirations. The child’s social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development is equally significant.
Throughout the educational journey, children move through various communities and programs designed to support their developmental needs. Interaction, cooperation, joy, self-driven learning, and a thirst for knowledge permeate the learning environment. Progress is individually paced, allowing students to explore their interests and master skills and knowledge. This approach supports children in developing into adults with intellect, integrity, compassion, strength of character, skills, and creativity needed to seek common ground and establish mutual connections with others.
Discover Montessori School is dedicated to helping parents raise socially, morally, and emotionally prepared children for real life. Otkrivatel provides the necessary guidance for each child’s unique personality to develop to its full potential, fostering capable and valuable individuals.
98% of parents rate Discover Montessori School as an excellent school. 78% of parents describe us as a reliable school and 30% – as one of a kind (*2023 Annual Parent Survey).
What information channels do Discover Montessori School use?
Effective communication is paramount within our community, and we are dedicated to keeping parents well-informed about their child’s development, plans, and community events. Beyond the direct interactions between our pedagogical and administrative team and parents, we provide a robust online collaborative communication channel.
Our online platform offers parents valuable resources, classroom observations, and anecdotes. It serves as a space for meaningful communication with the team and fellow parents. We organise parenting events and maintain a seminar calendar to support family dynamics and parenting further.
Additionally, all community members receive our weekly newsletter, “Week Ahead,” and our monthly update, “Monthlink”. These publications serve as comprehensive resources, sharing news and details about upcoming events, ensuring everyone is well-connected and informed.
87% of parents say they are delighted with the information channels and educational sessions for parents in “Discover Montessori School” (*2023 Annual Parent Survey).
Each member of our staff of educators, teachers and psychologists has their own answer to the big question “What is most important for a child’s education?”
