Fast Facts

fast facts

Omni Montessori School is home to approximately 200 students from age three to grade nine.

The Blakeney Campus, located on seven acres in the Blakeney area of south Charlotte, is home to three Primary classrooms, two Lower Elementary classrooms, two Upper Elementary classrooms, and a multi-purpose Activity Center.

The Omni Waxhaw Campus, located on a 13-acre farm in nearby Waxhaw, North Carolina, is home to Omni’s Middle School program, grades seven through nine.

Omni guides are highly-trained professionals. At minimum, all lead guides have earned a bachelor's degree and are AMI-certified at their grade level. Many faculty members have also earned masters and other post-graduate degrees. Omni guides have taught an average of 10 years.

Accreditations

• Recognized by the prestigious Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
• Member, American Montessori Society (AMS)
• Member, Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
• Member, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• Member, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS)

Governance

• Omni is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
• An elected Board of Trustees provides oversight for the school. The Board maintains fiscal oversight, ensures that the organization's mission is fulfilled, and appoints administrative leadership.

History

Omni was founded in 1985 by a group of parents interested in providing authentic Montessori education for their children. They purchased seven acres of land in then-rural south Charlotte. A basic metal building housed one Primary classroom, one Elementary classroom, and a small office where parent volunteers handled administrative responsibilities. In that first year, 43 children enrolled at the school.

As Omni’s reputation grew and the waiting list expanded, the school added additional classrooms and buildings. A Lower Elementary building was added in 1990, and an Upper Elementary building in 1998.

In 2007, Omni launched its Middle School program serving students in grade seven through nine. A 13-acre farm in nearby Waxhaw was purchased and transformed into the Omni Adolescent Program. At the Blakeney Campus, Omni opened its multi-purpose Activity Center providing additional space for athletic, theatrical, musical and social events, a library, and additional administrative offices.

In 2009, Omni changed its by-laws to form a Board of Trustees who had one employee – the Head of School.  In addition, a Part-time Director of Admissions was hired. The following year the Encore! program was launched to offer aftercare, sports, and enrichment programs to elementary students. In addition, Director of Admissions became a full-time position.

Facilities improvements continued in 2011-2012, a modular classroom was added at the  Waxhaw Campus and the cottage at the Blakeney Campus was renovated to allow for additional administrative office space. The next year,  a science laboratory, a locker room expansion and an outdoor classroom were added at the Waxhaw Campus.  In addition, Omni hired the school’s first Director of Development. In 2014, Omni received accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

Omni was fortunate to have two long-time Omni families gift the school the Owl’s Nest Treehouse Library in 2017.  In 2018, the Primary team developed the Children’s Nest to offer our youngest students the option to stay for a longer portion of the day. In this year, Omni also completed a Campus Master Plan. In addition, Omni hired a Primary Coordinator and an Elementary Coordinator.

Omni celebrates 35 years of Montessori education in Charlotte in 2020.

Cultural Diversity

Omni families and staff hail from all over the globe. Countries of origin have included Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Nicaragua, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Vietnam.