Who are we?

Forest City Village School is a Montessori-inspired private funded school located in the heart of St. James, just steps from the city park and public library. We offer a rich educational experience for children ages 3 to 9.

What is our philosophy?

1. Child-led learning and intrinsic motivation

2. Respect for each child’s unique pace

3. Outdoor exploration and connection to nature

4. The balance of freedom and responsibility

5. Community as a central element of growth

What makes us different?

1. Year-round calendar with flexible enrollment

2. Low ratios and personalized attention

3. Blend of Montessori and nature-based practices

4. Mixed-age classrooms

5. Focus on emotional intelligence, not just academics

What’s in the name?

Saint James is known as the Forest City of the Ozarks, and we love the forest feel of the city. Including this in our name was a natural choice, as it also aligns with our core educational model. We believe the old saying “It takes a village to raise a child,” so we are building a community to uplift parents, who will in turn uplift the entire community. We bring parent- and family-oriented community programs to enrich and strengthen the village the children need.

How can you help?

We collaborate frequently with area experts and business owners to bring unique programming to our students. If you have a unique area of knowledge that you would like to share with our school please fill out our Guest Intake Form.