Stepping Stones Montessori School had humble beginnings in the Gervais household in 2001. Initially welcoming 5 students plus the owners’ kiddos, offering half time preschool, the school quickly expanded to 16 full time students the next school year. By 2003, it was time to build a separate building, which was placed on the initial property and separated from the Gervais personal property. Small additions over several years ensued as enrollment increased. An elementary program for Gr 1-3 was added, then in 2006, an addition and program for Grades 4-6 was added. In 2010 a complete middle school was added. The Grades 4-8 program was named Cushnoc Academy, so that new families would recognize it as a program for older kids. In 2016 the adjoining property was purchased to add more middle school space. Small additions continued until in 2023 when Stepping Stones Montessori School was selected for a state of Maine Infrastructure grant to expand the preschool portion of the school and add a toddler program.

Over time, the school has expanded to encompass ages 1.5 to ages 14 and has become a model of authentic and rigorous Montessori education in the central Maine area. Respect for the special period of childhood, outdoor time, and project based learning are centerpieces of our approach.