Valley Montessori Academy (VMA)
Fostering Independence, Growing in Peace: Where Purposeful Education Begins at Valley Montessori Academy

In the heart of Central California, Valley Montessori Academy (VMA) is carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori by providing quality education to children aged eighteen months to nine years. VMA’s vision took shape when founder and administrator Oxana Raimondo began searching for stronger educational options for her son in what was then a smaller Bakersfield community. In 2015, she partnered with two other mothers to launch a small Montessori program, an initiative that later became the foundation for VMA.

Today, the private Montessori school offers three programs: a toddler program for children ages 18 to 36 months, a primary program for ages 3 to 6 and an elementary program for ages 6 to 9.

With the launch of the new Infant & Toddler Village in Fall 2026, VMA will extend Montessori principles to the earliest stages of development, welcoming infants as young as six months old. The Peace Rose Meditation Room will be California’s first yoga and meditation space intentionally designed within an early-childhood setting for both students and staff.

In the Infant & Toddler Village, the prepared environment will allow infants to move freely without restrictive seating, supporting natural motor development. Daily care routines— such as feeding and diapering—will be approached as meaningful moments of connection, strengthening trust and emotional security. Beginning in Fall 2026, VMA’s new Toddler Dual Spanish Program will introduce children to a second language during the most sensitive period for language development.

“Our mission is to nurture the next generation of independent, confident citizens of the world,” says Raimondo.

At VMA, classrooms turn into prepared environments that foster independence, curiosity and confidence in children. Learning materials are intentionally arranged on low, open shelves. Trained Montessori guides spend years refining material sequencing, ensuring lessons progress deliberately from simple to complex. Built-in control of error allows children to self-correct, reinforcing independence.

As families look for educational environments that emphasize individual development and long-term growth, VMA’s framework offers a structured path grounded in Montessori developmental principles. Progress is closely monitored by guides, who maintain detailed records of lesson presentation, mastery and readiness, allowing lessons to be introduced only when a child demonstrates preparedness. This sustained observation is supported by three-year classroom cycles, which give teachers the time to deeply understand each child’s development.

Its faculty is composed of a strong and dedicated staff, including certified lead teachers, associate teachers and classroom guides, who thrive in a climate of collegiality and ongoing professional growth. Representing diverse cultural backgrounds, they enrich the VMA community with meaningful perspectives.

“Our guides are deeply committed to Montessori philosophy and the development of the whole child,” says Pilar Neira, faculty lead. Multi-age groupings enrich the learning environment, allowing younger students to learn through observation while giving older children opportunities to develop leadership and mentoring skills.

Grace and courtesy lessons are woven into daily classroom life, helping children learn empathy, cooperation and conflict resolution in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. Daily mindfulness practices further support emotional awareness and self-regulation, reinforcing a calm and respectful classroom culture where children feel seen, heard and valued.

The campus features edible gardens and thoughtfully planned landscapes with beds of plants, trees, herbs and flowers for exploration. Each week, VMA’s garden teacher guides children through hands-on experiences in gardening and composting, nurturing a meaningful connection to nature.

VMA actively engages parents as partners to extend Montessori principles outside the classroom and create a cohesive learning environment at home. They are welcomed into the learning process through open classroom observations, conferences, student lesson showcases and annual parent education nights. Culturally inclusive classroom experiences strengthen this partnership. Parents are encouraged to share their holiday traditions, introducing children to a broader global perspective.

VMA is shaping the future of early childhood education in Bakersfield. Its recognition as the Private Montessori School of the Year 2026 reflects its commitment to nurturing confident, engaged, lifelong learners through the Montessori framework.