About
- Dr Maria Montessori
Who We Are
A Joyful Place to Learn
Our inviting, peaceful school community will infuse your child with an academic, social, and cultural experience that brings out the very best of who they are. See your child delight in the joy of learning as they follow their own path in our authentic Montessori bilingual classrooms for children ages 2-12.
Read More About Our Team →
Every teacher at Montessori International Academy considers the happiness, learning, and safety of your child to be their first priority.
Read More About Our Campus →
We are centrally located in Orange County, close to Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and Orange, just off the 55 on Dyer Road.
Read More About The Arts →
Our arts program includes music, dance, theatre, and visual arts integrated into the curriculum at every level.
Read More About Our Legacy →
We embrace kindness and compassion, bilingual learning, and the authentic Montessori approach. Founded by Principal Sumiyo Sumikawa in 2010.
What Sets Us Apart
Why Choose Us
At this age, your child will love learning how to do things just like an adult! In their Montessori classroom, even the littlest children are able to choose their own work and feel.
Who We Are
Our Team
Every teacher at Montessori International Academy is a caring, skillful Montessori-trained guide who considers their work a craft requiring ongoing learning and dedication. Our lead teachers are all AMI or AMS trained, committed to offering your child the best possible Montessori bilingual experience. Each of our teachers is a native speaker dedicated to either English or Japanese learning in their classroom.
In addition to our teaching lead and assistant teams for each classroom,
- full-time security and maintenance
- four classroom support teachers
- five kitchen staff including our in-house Japanese master chef
- five administrative staff members
Who We Are
Our Campus
Our campus is centrally located in Orange County, close to Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and Orange, just off the 55 on Dyer Road. Our two buildings house two toddler classrooms, four preschool classrooms, a large kindergarten classroom, and our lower and upper elementary classroom for children in grades 1 through 6. Our beautiful fenced garden and playground, where our children run and play, are tucked in behind our buildings.
Our PE program includes fitness activities such as jumping rope, running, gymnastics, Japanese sports festival activities, and soccer. Regular elementary playtime includes basketball, badminton, and ball play. We also enjoy:
- a commercial kitchen used by our in-house Japanese master chef
- an extra kitchen for regular student use
- an indoor gym/stage area for rainy days, performances, and after-school programs
- a fully equipped music room and 5 pianos
- a library for student use
- a Japanese tatami room.
Who We Are
The Arts
Our arts program includes music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, including school-wide collaborative programs, as well as daily integration into the curriculum at every level.
We include a special emphasis on Japanese arts and artists, including calligraphy and ikebana. Every student learns, rehearses, and performs songs, dances, and instruments for our parent and family events and shows.
At the end of each year, our kindergarten and elementary students perform a musical for their families and for the younger children in the school.
Who We Are
Our Legacy
Montessori International Academy was founded in 2010 by our principal/head of school, Sumiyo Sumikawa, who is passionate about the value of the authentic Montessori approach, grace and courtesy, the benefits of bilingual learning, and the value of the Japanese cultural experience for children.
Our school quickly grew from a small, in-home preschool class to a thriving school for children from 2 through 6. We expanded to lower elementary (grade 1-3) in 2016 and have just recently added an upper elementary program (grade 4-6).
Our families value the Japanese cultural influence on our program, which emphasizes compassion, responsibility, and teamwork. Many of our families have Japanese heritage, but some do not. All families are welcome here! Our mission is to provide Orange County families with a gold-standard authentic Montessori bilingual and cultural program for toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary children.
Testimonials from Families
What Parents Are Saying
Discover real stories from our joyful classrooms.
Orange, CA
"Professional teachers & staff: I absolutely am amazed with how each teacher knows my son’s name no matter what grade. This has never happened at other schools. Even the security guard is very professional and engaged with the students. My son loves to go to school and share what he did on the day. We love everyone at the school! So professional and active with children."
Orange, CA
"My son did not speak ANY Japanese when he enter school. But teachers are very supportive. Very passionate of educate and take care of our son. Now after 6 months he understands lots of Japanese and getting much smoother in communication."
Irvine, CA
"Best school around! The staff are communicative and truly focus on what matters most for your child’s development. My 5-year-old son has loved being here for two years—he’s now starting kindergarten, speaks Japanese, and never wants to miss a day."
Cypress, CA
"Great principal and teachers who care about each student and parents from the bottom of their heart. Kids learn not just academics but also discipline, culture (lots of fun activities!), sports and caring about other kids."
Tustin, CA
"Our daughter started attending M.I.A. at 2.5 years old, and we love this school! The teachers and staff are so nurturing, kind, and attentive. It's a wonderful Japanese bilingual preschool/school."