Welcome! I'm Molly, and I'm so glad you've discovered us.

Peace in a Pod Elementary is a small, special Montessori school that cherishes the simple joys of life. I began my teaching journey at 24, and I’m still as passionate today about nurturing young minds with the same Montessori curriculum. Our commitment to creating a peaceful, nurturing environment remains steadfast despite the ever-changing world.

In 2019, I opened our doors after a long teaching career in another Montessori school. Peace in a Pod Elementary quickly blossomed into a vibrant educational community. More Montessori-experienced educators joined us, and now, with more than 50 years of combined expertise, we offer TK-6th grade education across three classrooms, ensuring small student-teacher ratios that foster close connections and personalized learning.

As Santa Barbara’s only American Montessori Society Member School, we are proud of the unique screen-free educational experiences we offer. Our excellence in Science, Outdoor Education, Ecology, and Native American Studies has earned us two prestigious grants. Our downtown Santa Barbara campus thrives on outdoor learning, with frequent field trips and camping adventures that connect our students with the natural world.

Although we might show an occasional YouTube video as a teaching tool, our students do not use tablets or laptops, and we offer a device-free environment.

I enjoy meeting new families, and I encourage you to attend an open hour or schedule a tour if you would like to learn more about our school.

Public education is changing so rapidly, and we deeply value the Montessori Method and feel that it will prepare our children to live in a world where critical thinking, compassion, and collaboration are more important skills than ever before.

You will find our inquiry form on this page.

Please fill it out so I can answer your questions and support you in finding the best educational environment for your child.

Thank you, Molly