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Cadence Academy Montessori, previously Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy, Gilbert offers families in the East Valley of Phoenix an exceptional Montessori education. Our school is open year-round and maintains low student-teacher ratios in our classrooms to ensure we are providing your child the best possible early educational experiences. We also offer a Private Kindergarten program.
Our Mission
The mission at Cadence Academy Montessori, Gilbert is to provide children with a Montessori environment that nurtures and encourages them to grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. We help children develop the foundational habits, attitudes, skills, and ideas which are essential for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning.
Kind Child
Kindness is the foundation of our school’s culture and our directors, teachers, and staff are committed to practicing kindness in their daily interactions with one another and with each child. We want every child to feel welcome and at home at our preschool and we encourage our students to develop important social-emotional skills and valuable character traits as part of our Kind Child program. Our school regularly hosts Kind Child events including our annual Trike-A-Thon, which raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Staff and Faculty
Our staff is dedicated to encouraging self-directed, competent, caring, and enthusiastic learners. All of our lead teachers are Montessori certified and have a bachelor’s degree. In addition, all teachers and assistants are CPR and First Aid certified. We provide on-going support and training for all staff members. We are extremely proud of our professional and caring team of teachers and administrators at Cadence Academy Montessori, Gilbert. They make a difference!
Arizona Tax Credits
Arizona allows you to turn your state taxes into tuition scholarships for children attending private school. You can support your friends and family in their educational choices by making a donation to Arizona Tuition Connection. Your state tax liability is then turned into scholarships.
By choosing this tax credit program, you take control of your taxes. For full details on all of the rules of donating and how your funds can be used, visit ArizonaTuitionConnection.com.
Programs Offered
Our Team

Tiphanie Reed
Assistant Director
My name is Tiphanie Reed.
I was born in Japan and raised in Kearney, Arizona. I have 2 young children and currently reside in Apache Junction.
I have worked with children for 9 years. I have held the titles of both Teacher and Assistant Director. I completed my Montessori Primary 3-6 Certification in May 2016. I am excited to apply my newfound knowledge as a Certified Montessori Teacher.
I am happy to be a part of the Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy family serving the children and families of Gilbert.

Darling Hall
Head of School
Hello, my name is Darling Hall and I am proud to be your Montessori Academy Director.
As an educator and mother I know that finding the right early childhood program for your family is one of the most important decisions you can make. At Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy we believe in nurturing our children academically, socially and emotionally. It is our mission to encourage our children to develop a life time love of learning. We offer a Montessori setting that inspires children to be explorative, inquisitive and curious about the world around them.
Our beautiful campus is secure and clean, complete with security coded entrances and surveillance cameras in every classroom and on every playground. Our school holds 2 playgrounds, basketball court and lovely garden. Your child will love learning in our Montessori works enriched classrooms. Our Certified Montessori teachers are First Aide & CPR certified and we conduct regular background checks. We offer an open door policy to all our enrolled families that allows for our parents check in on their children regularly.
Our children LOVE coming to school because we make learning a fun and explorative processes. We believe in positively reinforcing academic and social success as a behavior management guide and celebrating children when they make great choices.
As your Montessori Academy Director it is my dedication to provide your children with the absolute BEST Early Childhood Educational experience. We invite you to stop by our Guadalupe and Mc Queen location for a complimentary Day of Discovery. We are conveniently located 2 blocks south of the US 60 on the SW corner of Guadalupe and McQueen in Gilbert AZ. We look forward to making you a part of the Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy Family.
Reviews from Parents
























Cadence Academy Montessori
Gilbert, AZ
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