REGISTERED NZ PRIVATE SCHOOL · YEARS 1–8
A Different Kind of Montessori Primary School in Porirua
Strong academics. Real independence. A school where children are known.
We're a registered New Zealand private primary school in Whitby, Porirua, led by a qualified, NZ-registered Montessori teacher. Choose classroom, hybrid or nationwide distance education.
No school zone
You don't have to live in Whitby or Porirua to apply. Families from across Wellington are welcome, and our distance school serves all of New Zealand.
2027 MONTESSORI SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications close 7 November 2026
Scholarships are available for full-time in-person, Hybrid and Online Distance School. We want more whānau to have the opportunity to choose Montessori.
Apply for a 2027 ScholarshipApplications are assessed individually. A scholarship or enrolment is not guaranteed.
CHOOSE YOUR PATHWAY
How would your child learn?
Three full-time school options, plus One Day School for enrichment.
PORIRUA · IN PERSON
Full-time School
5 days at school
Small, mixed-age classroom with individual lessons, Montessori materials and strong academics.
No school zone. Families from anywhere can apply if they can attend in Whitby.
Years 1–8 · Full-time enrolment
Enquire About SchoolPORIRUA + HOME
Hybrid School
2 days school + 3 home
Attend our Porirua classroom twice weekly. Continue a teacher-planned programme at home.
For families who can travel to Whitby and want both school and home learning.
Years 1–8 · Full-time enrolment
Explore HybridNATIONWIDE · NEW ZEALAND
Online Distance School
5 days learning at home
Registered school enrolment, individual plans, hands-on Montessori learning and weekly teacher feedback.
10 places remaining for 2027. No travel to Porirua required.
Years 1–8 · Full-time enrolment
Explore Distance SchoolPORIRUA · ENRICHMENT
One Day School
1 day at school
Hands-on Montessori enrichment, friendships and classroom experiences for eligible children.
Suited to independent homeschoolers and families seeking extra learning opportunities.
Enrichment · Not full-time enrolment
Explore One Day SchoolNot sure which option suits? Talk to us.
A GENUINE SCHOOL
Registered school. Qualified teacher. Real education.
Porirua Montessori is a registered NZ private primary school for Years 1–8, founded in 2023.
Our principal, Lisa Dei Gratia, is a qualified Montessori and NZ-registered teacher. We provide teaching, curriculum planning, assessment and guidance.
Our full-time, Hybrid and Distance students are enrolled at the school. Eligible full-time students do not need a separate home education exemption.
WHY CHOOSE MONTESSORI?
Not just a smaller school. A different way to learn.
Families choose Montessori because they value independence, deep learning and a curriculum that connects ideas. It's a positive educational choice, not simply a response to difficulties elsewhere.
Mixed ages
Older and younger children learn together, collaborate and develop leadership.
Individual progress
Explicit lessons and academic goals matched to each child's development.
Deep concentration
Uninterrupted time for meaningful work, practice and research.
Hands-on learning
Real materials, investigations and practical experiences.
Cosmic Education
Science, history and geography connected through Montessori's Great Stories.
Freedom & limits
Meaningful choice, teacher guidance and responsibility for learning.
2027 Scholarships: Apply by 7 November
Full-time in-person, Hybrid and Online Distance families can apply.
Apply for a ScholarshipIs our school right for your whānau?
You don't need previous Montessori experience. We do ask families to understand and support our educational approach.
You may love our school if you value:
- Academic learning and curiosity.
- Independence and responsibility.
- Mixed-age relationships.
- Hands-on, purposeful work.
- Respectful school–whānau partnership.
Our small-school reality
We have a small teaching team. We cannot offer every facility or specialist service of a larger school.
Individual needs are discussed openly, including reasonable adjustments and available support.
Montessori includes clear boundaries and expectations, not unlimited choice.
Child-centred. Not child-governed.
At Porirua Montessori, children have freedom within limits. They choose appropriate work, but don't choose whether to learn.
Teachers give lessons, monitor progress and set expectations. Children practise concentration, persistence, care for others and responsibility for their environment.
Independence develops through guidance and practice.
A school rooted in community
We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, respect te reo and te ao Māori and value learning that connects children to their community and world.
Care for others and our environment.
Kindness and understanding.
Learning from mistakes and others.
Questions, exploration and discovery.
MEET OUR PRINCIPAL
Lisa Dei Gratia
Lisa founded Porirua Montessori in 2023 to make Montessori primary education more accessible.
She is Montessori-trained and a registered New Zealand teacher with experience in Wellington and Porirua.
Our school is governed by a trust board.
Fees and enrolment
Our standard full-time in-person contribution is NZ$1,500 per term (around $150 weekly over ten weeks).
Hybrid, Online Distance and One Day School have different fees. Payment arrangements and supported places may be available.
Frequently asked questions
Does your school have a zone?
No. Families from anywhere can apply. In-person and Hybrid students must be able to attend school in Whitby, Porirua. Distance students learn from home across NZ.
Are you a registered primary school?
Yes. We are a registered NZ private primary school, Years 1–8, with qualified, NZ-registered teaching.
Does Montessori mean my child can do whatever they want?
No. Children have meaningful choice within clear limits. Teachers give lessons, monitor progress and guide children to complete purposeful work, respect others and develop responsibility.
Can my child start at five?
Yes. Previous Montessori preschool experience is not required.
What about homeschooling?
Our full-time Distance School offers registered school enrolment from home. The school provides curriculum and assessment; parents supervise daily learning.
Who can apply for a scholarship?
Families interested in full-time in-person, Hybrid or Online Distance School can apply for 2027 support by 7 November 2026.
Discover a different way to learn.
A real school. A Montessori philosophy. Options for local and nationwide families.
2027 scholarship applications close 7 November.
Porirua Montessori Primary School
39 Cleat Street, Whitby, Porirua
39 Cleat Street, Whitby Porirua
Porirua Montessori is a small Years 1–8 Montessori primary school in Whitby, serving families from Porirua and across Aotearoa via distance education.
Hours
Monday–Friday
8.45am - 2.45pm
Phone
(021) 0842 7037
A MANZ Member