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From Early Childhood through Grade 8, Summit-Questa Montessori School nurtures independence and joyful learning through authentic Montessori education on a nature-rich 10-acre campus. What sets Summit-Questa Montessori School apart is the way it blends authentic Montessori practice with exceptional outcomes. As a leading Montessori school in Davie, students benefit from individualized learning, visible progress, and experiences that build both character and capability - from entrepreneurship and public speaking to award-winning journalism, travel, and athletics.
With academic performance consistently above national benchmarks and 95% of graduates earning acceptance to their first-choice high school, Summit-Questa Montessori School prepares children not only to succeed in school, but to thrive in the world ahead.
Since its foundation, Summit-Questa Montessori School has continued to grow, strengthening its campus, academic offerings, and student opportunities. Today, it is recognized by many families as a standout Montessori school in Davie, offering a nurturing environment for children from early years through Middle School.
SQMS foundation
Summit-Questa Montessori School was founded by Judy Dempsey as Summit Private School of Ft. Lauderdale, beginning as a Montessori preschool in a small, one-building setting. From the start, it was rooted in a child-centered approach that nurtured curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Opening of Davie campus
Facilities and athletics expansion
The addition of the gymnasium and pools enriched student life and expanded opportunities for movement, athletics, swimming, and whole-child development. Around this period, the school’s athletics program also began to grow more fully, helping strengthen teamwork, physical development, and school spirit.
Distinguished educator recognition
Judy Dempsey’s recognition by the accrediting organization AISF as Distinguished Educator of the Year celebrated her lasting impact on Montessori education. The honor reflected her leadership, dedication, and the vibrant learning community she helped build at Summit-Questa Montessori School.
AMS affiliation
Expanded outdoor learning space
Summit-Questa Montessori School joins ISP
This was a transformative milestone for Summit-Questa Montessori School as they became a proud member of International Schools Partnership - ISP. Becoming an ISP school was Summit-Questa Montessori School gateway to a dynamic global network of world-class schools. It provided access to unparalleled opportunities for our students to collaborate across continents, engage in innovative learning projects, and develop the skills to thrive as true global citizens. The world just became our classroom.
Summit-Questa Montessori School students achieve strong academic results through personalized Montessori learning that builds critical thinking, independence, and confidence. As an established independent school in Davie, SQMS prepares students to thrive in high school and beyond.
95%
of graduates gain entrance to their first-choice High School
Top 5–10%
national IOWA Test performance across grade levels
12
state and national journalism awards earned in 2025 alone
2
students named national finalists for the Aspiring Young Journalist award
99th
Percentile average rank in English Language Arts
Percentile average rank in Mathematics
Percentile average rank in Core Composite
Top reasons our families choose to belong here.
Authentic Montessori curriculum
From Early Childhood through Grade 8, Summit-Questa Montessori School offers an authentic Montessori curriculum in Davie with mastery-based progression, mixed-age learning, and visible progress tracking.
Exceptional academic outcomes
Summit-Questa Montessori School pairs authentic Montessori learning with outstanding results, including top national test performance and strong high school placement that reflects deep mastery and confidence.
Fine Arts program
Summit-Questa Montessori School’s Fine Arts program blends visual art and music from Early Childhood through Middle School, helping students grow in creativity, confidence, and self-expression.
Thriving athletics program
Summit-Questa Montessori School’s athletics program builds teamwork, perseverance, and school spirit through SSAL competition, strong coaching, and championship-winning teams across multiple sports.
Award-winning student journalism
Summit-Questa Montessori School’s nationally recognized journalism program helps students turn curiosity into voice, earning major awards while building creativity, leadership, and real-world communication skills.
Future-ready skills
Through Montessori philosophy and Practical Life, students develop confidence and real-world skills, supported by the ISP Life Competencies Framework and Camtree at Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge.
Diverse extracurricular opportunities
From after-school clubs and student leadership to PTO events, special traditions, and memorable field trips, we offer a connected community where students grow in confidence, friendship, and real-world experience.
A nature-rich campus
Experienced Montessori educators
Montessori Teacher Training Institute
Summit-Questa Montessori School is home to the Summit Montessori Teacher Training Institute, extending the school’s commitment to authentic Montessori education by helping prepare future educators through experienced leadership and a deep foundation in the Montessori Method.
Language-rich learning environment
An ISP School
Summit-Questa Montessori School offers an authentic Montessori curriculum from Early Childhood through Grade 8, creating a connected learning journey at a trusted Montessori school in Davie. Across the school, students learn through hands-on experiences, mixed-age classrooms, and mastery-based progression that allows them to move forward with confidence while honoring their individual pace.Progress is made visible through curriculum tracking, ongoing goal-setting, individualized feedback, and three progress reports for Early Childhood and Elementary and four for Middle School each year, giving students, teachers, and families a clear view of growth over time.
Academic excellence at Summit-Questa is both measurable and meaningful. Students take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills annually, and the school ranks among the top 5 – 10% nationwide across Kindergarten through Grade 8, with scores that consistently surpass national averages and reach the 99th percentile in multiple grades. These outcomes reflect the strength of Summit-Questa Montessori School's enriched Montessori curriculum, which builds true mastery through curiosity, independence, communication, and sustained engagement rather than pressure. Assessments are approached as a practical life skill, helping students develop confidence and self-awareness without overemphasizing testing. That strong foundation continues beyond Middle School: 95% of graduates are accepted to their first-choice High School, and many place directly into Honors.
Fine Arts at Summit-Questa Montessori School is woven through the student journey, beginning in Early Childhood and expanding through Elementary and Middle School. Students explore visual art and music in age-appropriate ways, building both technical skills and creative confidence over time.Children work with a wide range of media, from paint and clay to drawing and design, while music becomes part of daily life through singing, percussion, bells, and recorders. As they grow, students deepen their learning through art appreciation, music theory, performance opportunities, and specialist teaching in the arts.
Summit-Questa Montessori School offers a robust athletics program where students grow through teamwork, perseverance, and healthy competition. As the home of the Seahawks, students develop confidence, sportsmanship, friendship, and strong school spirit while competing across SSAL sports including basketball, soccer, swim, track and field, volleyball, and flag football.Recent league championships highlight the strength of the program, while the school’s 10-acre campus, two saltwater swimming pools, and multi-purpose gymnasium provide students with space to train and thrive. All teachers are CPR/AED certified, giving families added confidence on and off the field.
Journalism at Summit-Questa Montessori School gives students a powerful outlet for ideas, creativity, and leadership. The school’s award-winning program earned 12 state and national awards in 2025 alone, including recognition from the Journalism Education Association and the Florida Scholastic Press Association. Notably, two Summit-Questa students were named national finalists for the Aspiring Young Journalist award, making it the only school in the nation to achieve this distinction in consecutive years. Through journalism, students learn to write with purpose, think critically, collaborate, and communicate with confidence - transforming their voice into meaningful impact.
At Summit-Questa Montessori School, life competencies are not taught separately from learning - they are woven into the Montessori method every day. Beginning with Practical Life in the early years, students develop independence, responsibility, care for their environment, and respect for their community through purposeful work. Through this Montessori Practical Life approach, alongside the ISP Life Competencies Framework - a life skills framework supported by Camtree, part of Hughes Hall at the University of Cambridge - students are equipped with future-ready skills. These skills continue to grow through peer mentoring, Socratic discussions, and regular public speaking - helping students develop confidence, character, and a clear voice. Beginning in Grade 4, student-run businesses add real-world experience in creativity, financial literacy, and problem-solving - preparing students not just for school, but for life.
Life at Summit-Questa Montessori School extends well beyond the classroom. Students can explore after-school opportunities such as chess, robotics, tennis, gymnastics, and cheerleading, while older students also take part in after-school sports. Leadership grows through experiences like NJHS, peer mentoring, Market Day businesses, Mock Trial, and Montessori Model United Nations. Community is strengthened through special events, science and history fairs, and PTO initiatives that bring families together. Field trips are a meaningful part of the experience too, from local experiential learning to week-long middle school trips featuring environmental projects, ropes courses, and travel to destinations such as Washington, DC, Boston, and New York. Together, these opportunities create a true Montessori village where students and families feel deeply connected.
Summit-Questa’s campus is a defining part of the school experience: a peaceful 10-acre oasis where Montessori learning is enriched by nature every day. Families often describe it as an oasis, and the school’s natural setting helps create a calm, welcoming environment where learning extends well beyond the classroom. The campus includes native habitats, edible gardens, butterfly gardens, a wetland preserve, two swimming pools, and a multi-purpose gymnasium. With abundant green space, trees, and animals on campus, it feels like a true Montessori village - designed to support exploration, movement, and connection to the natural world. This nature-rich environment strengthens the school’s identity as a trusted Montessori school Davie families can choose for a calm, engaging, and inspiring educational journey.
At Summit-Questa, students are guided by authentic Montessori educators who bring deep training, experience, and care to every stage of learning. As an accredited Montessori school in Davie, Summit-Questa is affiliated with the American Montessori Society, hosts a fully accredited Montessori teacher-training center, and holds accreditation from AISF, Cognia, MSA, NCPSA, and Ai — reflecting a strong culture of professional excellence. Faculty complete 30+ hours of annual professional development, and many have served the school for 10+ years, giving families the consistency and expertise that help children thrive. With individualized learning plans, frequent teacher-family communication, and progress reports each year, educators build strong partnerships with families and support every child’s unique path.
The Summit Montessori Teacher Training Institute reflects Summit-Questa Montessori School’s long-standing dedication to authentic Montessori education. Led by Judy Dempsey, Founder, Principal, Head of School, and Director of the Summit Montessori Teacher Training Institute, the program is grounded in decades of Montessori expertise and a clear commitment to preparing educators who understand how children learn and grow.
Judy brings 50 years of Montessori education experience, including 35 years at Summit-Questa. She holds a Master of Science in Montessori Elementary Education and American Montessori Society national certifications in Early Childhood, Elementary I & II, and Secondary I. Her leadership as a Montessori teacher trainer, author, educator, and founder supports the school’s wider mission of creating environments where children can express themselves, explore all areas of development, and experience the joy of discovery and mastery.
Language learning at Summit-Questa is rooted in the Montessori approach, where communication develops naturally through hands-on learning, mixed-age classrooms, and rich daily interaction. Students build strong literacy skills over time while learning to express themselves clearly, listen thoughtfully, and engage with others with confidence. Spanish is part of the student experience, and language growth is strengthened by the school’s diverse, welcoming community, where families from many backgrounds actively share cultures and perspectives. This combination helps children develop not only language skills, but also openness, respect, and global awareness from an early age. For families looking for a nurturing private school in Davie, Summit-Questa offers a strong foundation for confident communication.
ISP schools are a shared ecosystem of innovation and ambition. Students embark on a dynamic and personalised learning journey, guided by the transformative Learning.First™ approach, unique only to the ISP family of schools. They learn through five pillars enriched by worldwide collaborations, solving real-world problems with peers across continents. This powerful combination of academic achievement, multilingual learning and international opportunities creates unparalleled future pathways, preparing students for top universities and global careers.
We envision a nurturing Montessori community where children grow into confident, compassionate, and adaptable lifelong learners.Surrounded by nature and guided by authentic Montessori principles, students develop a love of learning, a strong sense of self, and the skills to thrive in a changing world.
To provide a nurturing environment where every child can express themselves, explore all areas of development, and experience the joy of discovery, mastery, and belonging. Through authentic Montessori practice, specially trained teachers, and a nature-rich community, we support each child’s natural drive to learn and help them progress with confidence, independence, and purpose.
As a Montessori method school in Davie, Summit-Questa offers hands-on, individualized learning that builds independence, confidence and strong communication skills.
A strong, inclusive community helps every child feel connected, supported, and valued.
Independence, curiosity, and joyful discovery grow through hands-on authentic Montessori learning.
Each child’s individuality is honored alongside respect for others, all living things, and the natural world.
Physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and personal development are nurtured together.
Meaningful experiences build confidence, critical thinking, teamwork, responsibility, communication, and independence.
Curiosity
An enthusiasm for learning, the ability to reflect and question, a positive self-image, and the skills to adapt prepare children for a changing world.
In spring 2023, after six years of homeschooling my eldest, we chose Summit-Questa Montessori School for his transition to middle school and immediately loved its peaceful, green campus.
I was concerned about his stutter, but weeks in, he told me, “Everyone is accepted here,” which reassured me completely. The following year, we enrolled our youngest, and I returned to teaching as an Upper Elementary teacher in fall 2024 - Summit-Questa is truly a safe and welcoming community.
Ms Rebeca
Parent and teacher
Questa prepared me for high school by introducing self-discipline and trust.
It taught me that you cannot always rely on others to push you to your potential or do the work for you. You will only see results and progress as a reflection of your own work and passion. Questa taught me to strive for a better future for myself and how to achieve it, no matter my age.
Mena Zavala
Alumni, class of 2025
Experience the Summit-Questa Montessori School community, where children grow rooted in Montessori and ready for the world.
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