The History of John William Montessori School

Nana-Fosu Randall and her husband John founded the John William Montessori School in her home town of Tanoso, Kumasi, Ghana with help from their children William and Kachina Randall.

Nana was inspired when her late American adopted mother, Muriel King Taylor, shared her desire to do something for the children of Ghana, offering them the chance of a good education.

From its start in August of 1997, when surplus concrete blocks were used to build the first two classrooms for forty students, the school has grown steadily to serve more than six hundred students in thirty classrooms. A library, computer lab, more classrooms, a large kitchen, additional wash rooms and office space have been constructed.

Six students from Princeton University helped catalog some of the 75,000 books we have received. This number of books requires one mile of shelf space. We have completed construction of more than one thousand feet. Students in the life skills classes will help building more shelves.

Current plans are for the construction an auditorium and science labs. There are many requests that boarding facilities be provided as well as extended preschool programs.

We continue developing the curriculum, with one grade being added each year. Student study in the French language, the sciences and Ghanaian culture is expanding. The recent acquisition of table tennis equipment has proved quite popular. Continuous Internet access via a radio link is enjoyed by the staff and the older students.

Currently (in 2004) lots of indoor games are being provided for use by both teachers and students. We plan to continue expanding their number so that there are recreational opportunities in inclement weather.

In May 2004, the Ghana Education Service upgraded our school to class A, their highest rankning.

In addition to the Ghanaian staff, six volunteers from International Christian Youth Exchange in Europe help with teaching and administrative chores. John William Montessori School has been chosen by Winneba University as a site for the training of student teachers.

With enthusiastic students, supportive parents, dedicated staff, and help from people around the world, the John William Montessori school is becoming one of the finest schools in Ghana.