Our History
History of The Red Oaks School
The Cutler Homestead, circa 1861.
The Red Oaks School’s history is rooted in a pioneering spirit and a commitment to dynamic, research-driven education. For nearly 60 years, we’ve set the standard for innovation and growth.
In the mid-1960s, a group of local couples, many graduate students seeking dynamic educational tools for their children, began Montessori classes in their homes. By 1965, this group had founded the Montessori Children’s House of Morristown (MCH). Enrollment quickly grew, and in 1966 the school moved into a former schoolhouse in Collinsville. In 1968, MCH purchased and renovated the historic Cutler Homestead, now Red Oaks’ Early Childhood and Elementary campus. The original building, constructed in 1799, was once home to Revolutionary War patriot Silas Condict.
By the 1968-69 school year, MCH had 100 students and was a member of the American Montessori Society. Over the years, the school expanded, adding Lower Elementary in 1973 and Upper Elementary in 1982. In 1975, the Cutler Homestead became a National Historic Landmark.
In 2006, as plans for a middle school were underway, MCH became The Red Oaks School. In 2012, our Middle School program opened at 340 Speedwell Avenue, graduating its first class in 2015. In 2022, the Middle School moved to a newly renovated campus at 238 Speedwell Avenue in Morris Plains.
In 2017, Red Oaks Middle School became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for the Middle Years Programme (MYP)—the first in Morris County and one of only five in New Jersey. Today, we offer an interdisciplinary curriculum blending Montessori through 4th grade with the IB Middle Years Programme, all underpinned by the latest evidence-based teaching practices.
Timeline
| 1965 The "Montessori Children's House of Morristown" (MCH), is established in Morristown, NJ |
| 1966 Classes begin at the municipal building in the Collingsville section of Morristown |
| 1968 MCH purchases 21 Cutler Street, and classes begin in September, first year enrollment is 100 students |
| 1969 MCH becomes a member of the American Montessori Society |
| 1973 Lower Elementary program is added for six- to nine-year-olds |
| 1975 The National Park Service designates 21 Cutler Street a National Historic Landmark |
| 1982 Upper Elementary program is added for children through sixth grade |
| 2006 Montessori Children's House changes its name to "The Red Oaks School" |
| 2010 Red Oaks is awarded accreditation from the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) and *American Montessori Society (AMS). *AMS accredited with non-traditional Montessori age groupings. |
| 2012 Red Oaks Middle School opens its doors at 340 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown, NJ |
| 2015 Red Oaks graduates its first eighth grade class and becomes an International Baccalaureate (IB) candidate school |
| 2016 IB authorization documentation submitted on October 1st |
| 2017 Red Oaks Middle School is authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School for the Middle Years Programme. |
| 2022 New Middle School building opens at 238 Speedwell Avenue in Morris Plains, NJ. |