WSM Featured Alumnus: Ali Cranfill

Ali Cranfill attended WSM from 2008 - 2015 (Toddler through 3rd Grade).

Ali spoke on the WS Montessori School student experience and said, "I truly enjoyed the people, and the comforting sense of community. I always felt safe, loved, and accepted for who I was. I never felt judged for the pace I was learning at!

After leaving WSM, the transition was difficult, but doable. Both curriculum and culture differ from Montessori to traditional schooling, but through the years I adjusted and made new friends.

I am dually enrolled as a high school junior and community college freshman! I love volunteering in my community, playing tennis, and playing the piano!

The Montessori experience taught me patience, and how to accept people for who they truly are. It taught me to value diversity and inclusion, and how to be kind to all. It also conditioned me to always be open to new experiences!

I wish that students and parents knew that the education at a Montessori center is of the highest quality. Students are able to learn at their own pace, in a comfortable environment that is connected to nature and others. Once your time at Montessori stops, you will have made life long friends and the transition to traditional schooling is completely doable.

You can continue to make learning student-centered, and value the student and their personal needs.

THANK YOU for everything you did for me, and for all of the life lessons you taught me.

To current students, keep meeting new people and trying new things. Never write anyone off, and continue to value your learning even if it gets challenging."

Thank you for being a part of our WSM Alumni Community!

If you or a WSM Alumni friend would like to be featured and added to our WSM Alumni network, we would love to hear from you here.