For over four decades, our Montessori community has been a trusted home for families in Northwest Indiana seeking something more for their children — now across two campuses.
Through authentic Montessori education in a warm, welcoming community that honors the whole child and supports every family — at every campus.
Our community was founded in 1983 by a small group of Northwest Indiana parents who believed their children deserved an education that honored who they were — curious, capable, and driven to learn.
What began as a single Children's House classroom in Chesterton has grown into a full-service Montessori organization serving children from infancy through elementary at two campus locations — Chesterton and Valparaiso.
We remain community-run and deeply committed to the families we serve. Many of our current parents attended our schools themselves — and that continuity is something we are very proud of.
A group of parents opens the first Children's House classroom in Chesterton, Indiana — bringing authentic Montessori education to Northwest Indiana for the first time.
Demand from families with younger children leads to the addition of our first Toddler classroom, extending our program down to 12 months.
Following the growth of our Children's House graduates, we open a Lower Elementary program at Chesterton to support Montessori continuity through age 9.
The Chesterton campus relocates, giving the growing school a new home with room for more classrooms and programs.
To serve more families across the region, we open a second campus in Valparaiso — bringing our early-childhood programs and flexible childcare to more of Porter County.
We welcome our youngest learners yet — the Infant Nido opens, serving babies from 6 weeks old in a peaceful, home-like environment.
Two campuses, a full range of programs, and hundreds of families — continuing to grow while staying true to the values our founders believed in from the very beginning.
Our teachers hold Montessori credentials from recognized training programs and bring years of classroom experience. They are the heart of everything we do.
My journey in Montessori education began with a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in the community. That journey began with the ownership of Chesterton Montessori School and grew into a deeper commitment to Montessori education, eventually leading to the addition of Valparaiso Montessori School to our family.
Through these experiences, I have come to appreciate that Montessori is much more than a method of education. It is a philosophy that respects the individual child, recognizes their natural desire to learn, and gives them the opportunity to develop independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
As I became more involved in the day-to-day life of our schools, I saw firsthand the dedication of our teachers and the trust that families place in us every day. I also came to understand the responsibility that comes with operating a school. Parents are not simply choosing a place for their children to spend the day, they are entrusting us with some of the most important years of their child's development.
That responsibility is something I take seriously.
My goal has always been to support environments where children are known as individuals, where teachers are valued, and where families feel a genuine sense of care. I believe the strongest schools are built on relationships between children and teachers, between schools and families, and within the communities we serve.
As our Montessori journey continued, the vision for Harmony Learning Group began to take shape. Harmony Learning Group was created to bring together the experience, resources, and shared values needed to support exceptional Montessori and early childhood education while respecting what makes each school and community unique.
My goal is not simply to grow schools. It is to help create and support educational environments where children can thrive, teachers can do meaningful work, and families can feel confident that their children are being cared for, respected, and inspired to learn.
I am incredibly grateful to the families, teachers, administrators, and communities who have been part of this journey. Their trust and faith continue to shape the work we do and the future we are building.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief, that every child deserves an environment where they are respected, encouraged, and given the opportunity to discover who they are and what they are capable of becoming.
That belief is what brought me to Montessori education, what continues to guide our schools, and what inspires the vision for Harmony Learning Group.
My name is Brooke Ferrand and I have been with Chesterton Montessori School since 2017. I hold a BA in Psychology and the Montessori Administration Certification. I am passionate about Montessori education and believe it is the way children are meant to learn. My goals are to ensure top quality educational practices and foster a warm inviting school community for both staff and families.
After years working in education, I am honored to serve as the Administrator of Valparaiso Montessori School. Born and raised in Spain, I had the opportunity to study in England before moving to the United States, where I furthered my formal education at Purdue University and found my calling in early childhood education.
As a mother of three, my own children have been my greatest teachers. Through them, I discovered the importance of trusting each child, recognizing their unique potential, and creating an environment where they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. They also taught me how meaningful it is for families and educators to work together with trust, respect, and a shared commitment to each child's success.
At Valparaiso Montessori School, we are more than a school, we are a community. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside a caring and dedicated team that shares the same passion for supporting children and their families. Every day, we strive to create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel confident to explore, learn, and become the very best version of themselves.
I truly love what I do and what we all do together, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of each family's journey. It is a privilege to watch children grow, celebrate their milestones, and build lasting relationships with the families who place their trust in us.
The best way to understand our community is to visit. Tours are available weekdays at both campuses — we'd love to show you around.