IMA, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit school serving ages 2 months through 3 years. IMAP is a tuition-free public charter school serving learners from 4K through 12th Grade.

The Admissions Window to apply for the 2025-2026 school year will be open from December 1, 2024 – February 13, 2025. Learn more about the admissions process by on our Enrollment page.

Our Vision:

Our vision is to help all children of the Madison area reach their highest and unique potentialities.

To accomplish this we seek to reflect and inspire the true diversity of our urban setting and to encourage a society of compassionate, responsible, and productive leaders.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to provide an aid to life through a holistic AMI Montessori Education; helping children achieve their greatest success, develop independence, and live with genuine kindness to others and the world.

Our History:

Isthmus Montessori Academy (IMA) opened in 2012 with the belief that Montessori education should be available and accessible to all children and families. The school opened with just two classrooms, has since expanded to include infant, toddler, preschool, elementary, junior high, and high school programming.

Isthmus Montessori Academy Public (IMAP) was established in 2018, and continues to serve as Madison’s first and only public Montessori school. In 2018, students in grades 4K-9th grade were welcomed, and our school nearly tripled in size. In 2021, IMAP was granted International Baccalaureate World School status for the Diploma Programme, also making us Madison’s first and only public International Baccalaureate school.

Distinction between IMA/IMAP

Accessibility, inclusion, and compassion have been the goals for the Isthmus Montessori Academy community from its inception.

While IMA remains a 5 Star YoungStar rated, tuition-based non-profit portion of the community; IMAP is a public charter school.

IMA serves children between two months and three years of age during the school day. IMA also provides Before School and After School Care for all ages, Wrap-around care for 4K, and camps over some all-school breaks.

At this time, IMA is still tuition-based and accepts Wisconsin Shares for all families who qualify.

Children in 4K through 12th grade are able to apply for enrollment at the IMAP portion of our community, which is publicly funded. 4k is free of tuition from 8am-11:30am, and 5k-12th grade is free of tuition from 8am-3pm.

IMA and IMAP share facilities and are a cohesive learning community.