Research & Insights / Dante Alighieri Montessori School: A 2026 School on the Move Semifinalist

Dante Alighieri Montessori School: A 2026 School on the Move Semifinalist

The ten semifinalists for the 2026 School on the Move Prize are excellent examples of the conditions of sustainable school improvement EdVestors’ research has identified. Please join us at the Prize Ceremony on November 10th!

Dante Alighieri Montessori School remains strongly grounded in its identity as Boston’s only public Montessori school. Located in East Boston, serving 100 students, the school’s mission is to make a child-centered, peace-, and equity-driven approach accessible to all students, viewing the community's rich cultural and linguistic wealth as its greatest asset.

What stands out most to visitors is the school's beauty and peacefulness; what stands out to those examining academic outcomes is the school’s success in eliminating opportunity gaps.

In 2019, Alighieri’s data revealed significant disparities: 33% of Latinx students scored proficient in ELA, compared to 54% of white students. In Math, 27% of Latinx students scored proficient, compared to 64% of white students. The Alighieri has transformed these outcomes: Latinx students are outperforming their White peers by 9 percentage points in ELA, and have narrowed the gap to 5 percentage points in Math. The Alighieri received a “School of Recognition” designation in 2024 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Alighieri has adopted district-supported, standards-aligned curricula. These materials were adapted to the Montessori structure through independent work cycles and student work plans, which allow for individualized pacing and small-group instruction. Observation data shows nearly 100% of Alighieri classrooms demonstrate students doing the "heavy lifting" of the lesson.

The Alighieri also shifted some of its staffing, creating Learning Specialists who support both Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learners together, rather than using separate resource rooms. This model leverages the Montessori focus on flexible grouping and continuous observation to deliver responsive, integrated Tier 1 instruction. The shift has affected students and staff alike. Staff climate survey indicators are higher than district averages, reflecting a thriving professional culture.

Grounded in the Montessori Child Study process and the Nautilus "System of Justness," the Alighieri uses eight-week data cycles to ensure equitable resource distribution. This holistic approach integrates social-emotional learning, such as the Open Circle SEL curriculum, into the school's daily life. Chronic absenteeism at the Alighieri is significantly lower than the district average, and family climate survey data outperforms the district averages, demonstrating deep community trust.