Breaking Ground on “The Den”: A New Chapter for Outdoor Learning at West Side Montessori
There’s something special happening on the southwest corner of our 37‑acre Toledo campus. After years of dreaming, planning, and generous community support, West Side Montessori has officially broken ground on a brand‑new outdoor education facility—affectionately known as The Den.
For years, our Fisher Outdoor Education Program has given students the chance to explore, question, and connect with the natural world. The Den takes that vision even further. It’s designed to be a place where students can dig into science experiments, observe seasonal changes, create art inspired by nature, and learn in ways that simply aren’t possible inside a traditional classroom.
But The Den isn’t just for students. It will also serve as a welcoming space for community workshops, family events, and gatherings that bring people together in meaningful ways.
A Space Built for Curiosity
The new 1,800‑square‑foot building is intentionally placed between our main school building, wooded trails, and the campus pond—right at the intersection of learning and nature. Some of its standout features include:
- 1,000‑Square‑Foot Learning Space — A flexible, open area perfect for hands‑on activities, science labs, and group collaboration.
- Four‑Season Design — The building is fully heated for cold months, and nine ceiling‑mounted doors can open to create a seamless indoor/outdoor environment when the weather is right.
- Thoughtful Amenities — Accessible restrooms, washing stations, an office, and storage for outdoor education materials ensure the space is functional and ready for daily use.
Made Possible by Community
The journey to The Den began in 2021 with a paddle raise at our annual fundraiser. Since then, the generosity of our donors has turned a vision into a fully funded reality—without using any tuition dollars. It’s a testament to the belief our community has in the power of outdoor learning.
Looking Ahead
As construction moves forward, we’re excited to watch The Den take shape and to imagine the discoveries, creativity, and joy it will inspire for years to come.
Toledo Campus
Perrysburg Campus
West Side Montessori is an independent, accredited Montessori school educating children from 6 weeks old through 8th grade (infant, toddler, preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school). We are one of the leading private schools in Toledo and the nation.
WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.
WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.