From Vision to Legacy: The Founding Story of Somersfield Academy
Every great school begins with a bold idea, and Somersfield Academy is no exception. Our story started in October 1990, when a group of passionate parents set out to build something that didn’t yet exist in Bermuda—a diverse, inclusive Montessori school where children could learn and grow in a nurturing, child-centred environment. At the time, Montessori education had already been around for 83 years, but the island had yet to see its first Montessori classroom.
In September 1991, their vision became a reality with the opening of Montessori Academy. Located in Tivoli, Warwick, the school welcomed 72 students to its first classrooms. The school’s approach—child-led, inquiry-based, and focused on the whole child—was unfamiliar to many. In fact, some saw it as radical. The unfamiliarity led to misconceptions, including accusations of “witchcraft,” a reflection of how little people understood about the Montessori method at the time.
As word spread and interest grew, so did the school. By 1997, the student population had reached its maximum capacity of 135 students. It was clear that Bermuda was ready for Montessori—and that the dream these parents had set in motion was meeting a real need.
In September 2001, the school moved to its current campus in Devonshire and entered a new chapter. With the move came a new identity—Somersfield Academy—and the introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme. The name Somersfield was chosen to reflect both our deep Bermudian roots and our expanding global perspective, drawing inspiration from the Somers Isles and the historic land on which the school now stands.
Over the years, the school has continued to grow in both size and scope. A landmark moment came in 2019 with the launch of the IB Diploma Programme, allowing students to complete their full academic journey—from their earliest years through to graduation—without ever leaving Somersfield. Just two years later, in 2021, we celebrated a historic milestone: our first graduating class.
Today, Somersfield Academy is a vibrant learning community with nearly 550 students. Our divisions—Children’s House, Lower and Upper Primary, Secondary, and the Diploma Programme—are united by a shared commitment to curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. As we look to the future, we remain guided by the same bold spirit that sparked our founding more than three decades ago: a belief in the power of education to shape compassionate, independent thinkers who will make a meaningful difference in the world.