Green Meadow School takes over Isla Montessori, plans expanded early childhood services in Dandan

Green Meadow School has formally taken over management of Isla Montessori School in Dandan and plans to transform the campus into an expanded early childhood education center while preserving the school's name and continuing its educational mission, school officials said.

Green Meadow principal and director Mila Songcuan said discussions to assume management of the school began early this year after learning that Isla Montessori was looking for new leadership.

"We started the talks... early in the year, probably within the first quarter," she said in an interview with Marianas Press last July 1. "The actual official transition... was June 6."

She said the opportunity aligned with a longtime personal goal.

"It's really my dream to have one in Dandan because that's the place where I live," Songcuan said. "Green Meadows is interested to continue whatever the mission and the vision of the Montessori School."

School president Glenn Songcuan said the move was also driven by a desire to keep the campus serving families after its previous operators decided to step away.

"To hear that one of our own is thinking of closing their doors, that's why Ms. Mila thought to jump at the opportunity... to continue the legacy of that location and continue serving the members of the community in Dandan," he said.

While the new management intends to retain Isla Montessori's name under existing agreements, officials acknowledged they cannot yet guarantee the continuation of a full Montessori curriculum because of staffing changes and licensing requirements.

"We are still required to maintain the name," Glenn Songcuan said. "But as of right now, at least for the upcoming school year, it is not guaranteed" that Montessori instruction will continue in its current form.

Mila Songcuan said the campus itself was a major attraction because of its child-centered environment.

"It really makes me convinced that I like this school," she said. "You can see that there's pottery, they even have a house there for chickens, they have a garden. So, it's really something that we want to continue."

Officials said the previous staff had already planned to leave once management changed, prompting Green Meadows to recruit new employees while considering transfers from its existing campuses.

The Dandan campus will initially focus on infants, toddlers, preschool children, and after-school care. Students will eventually transition to Green Meadows' larger campuses for elementary and middle school.

Glenn Songcuan said Green Meadow will continue operating its three existing campuses while gradually expanding services at Isla Montessori based on enrollment demand.

"We are currently still retaining all three, and we are starting limited services in Isla Montessori," he said. "We're gauging those who are interested... but as of right now, we are somewhat playing it by ear."

The campus suffered only minor damage from Super Typhoon Sinlaku before the transition, officials said. Repairs had already been completed by the former management before Green Meadows officially assumed control.

Looking ahead, the school is already recruiting employees and encouraging Dandan families to consider the campus.

"We'd like also to reach out to the community in Dandan that your new daycare center is open," Mila Songcuan said. "It's going to be still under Isla Montessori."

Glenn Songcuan said the acquisition reflects Green Meadow's long-term commitment to expanding educational opportunities on Saipan.

"With the state of the community and education here on island, I think it's good to have those options to welcome children into our educational environment," he said. "She wants to really be able to expand, to make that quality of education available to everyone as much as possible."

Isla Montessori is located in Dandan and is now accepting enrollments for the upcoming school year. The campus will initially offer infant care for children 16 to 24 months old, toddler programs for ages 24 to 36 months, K-3, K-4 and K-5 preschool classes, as well as after-school services.

Families interested in enrolling or applying for employment may contact the school's Chalan Kanoa office at (670) 234-0467, (670) 235-2185, or (670) 233-6452, or call Mila Songcuan at (670) 483-6452 for more information.