Recent Questions

Bella Mente is proud to be laying the groundwork for Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and American Montessori Society (AMS) accreditations. In particular, AMS requires the school be in operation for three complete years (Bella has been open for two) before beginning the official accreditation process. To begin, the school must complete and submit a self-study which our experienced Principal has completed for other schools. Both the Principal and Assistant Principal have been in contact with the Montessori Center for Teacher Education in Clairemont for guidance. Bella Mente looks forward to the expertise The Center can provide the school.

For curriculum related questions, please contact our Principal, James Proby at JProby@bellamentecharter.org

Our mission statement: “The mission of Bella Mente Academies is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire an education based on a quality curriculum founded on the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.” As a public school, Bella Mente strives to provide education based on the Montessori philosophy while meeting the standards of the state of California. To teach in a public school in the state of California, including Bella Mente, teachers must possess a valid California teaching credential. Our Assistant Principal recently spoke with the Montessori Center for Teacher Education in Clairemont to discuss training opportunities during the year and certification over the summer. In addition to certification, teachers receive continuous professional development from their teaching teams, lead teacher, and organized professional development.

For certification related questions, please contact our Principal, James Proby at JProby@bellamentecharter.org

Bella Mente has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vista Unified, our charter authorizer. This MOU gives Bella Mente the freedom to hire service providers, either as employees or independent contractors. The school has two Resource Specialists on staff, one designated for Primary and Lower Elementary and another for Upper Elementary and Adolescent students. One of these Specialists will be your child’s case manager and direct contact regarding your child’s progress towards IEP goals.

Each month the Board of Directors review the cash flow, including revenues and expenditures, check registers, and ensure funds are spent according to the approved annual budget. Annual budgets are approved in May or June of each year at a regular board meeting. In addition, the Board also contracts an independent third party auditing firm (2014-2015 school year- Wilkinson, Hadley, King and Co, LLP) to review all finances. The audit report for the 2014-2015 will be available by December 31, 2015.

For questions regarding the Board of Directors, please contact Executive Director, Erin Feeley, at efeeley@bellamentecharter.org

​After our students, our faculty and staff are our highest priority. During the last school year, the Board of Directors approved a 403b retirement plan for all employees. New employees receive a 3% contribution to their retirement (no matching required) and returning employees receive a 5% contribution. Also, with the rising cost of the Affordable Care Act, the Board increased the monthly benefits allowance to $700 per month ($8,400 annual per full time employee) to completely cover an employee’s medical, dental, and vision plans. To be an attractive option, the school offers multiple health insurance carriers and levels: Anthem Blue Cross PPO or HMO and Kaiser.

​On our current pay scale, a teacher with 0 years of teaching experience and without dual credentialing begins at $45,480, $36,000 per year base pay, plus $8,400 in medical benefits and $1,080 in retirement contributions.

For salary related questions, please contact Human Resources Assistant, Susan Croniser at SCroniser@bellamentecharter.org

Bella Mente offers many different ways for parents to be involved. Parents can volunteer during the school day in classrooms, as a noon duty, or during pick-up. For those looking to help shape the future of Bella Mente, the school offers multiple opportunities.

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) which oversees the development of the Local Control and Accountability Plan and monitors progress towards goals. The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) which advises the school on English Learner instruction and services.

The School Site Council (SSC) who reviews and updates the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) including proposed expenditure of funds allocated to the school through the Consolidated Application.

Bella Mente offers many different ways for parents to be involved. Parents can volunteer during the school day in classrooms, as a noon duty, or during pick-up. For those looking to help shape the future of Bella Mente, the school offers multiple opportunities.

Our Principal chairs the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) which oversees the development of the Local Control and Accountability Plan for the upcoming 2022 – 2023 year and monitors progress towards 2021 – 2022 goals. He also chairs the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) which advises the school on English Learner instruction and services.

Our Principal chairs the School Site Council (SSC) who reviews and updates the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) including proposed expenditure of funds allocated to the school through the Consolidated Application.

For more information on these committees, please contact the appropriate chair:
SSC, PAC or ELAC, please contact the Principal, James Proby at JProby@bellamentecharter.org

Yes, you may complete an Independent Study form for an illness. The form must be completed the prior day before the absence.

For additional information regarding Independent Study, please contact Gladys Espino, at gespino@bellamentecharter.org