Montessori High School at University Circle (also known as MHS) was a private high school located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The school opened August 2008 as the first private high school in the United States with the Montessori name, and was the first Montessori high school to offer boarding for international and U.S. students. On May 4, 2018, MHS announced that it would cease operations and liquidate its properties at the end of the 2017-18 academic year due to financial difficulties. MHS combined Montessori education with the International Baccalaureate program, a demanding college-preparatory program stressing the classical liberal arts. MHS was one of five high schools in the United States to combine these educational approaches. Accreditation Montessori High School at University Circle was a member of the Cleveland Council of Independent Schools, was chartered by the State of Ohio, and was recognized as an official World School by International Baccalaureate. Diploma options In addition to earning the MHS diploma, student could earn International Baccalaureate certificates and diploma in selected International Baccalaureate courses. Students could sit for exams to earn certificates in any of the six subjects: English, Math, Science, 20th-Century World History, Art, or World Language. Students who achieved a qualifying score would earn a certificate in that subject. IB certificates mark the successful culmination of an area of study for students, and are an achievement in themselves. Lillard Hall Now the Science and Mathematics building, Lillard Hall was originally the private residence of Dr. Gordon Morrill. The Federalist style building was designed in 1910 by renowned architect Charles F. Schweinfurth, who designed homes on Cleveland’s Millionaire's Row, the Old Stone Church, Trinity Cathedral, the Union Club, Cuyahoga County Courthouse, and the stone bridges along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. It is the only private residence Schweinfurth built, and is known as one of the most beautiful mansions in University Circle. The building was converted to house classrooms, offices, music rooms, and libraries shortly after it was acquired by MHS in 2007. Lillard Hall is located at 11025 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland. The Science Lab The two-car garage that sits behind Lillard Hall was also converted, and functioned as the school's self-sustaining science laboratory and greenhouse. The lab not only supported science classes at MHS, but it also supports the MHS Garden Squad, which maintains the school garden. Ferris House The humanities and foreign language building, Ferris