Principal Melissa Ridley

Melissa Ridley attended Xavier University, graduating with her bachelor of education in Montessori Education in 1994, master of education in Early Childhood Special Education in 1998 and master of education in Educational Administration in 2012. Over the past 24 years, Ridley has served as a public Montessori educator in the Dayton Public Schools at Jefferson Montessori from 1994-2001 and in the Cincinnati Public Schools from 2001-2003 at Burton Elementary and 2003-2017 at Parker Woods Montessori, formerly Winton Montessori.

Ridley joined the leaders of Cincinnati Public Schools in the 2017-2018 school year, joining Dater Montessori as the assistant principal. She was then called to serve as the interim principal at Pleasant Ridge Montessori for the 2018-2019 school year. She is beyond excited to grow the new Gamble Montessori Elementary on the west side of Cincinnati!

As a Montessori educator and administrator, she believes in children and who they are! She is dedicated to promoting respect for all children, one another and the environment in which we live. She looks forward to building relationships with the Gamble Montessori Elementary community to ensure a safe, well-prepared and engaging learning environment for our children.

Ridley can be reached via email or by phone (513) 363-9600.

From Ms. Ridley's Desk:

As we continue to grow at GME, our classroom communities are changing and growing as well.  The 2022-2023 school year will bring a NEW 6-9 classroom AND 2 NEW 9-12 classrooms.  Current kindergarteners move into the 6-9 classrooms and current 3rd graders move into the 9-12 classrooms.   Some children in 2nd-3rd & 5th-6th may be moving to communities to bring a new community to life!

One more important change for the 2022-2023 school year is the drop-off time & location for children.  The carline drop-off will be by the cafeteria entrance only and it will be open from 7:45 AM-8:15 AM.  If arriving after 8:15 AM, parents will have to walk your child into the building via the main office & sign-in.  Children who were waiting in the cafeteria or auditorium (if not eating breakfast) will report to classrooms beginning at 8:15 AM.  Children are considered tardy if they arrive after 8:20 AM.  

More information will come in early August as we prepare to welcome everyone back to school. Here are some important dates for you to mark on your calendar!  We look forward to what is to come in 2022-2023!

Gamble Montessori Elementary School Day
8:15 AM - 2:45 PM
Arrival: 7:45-8:15 AM (carline by cafeteria)
Dismissal:  2:35-2:50 PM (carline by cafeteria)

August 2022

GME Supply Drop-Off
Monday, August 15th
2:00-3:00 PM

Stop at GME to drop off your child’s school supplies!

Parent Information Night – Adults ONLY – 3-6 & 9-12 Families ONLY
Tuesday, August 16th
Your child’s classroom
5:30-6:30 PM

This meeting will provide you with everything you need to know about the 3-6 OR 9-12 environments from your child’s teacher!  6-9 families should contact your child’s teacher for information. 

First Day of School
Kindergarten-6th Grade
Thursday, August 18th

NEW Montessori PK First Day
Friday, August 19th

ALL Montessori 3-6 
Monday, August 22nd

OPEN HOUSE - GME Diversity Night
Thursday, August 25th 
5:30-6:30 PM

Please call the office at 363-9600 or reach out to me at ridleym@cpsboe.k12.oh.us if you have any questions! Thank you for choosing GME and being a part of our growing community!