In fall 2006, Élan Vital Montessori School opened its doors on Perkins Road as the first Montessori School in Baton Rouge dedicated to providing PK3 through grade 4 education. Twenty-five students were in the inaugural class—18 in primary and seven in elementary.  The current program offerings include a Toddler Program (18 months to 3 years), Early Childhood Primary (3 years through kindergarten), and Elementary (grades 1-4).

​Élan Vital is a traditional not-for-profit private school with a mission to create and sustain an optimal Montessori educational environment to enable each child to realize his or her richest potential for learning and to become an independent, self-motivated, and contributing member of the world community.  It is our aim to instill respect and responsibility for humankind, the environment and ourselves. Élan Vital has an authentic Montessori environment where children develop a lifelong love of learning.