[4] The school was founded by Nancy McCormick Rambusch, who subsequently established the American Montessori Society (AMS) in 1960.

[7] The school was named after Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire, England, where a traditional story tells of an abbess who recognized the musical talents of a stable boy and brought him into their educational program.

[9] Whitby was certified in 2019 as "School Yard Habitat" that allows for curriculum enhancements and exploration outside the classroom.

Through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme curriculum, the school emphasizes conceptual-based, cross-disciplinary learning.

Teachers work to create learning experiences that require using skills from multiple school topics.

There are also opportunities for interdisciplinary units where learning from multiple different classes supports a single idea or subject.

At the end of Middle School, students participate in a student-led 8th Grade Project designed to extend knowledge and showcase multidisciplinary skill development.

Using the Spanish language and culture skills, students work with local partner organizations in the country they are visiting.