Harborlight Montessori

We''ve had our son at HL-ST for 4 years now and could not be happier. It is not just that it's "better" than the other schools around us terms of class size, teacher dedication etc. It's that the Montessori curriculum itself is so much more effective and advanced than anything else out there. When it was designed in the early 20th century, it was based not only on developmental psychology but actual neuroscience. Each grade and stage is fine-tuned for optimal learning potential, integrating each child's individual needs, both cognitively and socially. Do some research about what our country is lacking in it's current educational system, and what our children will absolutely need in the years ahead. You''ll find every one of those aspects built in to the Montessori approach from the very earliest ages. It's highly structured, yet that structure is completely invisible to your child and will seem very open-ended to them on a daily basis. What they WILL know is that school is fun, learning is something they want more of and that respect for one's peers, teachers and the world around them is paramount. A few examples: My son started at age three, and before he even entered Kindergarten his class was learning about biology (difference between vertebrates and invertebrates), the geology of the earth, and our place in the solar system. At the same time, a lot of time was spent with what is called in the Montessori system on Practical Life and Grace and Courtesy. In this the children learned to truly work together, to help serve snacks and lunch for each other, to clean up together and how to peacefully resolve conflicts. This curriculum is also built right in, and follows all the way up through Middle School, where you will meet the most respectful and friendly teens you;ll ever encounter. By the time they leave school at 8th grade they are confident, truly love learning and exploring and frankly are better educated than most high school seniors.