Welcome to Hands-On Montessori School

“This is the first year that our family has been a part of the Hands on Montessori family. Our daughter joined the Toddler/Montessori Beginners classroom after attending a Montessori school in another state from the age of 18 months. HOMS has made the move and transition so much easier for her. The school adheres to a traditional Montessori environment and curriculum, and the small class size for the Montessori Beginners group has been great. While the pivot to online learning has been challenging, especially for a group of kids 3 and under, it’s provided a wonderful outlet for my daughter during this challenging time. The teachers and administrators have provided great guidance and strong content. They’ve offered assistance with materials, and made the daily calls a place for my daughter to continue to learn, grow and engage with her peers. HOMS is also very supportive of the parent community, and that does not go unnoticed! Thank you guys for all you do!”

When it was time to start thinking about enrolling my niece in a program, I wanted a program that would take into consideration the whole person. I wanted her to develop academically, socially and emotionally so I looked around. I also wanted her to be in a place that she felt secure, people cared about her and would be part of a school family. Well, I found a place that fit the bill, my niece is currently enrolled in the Hands-On Montessori Toddler Program. She LOVES it! The teachers are very loving, attentive and professional. She is thriving and loves learning, thanks to Hands-On. Even with COVID-19, the love continued. They quickly changed gears and went to distance learning even with the toddlers. I had my doubts that it would work with the age group, but the teachers are so great and get the kids involved with dancing, singing, puppets and stories while still doing ABC’s and 123’s … she still enjoys it and is so excited when she sees her friends and teachers! I’m very happy with the incredible progress my niece has made this year, even with the COVID-19 situation. She is very capable, and the teachers/staff bring that out and foster a since of self confidence that will carry with her through her entire school career. I’m appreciative of the support and love she gets from her teachers and all the staff, and especially the way they were able to adapt to these unprecedented times. Hands-On was one of the best decisions and it’s on to the Pre-School next year!

There’s no shortage of praise I could give for the Hands On Montessori School. I quite literally couldn’t imagine my son being even close to a better fit in a different school. The staff and teachers are amazing people, who love each child and take real time to get to know them. So much value is placed in who an individual child is, and what their strengths are as they are guided from an understanding of how they personally will excel. The learning environment goes beyond mere academics; it is a school in which kindness, love and respect for life is also instilled. It must be said too, how amazing the staff has been at HOMS during this year specifically. Despite the Covid-19 epidemic, they didn’t miss a beat. Due to the tireless efforts of those at HOMS, my child has been able to maintain his school routine in the best possible way, with classes being hosted every week day. They also provided many printable projects that they went over via online school, as well as sufficient help in obtaining any of the materials needed. Having many nieces and nephews in other schools, I feel comfortable in saying that not many other schools are able to adapt in the same way this school has.

Hands-On Montessori has been a life saver for myself and my family during the pandemic. My daughter has not actually attended any physical classes at Hand-On Montessori, but is enrolled to begin kindergarten for Fall 2020. When the stay-at-home orders began, Emily reached out regarding enrollment for the Fall. During our conversation, I informed her that my daughter’s current pre-school was not providing any assistance or guidance on continuing our daughter’s education while being at home. Our family was having some difficulty, due to both adults still being required to work full-time all while managing having two little ones at home that needed structure and education. Upon my mention of this issue, Emily offered to allow our daughter to participate in the daily Zoom class that they were offering their current students. The opportunity to have my daughter participate in the classes, has been amazing. The teacher’s have made every effort to make her feel as if she is as much a part of the class as anyone else. She has been guided through weekly lesson plans that have allowed her to continue her education in a way that she takes ownership in her own learning. As a parent, I wholly recommend Hands-On Montessori to anyone who has a child that they are interested in receiving a great educational experience. From the first interaction with the staff at Hands-On Montessori, we have been extremely impressed and satisfied and it makes me feel very comfortable knowing I am sending my daughter to a school where everyone cares about her well-being and education. Thank you, Amber Noyes

Our daughter is in her third year at HOMS and is currently in the extended day Kindergarten program. Obviously this year has not gone as expected for anyone. When announcements were made that schools would not meet physically for the remainder of the school year, the HOMS teachers and staff sprang into action. Montessori learning is intrinsically hands-on. Moving Montessori learning onto an online platform definitely had its challenges for teachers, children and parents. However, with the love, patience, and strong bond already built between the teachers and students, online learning has gone beyond original expectations.
Amidst the chaos and upheaval of all our lives during these difficult times, the HOMS teachers and staff have been our rock through the storm. It has been such a comfort for my daughter to continue her routine of learning and see her friends and teachers every day. Online learning has been an adjustment for us all but we cannot thank everyone at HOMS enough for all the hard work, love and care that they put in to every single class.
Sending love, Kat

I am writing to share my experience with HOMS in their virtual learning program, as well as compare it with my older children’s parallel experience in the public school system. First, HOMS responded extremely quickly to the school closures in mid-March, rolling out an online/virtual learning program with daily synchronous zoom calls within two weeks of the shut-down. In contrast, my older children in the local (and extremely well-rated) public school were given templates with optional/non-graded/suggested activities and no “live” (online) interaction with their teachers for the first three weeks of the shut-down. With regard to the education they have received since starting online learning, my HOMS child is in the Kindergarten and Earth (primary) class, so he spends one and a half hours each morning with his K class and then another hour or so with the primary class. The K class is extremely structured and covers much of the learning they were doing in school – for example, one day working on journals, another on handwriting, another on science or an art project, etc. – and maintaining the structure of what they were doing in school, such as the daily morning message. Since the primary class covers a range of ages from 3-6, this is inherently less structured and includes specific learning experiences followed by open work period. During the open work period, I notice the teachers are often checking in on kids as they work independently (as they do in the “live” Montessori classroom as well!). I also hear songs and story read-alouds in both classrooms. On occasion they have lunch together virtually as a class, which is a nice way for them to reconnect with classmates in a fun environment. In addition, special events, such as the “QU” (diagraph) wedding and the cultural art fair (to be held in June) were recreated in a virtual manner which, although not quite the same as being live, were extremely special and thoughtfully done. My son said that the “QU” wedding was the best day ever! He loved it! The weekly art projects (learning about different arts as well as combining science and art) have also been a highlight of the learning experience! Finally, HOMS teachers held spring parent-teacher conferences via zoom. In contrast, my older children in the public school have once weekly “check-ins” with their teacher (elementary)/advisor (middle school) and very limited synchronous or asynchronous learning. Although there are optional “extra help” online sessions, there are almost no actual classes or instructors teaching new materials to students. Occasionally, there will be an audio recorded lessons, but for the most part students are asked to read secondary sources or websites to gain the information in order to complete assignments. My elementary school student has had one actual lesson to introduce a new topic. Each week he is given a template that presents daily tasks to be completed in each subject. Total time spent completing the assignments takes less than two hours. Parent-teacher conferences were not held as planned this spring. My middle school student receives assignments in each subject at the beginning of the week which are due by the end of the week. Working about two hours per day, all work is completed by Wednesday or Thursday. In addition to the weekly “check-in”, he has a language class once per week where they play an online game as a class or watch a movie. While some of the specific assignments have been relatively engaging and interesting, there has been limited teaching of new material. I understand and appreciate that all schools are facing an extremely difficult and unprecedented situation by having to adapt to online teaching/engagement, but the agility and speed with which HOMS rose to this occasion have impressed me to no end, particularly in the context of the public school response. I often say that my Kindergarten is the only one really learning anything this spring and that is wholly attributable to the very caring, competent and thoughtful teachers and administration at HOMS.

We knew Hands-On Montessori(HOMS) was a special place from the moment we entered the doors at the open house. And our daughter knew it too, and that’s why before we even left the open house that day, she asked if she could attend HOMS. And we were right. It’s very special. But I don’t think we knew truly how special it could be until COVID-19. Immediately after the stay-at-home order was issued in Massachusetts we started receiving resources from HOMS to help continue our daughter’s education at home while the team at Hands-On Montessori tirelessly figured out a way to transition to distance learning. This took a lot of careful planning considering electronics are not part of a traditional Montessori education. So they had to make it touch each child. And I believe they have. When the stay-at-home issue was ordered and our daughter was continuing her education at home, with all the resources HOMS provided, my sister’s four children, two towns away, were having a very different experience. And my friends’ children, in other parts of the country, were having a very different experience. They were all kind of left to fend for themselves at first and figure out what to do with their children at home. This new culture, being a first for all of us, had it’s growing pains. Small ones, as far as I could see. But the honesty and transparency that came throughout this process and seeing the improvement and growth day to day is what truly matters. Nothing is perfect, but to feel the love and caring of the entire team at HOMS, and how much these kids mean to them, and their desire to make this the best experience possible for all of these kids, reinforces for us that we have not only found a school for our daughter, but a home and community created by this school. Until Francesca is too old to continue, we feel so comforted knowing that HOMS is where she will be getting her education.

My daughter has been attending Hands-On Montessori School for the last 4 years, beginning with extended day kindergarten. I am really pleased with how she has advanced and matured. In addition it has always been a pleasure interacting with the teachers, staff and other parents. When it was decided that school would be closed to ensure the safety of the students, due to the coronavirus pandemic, l was fearful of how my daughter’s education would be impacted. I am pleased to say Hands -On Montessori school has exceeded my expectations. Not only have they provided my daughter with daily class materials, they have also provided avenues for their students to display their creativity and have fun together for instance, Pj day, Scavenger hunt , bird watching, culture fair, yoga, games, arts and crafts. Every Friday the teachers and the student have lunch together, just to name a few of the fun things they do with the students. My daughter has adjusted well, I am happy she still has access to the valuable teaching materials provided by the school. I would like to thank the teachers and staff at Hands-On Montessori school I am please with all the precautions they have taken and there efforts to provide continued education for the students.

What a year! Wow! But the way you an your school and your amazing teachers rose to the challenge- it’s incredible. I can’t imagine the undertaking that occurred to shift an entire school to a remote learning platform that maintained the essence of a Montessori School platform/soul. You have accomplished this and so much more. While both of my children participated in their own “special ways-” I appreciate all of the understanding that you and your teachers showed towards my children. I can not even begin to tell you how happy and relieved I am that we will be returning next year- and hopefully we will be in the school more than we are out of it. Have a wonderful summer- Get some rest! Much love, Jen

I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my visit to your beautiful school. You’ve made such a warm and peaceful environment for the children. Thank you for having me.

Thank you both for all your support these past years. Both of my children treasure their Hands-On School memories. We’re sad to have to move on, but will keep in touch. Thank you for everything.

We love Hands-On Montessori! I have two children currently enrolled, and this is our third year here at HOMS. From the moment we first walked into the school, we knew that this was a very special place. The teachers and staff are all highly experienced and fantastic communicators. They truly care for each and every child, and feel like extended members of our family. I love the individual attention this school is able to provide, and I have watched my children grow beyond just early academics. In this montessori environment, my children have grown in their social skills and confidence as well. As a parent, I am also very comforted to know that every child here is treated with the love and respect, and taught to be kind and gentle to others in return. I highly recommend this school! 

To Everyone at Hands-On Montessori,
I can’t thank you enough for such a wonderful experience my kids had at your school. The last six years have just flown by. Because of HOMS my kids all love going to school and continue to do well. They made great friends and learned so much. I wish I had 3 more kids to send to HOMS.