Discover your child’s other happy place

Nurturing independence, self-confidence, self-respect, and creativity.

A Montessori school for children ages 18 months to 12 years

Why do so many families choose Montessori?

We Emphasize More than Just Academics


We honor your child’s individuality and focus on curiosity, independence, compassion, collaboration, and critical thinking, preparing him or her to take on the future with confidence, propelled by the gift of self knowledge and a passion for learning.



…but the Academics Are a Huge Strength 


It is not uncommon to see four-year-olds in our school reading, six-year-olds completing long division problems, and nine-year-olds classifying botanical specimens. Our curriculum presents skills at the time when children are most ready to learn.


We’re a Community


Our school is a community for more than just the children. We view our relationship with you as a partnership, working together for the benefit of your child. Because children thrive when home and school work in harmony. 




“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.”

- Amber N

Our Programs

We offer programs for children from 18 months through 6th grade.

How to Apply


1. Schedule a Tour


View our classrooms and learn more about Montessori education.

2. Submit an Application


After your tour you’re invited to apply for your child.

3. Join the Community!


Meet other new parents and connect with us on social media to get acquainted with our community.

The Montessori Blog

01 May, 2021
How does a parent prepare their child for an unpredictable future? Don’t we all just want to give them every possible advantage? How do we define success in our children’s lives? Is it about being able to provide for oneself or is it finding joy in the work we do? Is it about contributing to our communities or perhaps continuing to learn throughout our lives? Couldn’t it (shouldn’t it) be a little bit of all of those things? Goals We think Montessori is one beautiful way to work toward all of these goals, and we are prepared to make some bold statements: Montessori gives children a strong understanding of basic math and language skills, starting earlier than most methods and using materials that support their development and methods that correlate with current research findings. Building a sense of independence and confidence is a major component of what we do. We know that children of all ages are fully capable of doing more for themselves than they are often given credit for. We have learned to sit back, observe, and assist only when necessary. This allows children to grow in incredible ways, amazing their parents (and frankly, us, too!). Respect for and connection to the earth is built directly into our curriculum, especially in the elementary grades. We know that around age 6, children start to think about where they fit into the bigger picture. We teach them about the universe, our solar system, the beauty of our planet, and the variety of life on it, just at a time when they are seeking those answers. Choice and freedom are important for all human beings. We give both to children because we believe they are capable of knowing what they need and want, and the more practice they have the better they will get at making decisions when we are not there to support them. We value teaching responsibility and time management skills. This goes hand in hand with focus and attentiveness. The ability to make choices about one’s learning must be balanced with accountability; as the children in our classrooms get older, they know there are certain expectations. For example, they may be able to choose the order of their work, but they know that they have to do grammar at some point during a specific time period, even if it’s not their favorite subject. Rather than drilling arbitrary facts into children and forcing them to memorize information that may not serve them in the future, we take a different approach. All children are exposed to a wide variety of basic scientific, geographical, and historical information, and are given extensive opportunities to more deeply explore the topics that they find fascinating. Graduates of Montessori schools go on to be successful in other settings, whether they go on to attend other private schools or their local public schools. They tend to view the world a little more creatively than the rest of us, and their contributions are often felt throughout society. There are many notable public figures that credit their early Montessori education to the successes they experienced later in life. To learn more about some of these people, take a look at this article . Research Montessori-specific research is a fairly new field, but the initial results in recent years are fascinating. One study conducted in Hartford, Connecticut, took a look at preschool students in a public Montessori magnet school. Federal magnet grants are awarded to public schools who commit to special, high-quality educational programming (in this case, Montessori) in an attempt to create a socioeconomically diverse school community within an urban setting. In the study, two groups of preschool-aged children were observed over time: 70 children in the Montessori setting and 71 who were in other settings. While the children tested similarly at the onset of the study, eventually the Montessori children outperformed the others academically, as well as notable increases in their enjoyment of work, social understanding, mastery orientation, and executive function. Subgroups within the study showed some other interesting findings that suggest Montessori education might help close the gaps on certain factors that typically hinder children’s success (such as income and executive functioning). Another study in public Montessori schools in Milwaukee concluded that a Montessori education has long-lasting positive benefits for children. The study also determined that when Montessori-educated children eventually transitioned into more traditional educational settings they were successful and the transition was positive. While there are other great studies out there, we will touch on just one more here . This study took a look at the effects of a high fidelity Montessori environment versus a low fidelity Montessori or conventional classroom environment. Children who learned in a classic Montessori program in which the guides adhered to traditional methods made significantly higher gains during the school year than their counterparts in conventional classrooms or Montessori classrooms that were supplemented with other types of learning materials and methods. Community Montessori schools are also something unexpected: they provide a community for more than just the children. Parents, educators, students, and local community members gather together in support of common goals. They work together, socialize together, and find ways to solve problems together. In our society today, many people have lost the sense of community that is so important to our well being; Montessori schools serve an important function of not just educating children, but giving like-minded adults a way to connect and form meaningful relationships.
02 Feb, 2021
It’s no surprise that we tend to spend more time indoors during the winter than we do during the warmer months. While your kids may have a blast playing outside some of the time, they will inevitably get cold at some point and need to come inside. The good news is that doesn’t mean their experiences with the outdoors needs to stop! Here we share five fun and simple ways to bring nature inside. 1. Snow play for the littlest ones We are full advocates for the Scandinavian saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Everyone has their limits, however, and you may not be keen on taking your infant out in sub-freezing temperatures. The solution? Bring a little bit of the white stuff inside for them to explore. This idea is really as simple as it gets, but can provide your baby or toddler with an interesting and enriching experience. Grab a tray, a sturdy bowl, or even a heavy baking dish, and put just a few handfuls of snow inside. Set it on a floor surface that you don’t mind getting a little wet and invite your child to explore. A large bath towel underneath can make the whole experience a little more comfortable for them and make cleanup even easier for you. (In the meantime, you can send older kids outside to try out some of these cool snow experiments .) 2. Plant a few seeds It may not be prime gardening season, but the warmth inside should be enough for this fun activity. Keep in mind the point is just to grow something; don’t worry about producing edible vegetables or gorgeous blooms. Gather a few materials: A container - preferably a small pot with adequate drainage, but anything similar will do Some soil - you can pick up potting soil at your local garden center if the ground outside your house is frozen Seeds! These can really be anything. Perhaps you have some leftover bean seeds from last year’s garden. Maybe you have some dried lentils in your pantry. You could even save a few seeds from that pepper you cut up for dinner. Find a warm, sunny spot in your home and have your child help you plant, water, and observe the seed. You can read books together about plants, research the specific plant you’re growing, or even tie in some math with measurement and data collection. Feeling inspired? This is a great time of year to begin planning your spring garden! Children will love helping to draw out plans and look through seed catalogs. 3. Create natural tablescapes Everyone appreciates a beautiful centerpiece. Why spend money on flowers wrapped in plastic when you can find beauty in your own backyard? On a not-so-chilly day, take a walk with your child and collect beautiful pieces to arrange. Using a vase (or even a mason jar or glass milk bottle), proudly display what you find. Keep an eye out for: Interesting branches (birch and dogwood have unexpected color, but regular brown colored branches are just as pretty!) Evergreen foliage - pine, holly, and other types of shrubs and bushes can give your home a beautiful green look Dried berries and flowers Pinecones Once inside you can add candles, ribbon, or whatever else you have lying around. Ask your kids to come up with ideas, too! 4. Make something for the animals Ice, snow, and frigid temperatures can make finding food difficult for wild animals. Have fun making treats for them while also cultivating a sense of generosity with your children. Remember covering pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed when you were a child? Birds still love them. Try this fun and super simple activity with your own children! Find whatever string or yarn you have and hang them from nearby bushes and trees. Another fun project: pop up a big batch of popcorn, and using a needle and thread, make a long string to hang. This activity is great for older children, and as a bonus they can snack while they create. Looking for more ideas? Check out this site. Wondering whether it’s a good idea to feed the birds? Here’s what the Audubon Society has to say about it. 5. Set up a bird watching station All those bird treats you made together? Put them on double duty: set them up in a spot where your children can see the birds out the window and you can create hours of entertainment. If you happen to have a window that looks out toward trees or bushes, it may just be the perfect spot to try and attract local birds. Set up some bird feeders or homemade bird treats and wait for them to come. Meanwhile, set the scene inside as well. A comfortable chair or pillow on the floor will encourage children to sit and watch. Visit your local library and borrow a few bird-specific field guides to help with identification. Other fun items to leave nearby: a pair of binoculars, a sketch pad and colored pencils, or a journal. Enjoy! What does your family do to appreciate nature during the winter?
02 Dec, 2020
The warmth of the holiday season has passed, and the short days and long, cold evenings of winter are upon us. What better time to cuddle up with your kids and read a good book? This month we share some titles that highlight the beauty of the winter season. As always, we think borrowing books from the library or buying second hand are great options, but we provide links in case you want to read more about the books or would like to purchase one online. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats You’ve likely read this classic before, or at least heard of it. Either way, it’s a great time to remember the joy of young Peter as he reminds us of the magic and wonder that is a snowstorm for a child. From trying to save a snowball in his pocket, to dragging a stick along to make tracks, and even watching the older children as they have a snowball fight, we can all relate to the simple but lovely experience snowfall can be. Frozen Noses by Jan Carr, illustrated by Dorothy Donohue The illustrations in this book are the real star. Prints of collages created with layered colored paper are something different and special from what we see in most children’s picture books. The lyrical text is enchanting, and the story follows three friends (and a dog) as they enjoy playing outside in the winter and coming in to warm up afterward. Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost, illustrated by Susan Jeffers Frost’s poem, which has been loved for generations, is gorgeously illustrated in this version. Children will enjoy spotting the animals in the wintery woods; Jeffers brings the words to life in a way that allows children to better visualize the narrator’s journey. There is something uniquely enchanting and timeless about walking through a dark, chilly, winter wood. White Snow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin White Snow Bright Snow won the Caldecott Medal in 1948. The extraordinary thing about this book is that is delights readers in following along with a town’s very ordinary routine. From the moments before winter, in which different people can tell a storm is coming, to the way a town looks buried in snow, and finally the way it melts away into spring, children will enjoy seeing the book’s characters and their experiences. Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft, illustrated by Helen K. Davie This sweet nonfiction book teaches children about the different adaptations animals have to survive colder weather. Some birds and butterflies migrate, some animals hibernate, some store food ahead of winter. Some animals do not prepare at all but find ways to survive in the semi-barren landscape. Diagrams and illustrations bring the information to life. The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader The animals in this story are well attuned to signs that tell them the seasons are changing and a storm is coming. Another winner of the Caldecott Medal, the story introduces readers to many different animals in the woods, and shows how the deep snow after a storm affects their ability to find food. Two kind and generous humans make sure they have enough to make it through the winter. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr Yet another winner of the Caldecott Medal (1988), Yolen has created a tale that embodies the magic of spending time outdoors at night in the winter. A child and their father go owling, trekking deep into the woods in complete silence in search of owls. While this is the child’s first time doing so, they have heard about these walks from their older brothers and know they must stay silent and march on through the frigid air. At a certain point, the father calls out to the owls, and the pair are rewarded with an amazing encounter. The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder by Jon Nelson, photographs by Mark Cassino This book explains the formation of snowflakes in a way that is simple enough for children to understand, but factual and informative. Photographs of magnified snowflakes allow children to see the unique geometric shapes they can take. Nelson explains the different forms snowflakes can take, and how temperature and cloud moisture content affect these formations. When This World Was New by D. H. Figueredo, illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez One boy and his family leave behind their warm island home to live in New York. One of the many worrisome differences between his former home and his new one is the climate. A great story about the challenges immigrants face, the author uses the changing seasons to illustrate concepts in a way that young children can understand. Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner, illustrated by Greg Hargreaves Young Willy lives with his grandfather on a farm. When he overhears that his grandfather is sick and in danger of losing the farm, he decides to enter into the local dog sled race. He hopes to use the prize money to save the farm. Willy loves his dog Searchlight, but the two are inexperienced and face up against local racing legend Stone Fox. This book is best for children ages 8 and older; one of the characters dies, which might be too upsetting for younger readers.
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