Our Philosophy

Greenhouse Montessori School was established in March 1982 by Anne Hoffman and Nina Clancy. Nina and Anne believe that the Montessori method of education provides the most effective and fulfilling way to guide a child through his early school years, a critical period for learning and setting patterns which will last a lifetime. Our goals are two‑fold: 1) to provide a Montessori enrichment program, and 2) to provide a “non‑institutional” environment for children requiring full or part‑time day care. Each class of twenty four children is taught by a certified Montessori teacher and an assistant teacher, and classes are evenly balanced between younger and older children.

Program Description

1. Morning Montessori Preschool Program: 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. The children have group activities and independent work with materials designed to encourage independence, love of learning, respect for others and problem-solving skills. The curriculum includes practical life exercises, sensorial materials, oral and written language, quantification and, math concepts, science, cultural studies, geography, art, music, body movement, and outdoor play. Extended child care is available for 7:30 to 8:30 for those needing an early drop-off time. (See Full Day Program for a description of this time period.)

2. Lunch Period: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Children staying from the morning program through this time or who are dropped off early for the afternoon program will bring a lunch from home to eat from 11:30 to 12:00 and then play outside from 12:00 to 1:00.

3. Afternoon Montessori Preschool Program: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Same description as morning program. Extended child care is available from 4:00 to 5:30 for those needing a later pick-up time. (See Full Day Program for a description of this time period.)

4. Full Day Preschool Program: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The child arrives between 7:30 and 8:30 and spends the time prior to the morning class doing quiet activities such as visiting with friends, drawing, listening to tapes, playing with puzzles and blocks, looking at books or watching T.V. The child then attends the morning Montessori class and eats a lunch he/she has brought from home at 11:30. A quiet and/or nap time is provided after lunch, after which the child attends the afternoon Montessori class. From 4:00 to 5:30 recreational activities are provided such as outdoor play, stories, drawing, blocks, puzzles, and games. The child may be picked up anytime between 4:00 and 5:30.

5. Montessori Kindergarten Program: This class is for the kindergarten-age child who will have the opportunity to continue with the Montessori curriculum started in the preschool class. Additional emphasis is placed on oral and written language development and advanced mathematical concepts. This class is available to either half or full day students.

Yearly Schedule

Greenhouse Montessori School is open twelve months a year. We offer a school year program from September through June and a summer program during July and August.

Our school year begins the first week in September and continues through the end of June. The school is closed for national holidays, for a two-week winter break and for one week in spring (as per the V.U.S.D. calendar). We assume that all children are enrolled through the full ten-month school year, and tuition is based upon this commitment. A summer program is provided in July and August and is open to established and to new students. Separate registration takes place in the spring on a first-come, first-served basis.