Excellent education in an open, creative, caring environment

My child has attended since the age of one and now he’s nine. At all levels he has been treated with respect and kindness. We didn’t expect to stay for so long but never saw any reason to leave. He has flourished and loves his school. He looks forward to school every day. The education he receives is top quality and well rounded.

The decision to bring our two boys to Harborlight while living in a town with an exceptionally strong public school was an easy one to make. The amazing staff and community at Harborlight makes being a part of our kids education enjoyable. It is very important to us as parents that our kids develop within their own parameters. We have found this philosophy thriving at Harborlight. The hands-on experiences they encounter every day leave such lasting impressions. Next fall our boys will be entering Kindergarten and 2nd grade and already they are looking forward to it!

My two children have attended Harborlight Montessori since they were toddlers. This school has provided a safe, welcoming, educational, creative place for my children to grow, learn and form life long friendships. Although my childrens learning skills are very different, the Montessori methodology has worked tremendously for both. My daughter was reading aloud, full books by kindergarten and my son has developed into a 12 year old Naturalist. The classroom structure and individual attention my children receive is top notch and unique. Classes have three grades together, so the teachers know your child - inside and out - and can teach to their strengths and weaknesses over a long period of time. The teachers really know their students and can teach to each child. A community/family is formed at this school and it is a foundation that will carry the children who attend far into a successful adulthood.

My children attended Harborlight for pre-school through 3rd grade and had an absolutely fabulous experience. From the academics to the grace and courtesy curriculum to the language immersion program, we were thoroughly impressed with the schools dedication to our children and constant striving to follow the child and implement the Montessori philosophy. My children were well prepared both academically and socially for their next steps in education. Harborlight has an incredibly dedicated and passionate staff whose level of caring for each and every student in unmatched. It is a warm, welcoming community for all.

My husband and I have been parents at Harborlight Montessori for the past 11 years and our youngest is in his first year of Upper Elementary or 4th grade. Each of our sons have all thrived in different ways by being a part of a Montessori community that values excellence, relationship, inquiry and kindness. This school opened their hearts and minds to new ways of thinking, problem solving and community building. Harborlight teaches both independence and collaboration through their follow the child philosophy. As middle and high school educators ourselves, we have experienced first hand how prepared our first two sons were when they transitioned to other independent schools. They knew how to express their ideas, how to ask insightful questions, how to write and most importantly how to treat others with love, kindness and acceptance.

We love Harborlight! My child has been attending Harborlight for almost four years now and we could not be happier with the community and opportunities there. From the language immersion preschool and kindergarten (amazing), to the dedicated and loving staff and teachers, there is so much to appreciate. My child feels confident and excited to go into school every day. The school strives to instill a love of learning and the tools to do so, and I am seeing the fruits of the teachers labor in that my kid is a voracious consumer of why and how. One of the most moving things Ive experienced as a parent is watching my childs birthday celebration at Harborlight- the children commemorate their walks around the sun by being at the center of a circle of their classmates and teachers. They share a memory of each year of their life and then, sniff, the children and teachers give you a birthday wish. Watching my kid being told they are loved was so sweet, and knowing that each child is celebrated in this way makes me happy and hopeful.

Literally the best school you can send your child to. My daughter has so much fun!

Our family has been a part of the Harborlight community for 7 years and counting! I am grateful for the opportunity that my children have every day to learn and grow through inspired education and have counted enrolling them in this school as the one of the best parenting choice I have ever made!

We were introduced to Montessori when my son was a 3-year-old preschooler. We immediately fell in love with all of the Montessori philosophies. My children have been taught so many life lessons at a young age, such as Grace & Courtesy, Practical Life skills, care of self & environment, and respect of others! My now-1st and 4th graders can problem solve and resolve conflict respectfully and graciously. As parents trying to raise well-mannered, respectful children (who will be adults before we know it), Montessori has been a blessing. The teachers and parents support each other in every way imaginable. There is no dropping your child at the curb and waving goodbye as they walk away. Parents are welcome to park and walk their child in - and most do. I especially love this as I get to see my children being greeted by their teachers every morning with a warm welcome, firm hand shake and the important lesson of looking someone in the eyes. I feel so well supported as a parent at Harborlight!I am particularly enamored by the Montessori philosophy of “follow the child”, which Harborlight teachers do so well. My 4th grade son, who happens to love math, has completed his 4th grade math work. Instead of keeping him at that level and risking he become bored with math, his teacher has moved him on to 5th grade work and is even sneaking some 6th grade & pre-algebra math works into the mix! This is all done discreetly and his peers have no idea. It’s done so beautifully so that no one is made to feel badly for not moving on and my son is not made to feel like his skill is special, just a kid doing some math!As an added bonus, both of my children were part of the Chinese Immersion program in Preschool and each continue to receive Chinese lessons today elementary students. To my knowledge, no other school on the North Shore is offering Chinese Immersion at the Preschool age level.The way the teachers get to know the children and watch their talents and abilities so closely - knowing when to push & challenge and when to sit back and “follow the child” - has made our Harborlight experience so special. I rest easy knowing that they’ll be ahead of their peers in secondary school in many ways!

Really fun there is many opportunities