Back to School with Hilltop Montessori and Mt Laurel Elementary
If you visit Mt Laurel early on a fall morning, you’ll see parents cradling their coffees, walking hand-in-hand with their bright-eyed children, backpacks full and ready for another day of learning. The close proximity of both Hilltop Montessori and Mt Laurel Elementary School fosters a strong sense of community between Mt Laurel and its schools, with parents actively involved in their students’ education.
In anticipation of the beginning of school (Monday, August 10, for Hilltop Montessori and Wednesday, August 12, for Mt Laurel Elementary), we’re featuring the unique scholastic opportunities and extracurricular activities afforded by these well-respected institutions.
Hilltop Montessori School
Upon first glance of Hilltop Montessori School, its values are apparent. Vegetable gardens grow outside classroom windows; hive kits for beekeeping reside at a short distance from the school, ready for the retrieval of wax and honey. “An environmental education and our LEED-certified school equate to a healthier setting for children, and is just one of the reasons parents choose our school,” said Head of School Michele Wilensky. Hilltop Montessori seeks to be the first school in the South that exclusively sources school lunches from local farmers, a goal that includes the construction of teaching kitchens (to be located in the recently announced Mt Laurel Community Center) and a partnership with the Alice Waters Edible Schoolyard Project. “The children here eat vegetables because they grow them,” said Wilensky, emphasizing the benefits of the seed-to-plate relationship for children.
While sustainable practices (composting, recycling, farming, etc.) are important to Hilltop, the heart of the school’s curriculum is individualized learning. With two teachers in every classroom, students are able to progress at a pace that suits their needs. From 18 months to 8th grade, the school incorporates daily Spanish immersion, plus instruction in core disciplines and the arts. Montessori teachers—all of which specialize in the grade level of their students—hone students’ technological skills, with first graders creating Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations at proficient levels. “Students typically operate about a year ahead of their grade level,” said Wilensky. “The Montessori Method is more than 100 years old; it’s tried and true and proven effective.” (See Angeline Lillard’s Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius for more information.) And graduates from the Hilltop Montessori School go on to achieve great things. The school has graduated five National Merit Scholars, and boasts a finalist in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
From its student-centric educational approach to its earth-friendly focus, the Montessori Method culminates in an experience that parents and children love. “For our boys, Hilltop is like a second home,” said Mt Laurel resident and Hilltop parent Jill Walton. “They love the school, its traditions, and the teachers and staff. It’s why we’ve chosen to be part of the Hilltop community for 13 years. It’s not only about the academics; it’s about being in an environment that makes them happy to go to school every day, and helps them learn to be more involved in and curious about the world around them.”
For parents who want to try Montessori but aren’t sure whether they want to enroll yet, the school’s Summer Camp offers that opportunity. From chess and private violin and piano lessons to the Bricks 4 Kidz® Lego® robotics program, children can enjoy a diverse number of activities that cultivate their love of learning.
For more information on the Hilltop Montessori School, visit their website.
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Mt Laurel Elementary School
Warm and welcoming, Mt Laurel Elementary School’s cozy ambience isn’t solely the result of its stonework façade and well-designed, home-like interiors. It’s primarily the result of the openness and dedication demonstrated by its faculty and administration. “We strive to build personal relationships with parents and students and to create a family atmosphere,” said Principal Celita Deems. “We do whatever we can to help students both inside and outside our doors.”
“Learners Growing Together to Positively Impact Our World” is the vision of Mt Laurel Elementary—a component of which includes community involvement. The Pals Program invites community members and parents to read or do math with children, with the cheerleaders and football players from Chelsea High School often volunteering their time. Designated parent conference days give parents the chance to meet with teachers and discuss their child’s progress, both educationally and emotionally. Parenting Days, Literacy and Math Nights, and other community-oriented events create further connection between classroom and home environments.
As part of the school’s dedication to preparing students for the world, technology is used in all subject areas for research and projects. Each classroom houses a SMART Board and four to five desktop computers and iPads, and an in-house Chromebook and iPad cart circulates throughout the school. A computer lab outfitted with 30 computers offers an additional space for students to polish their computer literacy skills.
This year, Mt Laurel Elementary was the first school in the Shelby County School District to participate in the Geography Bee, with Kapil Nathan winning the state champion title for Alabama. Consistently high standardized test scores earn the school a top three spot in the county—an impressive achievement in this competitive district. Mt Laurel Elementary also stresses the importance of citizenship and responsibility through the SGA, Student Council, Noble Knights (3rd grade), and Castle Crew (4th grade), which task the children with greeting parents on special event nights and fellow students in the mornings before school.
The After School Program (3-6 p.m.) gives students time to get extra help with schoolwork or to participate in extracurricular activities, including karate, gymnastics, dance, computer, art, Science Club, and Discovery Club. And this past summer, the school hosted the Summer Camp (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), a Community Education Program that rotates among schools in the Shelby County School System.
For more information on Mt Laurel Elementary School, visit their website.
Learn more about Birmingham private schools and public education here and discover the outstanding educational opportunities available to Mt Laurel residents.
