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Busy Bees In many ways, Hudson Montessori School and a beehive have a lot in common. Both are busy places where individuals are laser-focused on their particular work. At the same time, both are also places where individuals work together for the good of the community—caring for each other and their environment.
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A hive produces honey, which is sweet. What Hudson Montessori produces is just as sweet: self-directed, selfmotivated students who become joyful lifelong learners.
Thinking critically, globally and making connections across disciplines. Persisting through problem solving. Working on teams and independently. Hudson Montessori students practice these skills from the youngest age. In our close-knit community, students are known and learn at their own pace. Challenged to achieve their personal best, students leave well prepared for meaningful lives and responsible global citizenship.
What Makes Our School Special Walk into Hudson Montessori School and it’s clear there's a difference. No teachers at the front of the room talking at students. Instead, our classrooms hum with activity, each student focusing on his or her work. And that’s not all. Hudson Montessori also stands out with: Expert teachers Our faculty have an average of twelve years’ experience. All classrooms have at least one certified Montessori teacher—advanced training above and beyond a teaching degree. Individualized lesson plans One of the hallmarks of the Montessori Method is that children learn the skills that they need at their own pace. They have a work plan and an opportunity to manage themselves, guided by their teachers. Hands-on activities Montessori embraces learning by doing. Our classrooms are filled with engaging materials that students use to learn everything from English and geography to math and science. Multi-age classrooms Each classroom blends children of three ages, providing an optimal setting for cross-pollenization. The grouping gives older children a chance to practice leadership and for younger students to learn from their more mature classmates. And because teachers spend three years with a child, they come to know that child well and are able to challenge him or her appropriately.
Ages 3–5
Children’s House
explore We follow the child, helping each discover what he or she loves. Then we support them as they dive into their work, letting them own their learning. Home to our youngest learners, Children’s
addition to caring for their classroom
House is all about exploring. Spacious
environment and community, these
classrooms feature dedicated areas to
activities also help develop the small
early learning skills in reading, writing,
muscles students need for handwriting.
math, science and geography. Everything has a purpose: Materials are arranged in color-coordinated tubs that go from left to right—reinforcing the flow of reading and writing.
music, art and physical education. Throughout the day, children work together as well as independently as they’re presented with activities
Activities in the practical life area give
that facilitate successful social and
students opportunity to learn how to tie
life skills.
their shoes, use a paring knife and fold the napkins the class uses at lunch. In
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Our program also includes Spanish,
This is a joyful place where children are engaged and happy. They own their learning, and they’re excited by that. [teacher]
¿Habla Español? Our students do— with Spanish instruction starting at age three. By Middle School, students study Spanish for four hours each week.
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Lower Elementary
Ages 6–9
think We nurture children’s natural curiosity by designing individual lesson plans. Because students participate in putting that plan together, they’re driven by their own internal motivation. Why is the sky blue? How do birds fly?
and history and geography. Science
Why do the seasons change? Lower
includes units on botany, zoology,
Elementary capitalizes on children’s
physics and astronomy.
innate curiosity. As an extension from the Children’s House, Lower Elementary offers students a “prepared environment,” where all of the right materials are on hand to facilitate learning.
are driven to be social and collaborate. Lower Elementary gives students opportunities to practice these skills with projects done either in pairs or small
The focus is not on memorizing facts
groups. Children also continue with ex-
but rather understanding concepts and
plorations in Spanish, art and music
how to learn. Teachers serve as expert
and physical education.
guides as children delve deeper into math and geometry, literature and language,
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Like bees in a hive, children at this age
Each day, Hudson Montessori students are outside, both for free play and for classes. Maria Montessori believed (and research now confirms) that being in nature is critical for children’s development.
We are impressed with the respect the teachers show toward the children, the child-centered environÂments and materials, and how our son’s interests are followed to allow him to direct his learning experience. [parent]
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tradition:
Bagels with Moms
3,410 beads in the math bead cabinet
tradition:
tradition:
Holiday Tea
1:1
Upper Elementary annual trip to Nature’s Classroom
instructional ratio! (typical)
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tradition:
tradition:
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number of surrounding communiities where students live
tradition:
Grandparents Day
Pumpkin Patch
Pancakes with Dads
tradition:
Tug•of •War faculty vs Middle School
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number of weeks in our summer camp
tradition:
Spring Auction
years—faculty teaching experience average
You don’t get a do-over with your child. [parent]
12,187 books in our library
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after-school club offerings each session
tradition:
Fatherdaughter Dance
Parents Welcome
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One of the best parts about Hudson Montessori is the community. When you enroll your child, you join a group of like-minded parents who value education. Parent involvement is welcome throughout the year in the classroom and through schoolwide events and activities.
acres—campus size
tradition:
Welcome Back Picnic
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musical instruments played by HMS students
tradition:
Middle School trips: NYC/ Washington DC
1962 year founded
89%
of faculty with advanced degrees
tradition: th
8 grade graduation ceremony
tradition:
Thanksgiving Feast
Ages 9–12
Upper Elementary
persist We honor the pride students feel when they’ve mastered something difficult—whether it’s reading a complex novel or solving multi-variable equations—before guiding them to the next challenge. Montessori’s emphasis on self-paced
In concert with students’ development,
education—where students practice
Upper Elementary’s global curriculum
a skill again and again until they’ve
expands their awareness of their place in
mastered it—teaches the power of per-
society and the world’s history. A dis-
sistence. By the time they reach Upper
covery-based approach hones students’
Elementary, students possess the habits
research, reasoning and communication
of mind that set them up for success in
skills. Executive functioning skills such
many arenas: They’ve learned to take
as time management, organization and
responsibility for themselves and their
setting reasonable goals are priorities.
actions and appreciate the role each individual plays in building community in the classroom.
The outcomes of the Upper Elementary program are independence in action and thought, a sense of moral and social justice, curiosity and an abiding confidence and love of learning.
Once a week, a small group of Upper Elementary students make lunch for the class. This gives the students a chance to lead, use their practical life skills and gather the class for a community meal.
Teachers respect each child’s individuality. They look at them as people, not ‘kids.’ [parent]
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Middle School
Ages 12–14
connect We believe students learn best in an environment where they are known for who they are and appreciated for what they contribute to the community. Everything about Hudson Montessori’s
Studies when students are required to
Middle School is designed to meet the
research a conflict—how it started
unique needs of growing adolescents.
and how it was resolved—they choose
The Middle School has its own “hive,”
one that interests them, whether it’s
two classroom buildings on the north
World War II, the Women’s Movement
campus, which gives students space to
or Civil Rights. They then share their
call their own and plenty of room for
research with peers.
independent work and group projects.
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Students learn ownership and indepen-
Middle School is also a time of transition.
dence along with the much-touted
To prepare for high school, students learn
21st century skills: critical thinking and
to write lab reports. There are more group
problem solving, communications
lessons and unit tests. But students
and collaboration, and creativity and
still have choice. For example, in Peace
innovation.
The Middle School microeconomy program, North House Specialties, gives students the chance to run their own business. They make and sell artisanal products, including honey from our own hives and jams from ingredients they grow. With the money earned, students have purchased items for the school, such as a picnic table and an arbor. They also donate a portion each year to a charity of their choice.
I teach high school nearby. I wanted my children to go here because I see the end product and I value who the Hudson Montessori students become. [parent]
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outcomes
Hudson Montessori students are the most academically wellprepared students we enroll at our school. The education they receive at Hudson Montessori is superb. [Admission Director, private high school]
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The world is wide open to Hudson Montessori students. After graduating, our alumni go on to an array of out standing high schools and then to colleges and universities nationwide, where they pursue a variety of majors and interests. Private High Schools Archbishop Hoban High School Bio-Med Science Academy Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Gilmore Academy Hathaway Brown School Hawken School Interlochen Center for the Arts Notre-Dame Cathedral High School St. Edward High School Montessori High School at University Circle University School Walsh Jesuit Western Reserve Academy Public High Schools Aurora Hudson Kent Roosevelt Revere Stow-Munroe Falls City
Colleges & Universities Akron University Alfred University American University Baylor University Brown University Carnegie Mellon University College of the Atlantic College of Charleston Denison University Elon University Gannon University George Washington University High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Kent State University Miami University New York University Ohio University The Ohio State University, Honors Program Rochester Institute of Technology University of Cincinnati Wittenberg University University of Southern Florida University of Utah 23
see for yourself It’s hard to describe the energy at Hudson Montessori School—the buzz of warmth and welcome that envelops new students and families and makes them feel right at home. The best way to experience it is to visit. Take a tour, meet enthusiastic teachers, exuberant students and engaged parents and see our remarkable classrooms in action. We’ll “bee” happy to meet you!
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Hudson Montessori School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and financial aid programs and other School-administered programs. Hudson Montessori School is accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States and Ohio Association of Independent Schools. Design: Cheney & Company
Photography: Alan Doe
7545 Darrow Road Hudson, OH 44236
330 . 650. 0424 www.hudsonmontessori.org
As soon as you walk in the door, it feels like home‌like a family. [parent]
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