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From left are sisters Joanne Mooney, Lynn Morris-Piccolo, Pamela Howarth, and Vanessa Krippner. Seated are Rex and Jane Bailey.
“ We need more space to meet the needs of the children of Hoboken.” —Vanessa Krippner.
joined in the early 1990s, expanding the three original locations to the current 18. The last one, which is slated to open on July 1, is the second Apple Montessori School in Hoboken. All 13 of their children are Apple Montessori graduates, and a number of in-laws are involved with the organization. Apple Montessori Schools and Summer Camps educate nearly 2,000 students a year and boast more than 400 employees. The summer camp offers the Apple Montessori educational program, along with traditional camp activities, such as swimming and arts and crafts. Vanessa Krippner, youngest of the four daughters, is executive coordinator for all the schools. “The key components of the method are hands-on learning and children going at their own pace,” she says. “We allow a child to move along to foster a love of learning, but we make sure they are comfortable; we don’t hold
back, push, or skip over anything.” Apple Montessori has its own reading program, computer enrichment, music, and art enrichment programs. The four sisters and their families still live in Kinnelon, where Krippner says they are raising the third generation. These “Nexters” are already demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the Apple education method. Six is an important number for the Apple educators. The students range in age from six weeks to six years, and in their Wayne school, students can attend through sixth grade. Hoboken’s Maxwell Place school is so popular that there is a waiting list. “We got a tremendous positive response,” Krippner says. “We need more space to meet the needs of the children of Hoboken.”
The new school on River Street will answer that need. “We just love Hoboken, the energy of the town,” Krippner says. “It is so multicultural and has that sophisticated city feeling in a suburban town. We’re excited to be here.”—Kate Rounds
Resources
Apple Montessori 1055 Maxwell Lane or
221 River St. (2nd building)
201.605 .7176
applemontessorischools.com
07030 HOBOKEN ~ SUMMER 2015 •
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