Montessori School in Hunterdon County, NJ

Acorn Montessori School, Lebanon:
Acorn Montessori School in Lebanon, Hunterdon County, NJ offers the highest quality early childhood education for children ages 12 months to 6th grade. We provide programs for toddlers (18 months - age 3), primary (age 3 - kindergarten) and elementary (grade 1 - grade 6). To create an educational environment sensitive to those cycles, our programs are structured around these age groups, based on the belief that learning is a 360-degree process where children learn both from their teachers and each other.

At Acorn Montessori School, we believe that education is much more than basic academics. Our school is a community of compassionate teachers and staff providing students with a blend of love, respect, and academic excellence to foster a life-long love of learning. A typical class consists of approximately 24 children, with at least one trained Montessori teacher and one or two assistant teachers.

Acorn Montessori School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and is a member of the American Montessori Society (AMS). The school is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of members of our parent community, alumni, and professionals from the greater Hunterdon County community.

Quality Education:
Children are nurtured at Acorn to develop characteristics like self-confidence, a sense of personal responsibility, and an awareness of their local and global communities. This “whole-child” approach, coupled with our commitment to providing a strong academic foundation in an age-appropriate setting, has helped our children go on to become motivated learners, effective leaders, and active citizens. The greatest investment you can make in your children’s future is their education. Acorn Montessori is more than a school; it is a learning and growing community committed to bringing young people together from a broad spectrum of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

The Montessori approach is based on the findings of child development specialist Dr. Maria Montessori. Although conceived over 100 years ago, Dr. Montessori’s approach is completely aligned with the findings of current child development research. According to her, children “develop” in three-year cycles — birth to age 3, age 3 to 6, and age 6 to 9. We have created an educational environment sensitive to those cycles.

Younger children look to the older ones as role models, and the self-esteem of older children grows as they become mentors and leaders in the classroom. At the conclusion of each year, the oldest third of the class moves on to the next level, giving children the opportunity to grow together and develop a strong sense of community, an arrangement that gives all children the opportunity to serve as classroom leaders at some point during the three-year cycle.

The Montessori educational philosophy, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1907, is based on the tenet that children learn best within what she called “prepared environments,” which support their unique developmental characteristics. These environments contain specially designed, manipulative materials for development that invite children to learn at their own pace according to their own individual style. Under the guidance of a trained teacher, children in a Montessori classroom learn through discovery, a methodology that cultivates concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.

Montessori Programs:
- Toddler Program (18 months - age 3):
Classes are offered for 3 days per week or 5 days per week for toddler age students.

- Primary Program (age 3 - kindergarten)

- Elementary Program (grade 1 - grade 6)

* For primary & elementary classes are offered 5 days per week. During both the fall and spring, after school workshops are available for primary & elementary age children.

- Summer Camps for toddler, primary and kindergarten / elementary groups.

"We have been at Acorn for the past 4 years and we absolutely love it! The Montessori classroom focuses on self-initiated learning and is set up so each child can excel at his or her own pace. My son is starting kindergarten next year and he is already reading. They also really learn how to be kind and respectful of one another too! The school starts out at 6 months and goes all the way up to 6th grade. My kids started out at 18 months in the Toddler house. Once I saw the little toddler beds and night tables for them to nap at, I knew this was the place for my kids. Before and after care is also available, the school is open from 7:30 am to 6 pm, which was important for us as a dual-working-parent family."

"My children have attended Acorn for 1 1/2 years. The school has provided a nurturing environment with academic challenges that meet the needs of both of my, two very different, children. The Montessori materials fascinate and educate my children. The teachers are first rate. They have learned to work with my children's individual personalities and interests. I can tell that the teachers genuinely care. The school offers wonderful after school activities and really terrific field trips (performing arts, art, music, dance, environment, sciences). I really appreciate the school's emphasis on respect for others, from all walks of life. Acorn encourages parental involvement and offers many different ways to contribute. Finally, an unexpected benefit, through our activities at this school our family feels part of a community."