Our graduates possess the intellectual capacity, self-knowledge, and good character to be difference-makers in our ever-changing world. The student journey begins with a toddler’s first experience with independence and ends with an Upper School student who has fully engaged in the education process, is inquisitive, responsible, and compassionate. Harborlight alumni know themselves and are ready to engage their world.
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Harborlight Montessori
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By The Numbers
List of 5 items.
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270
Students Enrolled -
35
Montessori Teachers -
16
Average Class Size -
18
Classrooms -
40
Cities and Towns Represented
At A Glance
List of 6 items.
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Authentic Montessori
Harborlight is accredited by the American Montessori Society. Our curriculum and programs are grounded in Montessori philosophy, and our teachers are Montessori-trained practitioners. -
Multiage Classrooms
The multiage classroom is a core feature of Montessori. It creates a community where younger children learn from observing the older ones, whose learning is reinforced by sharing. -
Three-Year Cycle
The three-year cycle allows children to develop at their own pace and affords teachers the opportunity to nurture and guide their students over a significant period of time. -
Personalized Instruction
One size does not fit all. A Montessori teacher is able to focus on each child as an individual, because we know that all children differ in their learning styles. -
Community Learning Partners
Using the community as a classroom is an integral part of the Montessori experience. Harborlight works with a diverse group of community partners to create exciting leaning experiences. -
Values, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Harborlight is a diverse community where each person is respected for who they are and what they bring to the community.
Recent News
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Nurturing Scientific Observation Through Botany in Children’s House
Read More“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature.” - Maria Montessori, The Secret of ChildhoodChildren’s House is filled with botany lessons at this time of year. These activities offer young children more than just an introduction to the world of plants, they provide a vital foundation for scientific thinking and observation. Dr. Maria Montessori recognized that children are naturally curious about the living world and interest in nature is powerful for learning.Botany studies start when young children begin to care for a classroom plant, match leaf shapes, or explore parts of a flower. They are practicing observation, classification, and attention to detail. These foundational skills are essential to scientific inquiry. The Montessori botany materials in the classroom include the puzzle of the parts of a leaf, flower, and tree and are designed to isolate specific characteristics that invite the child to notice, compare, identify, and ask questions.Botany also encourages a sense of awe and respect for life. When children participate in planting seeds or observe the changes in a sprouting bean, they begin to understand natural cycles and the interconnectedness of living things.These lessons support the development of the scientific mind, a mind that observes with care, thinks with curiosity, and acts with reverence for life. It’s a beautiful example of how the Montessori approach prepares children to engage with the world around them. -
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The Power of Read-Aloud: Enhancing Literacy and Finding Joy in Reading with Children
Read MoreWe want to take a moment to share with you the incredible impact that reading aloud can have on your child’s literacy development.Here, in our classrooms, the teachers are hard at work being more intentional about their read-aloud practices. To deepen our collective understanding and continue improving this method, Harborlight hosted a Teacher Professional Workshop on Intentional Read-Aloud last Wednesday evening – yes after their long day of teaching! Following a tasty meal and a Head of School report from Mike, the teachers separated into small groups to dive into their training. These workshops focused on best practices for selecting meaningful literature and specifically learning about student engagement during read-aloud sessions - guiding making predictions, using moments to connect text to personal experiences, and choosing open questions to encourage conversation and reflection. -
JANUARY 24, 2015 – 10 years ago today, Cece
Read MoreDuring Harborlight’s Winter Trimester, middle school (6th – 8th) students have their class schedule condensed into a 4-day week, with Fridays dedicated to skiing and snowboarding at Wachusett Mountain. But, this isn’t just about hitting the mountains for fun—it’s an opportunity for our students to develop important life skills that go beyond the classroom.Having one less day each week to accomplish their learning goals provides students with a challenge to manage their time more efficiently. They learn how to balance schoolwork, homework, and afterschool activities. Whether it’s submitting schoolwork before the skiing day, adjusting afternoons to attend homework club, or eking out a final assignment or chapter on the early-morning bus ride, they gain a sense of how to prioritize and organize their commitments. The aim here is for our students to begin healthy habits early and appreciate a work-life balance for overall well-being throughout their lives.Skiing and snowboarding require focus, preparation, and an understanding of personal safety. Students take personal responsibility for themselves in a variety of ways: managing their own equipment, making sure they pack everything they need for the day, eating a healthy lunch during break, staying aware of their surroundings, and being mindful of pre-set times to check-in with the group or teachers. They are also prepared to look out for their classmates—whether it's helping a friend navigate the chair lift for the first time, boosting the confidence of a classmate on a tricky slope, or simply sticking together as a group. This sense of accountability builds confidence and a deeper understanding of the importance of community.Much like the Project Adventure unit during the Fall Trimester, skiing and snowboarding offers the perfect Going-Out experience for our students to step outside their comfort zones and take on new challenges. Both beginners and the experienced skiers have a lesson, each time learning new skills and overcoming obstacles. The rest of the day teaches perseverance, resilience, and the ability to fail (more like flop) and try again—It’s about learning how to push limits and take risks, skills that are essential for growth.This 4-day school week isn’t just about having more free time—it’s an opportunity to engage their world in a whole new way. Graduates leave Harborlight not only with academic knowledge but with a deep sense of responsibility, independence, self-reliance, and the ability to take on challenges with a positive attitude. After this experience they’re ready to tackle whatever comes next…. the next thrilling run down the mountain… Karen or Laura’s next test … A big role in Katie’s play… high school and beyond! -
Happy New Year from Upper El Mandarin Class
Read MoreA poem from Upper Upper El Mandarin Class
I am your tree trunk (teacher).You are my tree branches (students).We learn together.We celebrate together.
Happy New Year! -
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The Story of the First Thanksgiving
The story of the first Thanksgiving as it has been told and continues to be told, is a disservice to the truth and to those most affected by this: The First Peoples of this nation. Thanksgiving, also known as a National Day of Mourning to many Native Americans, is a reminder of the disease, oppression, and genocide that the arrival of the colonial settlers brought. “Native American people who first encountered the "pilgrims" at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts play a major role in the imagination of American people today.Read More -
The Classroom Without Walls
Maria Montessori wrote extensively about the importance of nature in education: the classroom without walls. The stone table is one of several outdoor classroom elements that make up Harborlight’s outdoor learning environment.Read More -
HVAC Upgrades
Read MoreThe school was closed for regular classes yesterday in honor of Veteran's Day; however, it was still a busy day on campus! -
Fall Festival Photos
Please enjoy these photos by Gail Estes Photography.Read More
https://gailestes.passgallery.com/-fallfestival -
Día de muertos
Día de muertos or Day of the Dead is a traditional 3-day holiday celebrated throughout several Latin American countries from October 31st through November 2nd, dating back over 3,000 years to the pre-Hispanic Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations. It is rooted in the devotion to, honor and worship of ancestors and deceased loved ones. Their souls or spirits are welcomed back as they return to visit us in the world of the living.Read More -
Diwali
Diwali celebrations begin on October 31, 2024, the 13th day after Poornima, or the full moon. Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is a combination of the words dhan, which means “wealth” and teras, which means “thirteenth day”. Marking the beginning of the 5-day celebration of Diwali or Deepavali (from Sanskrit, which means row of lights), it is the Hindu New Year.Read More -
Harborlight Pumpkin Patch
Yesterday, we held our annual Pumpkin Picking on the Greenhouse Lawn here at Harborlight! Students came to the patch, picked a pumpkin, gathered with their class on picnic blankets and listened to stories while having a snack of apples and cider. It was a beautiful day and we could not have asked for better weather!Read More -
Students Study Mexican Folk Art
Read MoreFor Hispanic Heritage Month students across grade levels learned about and made artworks inspired by Mexican Folk Art. Mexican Folk art is often inspired by nature and uses bright colors and patterns. Lower Elementary worked on Hojalata (Tin art) where they embossed their drawings onto tinfoil and added color with markers. Upper Elementary made traditional Alebrijes (Spirit guides/animals) from paper mache and Middle School students created Huichol yarn paintings. It was great to see the students' appreciation for traditional Mexican art and the joy they had making their unique works of art. -
Lower Elementary Biology: Amphibians, A Year-Long Study
The Lower Elementary One students dive into the fascinating world of amphibians with a year-long study - starting with observing tadpoles! As part of our extensive, hands-on biology curriculum, these students have the opportunity to observe the life cycle of these amazing creatures firsthand.Read More -
Playground Walkway Project Nears Completion
Read MoreThe new playground walkway project is nearing completion, and there’s more to this project than meets the eye. The installation of the new walkway includes new curbing, regrading, and underground drainage elements designed to handle stormwater runoff more effectively. A big THANK YOU to Mark McHugh for designing and completing this project!The walkway project is part of a series of campus beautification and facilities renewal projects that began in summer 2021. Projects completed to date include fence replacements, new flooring, parking lot repaving, HVAC unit replacements, new kitchens, interior painting, the new greenhouse, building repairs, exterior painting, new classroom furniture, and replacement of aging Montessori classroom materials.Stay tuned: there’s more to come… -
Indigenous People’s Day
On Monday, October 14th we observe Indigenous People’s Day. Established in Berkley, California in 1992, it coincides with the arrival of Columbus in 1492. Many cities and states began adopting the day and finally in 2021, President Biden was the first U.S. President to formally recognize this holiday, acknowledging the importance of honoring our Indigenous Ps also known as the First Peoples.Read More -
Yom Kippur
Read MoreThis coming weekend, beginning at sundown on Friday, October 11th through Saturday, October 12th at sundown, Yom Kippur will be observed by Jewish people around the world. -
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Read MoreHarold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is a fantastic book about the adventures of a little boy and his purple crayon. In Kindergarten Writer's Workshop, our main goal is to instill in the children that they are authors and can tell their stories through pictures, words or a combination of both. Each year, the children read this book to ignite creativity and nurture the ability to tell their stories.Each child is given their own "purple crayon" and are encouraged to take an adventure with their imaginations and draw their story. Children during any stage of writing are encouraged to tell their story with sentences, words, letters, scribbles, or dictation from a teacher, come and see the finished products in the Children's House Wing.
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About Harborlight
Harborlight Montessori is a non-profit, private, independent, school for students from Preschool through Grade 8.
Middle School, Elementary, Preschool, Afterschool, Summer Programs, Vacation Week Programs
Middle School, Elementary, Preschool, Afterschool, Summer Programs, Vacation Week Programs
©2019 Harborlight Montessori. All Rights Reserved.