About Us
Community
Diversity, Equity, Belonging
Diversity, Equity, Belonging
Harborlight Montessori actively seeks qualified students, faculty, and staff to reflect the diverse backgrounds of our community. Harborlight provides an enriching curriculum and educational experience for all students, recognizing that global teaching and learning help form strong, positive self-concepts and develop respect for human differences. Harborlight’s curriculum and philosophy encourage understanding and respect for these differences while affirming the fundamental similarities of humankind. Our cooperative community protects and encourages the exploration of new concepts. It also honors and nurtures the curiosity of each child.
All members of the Harborlight community are valued for their contributions, talents, and opinions. The philosophy, curriculum, and administration of our programs aim to create an inclusive learning environment with respect to economic background, gender, gender identity and expression, race, national and ethnic origin, cultural heritage, religion, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, and political beliefs. Harborlight integrates diversity and character education into each learning opportunity to empower students to actively approach each new experience with courtesy and acceptance.
+ DEB Committee
The Harborlight DEB committee consists of a group of Harborlight community members (board members, parents, teachers, and administrators). The DEB committee assists in advocating, supporting, addressing, and encouraging Diversity, Equity, and Belonging within the Harborlight community. We work voluntarily to ensure everyone feels included, respected, and supported.
+ Harborlight Montessori Inclusivity Framework
The Harborlight DEIB committee created an Inclusivity Framework in 2020. This document is a policy statement outlining the approach used by teachers at Harborlight Montessori when talking to students about race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and other types of differences and identities. The purpose of this document is to develop a consensus about how to approach these topics in the classroom. We believe that all people are worthy of respect and kindness. All of us have things that make us similar to each other and things that make us different from each other. We each deserve to feel valued and appreciated for who we are and how we identify. We all deserve to be treated with respect and kindness, no matter what makes us similar to, or different from each other. Our work to build an inclusive community includes implementing strategies to help children understand their own identities, building an appreciation of diversity, and equipping children with the skills they need to address injustice.
The most recent version of Harborlight's Inclusivity Framework is available as a downloadable PDF.
The most recent version of Harborlight's Inclusivity Framework is available as a downloadable PDF.
By Harborlight’s Diversity, Equity and Belonging Coordinator,
Beatriz Mueller
Beatriz Mueller
List of 10 news stories.
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Black History Month 2026
Read More“James Baldwin once wrote, in an open letter to Bishop Desmond Tutu, that the fight for Black freedom makes White freedom possible. We will uplift our history. We will protect it. We will promote it. And we will preserve it. We will plant our trees of truth, the ones that tell our story, right beside where they are planting their trees of lies, the ones that seek to erase and distort our story. We will teach our children, future generations, how to choose the path of truth and how to stand tall in moments of adversity, how to bring clarity in moments of confusion, and how to choose and embrace love instead of hate. Black History Month belongs to us—we do not celebrate because they see us, we celebrate because we see ourselves. We do not ask for permission to center ourselves; we write the stories where we are centered, and then we tell that story. We do not sing songs of freedom because they are playing the music; we sing because we are the music makers, and we carry the songs of our ancestors and bring that music to our people. We do not wait for anyone to write our story; our history has already been written, as we are the history seekers and the truth speakers. Black history is American History, and as we have done every year since 1926, we will proclaim and celebrate Black History Month!”-Dr. Karsonya “Dr. Kaye” Wise Whitehead -
MLK Day
On Monday, January 19th, we remembered and celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an iconic leader in the Civil Rights Movement, a PhD, a Preacher, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, an author, and most importantly, a devoted husband and father. Dr. King believed that every individual is created equal and deserves respect, dignity, and “the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as promised in our U.S. Declaration of Independence, which he stated is the cornerstone of American Democracy.Read More -
Winter Holidays 2025
Read MoreAs the days grow shorter, darker, and colder, we embrace the special holidays of this season uniting families and friends for feasting and cozy gatherings. Warm homes are adorned with meaningful symbols and decorations that include lighting candles, decorating with evergreens, singing seasonal songs, welcoming those we hold dear, and exchanging gifts. We share comforting, delicious foods with those we cherish as our hearth and home along with our hearts provide some moments of respite from the hurried pace of each day. At Harborlight, students can feel the excitement in the air! Everywhere, lights and decorations brighten the evenings. Amidst these celebrations, we remember those who are suffering and make time to lend a hand to those in need. Before Thanksgiving, each classroom collected food for those less fortunate. During Thursday morning Café, Middle School students held a holiday sale where families could purchase gifts they had created. The Family Association, in partnership with DCF, is sponsoring a giving garland to gather gifts for children in need of a little holiday cheer. Each of these events reflects our community’s commitment to equity and inclusion. -
Thanksgiving 2025
Read More“Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy". Maria MontessoriThis Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the beauty of each day, for our Harborlight community, for our students and the kindness they show, and for the dedicated adults who collaboratively make a difference by guiding our children. I appreciate the learning that occurs as we strive to embody Maria Montessori’s educational philosophy, which serves as our foundation. -
Native American Heritage Month 2025
Read More"Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose myown teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself,and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty."- Heinmot Tooyalaket (Chief Joseph), Nez Perce Leader
Beginning November 1st , we observe Native American Heritage Month — a time to recognize
and honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American peoples.
Acknowledging Native Americans as the original stewards of this land and understanding their
history is foundational to the story of the United States. The Great Law of Peace of the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which dates back to 1142, serves as a sophisticated constitution
emphasizing unity, liberty, and equality. It encompasses principles such as the separation of
powers and mechanisms for impeachment. It’s worth reflecting on whether the emergence of
American democracy in a land already steeped in these principles is mere coincidence. -
Day of the Dead
Read MoreOf the many holidays and traditions we celebrate, Día de muertos ranks among my favorites! Throughout the Spanish-speaking world, this rich and festive holiday is celebrated over the course of 3 days, from October 31 st through November 2 nd . To honor our loved ones who have passed away, we prepare for the return of their souls or spirits to return to our world. Altars are decorated with pictures of the deceased, copal incense, candles to illuminate their path, along with offerings known as ofrendas.Special items that the departed cherished in life, including foods and beverages, are also placed on the altar. Decorative calaveras (skulls), calacas (skeletons), papel picado (cut-out tissue paper) and cempazúchitl (marigold) flowers adorn the homes of families awaiting their loved ones. Come evening time, families laden with gifts, candles, and prayers for the dead visit the graves. Traditional dishes such as mole (a chocolate, hot peppers, spices, and tomatoes sauce) and tamales are shared. Children are given a special gift of calaveras de azúcar (sugar skull candy) and pan de muertos (bread of the dead) baked with a little surprise treat inside. The traditions we hold near and dear serve as a reminder and a comfort that we, too, will be remembered when our time comes. -
Diwali: A Festival of Light, Joy, and New Beginnings
Read MoreThis past Monday, October 20th, was the beginning of the five-day celebration of Diwali for millions of Hindu families across the globe. Also known as Deepavali, which means "Festival of Lights" in Sanskrit, Diwali is both a spiritual and cultural celebration. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and symbolizes the victory of good over evil, of light shining triumphantly over darkness, and of joy shared among loved ones. -
Yom Kippur
Read MoreYom Kippur, the most solemn of the Jewish High Holidays, is also known as the Day of Atonement. This sacred day began at sundown on October 1st and ended at nightfall on October 2nd, marking the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance (also known as the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah), which began with Rosh Hashanah. -
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah: A Time of Reflection, Renewal, and Sweet BeginningsRead More
Rosh Hashanah—the Head of the Year—also known as Yom Teruah (the Day of the
Trumpet Blast), marks the Jewish New Year. This two-day celebration begins at
sundown on September 22 nd and concludes at sundown on September 24 th . Observed
around the world, it ushers in the Aseret Yemei Teshuvah—the Ten Days of Awe—and
is one of the most sacred periods in the Jewish calendar. More than just the start of a
new year, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the anniversary of the creation of Adam and
Eve, symbolizing humanity’s birth and our role in God’s world. -
Hispanic Heritage Month 2025
Read MoreHispanic Heritage Month or Mes de la herencia hispana begins on Monday, September 15 and continues through October 15. This timeframe was chosen because several Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—celebrate their independence on September 15, followed closely by Mexico on September 16 and Chile on the 18th! We celebrate the extensive and rich culture, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities—an essential part of our nation’s past, present, and future to our story as a nation. Hispanic Heritage Month was officially enacted into law by President Ronald Reagan on August 17, 1988. “It was expanded into October to recognize Día de la Raza, or “Day of the Race,” which celebrates the countries and people colonized by Spain and other European colonialists.” -Seramonte.com
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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
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