Hilltop’s beautiful school facility is one of the only non-residential green buildings in Alabama and the Southeast. Our project was the first of any kind (including residential, commercial, industrial, civic, institutional or academic) within the state of Alabama to be LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) registered by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification provides a definition of green building and is a U.S. market-based standard to distinguish and promote sustainability.

Scientific research shows green schools enhance students' academic performance and help students to stay healthier.

In learning respect and care for the earth, Hilltop Montessori School students participate in gardening organic and fresh vegetables outside of each classroom and through this outdoor learning experience, the children are exposed to the benefits of botany, the seed to plate relationship and the uniqueness of being able to eat what they grow .

Additionally, the school has a "family recycling program", regularly composts its lunch waste, and incorporates environmental education into its classroom curricular studies. We are also working on expanding our organic gardens with a working bee hive, cultivating more edible plant areas, and continuing to integrate food preparation as a component of the instruction of healthy and nutritious eating for children.

Thank you to Southern Pines Chiropractic Center and the Marsh Family for a year sponsorship of our "Deep Roots Gardening Program".