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* Due to the length of the Parent Handbook, we have divided the information across five sequential web pages. Please click "next section" when you reach the bottom of this page in order to continue reading the Parent Handbook.

MISSION STATEMENT

Hilltop Montessori School’s mission is to provide quality Montessori education in an environment which fosters a child’s love of learning and a respect for self, others, the community and the world.

Hilltop Montessori School is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, offering quality private education based on the principles of the Montessori philosophy. The carefully planned, self-motivating environment helps each child develop naturally at the child’s own pace. The environment promotes a child’s discovery, learning, teaching, and growth. Hilltop Montessori School is dedicated to the development of the whole child: academically, emotionally, and socially.  Students, teachers, and parents play an active role in the educational process.  The educational environment celebrates cultural, ethnic and economic diversity such that children from various backgrounds are taught to live to their greatest potential.

In our commitment to embrace diversity, Hilltop’s enrollment is open to all children and their families without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability or national origin.

The purpose of our policies is to advance the mission of our school and share our values of good citizenship, scholarship, self motivation and independence. Although we realize childhood is a learning process, we continue to have high expectations for all our students in order that each child can learn and grow to their fullest potential.

GREEN VISION AND PHILOSOPHY

Hilltop Montessori built Alabama’s first private “green”, LEED rated school on over five acres of wooded land in Mt Laurel.  The land was donated to the school by EBSCO Industries, Inc. and financing for the project came from the school, AmSouth Bank, private donations and from The Daniel Foundation, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, EBSCO Industries/The Stephens Family and Vulcan Materials.

What is a “green” school?  This is an environmentally conscious building where our children can learn in a cleaner, safer, more energy efficient and resource efficient environment.  A green building is a structure where the quality of both the outdoor and indoor environments have been contemplated and preserved during the design, construction and maintenance of the building.  Green buildings are designed to take advantage of natural light and to be energy-efficient.  They are gentler on the natural environment by becoming a part of the site on which they are built instead of destroying and recreating the site. Students at Hilltop Montessori School participate in some “green” activities in addition to the set curriculum, including recycling, gardening, composting and conservation.

MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY

The Montessori Method is the result of the experiences and discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952).  Maria Montessori observed that a child has an “absorbent mind” especially between the ages of three and six.  She believed children should be enrolled within a classroom for three years in order to fully develop the conscious awareness of their whole self.  The older children help teach the younger children in the classroom.  This boosts their confidence and emotional well being while reinforcing what they already know.

The Montessori classroom uses concrete materials that are self-correcting and allow the children to learn at their own pace.  These materials help the child to see, touch, feel, and freely explore their environments without the teacher’s intervention.  The Montessori teacher provides individual instruction within set guidelines.  The children learn self respect, respect for others, and respect for their environment.  Montessori methods and materials promote an inner discipline and self-motivation.

The main focus of a Montessori teacher is to guide the child by providing a well-prepared environment.  This environment fosters the creativity and the curiosity of the child and also bolsters the child’s self-esteem.  The child is able to learn independently and with the help of his peers and teacher.  Children receiving Montessori instruction excel academically and socially with the confidence they need to reach their fullest potential.

CURRICULUM

Hilltop Montessori School offers a full Montessori curriculum based on the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.  Montessori developed an approach to education, which aims to develop each child’s full range of abilities and talents while simultaneously celebrating the child’s uniqueness and cultural background.  The goal of Montessori education is the development of autonomous and competent, caring and empathic, responsive and responsible individuals that are lifelong learners and problem-solvers.

In all aspects of Montessori learning, children move at their own pace, repeating activities until a sense of inner mastery moves them to the next level of difficulty.  A rich array of hands-on materials is provided which engage the child in learning on many levels. The educators involved in this process facilitate each child’s learning as the student moves at their own pace throughout the curriculum.

At all levels of education at Hilltop Montessori School, the school offers core curriculum instruction in practical life, reading, writing, language, mathematics, the sciences, geography, social studies, and history.

Additionally, Hilltop Montessori toddler and preschool programs offer Spanish, music and movement, and creative art integrated into the classroom setting. 

The elementary and middle school programs build upon earlier Montessori foundations and further enhance each child’s development toward self-directed learning and personal responsibility.  In addition to the core curriculum, elementary children are offered Spanish, music, art, and physical education, as well as extracurricular activities.  While developing the self, a child’s maturation allows greater growth in areas of civic and then global responsibility, and how the self affects the whole.  The curriculum supports the development of a competent, responsible, adaptable, creative, respectful and caring individual who is able to face the challenges of the future.

ADMISSIONS

Hilltop Montessori School accepts children between the ages of eighteen months and eighth grade.  Hilltop Montessori accepts children without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability, or national origin.  The school recruits a culturally diverse student population where children learn respect and understanding for others, their cultural heritage, and individual differences.

Please refer to the handout entitled Hilltop Montessori School Enrollment Procedures for specific steps on how to apply and when enrollment dates are open and closed.  Elementary and middle school students typically are observed for a three day period, to determine the appropriateness of the environment for each child and records (including standardized test scores and progress reports) are requested from your child’s current institution. Observations of all children are set once a spot becomes available.

Any child enrolling in the preschool must be toilet trained before entering the program.  Toddlers do not need to be toilet trained.

Any child seeking enrollment as a first grade student from another institution must be six years old prior to September 1.  Rare exceptions may be made for children who have attended Hilltop as preschool for a minimum of two years (provided the child’s birthday is in September) if the student meets all standards of the readiness profile utilized, which would indicate readiness academically, socially and emotionally.

In the rare instance of a current HMS student (enrolled two years prior) meets all readiness goals, the staff will meet regarding the child and consensus must be met that the child is 100% capable of transitioning to the rigors of the first grade before an exception can be made. The child’s birth date cannot be later than September 30th.

All parents are required to sign an enrollment contract with Hilltop Montessori School and are subject to all rules, regulations, and policies established by the Board of Directors and the Director of Hilltop Montessori School. The enrollment contracts are binding, obligating families to pay for the entire year. Please see the enrollment contract for further information.

All children are accepted on a conditional basis.  Should the Director, under the advisement of the Preschool and Elementary Program Coordinators, determine a child does not benefit from this Montessori environment, or a child’s behavior is disruptive to the educational process, the School reserves the right and option to terminate any child’s enrollment in the school. Additionally, if the parent fails to cooperate with the school and the school determines that they are unable to work cooperatively with the family to assist in the child’s education, the school reserves the right to terminate the enrollment of the student.

Each child must have the following forms on file when accepted for admission:

Admission Form
Enrollment Contract
Medical Emergency Form  (before the first day of school)
Certificate of Immunization (before the first day of school)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Hilltop Montessori School offers an academic year program, beginning in August of 2010 for the Toddler, Preschool/Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle School students. The school calendar operates for 180 days. Hilltop is accredited with SACS/CASI (AdvancED) and SAIS (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and The Southern Association of Independent Schools). A copy of our last accreditation team visiting report is on our website on the curriculum page; we invite all parents to read about our goals for the future, as well as our many strengths.

TODDLER PROGRAM

The school offers two half-day toddler programs.  The first program begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 11:30 AM. The second program begins at 12:00 and runs to 3:00 PM.  The toddler program is a three hour program, either for the morning or the afternoon. Toddlers are not permitted to stay from 8:30 to 3:00. This is strictly a half day program. Toddlers can attend school either  two days (Monday and Tuesdays), three days (Wednesdays-Fridays) or five days in the morning session, based on availability.

PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

The school offers a half-day or full-day preschool program and a full-day kindergarten program. The programs begin at 8:30 AM and end at Noon or 3:15 PM respectively, with a Friday 2:15 PM dismissal.  Half day preschool students also have the option of staying until 1:00 PM (lunch bunch).

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM

The school offers a full-day elementary program for first through sixth grade classes. Classes begin at 8:30 AM and dismiss at 3:15 PM, with a Friday 2:15 PM dismissal. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM

The school offers a full-day middle school program for the seventh and eighth grade. Classes begin at 8:30 AM and dismiss at 3:15 PM, with a Friday 2:15 PM dismissal. 

EARLY CARE AND AFTER CARE

Early care is offered from 7:00-8:30 AM, and after care is available from 3:15-5:45 PM at additional costs for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. There is also early drop-off offered from 8:00 AM and late pick-up available until 3:45 PM at additional costs.  Anyone who drops off their child before 8:15 AM or picks up after 3:15 PM will be assessed a charge.  Aftercare and late pick up are only available for kindergarten students through middle school. Early care is offered for toddlers through middle school. Toddlers and preschool students (below kindergarten age) are not permitted to use aftercare. 

SUMMER CAMPS

The school offers summer camps designed to introduce children to the Montessori philosophy in a relaxed and fun environment.  Each camp session will have educational instruction as well as fun themes.  We will run summer camp programs in two-week units in the months of June and July. Information is available around March 1rst for the upcoming summer. It is recommended that students new to Montessori attend at least one of the sessions.

LUNCHES

The School provides a hot lunch daily for all students at a cost to be determined by the PTO. Orders are sent home monthly and there is a variety of choices for each child to make. Milk, juice and water are also available on a daily basis for an additional fee. In the event a family chooses not to purchase lunch, they must sign a waiver indicating they waive the right to hot lunch. This waiver must be on file in the office for each student not choosing to purchase lunch.

In the event a parent chooses not to purchase lunch, a nutritional and complete lunch must be sent from home.  Students should pack whatever utensils or napkins/plate they will need for that day’s lunch.  The school cannot provide this for the children. In the event that your child “forgets” lunch, parents will be called to bring their child a suitable lunch. The staff is not able to leave their duties to buy or prepare your child’s lunch. Parents who neglect to send their child a lunch will be charged.

CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND INDOOR SHOES/FOOTWEAR

We would like to ask all parents of preschool and toddler children to have at least one full change of clothes (seasonally appropriate) on site, in a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name. Even if your child is passed the “accident” stage, sometimes the children can get muddy or wet. In this event, we can use your spare clothes on site to keep your child comfortable. Additionally, “indoor” footwear is encouraged for all preschool and toddler children; options will be discussed at Parent Orientation.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

PIANO

Private piano lessons are available for Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle School students during the regular school day.

VIOLIN, PERCUSSION and DRUM

Small group and individual violin lessons are available for students age 4 through Middle School during the regular school day. Kindermusic is also available for preschool and toddler students at an additional fee as well. Drum lessons are given after school, for ages 2nd grade-middle school. Elementary aged children are also invited to participate in after school percussion classes for an additional fee.

*Those interested in private lessons are given a sheet of interest before school begins. Once we receive that sheet, the school will have the private instructors contact each family individually regarding additional fees and schedules. Certain age requirements for each activity are listed and adhered to.

*Cub scouts and chess are also offered on site, as well as private art lessons. These activities (including piano, private art, percussion, violin, drum and kindermusic) are not associated with the school’s curriculum or programming.
All correspondence and issues for these activities should be directed to the appropriate person in charge. The school offers their facility for these additional opportunities and participation is completely optional.

SPORTS

Hilltop encourages the students to be involved with sports activities offered in their communities. Our physical education program complements the non-competitive philosophy of Montessori education and encourages teamwork and cooperative learning.

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