Hilltop Montessori School is an independent, secular non-profit school offering the highest quality of private education based on the principles of Montessori philosophy. Hilltop’s school community is strongly multi-cultural, from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds living in Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair counties. Our student body is composed of children from eighteen months through eighth grade. The environment promotes a child’s discovery, learning, teaching, and growth and encourages independence and a love of learning, as well as intrinsic motivation to excel academically. Hilltop Montessori’s curriculum fosters within each child a positive attitude toward learning, a respect toward self and others, and an understanding of one’s responsibility to the world. The curriculum is geared to each child’s unique abilities and needs, allowing each child to be empowered at his or her own level of aptitude and achievement.

Hilltop Montessori School was founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 1996 by Cindi Stehr, who believed strongly in the fundamental theories of Montessori education. The school received its status as a non-profit corporation in 1998, when the original preschool program was expanded to include an elementary program, developed by Michele Scott, the current head of school. Since that time, Hilltop has grown tremendously to include two toddler programs, four primary classrooms, two lower elementary classrooms, one upper elementary and a middle school program. The school was originally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 2004 and is also accredited with the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

As with other non-profit, private schools, the school is run by an administrative structure which also includes a Board of Directors as its governing body. The Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders, educators and parents of children attending the school.

Traditions of Hilltop Montessori School are extensive and include an emphasis on environmental education. Each learning environment offers outdoor classroom spaces, gardening areas that support nutritious snacks for the students and beautiful outdoor, naturally wooded play areas. The property also boasts a nature trail implemented through a grant from Legacy, Inc., as well as areas for composting and an apiary.  Family traditions include annual events such as an Art and Music Festival, Fine Arts Night, an annual Science Fair, job demonstration nights, fall festivals and Thanksgiving celebrations which involve the entire school community.

Monthly opportunities for parent involvement involve our community in the learning process and encourage family participation, creating a healthy relationship between student, educator and the home. Many parents serve on committees, assist with fundraising, participate in family events and work in the classrooms. Parents of Montessori students are encouraged to become involved participants in their child’s education. Hilltop Montessori School’s stakeholders vary and include grandparents, alumnae, board, parents and the community of Birmingham.