At a glance
We are delighted you are interested in learning about our school. In 2006 when Hamilton Park Montessori School opened the doors of its two early childhood classrooms, it committed to a whole-child approach to education— one that meets the social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs of each child. 12 years later, and well into our expansion into Middle School, we continue to nurture each child’s love of learning. Our incredibly talented, educated, and passionate teachers work tirelessly to create beautiful, developmentally-appropriate environments. We also have an amazing community of parents whose gracious support and commitment are without equal.
At HPMS, we believe that our job rests solely in ensuring that each child has the opportunity to grow into a capable, confident and compassionate citizen of the world. And as part of our ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of a diverse student body, HPMS recently changed its status to a 501(c)3 non-profit entity, enabling us to expand our efforts through a scholarship fund.
Come visit us and see how our authentic Montessori environment sparks children’s innate love of learning.
We look forward to meeting you,
Ms. Alexa, Head of School
Hamilton Park Montessori School at a Glance
Hours
Bridge & Early Childhood (including Kindergarten):
8:45 am – 3:00 pm
Elementary:
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Middle School:
8:30 am– 3:30 pm
Extended hours (before and afterschool):
7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Students
300+ students enrolled in 16 classrooms
Bridge:
2.5 years old in September; do not need to be toilet independent
Early Childhood:
Must be 3 years old by October 1 and toilet independent
Kindergarten:
Must be 5 years old by October 1
Lower Elementary:
Must be 6 years old by October 1
Upper Elementary:
Must be 9 years old by October 1
History
On October 6, 2006, Hamilton Park Montessori School opened its doors for the first time with an office, an art room, and our first Early Childhood classroom, the Blue Room. We opened with fewer than 10 children enrolled. In the years since, we have grown to accommodate over 300 children across 16 classrooms on five floors of our building, with continued growth each year.
In 2013-2014, we opened our first Upper Elementary classroom (grades 4-6). In 2016-2017, we welcomed our first Middle School cohort on a new, dedicated floor of our building.
Facility
Library, Activity/Movement Room, Auditorium/Music Room, STEM lab, Digital Exploration Lab, Art Studio, Indoor gross motor/event space, Rooftop Urban Garden and Apiary, Maker Space/Woodworking Room Advanced Therapy of America services located in the building (treatments for feeding, speech, language, oral motor, behavioral, cognitive, and sensory processing disorders are available)
Faculty
55 full-time, part-time and assistant teachers with many holding advanced degrees. All lead teachers hold Montessori credentials in the level(s) they are teaching.
Location
On picturesque Hamilton Park in Jersey City; it is a 8-minute walk from the NJ PATH and 6 blocks from the Holland Tunnel
Technology
iPads, Chromebooks, 3-D printer, ELMO Document
Reader, online homework for 3rd level and above
Third-level students:
Typing program, Scratch (Programming)
Fourth-level students & above:
Typing program, Scratch, iMovie, PowerPoint, Keynote,
Docera, Pages, SmartBoard
Sixth-level students:
Pro-Engineering
Middle School:
1:1 computer program
Assessment
Middle School:
Scantron Performance Series Assessment & Testing
Seventh-level students:
ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam)
Fourth-level students & above:
Scantron Performance Series Assesment & Testing
Third-level students:
Stanford Achievement Test
Second-level students:
practice for Stanford Achievement Test
HPMS is a non-denominational, independent school. It admits students regardless of sex, race, religious beliefs or ethnic origin. HPMS abides by the American Montessori Society (AMS) Code of Ethics. A copy of the AMS Code of Ethics is available for review in the office.
“Imagination does not become great until a person, given the courage and strength, uses it to create.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Faculty Reflections
"Our students are makers and creators of the next generation. When anyone says "That's not possible," our students say: "Watch us. We can do it."
Alexa Huxel, Head of School