About Us
Harbor Montessori School ("HMS") is a non-sectarian, state-approved, private school. Our student community consists of approximately 100 students, ages 3-12. The school is located in Gig Harbor, Washington. Before and after school care is provided for families requiring those services. As a non-sectarian Montessori school, our educational methods are based on the practices and teachings of the late Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and teacher. To this end, we are affiliated with the American Montessori Society ("AMS") and dedicated to the high educational standards required for affiliation. Every head teacher at this school received their teacher certification from a program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council of Teacher Education (MACTE), and the school is working toward having more teachers with this level of education in the future. Also, the school retains a Montessori consultant to further enhance the school's ability to provide a high quality Montessori education for our children.
We have opened a new building on our site; a 5000+ sq. ft. structure housing one upper-elementary, two lower-elementary classrooms, and extra space for our middle school students. It also has a covered play area (with a rubberized play surface), and a multi-purpose room. It's high-pitched ceilings and large child-friendly windows create a feeling of openness to the wooded area outside -- creating a very peaceful learning environment. Attached to the building are two greenhouses which the students use to grow plants used in stream bed restoration and in helping to feed the needy. Our original building houses three primary classrooms, a teacher work room, and our school administration. Their is also an amply equipped outside play area for children. Also, the school recently added a middle school to it's existing programs, accepting students in grades 6th through 8th.
Additionally, the school recently purchased new property adjacent to our current site for future development.
The school is a non-profit corporation owned by its members, and is operated by a school administrator who is hired by our Board of Directors. Our history page outlines the school's humble beginnings. However, it's our teachers and students that form the core of what is best about the school; they are both extremely passionate about learning and the Montessori methods and materials they use. Please feel free to contact us and schedule a visit today. You'll like what you see!