Our Mission

Every child carries within them the person they will become. At Apple Montessori School, we believe that the school community is responsible for discovering and nurturing the unique individual potential of each child. Our curriculum provides a sound academic background while stimulating and challenging each child to meet his or her own particular needs and learning pace. Our classrooms are rich with Montessori materials and supporting activities to promote intellectual as well as social growth. We instill through example and action a love of learning, a strong work ethic, creativity, respect and compassion for others.

 

Philosophy

The philosophy upon which Apple Montessori School is based embraces the most fundamental teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori. Our method is designed to build upon the individual skills and knowledge acquired in the pre-school and kindergarten years. By offering multi-aged classrooms rich with Montessori materials, your child will be actively engaged in their own learning process.

He or she can move through new challenging materials quickly, or on to another experience without the boredom of waiting for others to catch up. He or she can repeat these same activities until mastery is achieved. This can be done without frustration of being pushed ahead before one is ready. His or her own feelings of accomplishment act as a reinforcement to succeed.

We at Apple Montessori School believe that it is fundamentally important to:

• Recognize, encourage, protect, and respect the physical, emotional and intellectual individuality of each child.
• Provide a safe environment that nurtures each child’s self-esteem and creativity.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop according to their own capacities and interests.
• Offer programs that foster independence, self-confidence, and social responsibility.
• Provide academic opportunities to allow each child’s individual learning style to develop fully.
• Provide a well-rounded curriculum that will become the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

 

Founders

Apple Montessori was founded by Rex and Jane Bailey in 1971. Our young but rich history is the result of the initial vision and determination of Jane Bailey, a Montessori teacher who emigrated from Scotland, who knew the importance of an early childhood education. Unhappy with the traditional approach to learning and motivated by her own young children, she opened one of the first Montessori schools in northern New Jersey.

Rex Bailey, also at the forefront of education as a two term public School Board President, joined the mission and commitment to providing parents with a quality education for their children. Together they paved the road for what we are today. Yet even they could not have imagined the levels of accomplishment that could be reached.

We currently have sixteen pre-schools including infant and toddler classes and one elementary school located in New Jersey. With the proven success of many of our students, we are setting new standards in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

All four Bailey daughters have followed in their parents' footsteps. After successful college careers, Pamela Howarth, Lynn Morris Piccolo, Joanne Mooney and Vanessa Krippner have perpetuated the mission. Also joining their ranks are two sons-in law, Robert Howarth and Ronald Krippner. We are currently laying the foundation for the third generation as thirteen grandchildren are benefiting from this extraordinary education. After graduating our elementary school, the eldest grandchildren and their peers have moved on to other independent schools, namely Newark Academy, Morristown Beard, The Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Kent Place, Montclair Kimberly Academy, Dwight Englewood, and Upper Saddle River Country Day School, to name only a few.

As we move into our thirty-eigth year of educating children, we remain passionate about our mission and commitment to your children. The possibilities are infinite as we continue to lay the foundation for a lifetime of school success.