Hudson Country Montessori School
Hudson Country Montessori School is an independent, co-educational Montessori school with campuses in New Rochelle, New York, and Danbury, Connecticut. It serves students from infancy and toddler age through eighth grade. The school is accredited by the Montessori Society, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
History
The school was founded in New Rochelle in 1972 by Musya "Amalie" Meyer, an educator in the American Montessori movement. She started with five students, with the vision of creating a school dedicated to the Montessori principle of educating the whole child, where academic and social development are interdependent. Meyer served as Vice President of Teacher Development on the board of the American Montessori Society and co-authored the book Celebrations of Life with Tim Seldin.
In 1995, the school opened a second campus in Danbury to serve families in Fairfield County. This expansion was led by Mark Meyer, Musya Meyer's son, who is the current Head of School.
Campuses and facilities
The New Rochelle campus, the original location, is situated on a property at 340 Quaker Ridge Road. It houses classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, playgrounds, and an on-site swimming pool.
The Danbury campus, located at 44A Shelter Rock Road, was established in 1995. It serves infants through eighth grade and includes facilities designed for project-based learning and outdoor exploration.
Academics
The school follows the Montessori method, characterized by multi-age classrooms, self-directed activity, and hands-on learning with specialized materials.
Toddler and Primary (Ages 18 months – 6 years)
The Toddler program focuses on independence, movement, and language. The Primary program is a three-year cycle encompassing Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Cultural studies.
Elementary and Middle School (Grades 1–8)
The Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary programs encourage a transition from concrete materials to abstract thinking through inquiry-based learning. The Middle School curriculum focus on interdisciplinary studies, real-world applications, and culminates in independent research projects.
Student life and extracurricular activities
STEM education
The STEM program involves hands-on experiments and design challenges. These activities incorporate scientific observation, engineering concepts, and mathematical reasoning, and often involve collaborative work.
Arts
Students participate in music education beginning in early childhood, with age-appropriate instruction that includes rhythm, movement, vocal performance, and exposure to musical notation. The performing arts also includes drama, which students practice through classroom presentations and school-wide productions.
Physical education at Hudson Country Montessori School includes instruction in gymnastics, karate, and team sports such as kickball and baseball. The program is structured around motor skill development and non-competitive play. In addition to scheduled physical education classes, the daily routine incorporates outdoor activity and movement-based learning.
Summer programs
The New Rochelle campus operates summer camp program since the last 50 years. The program consists of Montessori-inspired learning with traditional recreational activities. Camp offerings include Red Cross swimming instruction in the on-site pool, sports, outdoor play, and enrichment activities.
Community service
Students participate in service-learning initiatives including food, toy, and coat drives, and local outreach projects.
Hudson Country Montessori School serves as a feeder school for secondary schools in Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut. Graduates typically matriculate to a range of independent, Catholic, and public high schools in the region.
Accreditation and affiliations
Hudson Country Montessori School is accredited by the American Montessori Society, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.