The Children's Tree Montessori School

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The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #1 - Learning to make words with the movable alphabet in the primary (preschool) classroom.
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The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #1 - Learning to make words with the movable alphabet in the primary (preschool) classroom.
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #2 - The mathematics materials developed by Maria Montessori leads the child through progressive, sequenced activities, emphasizing concepts while preparing the child for abstraction. The developing child yearns to organize and classify. And the whole world obliges with toes to count, temperatures and amounts of rain to check, and clocks to read.
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #3 - "If young people are to meet the challenges of survival that faces them today, it is imperative that they develop to the fullest extent possible their potential for creativity, initiative, independence, inner discipline and self-confidence. This is the central focus of Montessori education" - Maria Montessori
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #4 - The exercises in Practical Life are the very heart of Montessori education. As young children wash tables, pour liquids, polish silver, sweep and dust, they are developing the inner aptitudes of calmness, order, concentration, coordination, and fine motor skills. At the same time, through the process of learning to meet their own needs, learning to take care of the classroom
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #5 - Mathematics The Montessori Mathematics program consists of sequential exercises that start with more concrete lessons, and move forward into the highly abstract. The fundamental goal of Montessori education is to stimulate the child's reasoning ability by the developing the mathematical mind. The math presentations require the use of concrete materials conceived to be manipulated and explored until the child's mine
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #6 - Montessori preschool classroom
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #7 - Making a map of South America in the primary (preschool) classroom.
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #8 - Fine motor skills in the primary (preschool) classroom.
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #9 - Learning geometry and fine motor skills with the Montessori metal insets.
The Children's Tree Montessori School Photo #10
Founded in 1995, the Children's Tree Montessori School offers authentic Montessori education to children from age 1 to 6th grade with a middle school opening in 2023. In a nurturing, child-centered environment children can develop independence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Children are respected and learn respect for themselves, others, and their environment. Students benefit from small classes, which are led by Montessori-certified teachers.
In the "Nest", toddlers ages 1-3 develop language, motor and life skills with the help of Montessori materials in a safe, clean and calm environment.
In the preschool and Kindergarten classrooms, children ages 3-6 use hands-on materials to develop reading, writing and math skills at a young age, that set them up for success in elementary school. Elementary students work with an individualized curriculum based on their needs and abilities.
This way children can learn ahead of their grade level in subjects they are especially talented in, instead of being held back and doing what everyone else is doing. CTMS provides children and their parents an alternative to public school education.
Students come from all over - Old Saybrook, Clinton, Westbrook, Chester, Old Lyme, East Lyme, Essex and Middletown, to name a few. Our school is more than just a building and teachers though--it is a community made up of all the different families who believe in a better form of educating our children.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CT School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-6
  • Enrollment: 112 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $11,000
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 17 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Children's Tree Montessori School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Connecticut for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-6
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
1995
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
112 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
The Children's Tree Montessori School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
90%
Average Class Size
17 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
tuition is dependant on schedule
Summer Program Cost
$300
Summer Program Cost Notes
weekly thematic programs offered to children 3-9
% on Financial Aid
40%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,000
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Marci Martindale
Admissions Associate
Nicole Atwood

Sports

Total Sports Offered
1 sport

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Art, Forigen Languages, music, Music Together, Trapeeze, Yoga

Arts and Music Programs:
martial arts, sign language

School Notes

  • Our mission at The Children's Tree Montessori is to nurture and empower a loving community of global thinkers, who embrace and honor each other. We believe that the Montessori method of education helps children develop a positive attitude towards school, builds their self-confidence, strengthens their ability to concentrate and fosters an abiding curiosity. We help each child develop habits of initiative and persistence by fostering inner security and a sense of order in the child.
  • The goals of the primary level are to foster independence and to support the child in moving toward self-control and mastery of the surrounding environment. The Primary classrooms are prepared Montessori environments designed to encourage the child in a self-directed discovery of the world. The curriculum, environment and schedule intertwine to allow the child to develop a deep love for learning and to attain trust in his own ability to learn.
  • The Elementary program offers a continuum built on the Primary experience. In the Montessori elementary, the child's own questions provide the basis for exploration of the world. Because those questions are heeded and nurtured, the child truly connects with knowledge. Subject matter is made relevant to the child's personal learning journey, providing an inner motivation. A Montessori education does not give a child a collection of isolated facts, but rather shares a vision of interrelated knowledge and a love of learning.
  • Goals for our students: At The Children's Tree we help our students: develop a positive attitude toward himself/herself, school and life become a self-confident, independent learner form habits of concentration in his/her work develop initiative and persistence achieve inner security and a sense of order develop his/her sensory motor skills earn social skills achieve a higher level of intelligence and imagination
  • Teaching each other - In multi-aged classrooms, younger children are constantly stimulated by the interesting work that the older ones are engaged in. The older children in Montessori classes often help the younger children with their work, actually teaching lessons or correcting errors
  • Research is very clear that young children learn by observing and manipulating their environment, not through textbooks and workbook exercises. The Montessori materials give the child concrete sensorial impression of abstract concepts, such as long division, that become the foundation for a lifetime understanding.
  • The social life of the Montessori elementary is defined by the fact that students can move around. They don't have to sit at a desk all day long. Students work together, either helping one another master skills or information, or working together on group projects. They also have the freedom to choose to work individually, mastering skills that are of interest to them.
  • Students will typically be found scattered around the classroom, working alone or with one or two others. They tend to become so involved in their work that visitors tend to be amazed at the peaceful atmosphere
  • When the primary child is provided with an environment that encourages emotional, social, physical and academic skills to develop the child gains a positive attitude about himself, school, other people and the world! This essential foundation ensures future success in learning and in life.
  • Making use of things mostly found around the home, these activities promote learning of skills that also enable them to participate fully and independently in their home life. With independence comes also the building of the child's self-confidence and initiative which carries out to his attitude towards learning in general
  • Montessori schools are normally small close-knit communities of children, teachers, and parents. They are like an extended family. Everyone knows everyone else. Children become close and remain friends with their teachers and both younger and older classmates. They grow up and study together for many years. While there may not be as many other children in the school to form your children's circle of friends as they would find in a larger school, their friendships will tend to be closer and will last a lifetime.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Children's Tree Montessori School cost?
The Children's Tree Montessori School's tuition is approximately $11,000 for private students and $300 for summer students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Children's Tree Montessori School?
The acceptance rate of The Children's Tree Montessori School is 90%, which is higher than the national average of 69%.
Does The Children's Tree Montessori School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Children's Tree Montessori School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does The Children's Tree Montessori School offer?
The Children's Tree Montessori School offers 1 interscholastic sports: Martial Arts.
What is The Children's Tree Montessori School's ranking?
The Children's Tree Montessori School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Connecticut for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for The Children's Tree Montessori School?
The application deadline for The Children's Tree Montessori School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (4 reviews)
5  
The staff, facility, and quality of this school are second to none. To find a community that treats your child as if they were their own is truly priceless. We are so lucky to be a part of this school community, and family!
- Posted by
5  
Love the school for my elementary aged daughters. Teachers are wonderful! My daughters are learning so much more than they were in traditional school. The best part is that they are begging to go to school each day!
- Posted by
5  
We love this school and the teachers there. Our daughter started sounding out three-letter words at age 3 and doing multiplication (with beads) at age 4. The kids are treated with respect and warmth, and the teachers are great at teaching social skills and helping little ones "use their words". Classrooms are tidy and calm.
- Posted by
5  
Wow, the passion that these teacher have for their students is unmatched. If you a looking for a high quality education in an environment based on RESPECT, look no further.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked CT School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-6
  • Enrollment: 112 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $11,000
  • Acceptance rate: 90%
  • Average class size: 17 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Connecticut is $23,349 for elementary schools and $41,936 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Connecticut is 69% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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