Three-Year Strategic Plan

2017–2022

Strategic Plan Overview

Princeton Montessori School is a prestigious educational institution with fifty years of service to the greater Princeton area and is home to the renowned Princeton Center for Teacher Education, which ensures the strictest adherence to American Montessori Society standards for our school.  Princeton Montessori is an authentic Montessori institution, true to the values and mission of a Montessori education and 21st century best practices of education.  The school offers education and care for children from infant through eighth grade.

Princeton Montessori School is dedicated to developing passion and nurturing the potential in each child, through the values and principles of the Montessori philosophy.  We promote intrinsic motivation, independence, social responsibility, and a love of learning so that as global citizens, our students can lead fulfilling lives and work to better the world.

The highly trained and dedicated faculty and staff of Princeton Montessori School value their strong connection with families and work together to make the school a true support system for both students and parents.  In addition, the school is governed by a Board of Trustees committed to the highest ethical standards in serving the financial and strategic interests of the school. Princeton Montessori School is proud of its work on behalf of the families it serves.

Vision

As we look to the future of the school, we envision a thriving, accessible, and diverse institution that is exceptional, progressive, environmentally friendly; and grounded in the philosophy of Montessori and best educational practices. Our future community of learners and their parents will be connected, equally dedicated, and supportive of the organization and its constituents. The strategic work we do in the coming years will be to this end.

Strategic Goals and Three-Year Outcomes

Education

Ensure all programs have healthy enrollment and offer the highest quality education by incorporating research-based, 21st Century best practices in keeping with American Montessori Society standards; and provide measures on student outcomes.
Three-Year Outcomes:
  • Increased Innovation – Continue to seek and implement innovative improvements for our school that aid teachers in delivering an exceptional education. Implement measurable, targeted professional development tied to meeting these goals.
  • Quality Assurance Communication – Establish curriculum benchmarks and educational screenings to ensure both a transparent academic structure and proper student learning intervention when needed. Maintain exceptional parent and student support in all areas of student progress and in the transition process to high school.
  • Full Enrollment – Build and maintain healthy enrollment in our School, across programs.

Faculty & Staff

Attract, retain, and develop an outstanding, compassionate, and diverse faculty who embody a growth-mindset, are committed to our organizational goals, and work in alignment with the administration to ensure excellence in education and strong relationships with families.
Three-Year Outcomes:
  • Enhanced Accountability Measures – Consistent and effective adherence to new annual progress reporting, holding each accountable to set and reach milestones aligned with organizational goals. A structure of observations and supports from Coordinator, Director of Education, and Head of School.
  • Clear & Competitive Compensation – Streamline our faculty compensation model to make further strides in ensuring a fair, competitive, and transparent structure based on the degree of contribution to the School, degree of training and qualifications, and years of service.
  • Exceptional Staffing – Retention of those who consistently meet the high standards of the school, and staffing that meets or exceeds American Montessori Society requirements for the teacher to student ratio at each program level.

Finance

Strengthen our financial platform to best serve the school’s mission, values, and long-term sustainability.
Three-Year Outcomes:
  • Expense Model – Maintain a three- to five-year sustainable operational expense model for multiple scenarios.
  • Tuition & Retention Model – Formulate a long-term tuition and retention model that allows us to build and sustain healthy enrollment while maintaining a generous tuition assistance program.
  • Data-Driven Action – Stay ahead of market trends by using industry data on independent schools, which take into account economic factors, and regional variables.

Internal Community

Ensure parents have a solid understanding and an appreciation of how a Princeton Montessori School education meets and exceeds academic standards while incorporating life skills that serve children as they reach adulthood. Communication models and parent offerings will aid in building community involvement and school appreciation.
Three-Year Outcomes
  • Increased Knowledge and Appreciation – Parents understand and embrace the principles of a Montessori education and trust the school to deliver exceptional preparation to their children for higher education and adulthood.
  • Increased Parent Participation – Strong and sustainable parent involvement in the school and attendance at school events, including Parent Association participation.
  • Effective Communication – A model of communication that meets parent needs in medium, frequency, and information.
  • Strong Relationships – Consistently strong relationships are cultivated with alumni and current and past parents.

External Community

Leverage relationships with outside service organizations to increase educational offerings and create broader community awareness and support of the school.
Three-Year Outcomes:
  • Local Relationships – Mutually beneficial relationships are made with local institutions that could enhance our educational and extracurricular resources and offerings.
  • Montessori Relationships – Relationships are strengthened with other Montessori and independent schools in our area for educational and extra-curricular collaboration, and to build awareness of our school.
  • Community Give Back – Annual educational or festive events are held on site and are open to the public as a gesture of goodwill to the community and to raise awareness of the school.

Campus

Maximize the potential of the school’s beautiful grounds and state-of-the-art facility for student-learning purposes. Promote this aspect to seek other revenue sources for the school by engaging mission-friendly organizations across the greater community. Ensure the facility is maintained and improved upon for long-term sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Three-Year Outcomes:
  • Maximize our Campus – Use and promote our grounds as one of our key assets as a school.
  • Environmentally Friendly – Achieve more environmentally-friendly operations of our facility.
  • Revenue-Generating Alliances – Maximize use of the grounds and facility by the greater community.

Communication

Effectively convey the attributes and advantages of a Princeton Montessori School education to current and prospective families.
Three-Year Outcomes:
  • Strong Reputation – Exceptional reputation for all program levels according to the Montessori philosophy.
  • Brand Awareness – Visible and consistently present in the community.
  • Effective Marketing – Effective execution of marketing dollars through the savvy selection of media placement.

What Parents Are Saying

Our child previously attended a reputable public elementary school. During that time, she often complained that she was bored at school. I was concerned that the school's 'one-size-fits-all' education model was gradually dimming her thirst for knowledge. I wanted the flames of her engagement and curiosity to be fanned, not extinguished. She is now back at Princeton Montessori and I am happy to report that she is no longer bored. In fact, her inner flame has never been stronger!

Our Primary student is learning remotely this year due to the pandemic. He is really is enjoying all the works that come home to him. He tells me things like 'I love my Montessori works' and 'my works are beautiful.' My husband and I see him growing and learning so much even amidst our virtual constraints. Having tailored materials for him to work with makes all the difference in the world and we're grateful for the thought and care you put into curating them.

The other day I came downstairs and my 4-year-old son was listening to 'Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart' on Alexa. He told me that Mozart's dad was named Leopold and his sister was Nannerl (it took him a second to remember her name and it sounded made up, so my husband and I googled it. Sure enough he was right). We asked what else he had been learning and he rattled off Antonio Lucio Vivaldi’s full name and referenced The Four Seasons. I think my jaw is still on the floor. It turns out that the Primary children have been learning about composers this fall and listening to their music. What incredible exposure for these young children!

Princeton Montessori is the very epitome of the principles of Maria Montessori. The School offers a nurturing, creative, academic, and well-rounded development for each child. As a parent, we cannot offer our daughter a more valuable first gift.

The faculty are, bar none, the absolute best. The teachers are very knowledge both about the Montessori philosophy and the best ways to work with children. I ask for their advice and insight for any issues we’re having at home, quite often. They’re also incredibly warm and nurturing with the children in a way I have not seen at any other school.

I’m struck by how much better the Montessori toddlers are at playing and working peacefully with their peers than toddlers in other nursery school programs. I credit the gifted PMonts teachers, and the Princeton Montessori educational approach, for how confident, happy, and collaborative toddlers in the PMonts program seem.

Our son is so proud of being a third-year Primary. He has attended this incredible school since he was one year old. He had absolutely wonderful Toddler teachers and flourished under their care. Now, he is a third-year Primary and we know he will be more than ready for Lower Elementary. Thank you to all the Teachers & Staff!

The school runs with one philosophy and so every faculty member and admin personnel share the same vision for the child. This consistency is unique in our area to Princeton Montessori. Combined with the integration of the teacher training program, we can proudly say that the spirit of Dr. Montessori’s principles permeates every aspect of our school. That’s what I value the most about our school!

Education is both a gift and a right. I feel the teachers at PMonts help our children to appreciate the value of their education. Understanding the value involves looking beyond school and appreciating how education is a tool that will allow them to explore challenging goals, to grow as individuals and most importantly, chase their dreams.

I will never cease to be amazed at the capabilities of the young child. In the Montessori environment, the very youngest students show incredible independence and competence. At Princeton Montessori School the teachers truly help the children to “help me do it myself”.

When I think about my personal philosophy on education I can check all the boxes with regards to the education my daughter is receiving at Princeton Montessori. I feel the teachers motivate the students by focusing on appreciating the value of education and the diversities of peoples around the world while stressing and leveraging the power of the uniqueness in each individual student. Ultimately, the role of an educator is to shape a new generation that will create a safer and better world for the future.

Princeton Montessori School is a school that exceeds any expectations imaginable. The school follows each and every child on an individual basis and nourishes each child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. It is a school where teachers appreciate all unique qualities each child brings.

Princeton Montessori School turned out to be the best investment ever. We made some sacrifices in our lifestyle in order to be able to afford sending both children all the way through 8th grade, but now we are proud to note that we have two capable, confident, well-mannered young adults who are a pleasure to be around and who continue to love to work hard in their studies.

EXCEPTIONAL is the carefully chosen word to describe Princeton Montessori School. Our family has been part of the PMonts community from elementary through middle school. If I could give every child a gift that gift would be for them to experience the joy of learning every single day at PMonts. The multi-age classes provide the advantage of older students leading younger students and younger students watching the wonderful examples of the older children. The children recognize the strengths of others as being positive and not competitive. Princeton Montessori is much more than academic college prep - it is life prep!

Thanks for a wonderful school year thus far and for doing such a wonderful job for our children during such a challenging year. Princeton Montessori has simply been the gold standard for pandemic education, in my mind.

We love the fact that your guidelines have been clear and appropriate, and impressing upon families how their role is critical in keeping the wider school community safe. Thanks also for sourcing materials and providing seminars on parenting during this particular time. The fact that the school has remained open all this time is a huge testament to you all.

Our daughter loves being at school. She confidently reported that she was happy with the safety measures in place, and that she felt “safe” at school. This was HUGE.

We have always been thrilled with our PMonts experience, and this fall term has sent us through the roof. We are in awe of the tireless work of the faculty and administration, who have made possible such an inspiring in-person program. I have always been broadly grateful for the PMonts education my children have been so lucky to receive; this summer and fall, I felt grateful each and every day.

Princeton Montessori has done an exemplary job in keeping their classrooms open to children and young people during this challenging year. They are simply the gold standard for safely educating our children during the national pandemic.

As a parent (and faculty member), Molly and I are beyond grateful for PMonts. Our children are SO happy here. I am more of a believer than ever before. Miles was fine at his public school but the difference is really clear - here, he is not just fine - he is totally thriving and so happy! I'm amazed.

"Princeton Montessori School students are open to diverse backgrounds, curious to learn new things, strong in their leadership and presentation skills, and confident. Thank you for providing an educational environment that encourages a child's total development. We know it is an incredible gift." -Middle School Parent