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Secondary School Placement

Princeton Montessori school is committed to following the educational journey of each child and supporting families along the way. Our middle school program is the culmination of the Princeton Montessori School experience. 

Our goal is to provide the best possible support for our graduating students and their families. This includes helping our middle school students showcase their unique strengths, strong academic foundation, growing independence, and life skills to high schools. Princeton Montessori School’s Secondary School Placement Coordinator, Dr. Amanda Rose, works with 7th and 8th graders to help with school choice exploration, SSAT prep and tutoring, essay guidance, mock interviews, and high school admissions relations. Dr. Rose is a highly sought-after academic consultant in the Princeton area and we are pleased to offer her expertise to our middle school families.

Below, we describe how we prepare our Middle School students and families for the transition from PMONTS to their chosen secondary school, a process known as “exmissions.” Please take a look through this portion of the website, ideally with your child, and reach out to Dr. Rose with any questions you may have.

Dr. Amanda Rose, Secondary Placement Coordinator

Dr. Rose is an organizational, educational and leadership consultant and executive coach. Her clients have included Princeton University, Merrill Lynch, The Provident Bank, Merck & Company, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton Day School, Christiana Care Health System, The Wharton School, American Management Association, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. She earned a doctorate in Organizational Psychology from Rutgers University, an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a B.A. in English from Cornell University.

Grade 7

7th grade is a time for research and exploration. During this year, Dr. Rose guides students and parents as they begin to identify appropriate independent schools to pursue. Dr. Rose encourages families to do their own research and identify the school(s) whose culture and program will enable the student to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. During this time, students are introduced to the SSAT structure and strategies, take a baseline test, and begin prepping for the SSAT test which they will take in the fall of 8th grade.

The Montessori educational experience is unlike any students are likely to encounter once they move on. Savor it, for it yields independent thinkers, creative problem solvers, and students who know how to learn.
~ Dr. Amanda Rose

Grade 8

The fall brings a flurry of admissions activity for our 8th grade students. Dr. Rose counsels families through a personalized decision-making process to ensure that each student is researching and applying to the appropriate schools. This involves helping students with logistics and assisting families as they attend open houses and information-gathering panels. She confirms that parents are aware of application deadlines and responsibilities, including the pieces of the application process (SSAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, interviews, etc.), and advises parents on how they can best help their children prepare for the SSAT. Dr. Rose assists students with SSAT prep review and ensures that students take their SSAT tests by the end of November. She guides students through the mock interview process with school faculty and administration “interviewers.” Finally, Dr. Rose reviews applications to make sure they are complete. Most secondary school applications are due by mid-January and students are notified of acceptance by mid-March.

Hear From Our Alumni...

Chris O’Brian, Class of 2013 (B.S. Cornell University)

“The Princeton Montessori middle school program did a great job of preparing me academically for high school. Entering 9th grade, I was surprised at how far ahead I was relative to my peers at Solebury. I give a lot of credit to my 8th grade math teacher at PMONTS, who inspired my study of STEM subjects. I think my education at Princeton Montessori gave me a boost that helped me get into Cornell.”

Lindsay Spring, Class of 2008 (B.A. Princeton, M.B.A. in progress Northwestern)

“Princeton Montessori School taught me to love learning early on, to be organized, thoughtful, and curious in all of my subjects. Even in business school, I’m using some of the learning habits that I developed during middle school at PMONTS.”

Alexander Huang-Menders, Class of 2017 (The Pennington School)

“I greatly appreciated the Princeton Montessori Middle School’s approach to learning. I needed to start strong academically as a high school freshman and the curriculum allowed me to do that. I also gained skills that have helped me thrive over the past four years. Now, as a senior in high school, I am projected to graduate as the valedictorian of my class.”

High Schools Attended

Blair Academy, NJ • George School, PA • Groton School, MA • The Hun School, NJ • The Lawrenceville School, NJ • Notre Dame, NJ • Peddie School, NJ • The Pennington School, NJ • Phillips Academy, MA • Portsmouth Abbey, RI • Princeton Day School, NJ • Rutgers Preparatory School, NJ • Solebury School, PA • St. Andrew’s School, DE • St. John’s Prep, MN • Stuart Country Day School, NJ • Valley Forge Military Academy, PA • Local Public High Schools

Colleges and Universities

Barnard College • Bentley University • Boston College • Boston University • Brown University • Bucknell University • Colby College • The College of New Jersey • Columbia University • Connecticut College • Cornell University • Dartmouth College • Duke University • Elon University• Fashion Institute of Technology • Franklin and Marshall College • George Washington University • Georgetown University • Gettysburg College • Harvard University • Haverford College • Hobart & William Smith College • Ithaca College • Lehigh University • John Hopkins University • Johnson & Wales University • Lafayette College • Loyola University • Mercer County Community College • Moravian College • New York University • Ohio State University • Pitzer College • Penn State University • Princeton University • Quinnipiac University • Rhodes College • University of Richmond • Rochester Institute of Technology • Rutgers University • St. John’s University, MN • Stanford University • TCNJ • Tufts University • Union College • University of Illinois • University of Medicine & Dentistry, NJ • Universidad Complutense de Madrid • University of Pennsylvania • Universiteit Leuven, Belgium • Vanderbilt University • Villanova University • Virginia Military Institute • Virginia Commonwealth University • Washington University in St. Louis • Wheaton College

What Parents Are Saying

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.

This is our first year at Princeton Montessori and my daughter is in the toddler program. It’s been nothing short of amazing. Teachers are phenomenal and my daughter has learned so much already!

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.

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.

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!

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 daughter has been in the infant center for only six months, but we believe it has been the most transformative and influential time of her life. The Infant Center teachers planted a little seed in our daughter’s heart, and it has grown and blossomed into a beautiful, resilient flower with their warm love and care. ...We have observed her world expanding astronomically, filled with beautiful memories of her teachers and friends. We have been thoroughly impressed and constantly reassured by the quality of education and care the teachers provide.

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.

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

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