Welcome to Harborlight's Web Site:

Thank you for your interest in the Harborlight Montessori School. Since web sites only give a minute look at a school, I invite you to come visit in order to see what a vibrant and exciting community of children and adults we are.

When visiting Harborlight you will see the joy of learning in each educational environment. You will hear the excitement in children's voices as they question, reason and discuss. You will feel the compassion and caring fostered and modeled by a nurturing faculty and staff.

The Harborlight experience is unique. It is an opportunity to be an active member of a community that embraces all learning opportunities and enjoys the rewards of having an education for life. Harborlight is built upon a foundation of mutual respect for all children and adults. Everyone is valued for their creative talents, intellectual aptitudes, and contributions.

Examine the difference of a cooperative learning community where students and adults not only honor but protect individualism. The emotionally supportive and physically safe nature of Harborlight's environment allows children to learn while enjoying childhood without distraction, interference or interruptions. Students at Harborlight are challenged by high quality academics which lead them to the rewards of success in higher education and life. Harborlight encourages children to become responsible, productive citizen of the world.

I encourage you to come and visit Harborlight and -Experience Excellence- in action firsthand!

With Warm Regards,

Susan E. Egan, R.N., M.Ed.
Founding Head of School

Since 1973, Harborlight Montessori School has provided unparalleled educational, academic, and social experiences for children. Expanding and developing over the years, Harborlight Montessori School has become a model Montessori school for children from infancy through young adolescence. Susan Egan, R.N., M.Ed., Head of School, co-founded Harborlight Montessori School in order to provide the best possible education for her own children and to contribute to the community. The school was founded to provide exceptional educational experiences for all of the children who attend.

The tradition of excellence established at Harborlight Montessori School continues to provide a warm and exciting environment, employ exemplary teachers and offer an established, comprehensive, and creative curriculum. The faculty at Harborlight Montessori School takes great pride in the achievements of both current students and alumni.

Guiding Principles

Over 2400 years ago, Socrates defined the 2 primary goals of education; (to) "be good, be smart". Harborlight Montessori School regards education with respect to the whole child, which involves education, socialization, and acculturation. To that end, the School's purpose, mission, core values and code of ethics, acknowledge and appreciate individuality, welcome and benefit from diversity, and celebrate the harmony of this vibrant community.

Statement of Purpose

Harborlight Montessori School is a private non-profit, independent, coeducational day school in Beverly, Massachusetts serving children from the age of six months to fourteen years (through grade eight). Currently enrolling approximately 300 students, Harborlight provides a rich academic environment founded in the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori with a strong concentration in art, music, world cultures and languages, and the development of a social conscience. Small class sizes under the guidance of talented, creative, and experienced faculty afford Harborlight the unique capability of providing individualized instruction at all developmental levels.

Mission Statement

Harborlight Montessori guides the growth and development of the whole child from infancy through young adolescence in an environment that:

• Fosters a love of learning
• Maximizes individual potential
• Promotes academic excellence
• Inspires creativity
• Celebrates diversity
• Encourages mutual respect
• Nurtures compassion and humanitarianism
• Advocates stewardship of the environment
• Graduates responsible, productive citizens of the world

Recognizing Montessori's investment in education as an agent of social change, the Harborlight Montessori School's core values are rooted in the founding principles of the School, apply to each member of the School's community and are central to the School's mission and purpose. These core values guide the progressive development of the School's future in firmly establishing the School's culture and climate.

Harborlight Montessori School is committed to the pursuit of excellence in a safe, nurturing environment that actively promotes:

Respect Integrity Individuality Responsibility Compassion Positivity Confidence Courage Service Kindness

Harborlight Montessori School strives to promote and sustain a school culture and climate that instills and imparts dignity and a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of each other and that of our larger community. In keeping with this philosophy, all Harborlight community members will consistently conduct themselves in a manner that affirms and abides by these beliefs and principles of moral character.

Commitment- We will uphold the School's philosophy and guiding principles. We will be dedicated to our teaching, learning, parenting, and volunteering roles, and be responsible and accountable for our actions.

Cooperation- We will work to include others and put forth our best effort to help others do the same. We will work together to create harmony and a supportive atmosphere.

Communication- We will be clear, considerate and direct in all our communications. We will be open and responsive to others.

Concern- We will be respectful in our actions with others. We will embrace challenges and differences with understanding and appreciation.

"Children learn more from what you are than what you teach."   W.E.B. DuBois

Harborlight Montessori School actively seeks qualified students, faculty and staff to reflect the diverse backgrounds in our community. Harborlight strives to provide an enriching curriculum and educational experience for all students, recognizing that global teaching and learning helps form strong, positive self-concepts and develops respect for human differences. The School's curriculum and philosophy encourage understanding and respect for these differences while affirming fundamental similarities of humankind. Our cooperative community protects and encourages the exploration of new concepts. It also honors and nurtures the curiosity of each child in the educational pursuit of understanding equity and social justice.

All members of the school community are valued for their contributions, talents and opinions. The philosophy, curriculum and administration of our programs aim to create an inclusive learning environment with respect to economic background, gender, race, national and ethnic origin, cultural heritage, religion, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, and political beliefs. Harborlight integrates diversity and character education in each learning opportunity to empower students to actively approach each new experience with courtesy and acceptance.

Harborlight Montessori School is a private non-profit, independent, coeducational day school in Beverly, Massachusetts serving children from the age of six months to fourteen years (through grade eight). Governance is by a board of trustees which is responsible for major policies, fiscal management and strategic planning. All operations are directed and guided by the Head of School.

Currently enrolling approximately 300 students, Harborlight provides a rich academic environment founded in the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori with a strong concentration in art, music, world cultures and languages, and the development of a social conscience. Small class sizes under the guidance of talented, creative, and experienced faculty afford Harborlight the unique capability of providing individualized instruction at all developmental levels.

Click on the image below to view a larger PDF version of our Task & Responsibility Circle Chart.

Accreditation- National Association for the Education of Young Children (Accredited IT and ECE Programs)

Accreditation- Montessori Council for Teacher Education (Accredited IT & ECE Teacher Education Programs)

Accreditation- Montessori School Accreditation Commission (Accredited Infant through Grade 8)

Accreditation- Association of Independent Schools of New England

Licensure- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (IT and ECE Levels)

Membership- Montessori Schools of Massachusetts

Membership- American Montessori Society (Recognition of Candidacy for Accreditation)

Membership- North American Montessori Teacher Association

Honor the Past . . . Create the Future.
Harborlight's 35th Anniversary . . . Come Celebrate with Us!

Dear Friends,

The 2007-2008 school year represents a great milestone for the Harborlight community. The School is 35 years young! Our enrollment is strong and is supported by an incredible team of talented and dedicated teachers, our Library-Instructional Media Center is now totally operational with all books and films catalogued, and are soon to be enhanced by interconnected banks of laptops for our technology education curriculum. Plans have also been drafted to drive our physical fitness program to new heights, with a new wing for a gymnasium and pool, a new soccer field and restructured playgrounds. Harborlight remains fiscally sound, healthy and vibrant, ready to advance the School on a multitude of plains. ~Experience Excellence~ is Harborlight's motto, and can be sensed in every aspect of our existence.

The force of our Harborlight community is seen daily in the extraordinary commitment of our friends and families; as volunteers supporting faculty and staff in the classroom, on the Board of Trustees or through the Harborlight Parent Association, adding a breadth of purpose to our days and clear vision to our future. It is community and family that built Harborlight and it is that strong sense of community that sustains it. The success we celebrate this 35th Anniversary at Harborlight can only be attributed to the ongoing support of our greater community through gifts of time, talent and treasure. Every student at Harborlight today and future generations of students to come are the beneficiaries of extraordinary acts of generosity on the part of parents, grandparents, faculty and staff, alumni families, foundations and friends.

However, our work is not yet done. We are committed to further advancing every component of our facilities, our program, our faculty and staff, the School's long term sustainability, and the way in which we communicate to every member of the broader Harborlight community.

Please join us in this great journey to bring a creative and innovative learning model to a more distinguished and recognized position among the education community. Help us anchor Harborlight's future, to realize our dreams and fulfill our mission, by being an active partner with our School. We welcome you and hope you will come celebrate with us!

Best regards,

Jennifer H. Sargent
Director of Development and Communications

The Culture of Giving

The School community accepts the responsibility to contribute to continuous academic improvement through professional development and collaboration with members of the professional education community, for the purpose of designing, delivering, and renewing effective programs toward a successful preparation of all students for future learning.

Harborlight faculty members recognize their responsibility to provide an atmosphere that engenders courtesy, respect, and genuine regard for others. In order to maximize the quality and effectiveness of students' learning experiences, all interactions among faculty, students, and parents are expected to be collegial and conducted in a manner that reflects high personal and professional standards.

Harborlight faculty continuously engage students in meaningful learning experiences that are designed to promote personal development and enhance academic ability. Teaching is a complex, intellectually challenging activity in which inspiration is constructed through professional collaboration and life-long learning is highly valued.

Please click here to view information about our 2007-2008 Annual Fund.

The 35th Anniversary Annual Auction will be held on Saturday, April 12th. More details to come!

Please click here to view the Annual Report for 2006-2007. (PDF)

Please click here to view the Annual Report for 2005-2006. (PDF)

Please click here to view the Annual Report for 2004-2005. (PDF)

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