Who Is Apple Montessori? An Introduction to New Jersey’s Top Early Childhood Schools

Apple Montessori Schools have been an important part of the educational community in New Jersey since 1972. Yet, the origins of Apple Montessori Schools began thousands of miles away. In this blog post, we invite you to learn a little more about our story and who we are!

It all started in Scotland, where Jane Bailey grew up and became a Montessori teacher. After emigrating to the United States as a young woman, she met and married Rex Bailey. Soon, their family grew to include four beautiful daughters. While raising them, Jane soon discovered that there were no quality early childhood education programs available in the area.

Jane and Rex came up with a creative solution for this problem: they decided to open their own school! In 1972, the Baileys established the first Montessori school in northern New Jersey at our Kinnelon location.

Joanne Mooney, one of the Bailey’s daughters, shares what it was like to grow up at Apple Montessori “My sisters and I literally grew up in the schools. My younger sister and I were the first students of Apple.” Mooney went on to explain that her mother was a passionate educator. “Our mother loved and cared for them [her students] as her very own. She wanted only the best for them!” she says.

As of today, Apple Montessori has expanded throughout New Jersey to include many school locations. During the many years of growth, Apple Montessori Schools have adapted and innovated to meet the changing needs of our students. Apple Montessori Schools have a strong foundation in the Montessori philosophy while incorporating a modern approach.

Apple Montessori recognizes that Dr. Montessori shaped her program in the early 1900s, and life has changed a lot since then. “We have always researched what is the best in Early Childhood Education and have incorporated many additional programs and curriculum into our classrooms,” Mooney explains.

Some of the programs that Apple Montessori has added to its schools over the years include:

– Our proprietary reading program created by Jane Bailey

– STEAM curriculum

– Coding & Robotics program

– Yoga

– Sign language

– FasTracKids program

– Computers in the classrooms

– Foreign languages

– Enhanced music and art education

– Summer camp with a unique curriculum

– Swimming lessons and water activities during the summer months at most of our facilities

Apple Montessori Schools are also dedicated to offering exceptional teachers at each of our state-of-the-art facilities. All of our staff participate in regular ongoing professional development in continuous pursuit to live up to our core values of Integrity, Passion, Caring, and the Pursuit of Excellence. Through these programs, we both motivate our staff and keep them up to date on cutting-edge research and developments in early childhood education.

Thanks to the efforts of our excellent Montessori teachers, our parents are more than satisfied with the academic and emotional well-being of their children. Scott H., father of a kindergarten program student said, “Our daughter is now 4 years old and has obtained skills ahead of where most kindergarten kids are. The staff and teachers at Apple Montessori are highly trained and certified in what they do and at the same time extremely nurturing to all the children.”

Here at Apple Montessori Schools, we are devoted to nurturing the whole child intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, and ethically – all in a caring, safe, and fun space. We have used the Montessori philosophy as our guide in developing our programs and learning environments. One of our favorite Montessori quotes states, “The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life.”

Based on this and the wider Montessori philosophy, we have developed core values that outline our standards for education. See them below:

• Recognize, encourage, protect, & respect the physical, emotional & intellectual individuality of each child.
• Provide a safe environment that nurtures each child’s self-esteem and creativity.
• Provide opportunities for children to develop according to their own capacities, pace, and interests.
• Offer a well-rounded curriculum and enrichment that will become the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
• Offer programs that foster independence, self-confidence, and social responsibility.
• The child’s own feelings of accomplishment act as a reinforcement to encourage continued success!

It is through these values that we hope to offer the best education possible for our students. We are proud to serve the community and our many bright students, who will become our future leaders and professionals. Through their lives, we believe the world will be transformed!

We hold ourselves to the highest standards as an organization and educational institution. Over the years, we are proud that our efforts have led to public recognition via our membership of various prestigious groups including:

• Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS).

• The International Montessori Society, proponents of true, natural Montessori teaching

• The New Jersey Montessori Association Corporation

• Safety-certified by Secure Education Consultants

It is through excellence and dedication that we have been able to achieve these accreditations and memberships.

Apple Montessori Schools offer a cutting-edge early childhood educational experience in a nurturing environment filled with love. Joanne Mooney says “I am most proud of the high standards of excellence that our entire community focuses on whether it be safety, curriculum, or high academic standards…We have always adapted and changed with the times. I also love that we are a FAMILY. We all support and care for the children, families, and staff.”

Are you ready to join our family? We’d love to have you! Touch base with our staff today and learn how your child can benefit from our amazing programs.