Welcome to HPMS!

Highland Park Montessori School, located in Saint Paul, is a non-profit corporation established in 1963. Ours is the oldest existing Montessori school in Minnesota. Following the principles and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, the staff at HPMS provide beautiful environments for the children to explore, where their natural curiosity and love for knowledge guides them in their learning. The atmosphere is one of mutual trust and respect, a reverence for life and peace. As trained professionals, the staff serves as guides and facilitators, responding to the needs of the individual and the community. Our Montessori Guides are Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) trained. 

Our two Children's Houses have up to 20 children, ages 33 months to 
age 6. 
The Toddler Community consists of 12 children ranging in age 
from 16 to 33 months. 
We admit students of any race, nationality, or ethnic origin. Our teachers do have the authority to choose from the applicants those children who would best balance their class with regards 
to age and gender. HPMS is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Montessori calendar follows (generally) the St. Paul Public School calendar, with holiday care available on most of the vacation days. We offer a summer program for both Children's House and the Toddler Community. Please refer to the summer program calendar for more information. 

The school is governed by a board of directors whose members are knowledgeable about Montessori education, or who are otherwise qualified to provide policy and management guidance to the school. Two current parents are members of the board.

Why Choose Montessori? Because it works! Montessori education is a progressive, scientifically based method that was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori through decades of observing how children learn. In its 109th year, Montessori education continues to inspire children and celebrate their love of learning, individual growth, and independence within the context of a social community.

A Community of Children. HPMS fosters positive social growth in an authentic community of children. Boys and girls of all socio-economic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds learn together in multi-age classrooms. Lessons in Grace and Courtesy model appropriate ways for children to interact in social situations. Throughout their days, every child has opportunities to be both learner and leader, where self-esteem develops naturally.

Young children thrive with consistent routines. For this reason, all children attend morning Montessori classes from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.  Monday-Friday. The kindergarteners stay until 3:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday to attend our Extended Day Montessori program. For those children who need additional care, we offer early drop off from 7:30 a.m. to 8:20 am, and an Afternoon Program from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with pick-up times at 1:00, 3:00, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30 p.m.. 

Our teachers are Association Montessori International (AMI) trained. As professionals, the staff serves as guides and facilitators, responding to the needs of the individual and the community. All have been happily teaching at HPMS for many years. We have assistant teachers to maintain a ratio of 1 adult for every 10 children in the Children's Houses and 1 adult for every 6 children in the Toddler Community.