50th Anniversary | Hilltop Montessori School

Hilltop ~ A Vision for Learning & Life

Hilltop Montessori School was founded in 1972 by a group of parents who wanted a quality pre-school experience for their children which has now grown into a fully accredited Montessori School serving over 120 students in the Toddler Program through the Middle School.

Originally housed at the West Village Meeting house in West Brattleboro, and aptly named Hilltop Nursery School with 20 enrolled students, it moved to downtown Brattleboro in the basement of the Centre Congregational Church, to High Street when it was the Winston Prouty Center, to the Vermont Hall at the former Austine School, to the current location on Stafford Farm Hill.

Andre Silberman (2007) shares his curriculum vitae.

Community 50th Anniversary Celebrations

Kickoff Event and Celebration

On Friday, September 2nd Hilltop launched our 50th Anniversary celebration with our Family Picnic! Students and staff received the retro-inspired bunny shirt, and we all enjoyed cake to close out the fun evening on campus.

Hilltop Art Display at Harmony Collective

Our Hilltop students will display their works of art for the month of February 2023 at the Harmony Collective in downtown Brattleboro. Please stop by the Harmony Collective during the month of February and celebrate our long standing history of cultivating the creative minds within each student.

Anniversary Weekend June 10-11, 2023

Hilltop will close the 50th Anniversary celebration at our beautiful campus the weekend after Middle School graduation. Please join us, invite friends, alumni, neighbors, and get a taste of what makes Hilltop so special! There will be games, music, theater, food, and fun! Stay tuned as details get finalized and save the date.

Volunteer with a 50th Committee

Please consider joining one of Hilltop’s 50th Anniversary Committees, for example, the Anniversary Weekend Committee! Email us at [email protected]

Hilltop Over 50 Years

1972

Hilltop Nursery School is Established

First location opens at West Village Meetinghouse with one teacher and one assistant.

1972

The Little Red House is first built

Over the years a favorite playground structure, The Red House, has endured rough and tumble climbers, provided a source of endless imaginative play, and shelter for young children. The structure was built, sanded, loved, repaired, painted, moved, and rebuilt, again by members of the community and became a memory and an icon shared by generations of Hilltop students.

1975

Hilltop Moves to Centre Congregational Church

Hilltop adds Kindergarten

1985

Lower Elementary School Program Begins

First class of eight students at Centre Congregational Church

1985

Aftercare Program Begins

1985

First Summer Fun Program

1985

Tonia Wheeler Hired as Head of School

1987

Lower Elementary Program Moves to 75 High Street (Prouty Center)

1990

Upper Elementary Program Begins

1990

Name Changed to Hilltop Montessori School

1991

Hilltop Montessori School Moves to the Austine Campus

1991

First Field Day Takes Place

1991

Haytown is Established

1993

First 6th Grade Class Graduates

1993

Elementary School After School Activities Program Begins

1994

Middle School Program Begins at Centre Congregational Location

Seventeen students in 6th and 7th grade

1996

First 8th Grade Graduating Class

Five students graduate

1996

Middle School Moves to Austine Campus

1999

Hilltop Launches First Capital Campaign

School entrance, classroom and technology improvements, playground, and endowment

2000

Hilltop Launches Website

2001

All School Gathering (ASG) Begins Weekly

2004

Upland is Established and Kevin Campbell Becomes Head of School

2005

The Wheeler Fund is Established

2007

Hilltop Board Votes to Purchase Highpoint Property for Hilltop

2008

"Envision the Future" Capital Campaign Begins

2009

Hilltop Moves to Summit Circle

2013

Tamara Mount Becomes Head of School

2014

Arts Barn Project is Complete and Toddler Program is Established

2021

Added Elementary School Deck for Additional Outside Classroom Space

Hilltop Voices

“

Thank you for being the teachers you were for me, and still are for other students. You allowed me to be curious and question things. I carry the Hilltop values and education with me everywhere. You are part of the reason why I was able to do this.

Elkanah Linder

Class of 2011

“

It’s been more than 20 years since I was at Hilltop, but I still mention Kevin [Campbell] on a regular basis when I talk about my most influential educators. Kevin’s semester on the stock market had a strong influence on the direction of my life. I am grateful for his belief that understanding the financial markets should be part of a well rounded education.

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Ross Cameron

Class of 1999

“

Camping at Upland at the beginning of each year is one of my most memorable experiences. Night walks, outdoor classrooms, meals around a fire, and spending 24 hours a day next to the peers you will be in school with for the next year is an amazing experience. It builds lasting friendships and a strong community from the first weeks of the school year.

Gus Williams

Class of 2016

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