Our History

Waterfront Montessori was founded in 2003 by some Jersey City mothers who were frustrated by both the limited education options and the lack of enrichment activities that were locally available.

We set out to create what we did want in a school:  A place where our children could get an exceptional education; a place where the activities we wanted for them – art, music, theater, foreign languages, movement – were either part of the curriculum or otherwise offered; a place with talented and highly qualified teachers who would guide our children; and, a place in which we were confident our children would be as well off, if not better off, than in our own care.

We set out to create what is now Waterfront Montessori -- a parent-run school with strong community ties and a drive to achieve the highest educational standards for each and every child, including our own. 

In the spring of 2013, Waterfront Montessori was designated an IB World School, joining a select group of schools that share a common educational philosophy and a commitment to the high quality, challenging, international education that we believe is critical for today’s students.

Waterfront Montessori is a full member school of the American Montessori Society and a member of the International Montessori Council.  Waterfront Montessori is also a member of the New Jersey Montessori Association Corporation (NJMAC), the advocacy organization for all New Jersey Montessori schools regardless of other affiliations.  Waterfront Montessori’s Head of School, Karen Westman, served on the Board of Directors of NJMAC from 2010 to 2016, including a term as President of NJMAC.