About Us
Highland Montessori is a small, community-centered school nestled in a quiet San Mateo neighborhood. Founded in 1982 by Cecilia Boland-Walsh, Highland has provided a warm and nurturing environment for young children for more than 40 years. Today, under the leadership of her daughter, Molly Walsh, the school continues to uphold its founding values while integrating current, research-based best practices in early childhood education. We offer a year-round preschool and kindergarten program for children ages 2.5 to 6, supporting growth across social, emotional, and academic development in a home-like setting where every child feels valued and inspired to reach their fullest potential.
Our Mission
Our mission is to honor and nurture an inclusive community of young learners, encouraging each child to grow with confidence, creativity, and compassion. We are committed to fostering curious thinkers, empathetic participants, and responsible stewards of society through an environment grounded in respect, social justice, and hands-on exploration. We partner with educators and families to provide the tools, knowledge, and support needed to raise and teach children with dignity and care, ensuring each child’s potential shines in both learning and life.
Our Vision
At Highland Montessori, we envision a school where children’s individuality and curiosity are celebrated, where teachers are trusted as professionals and collaborators, and where families are true partners in the educational journey. Building on the legacy of our founder while embracing research-based best practices, we are committed to cultivating children who are curious thinkers, empathetic participants, and responsible stewards of society. Our vision is that every child leaves Highland not only prepared for academic success, but also inspired to contribute with curiosity, empathy, and responsibility to the world around them.
Our Approach
Highland Montessori integrates the Montessori method with inspiration from the Reggio Emilia philosophy and other research-informed practices. Classrooms are intentionally designed to invite exploration, independence, and collaboration while building strong foundations in language, mathematics, and the arts. Teachers observe closely and respond to children’s interests, allowing learning to emerge from authentic curiosity rather than predetermined themes. Small group sizes and low teacher-to-child ratios ensure individualized guidance, with equal emphasis on intellectual, social, and emotional growth. We believe that when children are respected as capable learners and given meaningful opportunities for inquiry, their development is both profound and enduring.
Our Teachers
Our educators bring diverse expertise in Montessori, Reggio Emilia, language development, and early childhood education. They are skilled observers, guides, and collaborators who create environments where children feel secure, inspired, and challenged. Ongoing professional development is a cornerstone of our program, and teachers continuously learn from one another, blending research with lived classroom experience. Each teacher is committed not only to fostering foundational skills but also to nurturing dispositions of curiosity, resilience, and empathy that support children throughout life.
Our Community
Community is at the heart of Highland Montessori. Families are active partners in their children’s education, engaged through consistent communication, family events, and meaningful contributions to school life. We honor diversity and inclusivity, encouraging families to share their cultures, languages, and traditions as part of the children’s learning. Together, we create a circle of care where children, families, and educators feel deeply connected. By modeling respect, collaboration, and generosity, our community extends the values of Highland Montessori beyond the classroom and into the wider world.