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Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Kindergarten, Primary School, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction
Waterfront Montessori is a two-campus, parent-founded independent school serving children from age 2 through Grade 8. The Lower Campus on Warren Street houses Toddler and Primary programs, while the Upper Campus on the second floor accommodates Elementary and Middle School with five large classrooms, a robotics lab, a library, and an Art Studio added in 2018. The school teaches Montessori curriculum for toddlers through Grade 5 and offers an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for the middle grades, with project-based learning threaded through the program. Students explore Theater, Spanish, STEAM, Violin and Visual Art, along with extensive hands-on experiences such as Montessori Model United Nations, Mini-Apprenticeships, Student-Led Entrepreneurship, World Peace Game, TED Talks, and Poetry Slam. Facilities include 3-D printers, acoustics-enabled music rooms, and 8,000-square-foot private waterfront outdoor play area, plus safety features and 24/7 surveillance. The environment emphasizes independent, collaborative inquiry and the integration of academics with creativity and growth.
Waterfront Montessori has 150 pupils, typical class sizes of 8.
Location
Waterfront Montessori is located in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Warren Street in the Paulus Hook waterfront district. The Lower Campus is at 150 Warren Street, Suite 108. The school sits on the waterfront along Liberty Harbor.
Stages
Toddler through Grade 8; Toddler, Primary, Elementary (Lower and Upper), and Middle School (Grades 6-8).
Type
Parent-run school
Pupil Nationality Mix
Diversity: student body is 37% Asian, 33% white, 19% mixed race, 5% black, 5% Hispanic, 1% undisclosed.
Annual tuition at Waterfront Montessori ranges from USD 27,000 to USD 33,600 for 2026/27.
Application and Enrollment Fees
- Application fee (Upper / Elementary / Middle admissions): USD 75, payable with the application form. - New Family Fee (one-time): USD 1,000, charged upon initial admission of a family member. - Tuition deposit and any applicable enrollment fees: non‑refundable and due when a formal offer of admission is made.
Tuition by Program and Year Group (base tuition)
INFANT PROGRAMS (6 weeks – 18 months) — rates shown per month (regular schedule): - 4‑Day (Monday–Thursday) - Half‑Day (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.): USD 2,000 per month. - Full Day (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.): USD 2,700 per month. - Extended Day (7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): USD 3,200 per month. - 5‑Day - Half‑Day (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.): USD 2,375 per month. - Full Day (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.): USD 3,275 per month. - Extended Day (7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): USD 3,750 per month.
TODDLER PROGRAMS (18 months – 36 months) — rates shown per academic year: - 4‑Day (Monday–Thursday) - Half‑Day (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.): USD 20,000 per year. - Full Day (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.): USD 27,000 per year. - Extended Day (7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): USD 32,000 per year. - 5‑Day - Half‑Day (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.): USD 23,750 per year. - Full Day (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.): USD 32,750 per year. - Extended Day (7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): USD 37,500 per year.
PRIMARY PROGRAMS (PreK3, PreK4, Kindergarten) — per academic year: - PreK3 Half‑Day (8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.): USD 22,750 per year. - PreK3 / PreK4 Full Day (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.): USD 31,750 per year. - Kindergarten Full Day (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.): USD 32,750 per year. - Extended Day supplement (7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): add USD 3,750 per year.
ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS (IB PYP) — full day only, per academic year: - Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3) base tuition: USD 32,750 per year. - Upper Elementary (Grades 4–5) base tuition: USD 32,750 per year. - Extended Day supplement (7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): add USD 3,750 per year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS (IB MYP) — full day only, per academic year: - Middle School base tuition (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.): USD 33,600 per year. - Pre/After care (7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.): no additional charge for registered students. - After‑care (if available) 3:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: USD 18 per hour.
Per‑installment / per‑term examples (inference based on academic year September–June) - The academic year runs from September through June; the school offers semi‑annual, quarterly and monthly payment plans through FACTS. Using the published annual tuition figures and dividing by 2 (semi‑annual), 4 (quarterly) and 10 (monthly, September–June) yields the following example installment amounts (rounded to cents). These installment amounts are calculated by dividing the stated annual base tuition by the number of installments and are presented as inferred payment amounts for planning purposes only. - PreK3 Half‑Day (USD 22,750 per year): semi‑annual USD 11,375; quarterly USD 5,687.50; monthly (10) USD 2,275. - PreK3 / PreK4 Full Day (USD 31,750 per year): semi‑annual USD 15,875; quarterly USD 7,937.50; monthly (10) USD 3,175. - Kindergarten (USD 32,750 per year): semi‑annual USD 16,375; quarterly USD 8,187.50; monthly (10) USD 3,275. - Middle School (USD 33,600 per year): semi‑annual USD 16,800; quarterly USD 8,400; monthly (10) USD 3,360. - Toddler 5‑Day Full Day (USD 32,750 per year): semi‑annual USD 16,375; quarterly USD 8,187.50; monthly (10) USD 3,275.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrollment requires a contractual commitment to pay the full academic year's base tuition and applicable fees for September through June, whether or not the child attends. - Tuition payment plans available: semi‑annual, quarterly, and monthly, administered through FACTS; all costs associated with enrolling in payment plans are the family's responsibility. Families who select an installment plan are required to pay a Tuition Insurance Fee (percentage shown as TBD for 2026/27) as a condition of using an installment plan; the Tuition Insurance Fee is optional for families paying in full.
Boarding fees
- Boarding: not applicable. The programs and schedules listed are day programs (half‑day, full‑day, extended day); no boarding program or boarding fees are listed.
Other costs and supplements
- Extended Day supplement (where listed): add USD 3,750 per year for programs that offer 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. extended coverage. - After‑care hourly charge (when available and applicable): USD 18 per hour (3:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.). - Additional incidental fees (for example, tuition insurance fee amount and any fees related to enrolling in FACTS) may apply as described under Fees and Payment Plans. The Tuition Insurance Fee is listed as a percentage of base tuition and is mandatory for families using an installment plan (percentage listed as TBD for the 2026/27 schedule).
Refunds and cancellations
- The tuition deposit and any applicable fees at any level are non‑refundable under any circumstance. Enrollment is a contractual commitment for the full academic year (September–June).
Fee payment options
- The school's tuition payment plans and billing are processed through FACTS (semi‑annual, quarterly and monthly payment plan administration). Families enroll in FACTS for installment billing; any costs associated with FACTS enrollment are the family's responsibility.
(End of fee overview)
Academics
Waterfront Montessori teaches Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP) for students aged 2 to 14.
Curriculum
Montessori curriculum for Toddlers through Grade 5 and a Montessori/IB middle school program. Project-based learning is integrated into the curriculum and includes Theater, Spanish, STEAM, Violin, Montessori Model United Nations, Mini-Apprenticeships, Student-Led Entrepreneurship, World Peace Game, TED Talks, Poetry Slam, Dance Residencies, Film Making, Web Development, Game Design, Coding, Community Service, Instrumental and Vocal Music and Visual Art. The Elementary program continues the Montessori tradition of cooperative learning, with each child progressing at his own pace.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Waterfront Montessori emphasizes centered, confident, self-starters who develop initiative, curiosity, leadership, organizational skills and personal responsibility, with a learning environment that fosters joy and lifelong learning.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school offers foreign language instruction as part of the curriculum, with immersion options including Hindi, Mandarin and Spanish.
Mental Wellbeing
Lower Elementary classrooms feature a living 'Breathe' wall to support a calm, mindful learning environment.
Safeguarding
The school maintains an unmatched commitment to student safety.
FAQs
Where is Waterfront Montessori located and what age range does it serve?
Waterfront Montessori is located in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Warren Street in the Paulus Hook waterfront district. The Lower Campus is at 150 Warren Street, Suite 108. The school serves ages 2 through 14, with Montessori for Toddlers through Grade 5 and a Montessori/IB middle school program.
What type of school is Waterfront Montessori and how are grades organized?
It is a private, independent, co-educational day school. The program covers toddlers through Grade 8, with Montessori from Early Years up to Grade 5 and a Montessori/IB middle school program, plus a project-based learning approach across subjects.
When did Waterfront Montessori open and who is the head of the school?
The school opened in 2003. The Head of School is Natalie Baginski.
What is the tuition range and what fees are charged?
Base tuition varies by program, with a general fee range of USD 27,000 to USD 33,600 per year. Additional fees include an application fee of USD 75 and a one-time New Family Fee of USD 1,000; a non-refundable tuition deposit is due when a formal admission offer is made.
How can families pay tuition and what plans are available?
Tuition is billed through FACTS with semi-annual, quarterly, and monthly installment options. A Tuition Insurance Fee applies to installment plans (mandatory if paying over time; optional if paying in full). Families are responsible for any FACTS enrollment costs.
Is boarding available at Waterfront Montessori?
No. The programs are day-based (half-day, full-day, extended day) and there is no boarding.
What curriculum does Waterfront Montessori use across its age range?
The school uses a Montessori curriculum for Toddlers through Grade 5 and a Montessori/IB middle school program. Project-based learning is integrated across the curriculum, including Theater, Spanish, STEAM, Violin, MUN, and more.
How are classes structured in the Elementary program?
The Elementary program continues the Montessori tradition of cooperative learning, with each child progressing at their own pace.
Are there published exam results or higher education destinations?
No exam results or higher education outcomes are listed in the provided information.
How many campuses does Waterfront Montessori have and what facilities do they offer?
Waterfront Montessori operates on two connected campuses at 150 Warren Street, Jersey City—Lower Campus houses the Toddler and Primary programs on the ground floor, and Upper Campus hosts Elementary and Middle School on the second floor. The Upper Campus features five large classrooms, a robotics lab, a library, a dedicated Art Studio added in 2018, and music rooms.
What outdoor spaces and safety features does the campus provide?
The school has an 8,000-square-foot private outdoor waterfront play area. Safety features include locked entrances, door chimes, and 24/7 surveillance.
What tech and academic facilities support learning?
The Upper Campus includes computer-enabled flat-panel TVs and charging carts; there is a robotics lab, a library, and three multipurpose rooms, with 3-D printers on site.
What project-based learning and arts do students engage in beyond core academics?
Project-based learning spans Theater, Spanish, STEAM, Violin, Montessori Model United Nations, Mini-Apprenticeships, Student-Led Entrepreneurship, World Peace Game, TED Talks, Poetry Slam, Dance Residencies, Film Making, Web Development, Game Design, Coding, Community Service, Instrumental and Vocal Music, and Visual Art.
Are there leadership or entrepreneurship opportunities for students?
Yes. The curriculum includes Student-Led Entrepreneurship and other project-based leadership experiences.
What opportunities exist for global citizenship or community service?
Students participate in activities like Montessori Model United Nations and World Peace Game, along with community service projects as part of the program.
How does Waterfront Montessori support wellbeing and mental health?
The school emphasizes independent, confident self-starters and personal responsibility; Lower Elementary classrooms feature a living 'Breathe' wall to support a calm, mindful learning environment.
What language and EAL support is available?
Foreign language instruction is part of the curriculum with immersion options in Hindi, Mandarin, and Spanish.
What safeguarding measures are in place and is SEN support listed?
The school maintains a strong commitment to student safety. Specific SEN details are not listed in the provided information.
Is there a uniform policy or school meals information available?
No information is provided about uniforms or meals.
How is governance structured given Waterfront Montessori is described as parent-run?
Waterfront Montessori is described as parent-founded and parent-run, operating as a private independent school.
