At Mountaintop, we cherish the heart of community and the deep bonds that grow when families come together in shared purpose. We warmly invite you to be part of our vibrant, ever-blossoming school family.

Throughout the year, we gather for joyful festivals and seasonal celebrations that unite the entire school in wonder and togetherness. In each classroom, parent evenings offer a more intimate space to connect, reflect, and deepen our shared understanding of the children’s journey.

To learn more about how we nurture community and welcome family involvement, please visit our Community page.

We strive to weave a tapestry of diversity within our community—honoring and welcoming families from all walks of life. In the spirit of inclusion, we offer a tuition adjustment program to help make our nurturing environment accessible to more families. You can learn more about this offering on our Tuition page.

Each day, we lovingly prepare and share a wholesome, nourishing lunch—crafted with care to nurture growing bodies and joyful hearts. Our meals are thoughtfully designed to support the well-being of each child, while honoring the rhythms of nature and the health of our Earth. It is a time of warmth, togetherness, and gratitude for the gifts that nourish us.

For families needing a gentle extension to the school day, we offer a cozy aftercare program for our older preschool children, lovingly led by our longtime caregiver, Ms. Luz.

Aftercare runs from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., providing a calm, home-like space for rest, play, and quiet creativity. While we do not currently offer a drop-in option, sign-up information will be shared with families at the start of the school year.

Our class sizes always conform to the standards set by the Office of Children and Family Services. For our older pre-school classes the classes are capped at 15 children and at least two teachers. Our nursery program has three teachers for a maximum of 12 children.

While Waldorf and Montessori are two of the most well-known approaches to alternative education in the United States—and share some beautiful similarities—there are also key differences that make each unique.

For those curious to explore these distinctions more deeply, we’ve found that Marin Waldorf School offers a thoughtful and clear comparison on their website, which we’re happy to recommend as a helpful reference.

At Mountaintop, the health and well-being of our children and community is held with great care. In alignment with this commitment, we follow the vaccination requirements set forth by the New York State Department of Health for daycare and preschool settings.

If you’d like to learn more, detailed information can be found on the New York State Department of Health website.

At Mountaintop, we wholeheartedly embrace the beauty of a screen-free childhood. Within our school, children are surrounded by rich, real-world experiences—free from the noise and distraction of digital media.

We lovingly encourage our families to extend this screen-free rhythm into home life, as much as possible, nurturing imagination, deep play, and meaningful connection.

Research continues to affirm what we witness daily: that young children flourish best in environments where their senses are engaged by the natural world and their relationships, not by screens. To support our community in this shared intention, we offer gentle guidance, creative alternatives, and special fully screen-free weeks throughout the year—reminding us all of the magic that lives in the present moment.

At Mountaintop, the gentle rhythm of the year guides our days—bringing a sense of harmony, anticipation, and wonder to the children’s experience. Celebrations and festivals are an essential part of this living rhythm, connecting us to the seasons, to one another, and to the many cultures that shape our community.

Throughout the year, we honor at least ten beloved festivals, each filled with beauty, meaning, and joyful preparation. We also warmly welcome the traditions and celebrations that are dear to our students and their families, weaving them into the fabric of our shared life.

To learn more about our festival life and the ways we celebrate each child’s special day, visit our Festivals & Holidays page.