Hilltop Montessori to add new community, kitchen space

Hilltop Montessori School has announced plans to build a new addition. Construction will begin 2015 and be completed by 2016. The addition will include a community area and a teaching kitchen that will also be available as a venue for local businesses and residents of North Shelby County.

Hilltop Montessori’s  current student body of 200 students ranging from 18 months through eighth-grade, opened in Mt Laurel after it was funded by EBSCO Industries more than a decade ago. 

“As an independent academic institution, we are so grateful to EBSCO Industries,” said Head of School Michele Wilensky. “Phase Three is our way of giving back to the Mt Laurel community. This new extension of the building will be a wonderful ‘after hours’ resource.”

The school’s environmental education curriculum integrates a heavy emphasis on nutrition, which is supplemented from the school’s expansive edible-gardening program and an on-site apiary. The new teaching kitchen will allow the school to serve lunches made from fresh, organic produce. 

Bill Segrest of Williams Blackstock Architects said that he sees the community space as a resource for the school’s needs while also offering support for “seed-to-plate” nutrition education and an indoor multi-purpose space that can support myriad different activities for the community. 

Call 437-9343 or visit hilltopmontessori.com for more information.

-Submitted by Michele Wilensky