# Pincushion Hill

> Ashland's Montessori school

Pincushion Hill Montessori School has nurtured children ages 18 months to 6 years since 1962, fostering curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

## About

A Montessori school for children 18 months to 6 years, teaching each child at their own pace.

**Our Story.** Pincushion Hill began on September 6, 1962, on an acre of organic farmland in Ashland. The farmers who cared for this land were visionaries, protecting and nurturing it with a clear sense of what it could become. From the start, the school was built to offer children a place where academic…

**Our Mission.** To foster independence and natural development in young children through Montessori education.

## Contact

- Phone: +1-508-881-2123
- Address: 30 Green St, Ashland, MA, 01721, USA
- Website: https://pincushion.com
- Social: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pincushionhillmontessori), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pincushionhill)

## Programs

### Toddler (18 mo - 2.9 yrs)
Where academic habits begin
- Concentration and task completion through practical work
- Language foundations: vocabulary, conversation, early phonics
- Mathematical thinking through sorting, sequencing, and quantity
- Independence and self-regulation in a structured environment
A Prepared Classroom for Young Learners A Montessori classroom for toddlers safely supports your child's drive to do things alone, developing confidence and a sense of competence. The environment is language-rich, with adults using proper nomenclature rather than baby talk so that the children are…
- Schedule: Full & half-day options
- Pricing: Contact for pricing
- Includes: Language, Math Readiness, Sensorial, Geography, Science, Practical Life

### Children's House (2.9 - 5 yrs)
Where curiosity becomes discovery
- Reading and writing through Montessori phonetic materials
- Mathematics: operations, fractions, geometry with concrete materials
- Sciences, history, and geography, introduced systematically
- Progress tracked individually; comparable to K–1 benchmarks on request
Children's House is our preschool program, for children from 2.9 to 5 years. It is the heart of a Montessori education, and the years when early curiosity turns into real academic work. Language & Geography Language development flourishes through rich conversation, storytelling, and hands-on…
- Schedule: Full-day
- Pricing: Contact for pricing
- Includes: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Sensorial, Practical Life, Language

### Kindergarten (5 - 6 yrs)
The year it all comes together
- Individualized learning plans tailored to each child
- Advanced academic work in reading, writing, and math
- Small class size for personalized attention
- Preparation for a smooth and successful transition to elementary school
Independence, Confidence, and Responsibility Our Kindergarten program places a strong emphasis on independence, confidence, and responsibility, empowering children to take ownership of their learning and their role within the classroom community. In a thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment…
- Schedule: Full-day
- Pricing: Contact for pricing
- Includes: Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Practical Life, Sensorial, Language

### Morning & After School Childcare (Enrolled families)
The school day, extended
- Morning care before the program day begins
- After-school care through the early evening
- Continuation of Montessori environment, not passive supervision
Early Morning Childcare 7:30 am to 8:30 am We recognize that parents may need childcare before the school day begins, so we offer early morning care from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Children can enjoy a morning snack and participate in independent or collaborative work in a welcoming, supportive setting…
- Schedule: Available to enrolled students
- Pricing: Contact for pricing
- Includes: Morning Care, After School

### Summer Camp (18 mo - 6 yrs)
Learning doesn't stop in June
- Nature-based curriculum: gardening, outdoor exploration, movement
- Hands-on projects, cooperative activities, creative work
- 8-week program · June 15 – August 7, 2026
- Enroll by week or for the full summer
Summer Discovery Program 2026 Our summer camp is a joyful extension of the Montessori classroom, designed for children to explore, create, and grow surrounded by nature. Campers spend their days outdoors, engaging in hands-on activities, nature-based play, gardening, water and movement games, and…
- Schedule: Full & half-day options
- Pricing: Contact for pricing
- Includes: Creative Projects, Outdoor Learning, Nature, Movement, Music, Social Skills

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does my child need prior Montessori experience?

No. Most children at Pincushion Hill start with no prior Montessori exposure. Our teachers introduce the environment and materials at the child's own pace, typically over the first few weeks.

### Does my child need to be toilet trained?

For the Toddler program, toilet training is not required. We actively support the process as part of the practical life curriculum. For Children's House enrollment, basic toilet independence is encouraged.

### Can we transfer mid-year?

Yes. We accept mid-year transfers when space is available. Contact us and we'll let you know current availability and arrange a tour.

### How does Montessori progress compare to a traditional school?

Children's House graduates are typically at or above first-grade benchmarks in reading and mathematics. We're happy to walk you through how our curriculum maps to Massachusetts learning standards. Just ask during your tour.

### What is the student-to-teacher ratio?

Toddler classrooms have 9 children with 2 teachers. Children's House classrooms accommodate 10 children to 1 teacher. The mixed-age model means older students also support younger ones.

## Upcoming Events

- 2026-09-07: School Closed - Labor Day - The school is closed in observance of Labor Day.
- 2026-09-16 at 09:30: September Open House - Join us for an Open House at Pincushion Hill Montessori School to explore our classrooms, meet our teachers, and learn more about our programs for children ages 18 months–6 years. Tour our learning…
- 2026-09-22 at 09:00: Picture Day
- 2026-10-02 at 09:00: Coffee with Administration
- 2026-10-09: Teacher Professional Day
- 2026-10-12: School Closed - Columbus Day - The school is closed in observance of Columbus Day.
- 2026-10-21 at 09:30: October Open House - Join us for an Open House at Pincushion Hill Montessori School to explore our classrooms, meet our teachers, and learn more about our programs for children ages 18 months–6 years. Tour our learning…
- 2026-10-23: Parent Teacher Conferences
- 2026-11-06 at 09:00: Coffee with Administration
- 2026-11-11: School Closed - Veteran's Day
- 2026-11-14 at 09:30: November Open House - Join us for an Open House at Pincushion Hill Montessori School to explore our classrooms, meet our teachers, and learn more about our programs for children ages 18 months–6 years. Tour our learning…
- 2026-11-25: School Closed - Thanksgiving Break
- 2026-11-26: School Closed - Thanksgiving Day - The school is closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day.
- 2026-11-27: School Closed - Thanksgiving Break
- 2026-12-21: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2026-12-22: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2026-12-23: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2026-12-24: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2026-12-25: School Closed - Christmas Day - The school is closed in observance of Christmas Day.
- 2026-12-28: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2026-12-29: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2026-12-30: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2026-12-31: School Closed - Winter Vacation
- 2027-01-01: School Closed - New Year's Day - The school is closed in observance of New Year's Day.
- 2027-01-01: School Closed - Winter Vacation

## Faculty

- Geetha Rajapakse, Mainback Children's House Guide (Teacher)
- Susan Lavoie, Substitute Teacher
- Catherine Naegamvala, Head of School
- Bret Herholz, Art Teacher and After School Teacher
- Xerses Naegamvala, President of the Board
- Sonia Johar, Mainback Children's House Assistant
- Linda Shahood, Substitute Teacher
- Lisa Wyman, Accounting Officer and Controller
- Sunita Mahalaha, Downstairs Children's House Guide (Teacher)
- Heather Fleming-Wyman, After School Teacher
- Alison Petersen, Assistant Head of School
- Debbie Crane, Music Teacher
- Preeti Sharma, Toddler Guide (Teacher)

## Recent Blog Posts

- [10 Reasons to Consider a Montessori Education for Your Child](https://pincushion.com/blog/10-reasons-to-consider-a-montessori-education-for-your-child)
- [Summer Activities for Montessori Children](https://pincushion.com/blog/summer-activities-for-montessori-children)
- [How Can Parents Support Montessori Principles at Home?](https://pincushion.com/blog/how-can-parents-support-montessori-principles-at-home)
- [Choosing Real Experiences Over Screens](https://pincushion.com/blog/choosing-real-experiences-over-screens)
- [Where Learning Grows: A Montessori Approach to Being Outdoors](https://pincushion.com/blog/where-learning-grows-a-montessori-approach-to-being-outdoors)
- [Nurturing Gratitude](https://pincushion.com/blog/nurturing-gratitude)
- [The Pink Tower: An Iconic Material in Montessori Education](https://pincushion.com/blog/the-pink-tower-an-iconic-material-in-montessori-education)

## Pages

- [Home](https://pincushion.com/)
- [The School](https://pincushion.com/about)
- [Our Faculty](https://pincushion.com/faculty)
- [Ethics & Values](https://pincushion.com/ethics)
- [Programs & Admissions](https://pincushion.com/programs)
- [Admissions](https://pincushion.com/admission)
- [Visit & Contact](https://pincushion.com/contact-visit)
- [Observation Tour](https://pincushion.com/visit)
- [Driving Directions](https://pincushion.com/directions)
- [Events](https://pincushion.com/events)
- [Calendar](https://pincushion.com/calendar)
- [Past Events](https://pincushion.com/calendar/past)
- [Get in Touch](https://pincushion.com/contact)
- [Montessori Approach](https://pincushion.com/montessori)
- [Newsfeed](https://pincushion.com/newsfeed)
- [All Posts](https://pincushion.com/blog)
- [Legal Information](https://pincushion.com/legal)

## Sitemap

https://pincushion.com/sitemap.xml