Our Commitment to Educating Children Goes Far Beyond Our Classroom

’More Than a School’

Westmont’s commitment to educating children who
become responsible and caring adults goes far beyond
our classroom. We partner with our parents and our
community to assure that all students have the support
and resources they need to succeed in school and in
life – there is no better partnership.

Parent Involvement

The history of our school is closely linked to the commitment of our parents, and our ongoing success is attributed in great part to our parent/school partnership.

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents.” Jane D. Hull

WESTMONT PARENT ORGANIZATION (WPO)

The Westmont Parent Organization (WPO) is a parent volunteer group created to encourage a strong and enriching support system for parents, staff, and children of our school and to connect with each other as a community.

For more information, click here or please contact Colleen Thomas or Caitlin Panico at the following email address: westmontmontessoriWPO@gmail.com

ROOM PARENTS

Each class has a room parent, who organizes class teas, events, and coordinates volunteers for the classrooms and school wide events. Parents are also involved driving on field trips, reading to their child’s class, helping with special celebrations, organizing bake sales, and celebrating their teachers.

CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN (COC)

Our Celebration of Children is our annual fundraising event. We come together to celebrate our children and their one-of-a-kind creations. It is with the help of our remarkable parent volunteers that we can hold such a successful night every year.

Events

Annual Celebration of Children (CoC) Fundraiser

The Celebration of Children (COC) is a tradition that has been cherished for more than 3 decades. The 36th Celebration of Children event will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Harvest Hall at Alstede Farms.

This event, as is tradition, will provide a live auction of our beautiful one-of-a-kind ceramics, avant ‘guard art created and decorated by our children, teachers, and parent volunteers, along with prized themed baskets, all to benefit current and future generations of Westmont students.

Please consider joining us as we gather to celebrate our children and our community.

For more information, ticket purchases, vendor support, please contact our main office, 908-879-6355.

Thank you all for your unwavering support!

An Evening of Wine Tasting

The Westmont Wine Tasting event took place on October 18, 2024. A variety of wines from 56 Degree Wine / Banville Wines were featured and Osteria Morini provided a wonderful catering experience. A heartfelt thank you to our host family, the wine tasting committee, and to all the attendees.

Community Partnerships

Westmont is committed to the communities and families it serves, not only offering a quality early childhood education, but also supporting local organizations that seek to improve the quality of life for families. We have proudly supported the Jason K. Jacobs Scholarship Fund, Preschool Advantage, The Mendham Chester Food Pantry, Holly Manor, Mendham Harvest Hustle, local sports sponsorship, Tunes for Thomas-Valery Fund, Pennies for Peace, Morris County 4-H, and many more.

Parent Education Series

Throughout the year we offer opportunities for parents to learn more about Montessori, health and wellness, and general parenting topics. The presentations, workshops, and events for our parents may be offered on-campus or virtual. Please click here for the Parent Education Calendar.

Giving

Westmont’s culture of giving and giving back is what keeps our school moving forward. Our mission to develop capable people by providing the best educational foundation possible is supported and sustained by the generosity of our community. Our Ray of Light Annual Fund is instrumental in maintaining a strong and experienced Montessori faculty, a rich and diverse curriculum, a safe and attractive facility and an education worthy of Dr. Maria Montessori’s legacy “to educate the human potential”.

2025-2026 Ray of Light Annual Fund
Scholarships/Financial Support

Dr. Maria Montessori said it well "This is our mission: to cast a ray of light and pass it on." This is the goal of the Ray of Light fund. It is an annual campaign to give back to the school to enrich our children so that it may continue to be a ray of light for children for many years to come.

The Ray of Light annual fund for our not-for-profit preschool is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on your child’s education. Your contribution directly supports essential resources such as enriching classroom materials, retaining and supporting our talented teachers, and unforgettable foundational learning experiences. Past initiatives have included the outdoor classroom, the outdoor classroom awning, the outdoor classroom heaters and STEM materials for inside and outside the classrooms.

By donating to the annual fund, you help us bridge the gap between tuition and the true cost of providing a top-tier education. Join us in investing in the future of our young learners - we are grateful for all small and large donations.

“The Jason K. Jacobs Early Childhood Education Scholarship does more than celebrate the life of a man who is dearly missed… it celebrates the life of a child who can impact tomorrow.” The cost of providing your children with a quality education may be a strain on a family’s budget. Over the years, Westmont has shown a true commitment in helping eligible families reduce the cost of tuition with the support of scholarship funds. This need-based partial financial support, established in 2004, in memory of Jason K. Jacobs, father to a Westmont alumni and a victim of the September 11, 2001 tragedy, is a means to make a Montessori education accessible to families in need. For consideration, please contact Auris Vanderbilt, avanderbilt@westmontmontessori.org .

Testimonial

We love Westmont and feel so fortunate that our children are growing up in your environment. Westmont has been a gift to our boys.

- Amanda M.

Learning How to Think - Exploring How to Do

The First Step Towards Your Child’s Future

Flash forward a year from now… a decade from now… what will your child have in common with today’s most remarkable inventors, such as the Google co-founders and the creator of Amazon.com? The foundation of a Montessori Education.

More Than a School

Westmont’s commitment to educating children who become responsible and caring adults goes far beyond our classroom. We partner with our parents and our community to assure that all students have the support and resources they need to succeed in school and in life - there is no better partnership!

Enduring and Authentic

We are proud of Westmont’s enduring foundation reflected in our alumni’s seamless transition into the area’s finest public and independent schools and subsequent entry into a vast array of colleges and universities - from Amherst to Yale.