About Us

Lake Hills Montessori School In Bellevue, WA

Thank you for your interest in Lake Hills Montessori SchoolFor over 45 years, Lake Hills Montessori has provided an enriching environment for preschool and kindergarten children. Using the Montessori approach, we help children develop their inherent joy in learning, a sense of responsibility for their actions, and respect for themselves, others, and their environment. We give children the tools they need to succeed not only in the classroom, but also in life. We hope you will find the information throughout our website informative and useful in choosing the right school for your child and family.

Our History 

MaryAnn Pitzler and Joan Heiting started the second Montessori school on Seattle’s Eastside in 1972. Lake Hills Montessori began with 5 children in the lower level of the house where it still resides. MaryAnn and Joan were enthusiastic advocates for Montessori education and often encouraged their teachers to open their own schools directly impacting the growth and accessibility of a Montessori education. MaryAnn ran the school for 28 years until her retirement in the spring of 2000. Literally growing up around Montessori, Nancy Gilchrist, MaryAnn’s daughter, had seen the success of the Montessori method for hundreds of children. After receiving her MEd and Montessori training, Nancy taught Montessori elementary in Seattle before returning to the Eastside. It is with great joy that Nancy carries on the legacy begun by Joan and her mother almost 50 years ago. 

Our Goal

Our goal is the same as Dr. Montessori's, to "give each individual child the chance to fulfill his (her) potential possibilities to become an independent, secure and balanced human being". Our teachers are committed to using proven methods to help children develop the essential foundational habits, attitudes, self esteem, skills and ideas that will shape the way they discover, learn and succeed in life. We aim to prepare children for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning. LHM's program based on self-directed, non-competitive activities, helps children fully develop their academic potential, strong self images and the confidence to face challenges and change with optimism.

What We Believe 

At Lake Hills Montessori, we believe that authentic interest combined with independent choice inspires children to pursue knowledge for the intrinsic rewards. Our Montessori classroom environment has been carefully prepared to allow freedom of choice within a structured academic framework. Lake Hills Montessori School was founded in respect and appreciation for the gifts of childhood and that children learn by doing and are lovers of purposeful work, spontaneously chosen and carried out with joy.
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