The Hockessin Montessori School

The Hockessin Montessori School/Wilmington Montessori Association began in 1963.  Two separate sites were established in 1975, one in Arden and the other in Yorklyn.  Both were governed by a parent Board of Trustees.  By 1981 The Hockessin Montessori School was incorporated separately, retaining the original charter.  For the following ten years, The Hockessin Montessori School changed locations several times, finally residing in the Educational Annex of St. Mary's of the Assumption Church.

As enrollment increased from twenty-seven students, in 1991,  to ninety-two students in 1994, the Board of Trustees clearly saw the need to provide HMS with a permanent home.  During this time of increased enrollment, parental interest also increased resulting in HMS opening our first Primary Classroom for the 1992-1993 school year, serving students in first through third grade. After extensive searching, the Board of Trustees successfully acquired the 27,000 square foot building and its surrounding eleven acres that we now occupy.   We proudly opened our doors in September of 1995, after three months of completely renovating two-thirds of the building,  The 1996-1997 school year saw the opening of our Elementary program serving students in fourth through sixth grade.

We again expanded the school in the 2000 by adding a new library and gymnasium.  In addition, we expanded our campus by purchasing an additional adjacent 3 acres.

In 2002, as the enrollment of the school hovered close to 200 students, parent interest in a Montessori Middle School Program arose.  HMS spent two years researching the intricacies of implementing such a program for seventh and eighth graders,  and was finally proud to open the Delaware Valley's first Montessori Middle School in September of 2004.

The 2005-2006 school-year was marked by a period of change.  HMS saw the renovation of a school wing for the Middle School, the creation of a one-way loop road through the campus, the addition of 50 parking spaces and the completion of our athletic field, enhancing both our Physical Education and our Summer Camp Programs.

The 2007-2008 school-year saw the opening of our first Young Toddler program for children ages 12 months through 20 months.