105 Diamond Hill Road
Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
908-464-5051
diamondhillmontessori.com
A Legacy of Learning in Berkeley Heights
By Katrina Musto
When the previous owners of Diamond Hill Montessori School in Berkeley Heights were retiring in 2022, Kristina Brusco and Auna Conrad had already been teaching at the private school for years. The colleagues (and close neighbors and friends!) seamlessly transitioned to their new roles as co-heads of the school, serving children ages 2.5 through 6 years old from the towns of Summit, Watchung, New Providence, Chatham, and other neighboring communities.
Established in 2000, Diamond Hill Montessori School carefully integrates the development of intellectual capabilities, social skills, emotional growth, physical coordination, and cognitive preparation, in addition to featuring classes in fine arts, yoga, music, and foreign language. The school employs “The Montessori Method,” which is based on the observation of the nature of children and their natural drive to learn by doing. With mixed-age classrooms that allow younger students the stimulation of older children, the Montessori philosophy allows older children to become role models. The thoughtfully prepared materials and guidance of trained and experienced teachers fosters independence by giving a child the ability to make their own choices.
Brusco came on board in 2016 and now serves as the Business Director, while Conrad arrived in 2012 and acts as the Academic Director. Diamond Hill Montessori offers half-day and full-day options, and next year will also be offering aftercare until 6 PM (in consideration of more dual-working families and people going back into to office). “We’ve been blessed with amazing families,” says Brusco, “It’s very much a legacy.” With both heads of school living right in town, they often run into parents whose children started “way back when” and now are going into middle school and beyond.
A big difference between the Montessori school and a traditional school is they follow what is best for the child-preparing the environment to make all learning types, such as visual, tactile, and kinesthetic available and laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning. “Montessori is not a one-size-fits-all, complete-the-worksheet type of program,” says Conrad. “Children all learn differently, so each child is offered an individualized education plan within the Montessori environment,” adding, “That’s not to say they are robotic, they are kids!” The children have lots of opportunities for social interactions-having snacks with a friend as they talk about their day and letting their energy out on the playground. “We do try to touch upon all aspects of a child’s growth and learning,” says Brusco.
The duo has had many memorable moments over the years. Having each family over the course of several years gives the teachers the gift of really being able to watch the children grow. One little girl was new to the school. On the very first day of school her father said, “We only speak Mandarin and she speaks no English whatsoever,” Conrad says. “By the end of the first week, she said her first sentence in English to a classmate next to her at circle time!” Children’s minds are like sponges and absorb everything.
Both Brusco and Conrad want to keep growing and getting acclimated to the community. They took part in many community service projects this past year and even joined local civic organizations. Their focus is strengthening ties with the families they serve and creating strong connections. “We really want to give back to the towns our school has children in,” they both agreed.