Secret Garden is a Cooperative Endeavor Secret Garden Montessori has its roots in a home-based cooperative founded in 2006 by a group of families in the Delaware River Valley. In January 2010, we were delighted to open our doors in Frenchtown, NJ. With a growth plan in place to move to a larger space in the same building as soon as our numbers permit, we have room to flourish in our wonderful new home. Our cooperative structure allows us to keep our cost down and tuition affordable for our families. Siblings of all ages are a welcome presence while parents are in attendance. Parents whose schedules do not allow them to join us during program hours may arrange to take on other regular duties such as providing snacks or materials for a special project.   Our Learning Experience Learning at Secret Garden Montessori is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a lifelong love of learning. A typical day at Secret Garden Montessori begins with a three-hour uninterrupted work period, during which time the children are free to concentrate on activities of their choosing. The children spend part of each day outdoors and when weather permits, bring their lessons outdoors. Parents provide nutritionally sound snacks which the children prepare as part of their daily work. Younger students are dismissed at noon. Full day students bring their own lunches and are dismissed at 3. An optional extended-day program will be offered from 3-5:30 in the 2011-12 school year.   A nurturing and affordable learning co-operative for children ages 3 - 6 Secret Garden is a 501(c)3 holding nonprofit. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation in our admissions or hiring.