Get to Know About
Cherry Hill Montessori

Where Every Child’s Journey Begins with Care

At Cherry Hill Montessori, children learn and grow in a family-centered environment rooted in Montessori principles — where curiosity is encouraged, independence is supported, and each child is guided with care and purpose.

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Our Mission at
Cherry Hill Montessori

At Cherry Hill Montessori, our mission is to nurture the potential of every child through a rich, hands-on Montessori education. We serve children ages 2½ to 6 with a thoughtfully prepared environment and certified Montessori educators who honor each child’s individuality.

Through independence, responsibility, and self-directed learning, our students grow into confident, compassionate, and curious lifelong learners.

Our Legacy of Learning in Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill Montessori has proudly served families in South Jersey since 1971, beginning with a small Montessori classroom on Kings Highway. In 1983, we moved to our current location and have remained family-owned and operated ever since.

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Built by Family, Rooted in Purpose & Tradition

In 1994, Miss Tina Nugent, a local Cherry Hill mom, took ownership of the school after seeing the incredible growth in her own children. She left her legal career behind to nurture the school full-time, transforming it into a place where children thrive through hands-on learning and genuine care.

A Legacy That Lives On

Today, Miss Tina's daughter Kerri continues that legacy with her passion and vision. As a second-generation leader and lifelong believer in the Montessori method, Kerri ensures every child is welcomed into an environment where curiosity, independence, and compassion are encouraged every day.

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Meet Our Faculty at CHM

Miss Kerri

Miss Kerri is Cherry Hill Montessori’s Director, and Miss Tina’s daughter. She attended CHM as a child, and has worked as a Lifeguard, Afternoon Assistant, Summer Camp Head Teacher, and Administrative Assistant over the last 10 years. Kerri graduated from Duke University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and from Clemson University with a B.A. in Biology and Spanish. Kerri loves to watch the confidence and pride a child displays when they learn something new, which she experiences daily at CHM and through her part-time work as a pediatric physical therapist.

Miss Tina

Tina Nugent is the Owner of Cherry Hill Montessori and a lifelong resident of Cherry Hill. With a B.A. in Economics from Duke University and a law degree from Northwestern, she practiced law for twenty years before assuming the position of Director of Cherry Hill Montessori. Miss Tina grew up in Cherry Hill, attended Cherry Hill East High School and returned after graduate school to raise her family in Cherry Hill. All four of her children attended the Cherry Hill Montessori School. Her eleven nieces and nephews attended the School. Her relatives and friends’ children attend the School, and in many ways everyone who comes through the school feels like her family.

Miss Migna

Miss Migna is the Lead Teacher in Classroom 1. She joined our CHM teaching staff in 2013 as a Head Teacher. She graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a dual degree in Early Childhood and Montessori Education. She also had a minor in Theology. Miss Migna has been teaching for over 15 years, was the Director of the Providence Center in Philadelphia and has experience teaching Spanish. She has two sons and is busy with all their sports activities and homework. Miss Migna loves to be in the midst of new discoveries by the children and being part of the enrichment of their young minds and lives.

Miss Christie

Miss Christie is our Lead Teacher in Classroom 2. She completed her American Montessori Society certification program in June 2025 through Princeton Center for Teacher Education. Miss Christie joined CHM as Miss Migna’s assistant in 2021. She is a Montessori child and parent. Two of Christie’s children went to a Montessori Preschool program where she volunteered weekly for five years to help children practice and strengthen their reading skills. Outside of her Montessori experience, Christie has a Bachelor of Science from The Pennsylvania State University in Environmental Resource Management with a Minor in Environmental Engineering. In addition, Christie has been teaching children for the last 15 years. Miss Christie loves to share her passion for music and art with the students. Outside of school, Miss Christie enjoys spending time with her family and watching her children participate in all of their activities!

Miss Lauren

Miss Lauren is the Lead Teacher in Classroom 3. She joined the CHM family in 2009. She is both a certified Montessori teacher and a New Jersey certified elementary school teacher with a second Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies. Miss Lauren devotes much of her time to coming up with new and inventive Montessori projects for our students, and to implementing the traditional curriculum in the classrooms. In her “free” time Miss Lauren pursues her photography, baking and scrapbooking hobbies, and spends as much time as she can with her two sons, Conner and Jackson.

Miss Esther

Miss Esther is the Lead Teacher in Classroom 4. She completed her Montessori training through an American Montessori Society certified program with the Princeton Center for Teacher Education in 2021 after being an Assistant Teacher at CHM for nearly five years. She also has her Associate’s Degree in Child Development. Miss Esther taught children from 2 1/2 to 5 years of age for ten years at a nursery school as a lead teacher, music teacher, and cooking teacher. Miss Esther enjoys teaching young children because they are always excited to learn and explore all kinds of possibilities. The world is still an open book to them.

Miss Maria

Ms. Maria is the Assistant Teacher in Miss Migna's Classroom, and a Lead Summer Camp Teacher. She has been working with children since she was 16. She has taught English as a Second Language in Brazil and abroad, working with students from preschool to high school. Her passion for early childhood education grew from her focus on Phonics and language development, which led her to specialize in pronunciation and phonics instruction. Ms. Maria values creativity, adaptability, and kindness in her teaching approach. She loves helping children discover their potential and is excited to continue nurturing young learners at Cherry Hill Montessori.

Our Campus

Our bright, purpose-built facility includes four sunlit Montessori classrooms, two large indoor playrooms, and a cozy nap room for our youngest learners. Outdoors, children enjoy two playground areas, a wooded learning space, and a refreshing in-ground pool used during summer camp. Every corner of our campus is designed to support curiosity, growth, and joyful exploration.

Location & Community

We’re located just a half-mile east of Route 295 and a quarter-mile north of Route 70—right in the heart of Cherry Hill. Our school is easily accessible for families across the area, including neighboring towns like Mt. Laurel, Haddonfield, and Voorhees. Whether you're commuting from work or home, Cherry Hill Montessori is close to where life happens.

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Start Your Child’s Montessori Journey Today

We’re here to answer your questions and help you explore whether Cherry Hill Montessori is the right fit for your child. Whether you’re ready to schedule a visit or simply want to learn more, we’re happy to connect with you.

Schedule a Campus Tour

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Get to Know About
Cherry Hill Montessori

Our Mission at
Cherry Hill Montessori

Our Legacy of Learning in Cherry Hill

Built by Family, Rooted in Purpose & Tradition

A Legacy That Lives On

Today, Miss Tina's daughter Kerri continues that legacy with her passion and vision. As a second-generation leader and lifelong believer in the Montessori method, Kerri ensures every child is welcomed into an environment where curiosity, independence, and compassion are encouraged every day.

Meet Our Faculty at CHM

Our Campus

Location & Community

Start Your Child’s Montessori Journey Today

Quick Links

Stay Updated

Get to Know About Cherry Hill Montessori

Our Mission at Cherry Hill Montessori

Our Legacy of Learning in Cherry Hill

Built by Family, Rooted in Purpose & Tradition

A Legacy That Lives On

Today, Miss Tina's daughter Kerri continues that legacy with her passion and vision. As a second-generation leader and lifelong believer in the Montessori method, Kerri ensures every child is welcomed into an environment where curiosity, independence, and compassion are encouraged every day.

Meet Our Faculty at CHM

Our Campus

Location & Community

Start Your Child’s Montessori Journey Today

Quick Links

Stay Updated

Get to Know About
Cherry Hill Montessori

Our Mission at
Cherry Hill Montessori