About
Academy on the Hills.
A family-owned Montessori-inspired preschool and infant care center rooted in Aliso Viejo.
Over 20 Years of Nurturing Little Minds.
Academy on the Hills was founded in 2011 with a simple belief: every child deserves a safe, loving, and stimulating environment in which to grow. What started as a small family-run center in Aliso Viejo has grown into one of Orange County's most trusted early childhood education programs.
Drawing on Montessori principles, we build curriculum around each child's natural curiosity — encouraging independence, creativity, and a genuine love of learning from the very first day.
Today we serve infants as young as 6 weeks through transitional kindergarten up to 5 years, with specialized care for infants, toddler, Junior Pre-K, Pre-K, and Transitional Kindergarten.
have trusted us as true partners in raising confident, compassionate children.
Child-Led. Teacher-Guided. Family-Centered.
We believe the best learning happens when children feel safe, respected, and free to explore. Our Montessori-inspired approach puts children at the center — letting their interests guide discovery while our trained teachers provide just the right amount of structure and support.
Families are our partners. We keep parents informed with daily updates, open-door communication, and regular opportunities to engage with their child's learning journey.
Our Core Values.
Safety First
Every decision we make starts with your child's safety. From our closed-circuit cameras to our 4:1 infant ratio and foam-padded play yards, we engineer security into everything.
Curiosity-Driven Learning
Children learn best through exploration. Our Montessori-inspired curriculum follows each child's natural curiosity with hands-on materials, outdoor spaces, and themed projects.
Community & Family
We are not just a school — we are a community. Since 2011, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Niguel families have trusted us as true partners in raising confident, compassionate children.
Nichole Anderson
Director of Curriculum — Academy on the Hills. Ms. Nichole leads curriculum development and daily operations at our Aliso Viejo campus, shaping the theme-based academic program that changes weekly across math, science, language arts, and creative arts, and overseeing the dual language and STEAM instruction our four- and five-year-olds receive.
State Licensed Childcare Center
Academy on the Hills is a fully licensed California childcare center operating under License No. 304371769, issued by the California Department of Social Services. We are an equal opportunity provider and employer committed to serving all families in our community.
Dedicated Teachers. Passionate Caregivers.
Every member of our team is carefully screened, trained in early childhood education, and genuinely passionate about helping children thrive. Our low staff-to-child ratios mean every child gets the attention they deserve.
A Look Inside Academy on the Hills
Come See Us in Person.
We'd love to show you around. Schedule a tour and meet our team — we're located at 10 Mareblu, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.