A W.
We love this school, especially Ms. Audrey in the Butterflies class. We enrolled our son last summer after having a poor experience with another neighborhood “montessori.” This school checked all the boxes – experienced teachers, very low turnover of staff, true montessori learning, shaded outdoor space, great playground, and a non-chaotic after-school/daycare. When we first started, Ms. Audrey would send me messages and pictures almost everyday through their Dojo app, so I knew exactly how he was doing. If he had an issue at school that day, Ms. Audrey (a grandmother herself) would offer very specific concrete advice on how we could be consistent at home. Praising him when he made a turn-around to good behavior, and talking about the not-so-good, but totally normal, 4 year old behavior. He has grown leaps and bounds. He is now 4.5 years old, and excelling in all areas, including math and reading. Ms. Audrey, and her helpers Ms. Teresa and Ms. Alondra, are so caring. My son is what you might call high energy and too smart for his own good sometimes, but Ms. Audrey knows just how to focus him on the tasks at hand. He has become a leader in the class and just loves going to school everyday. This weekend he is collecting all the Dr. Seuss books in the house and reading them himself!
At our old school drop-off and pick-up was so chaotic. But here, I have never seen the kids without an activity to focus their energy. In the morning, the kids are working quietly with legos, and in the evening they are sitting in a circle reading stories or playing bingo. I love how Ms. Audrey gets everyone to focus at circle time, by giving each child a chance to skip around the circle to music! They are always learning something new, with the classroom changing every month to a new topic. The kids always have their picture on the walls, with every changing theme. My only regret with this school, is that we didn’t find them sooner! I plan to send my second child as soon as he turns 2.
We will be sending our son to our local public school for kindergarten, our plan all along. Ms. Audrey’s response was perfect — she was sad to learn he’ll be leaving, but will spend the summer making sure he is prepared. She thinks he will excel in kindergarten.
I have read the 1 and 2 star reviews, and I can honestly say it seems like they weren’t at the same school. Front office staff is knowledgeable and polite, and knows just how to handle a child that has tested the limits in his class that day. My son has been sent to the front office a couple times, and they call me so we can have a conversation together. Afterwards my son always turns it around and has a great rest of the day. I’ve even had the grandparents pop in for a surprise pick-up, and they have never seen anything problematic. They are also responsive by email in regards to any billing questions, including providing receipts for tax deductions etc.