Montessori Community School

This is a school that fundamentally, through its methods, philosophy, and culture, develops the “soft” skills that are associated with adult happiness and success: self-motivation, decision making, conflict management, ability to articulate their own needs and recognize the needs of others, leadership, project management, work-life balance, and team work. Overall I have been pleased with my children’s academic progress and the teachers have been responsive when I have had a concern in a particular area. The learning is largely self-paced, and this may not be a good fit for you if you want to push your kids at a fast pace. There are no standardized tests but the progress reports from the teachers each semester give quite a bit of detail on the children’s mastery of specific skills typical for their grade level. There is very little homework but my children have met all typical grade level expectations (and way beyond in some areas) despite this. I appreciate the small homework load so we have more time for outdoor play, family activities, friends, music lessons, and just being a kid. Our family has been enrolled since 2008, when my older child (now in the lower elementary program) joined the toddler program. Our younger child is in one of the dual immersion Spanish early childhood classes and also started in the toddler program. The teachers that we have worked with through the years have been tuned in to the emotional, social, and academic needs of my children and responsive to my concerns. The facility is very special and there is more space per child in the classrooms for the preschool and toddler ages than is typical in a daycare, leading to less stress for the children. There are excellent specialty teachers for art, music, dance, outdoor education, and even yoga. They have two dual immersion Spanish early childhood classes. The school has a very welcoming culture and prides itself on tolerance and diversity.

Our daughter is in her second year of the toddler program at MCS and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Her teachers are warm, loving and patient, and I am continually amazed at how well they understand my child and her personality. They really value and nurture each child's uniqueness, while guiding them to be respectful, independent young people. We have watched our daughter's confidence, social skills and independence blossom. We are so happy knowing that she is in a warm, nurturing environment with adults who REALLY understand toddlers. And at the same time, she is building a wonderful foundation for future learning. The teachers go above and beyond their job description and are always available when we have questions (potty training help! Discipline - what do I do? Is this normal?) or if we just need to talk. Thrilled with our experience.

Don't take your child to this place. I went on a tour of the school and the children were in the gym playing when a toddler stuck something into an outlet! Sparks were flying everywhere for a good 10 seconds before a teacher finally grabbed the kid. I know accidents happen but this is completely unacceptable and avoidable, he could have been seriously injured or killed. Why are there no outlet covers in a gym that toddlers play in. Everyone just shrugged it off like it wasn't a big deal not even addressing the issue with me. When I was leaving I saw them putting ice on the burn, you should never put ice on an electrical burn! Also, while in the gym there were toddlers slamming a door that doesn't close all the way (why are there doors that keep gym equipment in that don't close a child could wander in there and who knows what could happen) and no one did anything, I was worried another kid would lose a finger during this. The teachers were just talking not paying much attention to the children, keep in mind this all happened while on a TOUR of the school. I can't imagine what happens when only the staff is around.

Our son enjoys attending his school everyday. The presence of preschool kids with different ages in two levels, allows them to interact with older and younger peers and improve their social skills. The also like the dual language set up of his class where he is learning Spanish. The fun activities make school a favorable environment for kids at this age.

My child started as a third year (kindergarten) and we are going to stay for elementary school. The Montessori system has a little bit of a learning curve, but our child immediately thrived in the self-driven environment of the multigrade classroom. Although he came in already reading, writing and doing addition and subtraction on his own, I was impressed that at our first parent -teacher conference, the teachers had honed in on exactly what he needed to work on rather than leaving him to his own devices. The open plan Montessori classroom style means that the teachers have to work with each child individually and know them each well. This is a small school, but there are still ample opportunities for after-school activities and enrichment programs. There seems to be a good diversity in the student and teacher population, and we have been delighted by the cheerfulness, warmth and efficiency with which the school is run. Despite the "no tests, no homework, no grades" approach, the school seems to be a serious academic environment with high standards for achievement -- just a different route for getting kids there.