Montessori Kingdom of Learning

My child was not allowed in this school because he is autistic. The woman who answered the phone said they didn't have help for our son. This certainly doesn't sound like the Montessori way to me. Didn't Montessori herself teach disabled children??
--Submitted by a parent

I must totally disagree with the last poster. Montessori Kingdom of Learning does have certified lead teachers in all of the positions. I do know that there has been a change in some personal, with one lead teacher currently working in both lower and upper elementary. However she gives all of the lessons. The aides (both of who have many years of experience in Montessori) do work with the classrooms, but are not presenting the lessons. As both an educator and supervisor for many years in the public school system, I can tell you that the teaching that my son has received for the past 7 years at this school rivals anything I have seen in the state of Arizona. I believe the best academic decision I ever made for my child was to send him to Montessori Kingdom of Learning. Also my son has been in classes with "family" children and it has been my experience that they are treated the same as all others. Each child is looked at as an individua and treated as he/she needs. Also, as an outside observer, parents may not know of other conditions that have bearing on situations. As for the tuition being "outrageous"--my husband and I feel that a good education is priceless.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former customer to this institution, my insight comes from several years of observing the goings on. The parents need to verify certification of the teachers teaching their kids before taking them there and paying the outrageous fees!!! The assistants, last I was there where earning low wages and were the ones doing most of the guiding (except actually one on one teaching). Family comes first, and this IS a family run business therefore the owners kids get away this MANY things. Since leaving, I have spoken with some former employees as we run into each other on the street and I find that they feel the same way!!!. The premise is a good one and given the right motivation children will soar, but if the agenda is one sided the children do suffer and the parents pay for this suffering. Parents please verify, verify, verify!!!
--Submitted by a parent

My 2 children have been attending MKL for 21/2 years and we are very happy here. They are getting such an amazing education and have such a thorough understanding of what they are being taught. There are so many "montessori" schools out there but if they are not AMI certified you really cannot be sure what you are getting. MKL teaches Montessori they way it's intended to be taught and therefore the results are astounding. My kids are learning to be confident, independent, empathic, and the have a profound joy for learning that most kids unfortunately lose once they enter public school (in my humble opinion). We are very happy here and love the small, family like setting. Whenever there's been any issue it has been taken care of immediately and now that email communication has started I feel like I'm getting information about school events & issues much better than before which was probably my only compliant previously.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has attended this school for many years(5+). He has earned a very complete education at this institution due to the dedication and hard work of the caring people who strive everyday to assist him. I have noticed that there is a core of parents who work very hard to support and enhance the environment of the school. They work tirelessly with the staff to offer greater opportunities for the success of the children. I am so proud of the community of the school. The management guides the school with a loving interest for children's exploration. I have always known the staff to be responsive, caring, and up to date in their educational philosophy. We would never think of leaving this school and would reccomend it to all parents who wish to take an active role in their child's education.
--Submitted by a parent

I totally disagree with the comments in one of the previous reviews (2 back). My son has been going to this school for 6 years, and I feel it is one of the best schools in the state. I have NEVER had any problems with communications. In fact, my son's teacher has called us at home to make us aware of situations, and has even left her own cell number for us to use to reach her. In regards to the materials, I know for a fact that the school updates the Montessori equipment as necessary, since they have generously donated their "used" equipment to my school. Unfortunately when parents choose something different for their child, they feel they need to justify the change by being negative about the former school.
--Submitted by a parent

Excuse me. Montessori Kingdom is perfection. These silly reviews are from parents who don't have an understanding of what Montessori really is. Communication is actually excellent... I have never had a problem with this. The staff may not respond right away... but that is probably because they feel tending to your childs needs is more important at the time... but it does not go ignorned. The problem lies when parents try to have a cafeteria Montessori school... you can't choose what you want Montessori to be. Especially in an AMI certified school. My children have attended for several years and I have volunteered on several occasions and I love what I see. This is a great community and a great place to send the children. It is an older environment... and the materials so use which indicates the children are using it repetitively.
--Submitted by a parent

Have an issue with this school? Prepare to be ignored. We've tried phone, email and written notes: when we finally get in touch there's a list of excuses as to why they were too busy to so much as acknowledge they received our communications. If you're happy dropping off your child, not knowing anything about their day and you don't care if little issues that crop up get resolved before they become big issues, this is a decent school. However, most of the good of this school comes from their well prepared Montessori style environment. They don't keep their apparatus in like-new condition as Montessori recommends, but they do have everything well laid out and available to the children.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son has attended MKL since he was 3 moths old. At the beginning, my wife and i were very satisfied with the school, and saw great strides in our son. However over the past year, there has been a decline in the school. Our son seems to be more of a 'pay check' and less of a student. there is very limitied communication between the school and the parents, and most of the staff seem unqualified for their positins. Since we have made notification that our son will no longer be attending the school, some of the staff have become very rude.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been going to MKL for 2 1/2 years and we love it!!!! My daughter loves her teachers, her classmates, Miss Lana and Miss Betsy! She has learned so much. She is 4 and is starting to read and add.
--Submitted by a parent