Montessori Day Public Schools Chartered - Mountainside

I love the Montessori teaching style and my daughter has grown so much since being a part of this program. She absolutely loves her teachers and peers.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is no in her 2nd year hear, the teachers are fantastic. They really seem to care. I love the Montessori teaching style too.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the friendly and caring environment of Montessori Day School. As a special education teacher who has had the opportunity to work in several different environments, I can say that the children who have any challenges are treated with respect by both staff and the other students on this campus. While their needs are addressed by not only their regular classroom teacher, they are also pulled-out by the special education teacher weekly. The regular education teachers in the classrooms understand the importance of individualizing instruction for each student's unique needs. It is as though special education goes on all day long in the classrooms because staff members understand that each child is special.
—Submitted by a teacher

Our daughter graduated from the middle school program at MDS in May. She attended MDS for 10 years. She has now moved on to a large public high school and is just thriving because of the education and environment at MDS. No school is perfect, but this school has what really counts: teaching personal responsibility, incredible study skills, organization skills, confidence and self awareness. THANK YOU!
—Submitted by a parent

I want to express on how thankful I am at MDS for being a school that they have come to be .My son who's attended since he was 3yrs. old now going into 5th grade and my daughter gladly to say now 4yrs. old attending currently. I am proud as a parent to be part of this school and I know that my children feel the same way. They both have grown tremendously and continue to within the years. The communication, the availability of Teachers and staff to parents make our community stronger when were involved to help guide our children to a better tomorrow, day by day. I want to thank mainly the Director for always being there and giving a smile and making the school prosper and for always handling things in a professional way. Teachers and assistants for being there teaching our children to learn and become a better someone for there future, thank the Office Staff to our Maintenance men who contribute into making this school for brightening the way to my children. I want to thank all for there dedication. When we take time to be involved with our children's education they accomplish many goals. Keep up the good work MDS in progressing in our children's education and for your support.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 3 children in the Montessori Day School. My oldest started in 4th grade, and the other 2 started in kindergarten. Both of the older children then graduated from the Middle School. My youngest is still attending there and will finish 8th grade there. I cannot express the kindness of the staff. It is like a family. The teachers first thought is the child and their desire to see the children grow into individuals, to make the children feel proud and successful at whatever it is they are learning. My oldest child had challenges and the staff were amazing. They cared for his situation right down to his eyes.( They gave us a name of a eye specialist). He went on to high school to pass the Aims even though it was not required of those with an Individualized Education Plan. Both older kids went to public high school and did very well. My children are great people and part of that came from the influence of the school staff. From Maintenance to teachers to administration this school is Wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had all four of my grand children attend this school. Two of them since they were three years old. Besides being impressed with the quality of the staff I love the sense of community that is present at this school and the fact that the teachers and administrative staff are always available to talk to you. I think the one thing that impressed me the most is the sense of confidence that the children have. When two of my grandsons graduated from Middle School and went on to a big public high school I was so impressed with how self-motivated and confident and flexible they were. Thank you teachers and staff for a great job.

Unfortunately I had to pull my son and daughter from here. My husband and I both witnessed a staff member yell at a child and made him cry before class one day. When we went to the director to voice our concerns she said "too bad, I don't believe you" and didn't seem to care. Education was bad and religious stories were taught to our kids without permission. Again- when any of these concerns were brought to the attention of the director, she didn't care in the slightest. In my opinion you're better off sending your children to Tutor Time. At least with them there's no false expectation about what you children will be taught. The school director should educate herself in the area of personal responsibility and then practice it..
—Submitted by a parent

My attended Kindergarten here last year. He had a hard time focusing in class and doing his work. He was bored and my 2-3 year old daughter was capable of doing a lot of the work there. Instead of giving him the level of work he needed, his teachers' response was to continue to give him the same work as his peers and to keep him indoors from recess if he didn't finish it. He was segregated from his class and put into a corner to work alone. I was constantly called to pick him up from school and office staff were very impolite to me. As the year went on, his teachers and the office started to treat him (and me) worse and worse, and I was told not to re-register him for school. We found out this year, that he is a genius. Early in the year, he attended the highest-rated schools in AZ, and his teacher was very competent and handled him well (unlike the teachers at Mountainside). She gave him higher-level work, although he was in first grade. He tested into a gifted school, just this past February and is thriving even more. IF your child is gifted, do NOT send him or her here. The teachers and staff have no experience with gifted children and it would be a detriment.
—Submitted by a parent

I sent my daughter here for kindergarten. Peeling potatoes and making muffins was what her days were filled with. I never saw any actual necessary education. When I would question it, I was told it was for motor skills. hmmmm. Office staff and head of school was extremely rude. At the end of the year, my daughters teacher told me that she wanted to hold my daughter back because she didn't feel socially she was ready to move on to 1st grade. Academically, she was more than ready. I'm sorry but, that was ridiculous to me. I pulled her from the school, put her in another Montessori and she excelled. She's now in Highschool at the top of her class both socially and academically. I would not reccomend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student I can tell you first hand that this school is far from satisfactory. I don't see how pulling weeds and washing dishes fits anywhere under the category of education. The condition of the school is laughable; you'll find anything from stray cats to snakes. The teachers are inexperienced and don't seem to have a structured schedule. The "office" staff are rude and beyond unhelpful. I couldn't stand more than three years of this.

I'm a student at Montessori Day School, and this is by far my favorite school of all time. Because of our small class sizes, I actually am given individual assistance. There is absolutely no tolerance for bullying, and everyone is kind to each other. It feels as though our classroom is a family. We grow together and learn in unity.

This is a far cry from the school Maria Montessori developed. I doubt that Maria would withhold recess from children for not completing work. Parents are very involved & the Principal seems to have her heart in the right place with little action. My child's teacher is knowledgeable but since my child is in the older group of kids the assistant teacher often provides instruction. The assistant teacher has no teacher training & from my observations doesn't enjoy working with children. The office staff is rude & the campus is unsecured with plenty of access for anybody to come & go. They have security cameras that are wired to be viewed in the office by nobody in particular. The secretary can't monitor them while she is performing her job tasks. Additionally I have been in the office alone while nobody was monitoring the campus security. If you or you child is allergic to cats this is the wrong place for you. The school keeps a cat that is allowed to roam freely in & out of buildings & sleep on the office chairs, giving you a great sneeze every where you go. My child is performing above grade level & although we have requested it has not been challenged with new materials.
—Submitted by a parent

Is there a perfect school? I would have to say no. I drive more than 50 miles a day to and from school but I do it because it is worth it! MDS provides a safe and thought-provoking environment. I have a child in the 2nd grade and another in the 4th grade. My children have learned to have respect for their community as well as for themselves. In this "me" centered world, I am encouraged that they are being taught that they are part of a bigger picture. I truly see future leaders in this school. The students are encouraged as well as challenged. I like being able to communicate to the teachers and see immediate action. If you are looking for a school where your child could reach his/her full potential, I would strongly recommend sending your child(ren) to MDS.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my children in this school for a long time. My daughter has been at MDS since she was 2 and my son since he was 15 months. I couldn't have found a better school for them. Class size is small and with the an assistant in every classroom, the kids get all the individual attention they need to be successful. The school is small but quaint and it has a comfortable quality about it. MDS may not be as up to date as other elementary and middle schools but what it lacks in technological wizardry it makes up for in genuine personality. The teachers are dedicated to making sure that each student gets the attention that they need. The children can work at a pace that is best for them which helps them develop a sense of independence and accomplishment. MDS is a great school for any child 3 years through 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

The ONLY thing that this school has going for it is that it is, at least loosely, based upon the Montessori method. My children have been going to this school for for years, and to my utter astonishment, they still have a very obvious lack of organization. The teachers that I have spoken to are hardly impressive and I find the people in the "office" to be rude and very unprofessional. The irony is not lost on me that they hold the children to one standard and then they themselves are completely disrespectful to children and they appear to not really understand children. They appear to struggle and are always coming across as if they are in over their heads and that they are needy. The school is still in need of repairs. You may ask why I let my kids still go there, and the only real answer I can offer is, even as bad as this place is, the local elementary schools are not any better.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started kindergarten last fall and we ve been very happy with our choice. We looked at 6 other schools and choose this one because: 1. My child can move at her own pace and have an individualized education plan. They don t hold her at the class average but allow her to move at her speed 2. My daughter does not move onto the next subject until she fully understands and can show evidence that she has learned what is expected. 3. The school is really good about realizing that all aspects of a child's life affect their learning. 4. They have a great 11 to 1 ratio in kindergarten. Also, it s not a system that depends on getting a "good teacher". It is student driven instruction rather than teacher driven, and students have personal responsibility for their education. Some other things we ve seen: they really love parent involvement, although they re still working out the kinks in organizing it efficiently; the teachers and principal are very invested in the students; they have high standards for the kids and their behavior in the class; communication is still a little rusty sometimes, but they are trying hard. All in all, my daughter loves going to school and learning.
—Submitted by a parent

MDS allows for great interaction of parents in classroom, in extra-ciricular choices, in fund-raising,etc. Few schools welcome the questions and concerns of the adults or children as much as this school`s founders Ed and Peg Huffman.
—Submitted by a parent

Above all else, MDS is a child-centered campus. Following the true Montessori philosophy that balances responsibility with freedom, MDS strives to inform everyone involved in a child's education that even young children can, and should, be expected to be responsible for themselves. Our Primary classes begin this process for parents and children as young as 3; our K-only class puts the parents & children on a fast-track to becoming independent not only in self-help/daily living skills, but academically, as well. This theme is carried on through Junior & Senior Elementary and Middle School. If you're looking for an education that will prepare your child for the challenging world that faces all of us, MDS is an excellent choice. We push academics, of course! But in an effort to educate the "whole child" we use teachable moments to play out "what if" scenarios that demonstrate to the children that every choice has a consequence and that we, as individuals, are responsible for those choices. We all have the power to change our own lives, because we're not limited by the curriculum "fed" to us by teachers. Independence is expected.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter started kindergarten at this school in 2010. She loves it, and so do we. We appreciate the small community, pleasant classrooms with windows, the healthy-living guidelines for lunches and school preparations (no TV before school), and the natural learning environment, Our daughter began reading prior to kindergarten. Rather than holding her back to learn at the pace of the teacher, her teacher developed a curriculum plan to meet her ability level. We look forward to her continued education at this school.
—Submitted by a parent