Hermosa Montessori Charter School

My daughter hit a child and I was contacted by the administration immediately. Hitting is taken seriously at Hermosa and so I was told we needed to have a meeting to discuss the situation. We met and talked about what happened. The staff were very helpful and very understanding. They gave me some great tools to use at home, we came up with a strategy and we disciplined appropriately. That was over 5 months ago and we have not had any more problems. And the best part is that the tools we were given for this also helped with other behavior issues and now our daughter is thriving! Very few schools would take that kind of time to work with the parents. I love this school!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I also have several children at Hermosa Montessori. I am thankful that Hermosa has a zero tolerance policy for bullies. Parents who make excuses that their child is just being a normal kid when they hit are not helping their child. Yes, it is normal for a young child to have an incident, but when it continues, that is a problem. And what about the other child being hit? What happens when that child doesn't want to go to school anymore because they are constantly getting hit by another child? Hermosa has always been a very peaceful place and the teachers are wonderful. I wouldn't send my children anywhere else!
--Submitted by a parent

We have been at Hermosa School for 3 years, and I have been involved as a parent in many programs and volunteering activities, including office tasks... I have always been quite welcome each time I proposed my help to the teachers or the administration... I'm so surprised other parents felt it in a different way...
--Submitted by a parent

I feel bad about the parent that had issues at the school. We are currently at the school (3 years) and would agree that their is an extreme lack on the administration to deal with any type of conflict or the patience to deal with kids that may need more care. They do have a like it or leave mentality. I have seen several kids asked to leave or pushed to leave. Sadly, most of the amazing teachers have left or retired and in the past you could get a private school education here. However, the school has gone down hill, it truly could be an outstanding place. We are sad they are not open to even minimal constructive criticism. They do not welcome parental involvement, except for lunch monitors. We are looking into other alternatives for our kids next year.
--Submitted by a parent

I love the Montessori way, but sometime the method is only as good as those that try to teach it. I had a 3-4 year old who got sent home to many times because he hit. He is a child. We don t have a hitting problem at home, but the school thinks our child needs professional help. Some children are more physical than others and they need more guidance and firmness in that area. The administration has a no tolerance policy for hitting which is great, but they shy away from conflict resolution and expect the parents to teach the children at home about the problems they are having in school. At 4 years old, you have to teach the children on the spot and not send them home because you don't want to deal with it. The other thing that was lacking was genuine joy and happiness. We are glad he was asked not to come back because now we really see that it is not our child, but the lack of compassionate discipline at the school. The teachers and principle took no accountability.
--Submitted by a parent

I always feel sorry and almost embarrassed when children complain about tasks Students, like adults, are part of a community, and we all know that some individuals are better with chores than others, who therefore may get into trouble This is why it is important to get used to participate in common tasks during early childhood, and this is what students learn at Hermosa Montessori School. I am grateful for these Hermosa teachers who, on top of an excellent academic curriculum, are taking time to explain to the children the importance of their participation in chores (which should be continued at home!!), and teach them the respect of others and others property. I feel responsible for educating my children and try to teach them values that will lead them to respect and to be respected in their Community.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter spent 8 years in this wonderful environment. This is not a school for traditional academics it is a school of life learning and foundation building. Children especially in the current social environment need to rely on themselves and learn how to function within their immediate community. These are skills that Hermosa instills. Through its unique class room structure children learn to offer constructive help to their peers and they acquire the ability to ask and accept a helping hand when needed. They understand that they are responsible for their outcomes and how their choices affect them and their community. This creates a confident, independent yet conscience individual and provides a great academic foundation. I have two older children that went through the public and expensive private school systems and I can honestly say that my child that attended Hermosa came away with the best academic foundation and confidence to conquer any obstacle that comes her way.
--Submitted by a parent

This used to be a fantastic school.... used to be. All the great teachers have left or retired. There has been a mass exodus from this school. School leadership is not responsive to the needs of parents and seem to be more interested in covering for the poor teachers rather than helping solve the problems and make the school better. It is a shame, we had hoped for more.
--Submitted by a parent

This school had it's good points, but as a student, it was bad. to start off with, the curriculum is MIA. in upper elementary, the teachers were to busy making us clean up after them, and screaming at us for leaving food in the trash cans instead of putting it in the recycle bins. I found that i had to teach myself. Also, it is socially un preparing. This school is all about gossip and cliques. Plus, my parents had to pay 300+ dollars for p.e., and extracurricular, when there was none. The teachers told all the students that public schools were torturous, and even scared children into not going to other schools. Also, now that i am in a public school, and very happy about it, i realize that the staff and faculties behavior was really bad. Even though the staff "encouraged' us to have our own opnions, if they did not fit those of the teachers, we were put down, and looked at as if we were corrupting the ways they taught. Overall, i am happy that i now go to a great school, which is public. Old Vail Middle School is where i'm at, and i am glad to get away from the poison of that school.

I have been a parent of this school for quite some time. I am proud to say that we have enjoyed attending Hermosa and wish that all is well for them. Each person should check out the school and decide for yourself if its the right place for your child. Each child learns differently and they do direct your child and help them to learn. Thank you Hermosa and we will miss you.......
--Submitted by a parent