Casa Ninos School of Montessori - East Campus

This is a great school for kids younger than 5. It's the best one we've experienced. I'm VERY happy with it at this time, but I do wish I'd see a little more of the following: More detailed and consistant communication (knowing what children are learning everyday is inconsistant-I'd like to know so I can support what they learn at home), more in depth teaching of second language (sign language & Spanish) they cover some of the basics but none of the teachers really know or foster it. In addition, some of the teachers' energy is lacking, there is a high turn-over of staff (Orange Grove)-this freaks the kids out-especially my one year old. I wish that the teachers would model better eating habits-much like they require from the kids- my child has informed me that they see teachers eating candy, chips, and sodas-it's kind of a double standard. Lastly, the schedule is more like a school NOT a daycare. There are NUMEROUS vacation breaks-including the Monday after the week off and random half days. This makes it extremely inconvenient as a full time working professional. If I was to choose what I liked least about this place it would be the schedlued vacations/half days.
--Submitted by a parent

My older son has attended this school for 1 year now and I have seen such improvement with him. He is very energetic and was always acting out, but since being at this school he has learned how to control his body when needed and respect others. He feels empowered to sit and do his work at school and has quickly learned all the letters of the alphabet and there correlating sounds and is starting to read already. My younger son is attending there as well and is such a calm and happy baby. I couldn't be happier with my choice to enroll my children at this school and I highly recommend it to other parents.
--Submitted by a parent

It appears to me that this system is not suitable for hyperactive kids or those who are not self motivated learners. My daughter liked the school and her teachers but her academic progress over 3 years had little to show: numbers < 10 and partial alphabet identification. I got so worried that I hired a weekend English tutor, enrolled her in the Math Kumon program and moved her to school district. Within 10 months she is now adding numbers, can indentify numbers beyond hundred and can read and write first level English. Her teachers belief was misplaced that that she was not capable of sitting and concentrating for more than 10 min. on any subject and only Montessori could give here the right opportunity. Their students are barely able to crack the entrance exam for Tucson s premier charter school Basis. They have very few poster children that prove the success of their system at a high performance level. They have I wish they would communicate with parents better and be open to accepting that their system may not do well with all kids. They were not even interested in knowing why I pulled my kid out of their school.
--Submitted by a parent

I LOVE this school. My daughter is in the toddler program and my son is in the preprimary and they are both geniuses. I am constantly pleased when they start talking about the things that they learned that day or the way they have been shown to handle their frustrations. I have noticed a big difference in them in comparison to when they were at their previous daycare. The staff is great. They are friendly and caring, and I love that the schools has events that involve the parents. The facility is clean and well kept, and has porches for each classroom. I highly recommend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student for the past two years and he loves it! The staff is wonderful and very supportive with the kids. We are very happy with your choice of schools.
--Submitted by a parent

My children's went here for about six months.. I pulled them out due to lack of experience teachers in the toddler program and it was apparent that there was a lack of administrative support. Also staff did not seem to have a strong hold on disciplining children that acted out.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school and environment. My children get treated with up-most repsect. The teacher's are warm and friendly and dedicated to what they do. It is one of the cleanest and neatest schools I've ever been to. My family couldn't be happier with our choice in school.
--Submitted by a parent

Not impressed with the personnel, quality of the childrens instruction and equipment or with the lack of security and simple safety procedures of the school. Although there are some very good teachers (they either have or are leaving the school for some reason), the attitude of the owner and some of the younger employees is less than professional, hygiene is poor, information is not given to the parents. The 'sign in' log and access to the school and playground is not enforced. My hopes were high when we started but we will be leaving to find another school this year.
--Submitted by a parent