Arkansas River Valley Montessori

This school is a complete joke. Not only is the Montessori Method not adhered to, but the teacher's so-called degrees were obtained ONLINE! They have been cited with multiple violations by DHS. Violations that I as a parent have never been informed of. Some of these include hiring teachers without a background check, contamination issues, fire hazards, really the (very scary) list goes on. They must have forgotten that its public info and I'm sure someone will come behind me and try to rebut this comment. (probably a staff member posing as a parent) So I encourage all parents to check the website for themselves. In fact here is the link. You can't argue with cold hard facts. https://dhs.arkansas.gov/dccece/cclas/FacilityVisits.aspx These "educators" have absolutely no idea what they are doing. The building is falling apart and is filthy. I would only recommend sending your child here if you have no concern for his/her safety, wellbeing, or intellectual stimulation. It is all about the bottom line. Money. If you aren't a doctor,lawyer, or exceedingly wealthy don't expect to fit in here. Average hardworking people are not welcome.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my children have soared in this school. They are happy children...happy to go to school and happy at home. Their performance is excellent on standardized tests. They are passionate about the earth, the world around them and the treatment of others with respect. Bullying is not a concern because if it happens, it is dealt with. They spend alot of time outside, they have a school garden, amazing lunches. It's too bad more schools do not provide this type of education. They have real-world responsibilities around the school that most schools don't provide. One downside is that I wish they had more technology instruction and more robust music instruction. The fundraising is also excessive, but you're going to get that everywhere you go. Structure is helpful for children so they know what to expect. I have not experienced a closedminded faculty. They CAN and DO talk at lunch!
--Submitted by a parent

Visited the school twice. Staff was nice. Told that students were not allowed to talk during lunch. On both visits separated by many weeks, the smoke detector beeped often because no one had bothered to change the battery. I still liked the school in many other ways.

On the plus side the campus is beautiful, the children seem calm and relaxed, the restrictions on diet and commercial characters are a plus. However, the faculty is extremely rigid and close-minded. Also, many are out of touch with developments in educational theory. A pretty school, but prepared to be frustrated by an unhelpful faculty.