Arkansas River Valley Montessori

We love this school! Dropping my 5 year old off every morning while the polite, sweet, and caring older kids unload her from the car, I just have a great sense of well being about leaving her there. We have had her at another private school and she just completely fell through the cracks. At ARVM she gets the attention and education that she needs and has just soared. She came in a "leader" in her classroom, which means most of her peers had already been together for 1-2 years, but they embraced her and she has made the sweetest friends. I cannot say enough good things about her guide - what a gift she is to those kids! GREAT school!!
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing School! Completely changed my child! He loves going to school! His guide is extremely professional and caring. She is an exemplary teacher who underwent difficult training to become a Montessori guide. She is pure with the method. Her teaching has transformed him. My husband and I are public school teachers. We have always felt welcomed. The school has been like an extended family. The administration cares deeply for the students. They are constantly seeking ways to reach the children and families in their care. The building is complete with all of the Montessori materials. These materials help the children grasp abstract concepts. The grounds has a lovely place for the children to grow plants. The children are also involved in jobs that allow them to grow in their responsibility and become active members of their society. The hot lunch program has also become a favorite with my child. Healthy lunches are served. The music program is lovely. The children are taught different instruments along with reading music. The art teacher has given the children wonderful projects where they are able to be creative. They havemany field trips and guest speakers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am responding to the posting on April 3, which I think is a "complete joke." I am a parent, a real parent that has had her kid go to ARVM for 5 years. I chose this school because the Montessori method is clearly followed and the staff is qualified to teach the method at its purest form. I appreciated the person who included a website link (which did not work, btw) so that I could at lease search the correct website to see these supposedly "scary" lists of cited violations. It seems to me if the school covers a few more electrical plugs and moves a couple of napping cots around for "emergency exits," they will be fine. And I am sorry this person feels that "average hardworking people are not welcome." I am a public school teacher. I work hard. I have never felt anything but welcomed. And I am sure if this person was as bitter and rude at this school as s/he is here, in his/her review, there was a reason why s/he was unwelcomed. ARVM is a small Montessori school whose guides and staff make my child feel loved, accepted, and they have given her an environment which makes her cherish her learning and grow further in her understanding.
—Submitted by a parent

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.