Montessori Academy of Culver City

Daughter loves this school. It's why I keep her there. Here's the good and the bad: Good 1. Great teachers. 2. Kids learn a lot. My child is under 4 and can write her name, recognizes sight words and recognizes numbers. Also a lot of free play so it's a good balance of both. 3. They keep the facility very clean. 4. One teacher in particular handles everything, I thought she was the Director but she has her own class. When her class is empty, she cleans or helps other teachers. Bad 1. Expensive, especially considering they're not accredited. Their monthly tuition is equivalent to accredited early childhood education centers. 2. Bulding is small. 3. Zero involvement by the schoold Director. My child has attended for 1 year and I have yet to meet her. This is kind of scary and a shame for the Director but luckily the teachers are GREAT! 3. Child's work is given to parents weekly but progress reports, or parent/teacher conferences would be good. 3. There is little parent involvement. Parents schedule playdates with other kids on their own. The school doesn't encourage or bridge communication between parents at all.
--Submitted by a parent

We love this school! Our son started in the fall when he was JUST turning 3. Now it's spring and he has learned his alphabet and his numbers. He can write the letters and numbers, he can say the phonics, he can identify things that begin with the letters, and he can count and even add and subtract a bit. He's picked up some Spanish, too. I think it must have changed since the parent who wrote about no painting or music, they do a big art project every friday, and it frequently involves painting. AND there is a lot of singing, my son is always singing songs he learned at school.
--Submitted by a parent

My kid learned nothing after 6 months of education in this school. We then taught her at home and she picked up numbers, alphabets, could spell and write her name within a month.
--Submitted by a parent

my 5 yr old was reading within 2 months of joining Montessori.The staff are amazing gentle with the children and it is a family atmosphere-I mean families that get on really well!Their classes are small and children get a special welcome here and thrive.Now my daughter does not want to leave when I pick her up!No painting or music activities but dance classes yoga gymnastics classes are all available at extra costs.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school!My child had been going there since she was 18 months old, and now she is 3 and a half. The Director and teachers are very involved, dedicated, carrying and very active. Kids learn Spanish as a second language! The Montessori curriculum is great for this age, the kids learn a lot and have a lot of fun! I would recommend this school to parents who are looking for a safe and quality environment for their kids! Tanya W, parent
--Submitted by Tanya W, a parent