Flintridge Montessori School

I am a school psychologist and I have worked primarily in various elementary schools. I value the structure and program FMS has to help students reach their full potential both academically and socially. My 4 year old has been attending for two years, and my 2 year old has attended for 6 months. The first 5 years is so important in a child's academic development. Some start slow and some are faster then others. At FMS they understand this which allows them to fine tune to the students needs and make learning an interactive and enjoyable experience. The school has proven time and time again that their students graduate at a higher academicly than expected of them based on California standards. For example my daughter at 4 is already reading and writing at the first grade level. The director of FMS Mrs. Rohini and the staff do an amazing job making all this happen. I have always appreciated Mrs. Rohini constant dedication and love that she has for all the students. She is very easy to reach and she is always willing to sit and hear about any conserns you have about your child. Thank you for that. Overall I highly recommend this school and I am very lucky to have found FMS.
—Submitted by a parent

Sometimes it is better not to respond to negative untruthful comments specially by parents who have been asked to to take their child out . However is is our respond. We are not equipped to handle children needing special needs, speech delays etc since due to non qualified staff. If a parent continues to ignore our requests to address their children's hitting, biting, aggressive behavior, hurting other children, disrupting classes, we are left with little option. Just a few kids can disrupt the entire class & prevent other children from learning. Our staff turnover is low. Annual materials fee of $240 covers text books, replacing expensive Montessori materials, arts and crafts etc. not paper and glue! Teacher student ratio is 1:8 or lower although the state requirement is 1:12. Holiday program is made chaotic by certain parents whom we have no control over. Some walk all over taking pictures, talking on cell phones, do not sit down & start leaving before the program is over thereby disrupting. Children in our care on the other had are extremely well behaved and perform beautifully at the concert. Hopefully we have addressed all of the issues.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have twin girls at this school and we have been here for 1.5 years. I toured a lot of Montessori programs and Flintridge Montessori does a fantastic job. One of my 3 1/2 year old daughters is already reading 4/5 word sentences. She is ready for this and the school helps foster her individual development. The teachers and Director are warm, caring and responsive. We are happy there. They also have great flexibility with 2, 3 or 5 day programs, after school for K and an amazing K program.
—Submitted by a parent

Horrible preschool. Poorly run by a cold-hearted director who has no clue what is going on in the classrooms. High child to teacher ratio. High turn over of teachers which makes it tough for your child to build much of a relationship with their teachers. Children who are even the slightest bit outside of the norm (ie independent, strong-willed) are frowned upon and unfairly disciplined.
—Submitted by a parent

My kid attended this school for a while. The classes are over-crowded with high teacher-to-students ratio. The teachers are nice but turn over is extremely high due to the poor management and stinginess of the school. The school nickels and dimes you on things such as $250 material fee (for papers and clue). I would not recommend this place.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to FMS for 2.5 years. We've been very happy overall with the education, and social support he has received. Every teacher we have encountered (and with a small school, we know pretty much all the veterans, and slowly meet the newer ones) has been kind, patient and very knowledgeable. I wasn't very familiar with the Montessori method going in to it, but it has really worked out great for us. I appreciate the methodical way my son learned his letters, numbers, then words, and reading, etc. He has developed a true love for learning, and I feel that is priceless for him as he continues to grow and learn. I also really like the facility, with it's indoor-outdoor set up. The kids spend a nice amount of time outside and the playground is really fun for them. Per some other reviews, yes, the holiday program can tend to be a little chaotic, but at the end of the day, it's all for the kids, and they do an amazing job preparing for the event, and I think it's a great experience for them. I would highly recommend this darling little preschool.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in transitional kindergarten and I am very impressed with the math and reading skills that he has learned. I have spoken with parents of children from different schools and they were all amazed how advanced Flintridge Montessori's curriculum is. This school offers top notch learning experience for your children. Jaime Torres
—Submitted by a parent

My son learned math concepts and reading skills he did not see again until 2nd grade. This is a fantastic school for kids who are ready to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my child out of this school for the following reasons: 1) Even though it has decent teacher/student ratio, there are actually over 30 students in ONE classroom. The teacher can't teach to the whole class when the assistants are constantly pull away to attend to couple kids with issues. 2) The school is a bit "cold" and the teachers aren't very nurturing. I just that by how many children are crying every morning when I drop my kid off. My kid won't let go of me when I drop off. My kid has been to other school where he would not cling to me during drop-off. So I know he is not enjoying the school experience here as well. 3) The school isn't very organized, the Halloween parade and the Xmas program are well-intentioned, but the school wasn't prepared for the mass of parents showing up and chaos resulted. I am very appalled to see over half of the parents leaving the Xmas program when *their* children's performance are finished, have no regards to other children/parents who are trying to enjoy the show.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a HORRIBLE experience at this school. I pulled my child out after two months and he is now in a smaller more nurturing preschool where the teachers actually care for each child and are happy to provide the parents with feedback. I would run from this place.
—Submitted by a parent

When we toured the school we were very impressed not only with the children's behavior, genuinely happy faces and enthusiasm toward learning, but with the teacher's caring interaction with them. The academics here are outstanding. Our son loved school from the beginning and caught up in no time. He truly loved his time with Ms. Hyzel and Ms. Yasmin. The children were all very kind and we appreciated the lessons on manners and sharing. Ms. Rohini and her teachers are very dedicated and truly care about each child's growing and learning. We only wish this school went on through Elementary! Wonderful gem.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Flintridge since he turned 2. He is now 5 and in the kindergarten program. This is an excellent school! Such loving, caring teachers and the education is amazing. The children have a great time learning and there is time for play, music, language, etc...
—Submitted by a parent

I love this excellent little school for its compassionate teachers, especially Ms. Yasmine, who is the Kindergarten teacher. Her teaching skills are unsurpassed in giving your child his or her level of understanding. I also found the head master Mrs. Rohini extremely helpful and kind towards all the students. I highly recommend this lovely local school to anyone seeking outstanding results for their childs education and care.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was there for two years and so far, that is the best one compare to other school she went to. It is a pity that we moved to other state before she could go to the kindergarten there.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been at FM for almost two years and I can't say enough about this program. The teachers are amazing and do a wonderful job with the children. The environment is warm and welcoming and full of nice, happy kids. I am overly impressed that this program is able to encourage such high academic standards while at the same time making it such an fun, enjoyable place for children.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in this school for almost 2 years. He's learned so much that sometimes he really impressed me. I love the teachers, it feels like a family.
—Submitted by a parent

My son came into Pre-k very strong-willed and did not know the meaning of sharing. The gracious teachers of his class were always happy to see him and made him a part of the group instantly. Due to their expertise and kindness my son was transformed in a matter of weeks. Their curriculum is outstanding and my child's love for this school is proof of its success.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is very accelerated in language and arts and a bit intimidated by math. This school accommodated her perfectly, helping her catch up in her 'left-brain' studies while not holding her back in her 'right-brain' work. They also helped her blossom socially. Being an only child, this may have been her biggest challenge.
—Submitted by a parent

Clean environment, good teachers. Fun yet strong academics.
—Submitted by a parent