Valley Montessori School

I agree with the reviewer in January who gave this school 3 stars. We have been to several private schools, relocating for work reasons. This is a modest school. I can point to several teachers that are, frankly, not very smart. I understand and respect how some long-time parents have found a warm and comfortable nest for their children. There are few alternative schools, which is why we remain.
--Submitted by a parent

No better school in the Tri Valley. We have three children in attendence and have been very happy with all grade levels toddler-Middle School! We are willing to make some sacrifices in our life style to enroll them in this amazing program. Montessori education should be considered for the public arena. It trully creates an individual that is thoughtful, empathetic, compassionate and views themselves as part of the golbal community.......oh and intelligent!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I give VMS 3 stars, which is average. There are a lot of over-the-top, cultish and fawning reviews for this school. The school is fine, you certainly could do worse (public schools), but you could do better (private schools far away in Walnut Creek and beyond; Middle school in Danville). We have found that the Montessori method worked for one child, wasn't so good for another child. Resources are adequate. Outclasses such as music, art and PE are weak. Languages OK. In the end your children will be well-educated, but I believe you will always have a lingering suspicion that they could have been superstars somewhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

Omg!!! I am surprised by the last post of Dec 27, 2011. My child has been going to this school since the toddler program and is currently in the Primary class. I still have to see a class that has only one teacher in the whole class. The student teacher ratio is one of the biggest pro's of this school and the one that wins over all the other schools. While no 1 teaching method is the same for all kids, perhaps your child preferred the new school method to Montessori. while some might not do so well in the new school method but might prefer the montessori. so to blame just the teachers is highly unfair. Yes there are some teachers here that may not fair so well but then which school doesn't have them? Infact, I would say in my experience I have found the teachers to be more nicer than the admin staff. The only reason I give this school 4 stars is because there is no school as the "perfect" school. They all have some room for improvement. I find VMS is open to listening and working on those areas.
--Submitted by a parent

I am the parent who posted the review dated August 5th. I am not sure what school you are talking about, but my son's classroom had a student/teacher ratio of 18:1. I still stand by my review. I came to greatschools.net to ensure that my review was still posted as I can not believe the change in my son since moving him to a new school this past September. Not only is he reading at a 1st grade level and working with fractions at the age of 5, he is thriving socially and has so much self confidence. The incompetent teaching staff at VMS had robbed him of that, but thankfully, he has regained it.. I am sure it depends on the teacher, so perhaps subsequent posters (if they are actual parents and not staff members) were lucky enough to find good ones. I will just say avoid Mandi Han at all cost.
--Submitted by a parent

Best school and best staff. Not sure if the Aug. 5 post is talking about the same Valley Montessori School...it sure does not sound like it. Our daughter has been going to the school now for 5 years (since the toddler program - she is now in 1st grade). She is at a second grade reading level and math level. I credit her success to the amazing, very highly educated and experienced teachers. The student teacher ratio is about 4:1 for the early programs and about 10:1 for the elementary programs. After teaching in the public schools for 8 years, I would highly reccommend this school and Montessori Program.
--Submitted by a parent

This is the most wonderful school! Our son goes to a full day of primary then to 2 hours of childcare on most days. This is his favorite place to be! He cannot wait to get out of the car and play with his friends. When I pick him up, we spend an hour trying to leave. This school is like a family. We love it and appreciate it just like family! The staff, teachers, facility and method of teaching is superb! I am more confident in our son being in the care of VMS all day than being with my mother who is a gift from God. VMS teachers and staff have the most up-to-date education and know EXACTLY how to properly care for and educate children. They know the correct and effective way to speak with them and how to teach them to care for themselves. Their patience and peaceful nature are so comforting to both child and parent. Parents see their child flourish in the method of teaching that VMS offers. The child excels beyond ones imagination in such a positive, nurturing environment. The Whole Child philosophy is executed so effectively. This school is such a baragin for what you get. I don't think you can find this anywhere else!
--Submitted by a parent

I am shocked with the review I just read. This school truly is THE BEST of THE BEST! It begins in the classroom and flows out to the staff. It has been incredible over the past 2 1/2 years what our son has learned! There are two reasons to choose a school: How they care for your child & how they relate to you and academics. A++ on both. I have never encountered any staff member that was less than happy, peaceful and helpful! Helpful beyond belief! Teachers and administrators have taken their personal time to assist me and my son in being successful. The school also, often, offers workshops & classes to help parents and their children be successful. Everyone is so kind, right down to the maintenance man who is a father of 2 students. Even he is kind, friendly and takes his time with the children. They know him by name. The school also has a great music program with "Jack" whom the children love. Our son has never had a problem going to school and when I come to pick him up, he doesn't want to leave-along with the other kids. We have been searching for 6+months for a school to replace this one when we move and that was when we realized VMS is BEST of BEST! Irreplaceable
--Submitted by a parent

My 2yr old daughter has attended this school for 1 year. During that time, she has developed her motor skills, shapes, colors, numbers, letters, and can identify things around her (ie, tree, leaf, car, backpack, paper etc). The teachers are very engaged, thoughtful and patient. We have a large family and my daughter is very comfortable around them as well as strangers but I also wanted her to be comfortable around children her age. Montessori helped accomplish this! This is an amazing school with a wonderful staff. Now, when we are at home or during the weekend my daughter asks to go to school. She looks forward to joining the class and runs down the hall, hugging her teachers and waving goodbye to me.
--Submitted by a parent

The California public schools are in a budget crisis and it is tempting to believe that a private school will offer the answer to the question"where can my child get a solid, well rounded education?" Do not look to this school for the answer. We had 2 children in this school in preschool through the elementary grades and were disappointed over and over again. The Montessori philosophy say to 'follow the child' and they seem to do this well at VMS even when the child goes off into space, daydreams, avoids work time, does not complete work on time and so on. No homework is assigned until middle school, so parents have very little information about what is being taught in the classroom. Our child missed out on learning (early) good study and time management skills. The school believes that home time is family time, a nice idea, but many children need to have the lessons reinforced at home with a few pages of review work each night. For the tuition you pay here, I suggest enrolling your child (ren) in public school and supplement with a tutor at a fraction of the cost. The administration is uncooperative and very much lacking compassion and empathy.
--Submitted by a parent