Growing Light Montessori School

Small, sweet Montessori school trying to grow an upper elementary class. Our child attended 1st and 2nd grade, with many friends in Kindergarten and friends' siblings in pre-K. At least one trained Montessori teacher in each room. Very involved, warm, parents, small size and direct access to head of school make monthly PTA meetings unusually effective. She wants to grow school to pre-K to 6 but only one or two over 3rd graders are in same room with 1st-3rd. Our child did well in academics but struggled with clique issues. Some kids do not do well in academics. Homework is assigned. Spanish and Music were offered but via parents and freelance help. Lots of love, some chaos. School rents space from Greek Orthodox Cathedral, lovely view, big indoor space available but annual Greek Festival closes school for 7 days every spring. PTA organizes 3 day/2 night camp out that week.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter entered kindergarten in the Fall 2004. She has blossomed both academically and socially. As a Montessori school, she works at her own pace and the teachers have created an individualized curriculum for her. She has started reading, adds numbers in the thousands, can explain the digestive system and knows many of the countries in Africa. The kindergarten teachers have also nurtured her. Now she giggles, is silly and has fun. The student population is diverse and the community welcoming. The lack of a real play area is a downside, but I'm amazed at how creative the children are with their rather barren outdoor space. The school works hard to overcome this with a physical ed. teacher, trips to nearby parks and fields and creative use of the full-sized gym. It's small but growing. Enrichment programs such as music and languages are available.
—Submitted by a parent