San Marino Montessori

I have all three of my boys in this school and do not have one complaint. The teachers and administration is great! They are always doing little extra around the school, which sets them apart from other schools. Last week they did an Easter egg hunt, and a few weeks before that they hosted a trike-a-thon event. In my opinion this is a best school and I plan on having my boys stay here through 8th grade.
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible, They will nickel and dime you for everything. Please review you statements they make mistakes often. My daughter went here for one year of their pre school program. They automatically enrolled her for the following year without my consent, even though I was open and honest with them that we might not return, since we were moving. When I tried to dis-enroll her they tried to have me pay first and last months tuition plus material fees for the entire year even though my daughter wasn't going to attend which I told them before the school year started. Material fees alone were around $700. I asked the principal what exactly that covered her response was paper, pencils, and markers. What preschooler uses $700 worth or paper and pencils!?! Thats $700 per student...Dont bother there are several other montesorri school that are better!
--Submitted by a parent

I am so happy I found this school! I just enrolled my son in their twos class, and my older daughter who is in third grade. Their Upper elementary is not Montessori, but its still a wonderfully flexible school with a great curriculum. What sold me on this school was all of the extras they offer during the day, like computer and music, it just does not compare to other schools. The staff is caring, and the office is very helpful. So far, so good.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is good only for preschool and kindergarten. Teachers are good but administrative is really bad. All they care about is money not your child's education. Again, teachers are good. The admins will do anything to cut corner and make money.
--Submitted by a parent

I am glad I decided to write a review for the school considering the last one is not a good reflection of their elementary program. My son has gone to this school since he was 3 years old, he started off in their Montessori program, but since he is now in their elementary school, it is not Montessori. I have been very pleased with the class, the teachers and the curriculum, and my son is very happy here. it is true they do have different grades in one classroom, but it seems to work. They have two teachers that are very attentive to my son and his needs. The teachers do not seemed to be bothered with the mixed ages and grades in the classes. I have only had positive experiences with the administration, I find them to be very helpful and kind, and they seem to be very present with what is happening at the school. I am not sure about the parent volunteer since I have never asked to volunteer, but I would not see them having a problem with it, if i wanted to volunteer.
--Submitted by a parent

I sent 2 children to this school. Pre-school through 1st grade is competitive and a good value, but after 1st grade the program just isn't up to par. Classes are combined due to dwindling enrollment (our last year there, they were 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in the same classroom). Tough on teachers, and a disservice to the children. The program's lack of attention and focus on building reading and writing skills put all students at a real disadvantage. Administration is not present, does not invest in school, does not welcome parent involvement. Would not recommend,
--Submitted by a parent

I LOVE THIS SCHOOL, if there's such a thing as the ideal place to have a child build their education, growth, development, social emotional skills AND extracurricular activities with extended day care programs... the San Marino Montessori IS that place. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANY AND ALL with real interest on excelling their children.
--Submitted by a parent

am very dissappointed with this school and how they handle their Pasadena Location. I was a parent who had 2 children attend at different times and this last time was thankful my child was ready to move on to elementary school. The teachers were very nice and really cared for the children, however the administration was horrible. The good teachers were pulled from the Pasadena school constantly and the substitute or new in training teachers were placed at that location. In addition social services visited the school a number of times. Now when parents went to talk to the administration about their concerns over the teachers being switched out almost every two months they were blown off. Lastly, the school held a contest to get teachers to come and make a positive comment about the school for their names to be placed into a contest for a paid early day off. There is not adequate security at that location and subpar to their main location in San Marino. I had the opportunity to get to know numerous parents and a large number changed schools or planned on changing. I loved the teachers, just felt they neglect this location, and the parents with it.
--Submitted by a parent

This is such a great school, my 5 year old son goes to their kindergarten and my two year old daughter is in preschool. I find that the teachers know both of my kids in side and out, they know their development, both academically and socially and base their lessons off of that My son is doing so well, he knows how to do multiplication and division and my daughter has learned all of her letters and numbers. This is a wonderful school with caring staff.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter had been in SMM for 2.5 years before she went to 1st grade. We love the school. We were always surprised how much she learned at school. The teachers are very caring and patient. Although the student/teacher ratio is high, kids are always kept busy by learning. Compared to some expensive daycare, this school is definitely a better choice.
--Submitted by a parent