Maria Montessori Elementary School

We love this elementary school. The teacher:student ratio is amazing (7:1 in my daughters kindergarten class) and the teaching model is fantastic. Our daughter is happy to go to school every day and enjoys learning. We hope to stay at this school all the way through 8th grade. I just wish they had a high-school!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been attending Maria Montessori School for the past 8 years, and we love this school! My children have a passion for learning, enjoy going to school, and have made great friends. The oldest will graduate from the 8th grade this year, and we couldn't be happier with the middle school experience! She has been admitted to a private high school and has been placed in honors classes, in addition to being self-confident and comfortable expressing her views. The middle school offers an individualized education, Spanish and Mandarin language, computer instruction, and speech and debate. Students are listened to and treated with respect at all levels, and are expected to treat others with respect. Homework is reasonable and purposeful, which leaves time for the after school activity of your child's choice! This is a GREAT school!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Thought the academics are true to Montessori principles and the classroom structure is rich and appropriate, this school is unsatisfactory. Communication between the school and families is poor, inconsistent and often confusing. The administration is unprofessional and unskilled beyond the purely academic realm of Montessori education, which is surprising given the longevity of this school. Their actions are not in keeping with their mission statement and they do not honor diversity and the whole child. I would highly recommend that parents think twice before choosing this school for their children
—Submitted by a parent

My children (preschool and second grade) love MMS and so do I. As a Montessori certified school and training center, you know you are getting the real deal. Students receive individuvalized attention and at the elementary level daily and weekly work plans that are individualized. To address the mixed age complaint of a previous post, it is correct that most of the classrooms do not have the true Montessori 3 year age span. Preschool classrooms are ages 3 - 4 or 4 - 6. The elementary rooms also cover two year ranges, K-1, 1-2, etc. Children have the opportunity to be both the young ones who learn from the older children and later an older mentor to younger children. Another complaint I read in a couple of reviews was that few parents thought individualization was lacking and there was an overabundance of worksheets. My only thought is that perhaps they did not realize that the other chidren were on completely different places in their phonics work books or that the worksheets/ workbooks are extenstions of Montessori lessons children receive. The written work reflects the hands-on work. My children are challenged yet confident because they are met at their developmental level.
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE this school! The Montessori classroom really works for children and entices their natural curiosity. Our child has been here for 3 years and is THRIVING. He is happy about going to school each day. He is so motivated to learn, and loves the academic environment where his ability, not his age dictates the work. The teachers are warm, caring people who we know have our child s best interest at heart. They partner with us every step of the way, allowing our child to progress at a rate that works for him. The program is not cookie cutter where one size fits all. Rather, the teachers are so aware of where each child is academically, emotionally, and present new information at the right time. We know what is happening in the classroom and see work product sent home that demonstrates what our child is learning. Our child has become a self-starter, and we see that cross over at home as he accomplishes his daily tasks. I have been in many other schools and have witnessed classroom chaos and difficult environments you will not find that here! It is peaceful, and a place where children are respected and valued. Great environment, loving instruction, happy child!
—Submitted by a parent

I still regret that I ever sent my child to this school. The teacher's attitudes were hurtful, they want little soldiers not happy children. All they care about is how well your child can perform for them and don't want to do anything different from how a latchkey child can learn. The work was not individualized, but basically all the same worksheets and assignments, students could just choose to do them at different parts of the day. We left a few years ago and my child now loves the new school and tells me how fun it is. My child still asks me, "why did you ever make me go there?"
—Submitted by a parent

We are so happy with our overall experience with MMS. Our daughter started MMS at a young 3 year old and from the first day of school I have felt completely comfortable leaving her in this environment every day. We have been at the school for three years and have found the teachers to be nurturing, supportive and highly competent. My daughter loves going to school and we are amazed at what she is learning. I have volunteered in the classroom and overall the children are very respectful and well mannered as well as inquisitive, bright and fun. From our first visit, we just knew in our gut that this was the right place for our daughter and I have heard that same comment from many other parents.
—Submitted by a parent

MMS has far exceeded my expectations. It prepares children to be independent learners and critical thinkers. The cosmic curriculum gives them a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Besides the strong academic accomplishments the school also holds high standards in social behavior. Children are very respectful, well mannered and happy!!!! I visited several schools before enrolling my children here, it was not a close call. It was an easy decision.
—Submitted by a parent

I was surprised to read the comments in the previous school review! My children have been in this school for 10 years, pre-school through 6th grade, and it has been amazing! Every classroom has an appropriate age range, a good teacher/child ratio, and provides individualized, hands-on learning. The teachers encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. Every child is working at their own skill level and at their own pace. The teachers are totally in tune with the needs of every child, not just academically, but socially, too. The school has an atmosphere of respect between students, teachers, and administrators. I highly recommend this school!
—Submitted by a parent

Montessori is wonderful when properly executed. One would assume that a school with AMS accred. would excel. Unfort. that is not the case. Pre-K programs are not a true 3-6 mix making a classroom of 30+ with maybe one 3 yr old and one 5 yr old but mostly 4 yr olds. It quickly deteriorates more in elementary. Innovation is discouraged as disruptive. Questions are not encouraged (and often go unanswered). Children's skill levels have been severely misevaluated. It seems like the teachers don t really know the children they teach. Most of them get the same lesson and follow the same path and the teachers are not able to follow the child's interest. Many parents have pulled their children out. Although the school is academic and your children will learn a lot there is a lack of respect between teachers/students and students/students. My kids came home completely disrespectful and they knew they were not respected at school. They even picked up on how relieved the teachers seemed when school was out for the day. Comm. with parents is problematic. There are plenty of fund-raising requests, but the workings of the administration are very secretive. I would NOT recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at MME for almost ten years, and though my experience in the secondary program was unpleasant, this school STILL deserves a five star rating because that's just how amazing my Pre-k through 6th grade years were there. The programs are very rigorous but completely doable for the students of Montessori. Students really cared about submitting quality work, teachers really cared about providing everything they possibly could, and parents really cared about their children getting a good education. Montessori was not my school which I reluctantly went to for 8 hours a day, each day counting down the hours until dismissal. No, Montessori was my second home. I could describe every inch of the school if need be, and write a book about each of my classmates. The friends I made at Montessori are still to this day, the most wonderful people I know. I could go on and on about how highly I recommend this school. Sending me there was definitely one of the best decisions my parents could've made for me. Being part of the MME family was truly, truly a blessing.

I can't say enough wonderful things about MME/MMS. Our children went here from preschool through 7th grade. The only reason they didn't continue is that they wanted a bigger social experience. We would have had them complete 8th grade if it was solely up to my husband and me. The school prepared them well both academically and socially. The Math program allowed our children to take Algebra in 7th grade and they are now doing very well in 8th grade Geometry. The History program was excellent and continues to be one of our children's favorite subjects. And the Debate program improved their confidence in public speaking tremendously. Since this is a small school there are some subjects they don't have the ability to teach but everything they do is done extremely well. What is most wonderful about this school is that they taught our kids to learn. They know what is expected of them and they do it. If they don't understand something or need some help they ask us or their teachers. They recognize that learning in school can be fun but it is up to them to make it happen. This school taught them to be independent and responsible, what more can you ask for.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been a student at this school for 3 years. She started in Pre-K. I chose this school after looking at many Montessori schools in San Diego as I thought it provided a structured, peaceful learning environment. My child is being taught to think for herself, rather than being taught WHAT to think. She is stimulated but not overwhelmed. She is learning to take care of the environment. The school does have wonderful, caring teachers. I believe they really care for the children. Montessori philosophy is quite different from public school teaching and I wish all children could be taught this way. It's a great school! I highly recommend it to anyone looking to raise an intelligent, self directed, kind child.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school! Great teachers, excellent program, I interviewed 5 Montessori's before I chose this one.
—Submitted by a parent

I am absolutely amazed how well my children have advanced in just 6months. My 4year old is reading and writing! Both kids love their classes and have a new enthusiasm for learning. New to the Montessori Method, I am a huge fan and as a class volunteer, enjoy seeing the way the children are all personally encouraged. Having pulled my son from a public school environment, I am relieved that he is now receiving the attention that he deserves, he's thriving! His favorite subjects: Mandarin langage and computer. Her favorite lessons: Math and biology. A+ School!
—Submitted by a parent

We were disappointed that our child was not given the indiviudalized attention we had hoped for. Students are expected to figure things out on their own, teachers observe rather than teach. As early as kindergarten, the focus was more on photocopied worksheets and preprinted phonics books. This school is really geared for working parents who don't want to be too involved. Parent-teacher relationships are distant.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school. Great teachers!!! Can't say it enough. The teaching is very individualized and geared toward challenging your child where they are. The student teacher ratio is amazing. Only suggestion is adding some extracurricular activities - would gladly pay for them.
—Submitted by a parent

I enrolled both of my children this Fall and have been overwhelmed with the progress they have both made in such a short time. The Teachers have all been terrific and have made their adjustment easy for all of us. Academically I am extremely impressed with the school and am extremely grateful for the personal consideration and attention provided to my children. I am glad to hear that they have added 7th and 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school. My daughter has learned so much at her time in the early years, I could not be more pleased with her progress. I especially like the way the teachers' allow each child to learn at his or her own pace in a supportive yet challenging atmosphere. I plan to send my other daughter as soon as she is old enough. Highly recoomend this school!
—Submitted by a parent

Disappointing - a few good teachers, but a few bad ones who seem unable to relate maturely to kids who are more challenging.
—Submitted by a parent