Santa Fe Montessori School

We love Santa Fe Montessori. The teaching staff members are all phenomenal. The atmosphere of the school is calm, focused, and peaceful. I have sent all three of my children through the Toddler Program and Children's House. We researched many other pre-schools and feel completely confident that we made the right choice. My feelings are only reinforced when I visit other pre-schools. I can't speak to the elementary school, but the Toddler Program and Children's House are both wonderful. The teaching methodology encourages independence and freedom within a very safe structure. The teachers are kind and respectful. YES, there have been problems with the Board of Directors, but I am grateful to the devoted parents and the incredible teachers who are working to turn those historical problems around. I recommend this school highly.
--Submitted by a parent

I am not confident that my child will be safe at SFMS. There were two occasions so far during the 2011-12 school year when the new Head of School closed school without properly notifying parents (in early September and early January). Because so many parents had not been notified about the changes to the official school calendar, the parking lots were full of cars and everything looked normal, except that all the buildings were locked and there were no teachers or staff or the Head of School anywhere! Elementary students were dropped off and stranded on campus, left in the hands of random parents wandering around campus trying to figure out what was going on. When the Head of School was notified she blamed the parents and teachers, and took no personal responsibility for what happened, and DIDN'T EVEN DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THE SECOND TIME!!! Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. There are plenty of other great Montessori schools in the area (Mission Bay Montessori, Maria Montessori, Scripps Montessori, Encinitas Country Day, Montessori Arts and Sciences, ...), and as a bonus, many of them even charge lower tuition. There's no reason to send your child to SFMS.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children currently attending SFMS - one in Children's House and one in Junior I. Their teachers are wonderful and caring. Both kids are thriving - socially, emotionally and academically. The school has been going through significant change in the last year. Change can be hard on all involved. We have a strong Parents Association working hard to support our great teachers and improve communications. There is also a strong focus on the future from the administration/Board of Directors. I see steps forward in the right direction and look forward to amending my rating to 5 stars when the school reaches its full potential. I know this will happen soon. Full disclosure: In addition to being a concerned parent, I am also an active member of the PA and a newly elected parent member of the Board. I decided to volunteer as I believe strong parent involvement is one key part of the success of any school. This school has much to offer and looks forward to a bright future.
--Submitted by a parent

Most of the teachers are great, many of the parents are involved, but the school's leadership is remote and hands-off, so teachers are on their own to manage their class and students without support or guidance from above. This means some teachers make poor decisions and no one is there to help guide them, and teachers who make fantastic decisions are working in a vacuum. Last year some disgruntled teachers encouraged parents to send their children elsewhere and as a result enrollment for this year dropped 25%. In addition, all of the upper level teachers and students chose not to return and the school now only goes up to 3rd grade.
--Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough great things about this school. Our 2 daughters are in the Elementary 1 and Toddler program. We came here because our older daughter wasn't getting the education she needed in public school Kindergarten. Although we had never intended to pay for private school after preschool, coming to SFMS was the best decision we made. She is excited again about learning, doesn't say "I hate school" everyday, and isn't being "dumbed" down because she has surpassed the standard public school curriculum. Her teachers are phenomenal - very caring and nurturing. They have helped to foster her independence, respect for others, self-motivation, and self-direction. At 6.5yo, she is able to read chapter books, do single digit simple multiplication, touch type, learns Spanish and other interesting things such as the parts of a protozoa and Native American Indians. This is the best kept secret for getting the most out of your money if investing in a private education.
--Submitted by a parent

My wonderful 3 year old son has been at this school for just two months. The same child has struck him in the face three times, and there has been no disciplinary action, other than two "ouch reports" and a "boys will be boys" shrug off. The teachers here seem good, but what does that matter when you don t feel safe, not only sending, but PAYING to send your child to a place where continued physical aggression is met with glib insouciance. The real problem resides administratively. There is no bullying policy (AMS requires one, but SFM is not accredited, just mentions "they abide by" to get around the lack of accreditation but utilize the brand.) In addition to having no policy in place for hitting, there is weak emergency planning, confusing parent-teacher communications, and most frustrating, a smug lack of accountability, culpability, and a sense of initiative in getting organized, modernized and compliant with AMS code. Hello, Encinitas Country Day.
--Submitted by a parent

We re very disappointed about our preschool experience at Santa Fe Montessori School. We believed in the Montessori philosophy that kids aged 3 through 6 could be together in the same classroom, with the older kids mentoring the younger kids. However, the majority of kids enrolled in Children s House are 3 years old; there are few 5-6 year olds because they have left. This throws off the classroom dynamics. The teachers can't control their classrooms, and classrooms can be loud with yelling and crying. This will get worse before it gets better because the toddler classrooms at SFMS are the only ones with wait lists, so the school will move toddlers to CH before they are ready in order to create openings for new toddlers. Our CH teacher only worked with a few favorite kids on a regular basis; the others received little guidance or compassion. Learning to read was handled by parents, not teachers. I feel strongly that a skill as important as reading should be taught by the teacher, not a parent. There is very little discipline at SFMS and what discipline they provide is not effective. Academics are taught, but not social skills the kids will need in the future.
--Submitted by a parent

The Junior 1 elementary program at SFMS is a joke. Half the kids in one of the classrooms have disabilities. The other classroom is staffed with teachers who are basically glorified public school teachers. You'd be better off saving your money and sending your kids to a public school. They'll learn more and will be with normal kids. They should stop calling themselves a Montessori school. They are not! Not once the whole year was my child given a presentation with Montessori materials. It's all math etc. from workbooks. Heck, I can teach my kid from workbooks at home!! This is place is second rate.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a PhD in Early Childhood Education and I have seen many schools in SAn Diego. This is among the best. Leave your child there and have peace of mind.
--Submitted by a parent

SFMS is a wonderful school with great teachers! Both of my children have attended the elementary program and have benefited from the experience. I would highly recommend the Santa Fe Montessori School.
--Submitted by a parent