Rainbow Montessori

I have a child in V16, also. I must say that the last review is completely false. The teacher has prepared the students well for the next year. They have covered beyond the standards in almost all areas. She is organized, prepared, and is always working to make learning fun for the students. My child is very happy there. As for correcting each other's homework, I know that this is a practice done in other classes also. Laps are also used by other classes. Teachers need some recourse when dealing with discipline. I am extremely lucky to have had this teacher for my child. My child will not only be prepared for the 5th grade but will also have respect for those around them. Thank you for everything you do. My child is extremely happy and has never complained...they love their teacher!!
--Submitted by a parent

I was so disappointed about the fourth grade teacher in V16.She did not have any experience in montessori philosophy and she was so rude to the kids.The classroom was in chaos and she did not teach math,spelling,language very well.The students had to correct the other kids homework.She punished the kids by giving them quizzes or tests daily.The worst thing was the several laps during recess.Some students were assigned by the teacher to be monitors and they had the authority to punish other students with additional laps.The class environment was so hostile.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family has had children attending Rainbow for nearly a decade. Sometimes we made teacher requests and sometimes did not. In all cases, we have been extremely satisfied by the caring and committed teachers who have worked with our children. If you have concerns about something happening in your child's class, please talk with your child's teacher directly. It is harmful for the whole community to position the teachers in opposition to one another. We have a child in L8 kindergarten now, and we are very happy with the progress she is making in all academic, social, and emotional areas. Do we finish the homework on time every week? No. We check in with the teacher regularly and let her know what we are and are not doing regarding homework. She has always been very supportive and kind. As a whole, we appreciate the increased number of field trips and assemblies we've seen across all grade levels in recent years. We are not supportive of the pending changes to the school dress code requiring skirts for girls and ties and dress shirts for all on Mondays and field trip days. We believe this must be repealed because it is discriminatory and not aligned with Montessori philosophy.
--Submitted by a parent

Well said by another parent below - KG class doesn't define their success in life, but stress at age 5 can lead to problems in life. Parents, you know your kid the best, first figure out what will make your kid happy and then decide. Final note: yes, teachers do matter, but please do not completely rely on outsiders to work on your kids.
--Submitted by a parent

I guess the review posted earlier today said it all. Natalie is good and so as Lily, Padma and Sora. Its so funny that only L8 parents (including me, I am a L8 alumni) are posting reviews here and other class parents don't even feel the need to justify or criticize their choices :) Its not about Boi or Natalie or Subhra, its about you and your child. Do not go with the hype - All that glitters is not gold and all that is gold does not glitter! Do your homework, ask the right questions and make a choice for your kid. Whatever you decide will be best for your kid.
--Submitted by a parent

Parents have to understand one thing-be happy you can still choose the class in this school.Ms.Natalie is a strong teacher for K who loves her children as she loves her work.Ms.Shubadha is the best for Elementary 1-3 grades. She teaches children with passion and knowledge.Ms.Preety is amazing for 3d Grade. Ms.Alexis is 4th. My daughter was in L8,V3 and V15. Got the best set of love and academics together. We are very happy with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My kid went to L8. L8 vs any other class is like Challenger vs Stratford. There is no right or wrong choice. L8 is another Challenger. If you like Challenger, you will love L8. Else you'll keep debating your choice through out the year. Ms Natalie likes to treat kids as adults so they become more independent and confident. Which is good but again not for everyone. If you want little bit more nurturing and caring environment, L8 may not be the right place. As others said, L8 is neither a bad class nor worth the hype it has. Natalie is good but she does not have a magic wand. Some kids will bloom in L8, other wil hide in their shell or become robots! Do not be discouraged if your kid doesn't fit in that culture and if you & your kid loved the class, please do not criticize others who did not have the same experience as you did. Its just KG, kids have whole life to learn things. KG class doesn't define their success in life, but stress at age 5 can lead to problems in life. Parents, you know your kid the best, first figure out what will make your kid happy and then decide. Final note: yes, teachers do matter, but please do not completely rely on outsiders to work on your kids.
--Submitted by a parent

There is a clear disconnect between what the school says and what it does and it needs to be fixed quickly. My child is often in the class on time but the teacher is busy chatting with parents until past 9 AM on any day. In L8 my child is rarely greeted to walk in while I can stand and talk irrelevant things. In any other classroom the teacher meets and greets the child and sends off the parents. If they want to speak with the teacher they can schedule a parent teacher meeting. However in L8 parents hangout in front of the classroom and gossip. The teacher is busy socializing while the children are asked to keep themselves engaged with some books. I find it offensive that the previous posting says that the teacher does not teach until 9:15. My child is just sitting in the class during the best part of the day? What is Ms Boi doing about it?
--Submitted by a parent

We feel tardy slip nuesense is going on. Ms Natalie is helping said she wont start class till 9:15 AM but we got tardy for coming in 8:42. Why is school giving tardy if class dont start? The parking is very bad and that make us late.
--Submitted by a parent

My son went to L8 2010-2011. We chose L8 because of its hype and personally never had any issues. L8 is - Highly academic oriented and 'Some' kids in L8 read at 2nd grade level! Highly disciplined - If kids make any mistake they are given punishment right away - miss lunch or recess. So, yes, Highly Disciplined! Teacher is awesome in polishing kids who are already advanced as my son, but if your kid is little behind, he\she will get ample opportunities to feel embarrassed and have low self esteem! Kids do lot of work here. In their 8 hrs, recess or nap time is the only break they get for most of the days! This class produces Robots! As a parent, you have to ask yourself what's more important to you that your 5 year old spend whole week and weekend doing lot of Hardwork (NOT smart work) or have some balanced life! If first, go for L8, there is no other place in entire bay area that's better in academics. But if your child's smile is more important - pick some other class. @Rainbow or outside. Your call! We did not pull out our son, but looking back, we definitely regret going with the hype and putting our kid thru that environment at the tender age of 5!
--Submitted by a parent