Primanti Montessori School-Whittier

This school really is a hidden gem! Teachers are extremely caring and feel like family. I doubt you would be able to find the kind of dedication to fanning the individual flames of the love of learning from any other school but a true Montessori. They have supported my child so well he scored in the 97th percentile Nationally last year and went on to test at the talent search level and has been accepted to Johns Hopkins University CTY for BOTH verbal and quantitative scores. I don't know what the previous parent review is talking about when saying the Montessori Method gives a "lopsided education" Obviously the proof is in the pudding as far as I am concerned. The office staff is extremely caring and friendly and I've NEVER had a problem with accounting. This true quality education is worth every single penny we have invested toward our child's future and we are so grateful to have been fortunate enough to have had our child attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Rude, inconsistent and clueless. Office staff is whiny and blames others for their shortcomings. Accounting department is disinterested in customer service. The Montesori method produces a strange, lopsided education. Send your kids to Carden, Whittier Christian or Heights instead. Homeschool would also be a less agrivating option.

I have a 4 year old who has benefited from this school both socially and academically. I feel that the staff here is above average, although I am happy with the relationship between my child and her teacher, it could be more professional in the office. I feel like my child is challenged enough for a pre-k level student. She has a better vocabulary, does addition with large numbers, writes words and is learning to read words. I cannot say about parent involvement, however I notice some parents who have the time, put a lot of effort into classroom activities. If I had the time, I can see many ways to be more involved, as a parent.
—Submitted by a parent

My 3 children have been attending this school since my 5th grader was in pre-k. The teachers have somehow managed to inject each one with a love of learning. All 3 have read and become versed in addition, subtraction and some multiplication before first grade. They are encouraged to be productive and mindful members of their community. Thanks in large part to the multi-age classrooms, they practice cooperation and teaching to the younger students. The teachers and staff always treat the children (and parents) with courtesy and respect. The office staff kindly tend to the children when they are sent to the office for the slightest fever or tummy ache. I have seen (first-hand) how the keys to the observation room are checked out and NO ONE warns the teachers. (The office staff is too busy to make extra phone calls.) I have witnessed upper elementary students present biometric equations and explain human physiological systems in front of an audience. The academics at this school cannot be questioned. I highly recommend this school and encourage all of you to come visit.
—Submitted by a parent

All that truly matters at the end of the day is that my daughter loves her school and she wakes up every day wanting to go to school that is all that matters! They are going to preschool not college. She is involved in other activities and is very healthy socially and she is a very independent little girl. She is social outside of school as well she is involved in dance and soccer this school is not her only world. Everything that was said in the prior post is simply subjective and I am not an employee you can report this and have them check it out. My daughter does talk and she ca tell me all about her day at school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'll be blunt and honest: this school lacks in quality education and care. We sent our daughter here in hopes that she would develop socially, become more confident, and learn quality academics. Quite the opposite. Our daughter's teacher sat in a rolling chair all day and motioned for the kids to come to her. The younger kids are often ignored--since the teacher is focusing on the older kids kinder curriculum--and they become bored and disengaged. The age combo is usually praised amongst the montessori method; however, the older kids are often bossy, rude, and intentionally intimidating to the little ones. Our daughter's self-esteem began to diminish--and she wasn't learning too much either. Our daughter claimed the school was boring and she "didn't want to go back." Her teacher said she didn't have time to read to the kids each day! How can one run an early ed program with minimal exposure to literacy!!! The program lacks in quality and essential standards! The "director" is clueless and seems absentminded. The office manager is rude and unprofessional with a false sense of superiority. Don't believe the observation hype; the teachers are notified each time they are being observed
—Submitted by a parent

Enrolling my kids at Primanti Montessori School is truely one of the best decisions I have ever made for my kids. If you are looking for a great group of people who will sincerely care about your child's success, consider giving Primanti a call and visit the school.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Primanit Montessor are wonderful and caring instructors. They really care about their students and work very hard to providie a possitive experience for the students. However, the materials and equipment provided for the school are below satisfactory. New Montessori material should be added and sport /recreational equipment is needed for the upper elementary students.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son, a near-perfect student, was expelled because we tried to organize a PTA. If you are a prospective parent, I encourage you to inquire with the administration about their policy on Parent Groups. If you don't believe an open door policy can replace an organized, open and in/formal parent's group, please tell them this. They have hurt my son by pushing him out, have rended his relationship with friends and have not cared about his education and if we will be able to find placement for him elsewhere, at the last minute. We are heartbroken.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending Primanti Montesorri since she was 3yrs. She has become such an independent and nurturing little girl. She is doing things that surprise my husband and I each day. She is now in Kindergarten there and is doing cursive writing, reading, writing short paragraph stories on her own, she knows her numbers well over the 100's, she knows how to double digit substraction and additons in the thousands, she is learning history, culture, doing hands on activities and more importantly she is confident in doing her work in class and at home (yes! she has homework and she enjoys it! fantastic). socially she is doing great and I get compliments on how she is so helpful with the little ones! Overall, Montessori and the philosphies fit within our family and more importantly it gives my daughter the opportunity to enjoy learning, socializing, and becoming independent!
—Submitted by a parent

My son started when he was 2, now 4 and academically advanced for his age. Great school and most of all my son loves going to school, that alone says enough of both the teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends Primanti Montessori School and has been for the past four years. I can't say enough about how great of a school it is. Teachers and staff are very attentive to students and their needs. This is one big family with all members doing thier part to create such a nurturing and positive environment for my child and others alike. Not to mention that my daughter scored 3 grades above grade level on state the mandated test.
—Submitted by a parent

I have withdrawn my daughter from this school. Last year I had two observations of my daughter's classroom, the teachers looked impatient and there wasn't enough positive interaction between teachers and children. Children watched too much Disney movie DVD at this school. In my opinion children shouldn't watch any TV or DVD at school. Some teachers are ok but some are not, depending on your luck. At the office, Isabel is helpful and polite.
—Submitted by a parent

I started my child at Primanti for preschool and we like it so much we kept her here. She is now in 3rd grade and is far exceeding my expectations academically, emotionally and socially. Primanti staff and teachers are wonderful!
—Submitted by a parent

This is by far a great school to enroll your child in. I have a Pre-kindergardener who is learning to read. I also have a 1st grader who I can say is reading at least at a second grade level. This school is awesome!
—Submitted by a parent

I am fortunate to have found such a great school with high academic standards and a caring staff. Among many other things, my three year old has learned how to write his name, numbers, knows his continents and has already begun doing basic arithmetic. Thank You Primanti!
—Submitted by a parent