Montessori School of Denver

To be brief, the teachers are dedicated, the administration is cold and quite full of themselves and the campus is beautiful.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at MSD several years and absolutely love it. The teachers are incredibly skilled and supportive, and my son is learning things in kindergarten that my other son (who is in a HGT program at another school) didn't learn until later. The school helps facilitate a true love of learning, and has a supportive community of engaged parents. The Montessori approach is amazing - we couldn't be happier and are planning on staying through 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

This school look good but it is not a great school. If you have any issues, the teacher and admin will listen, but nothing will be done. The parent population is very cliquey and you can not voice your opinion. Your child needs to be the norm to do well here however, if your child has any issues or need a little attention, they will not receive it and they will be ignored.
—Submitted by a parent

I didn't have a great experience with this school. There is no real solid academics to speak of. The main concentration is on social skills. Your child will be very polite when leavening the school, but it doesn't go much beyond that. We are leavening MSD & to my surprise my child is behind in reading, spelling, & math. She was never exposed to Everyday Math & her new school is very involved in it. This whole summer I have had to do tutoring in reading & math. If you are looking into this school, make sure you have your child regularly evaluated by someone outside of the MSD system. MSD is also huge on contributions. You will receive NUMEROUS e-mails and flyers about donations. It's over the top and they make you feel like it's mandatory. I would only recommend MSD for 3 yr. old to pre-school, but then I would highly suggest moving to a different. school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love MSD -- there is a great community, the parents and staff are engaged and fun! And most of all, it is a terrific place for developing curious minds. My two kids, both very different learners, have been challenged and supported year after year. My oldest, now in 7th grade (MSD only goes through 6th grade) is probably at least two years ahead of his peers academically. But what we treasure is the love of learning our boys now both have.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not a parent involved with other parents at the school to any great degree-that is an option at MSD, but not a requirement for a positive experience. My 2 children, who are very different learners, have both had a wonderful education and have thrived in the loving environment of MSD. These very involved teachers know my children, care deeply for them, have expectations and tools to help them reach goals and love learning. This has been the best possible foundation for middle school and beyond. My son matriculated to a public environment and has thrived socially and academically.
—Submitted by a parent

In a word: AWESOME. My kindergartner just finished a year at MSD, and he and his classmates were doing multiplication, division, and fractions.
—Submitted by a parent

MSD is a great school. The teachers are awesome, and so are the students. The teachers let you explore create and learn. I am in Upper Elementary, our head of school is Stephanie Flanigan. Every day I love to go to school. they have classes and experiences you will not have at any other school.
—Submitted by a student

MSD falls short on 2 key factors. 1. All ages should receive 3 hours of uninterrupted work. At MSD they are really only getting about 2 hours in the morning with the rest of the time spent on the playground and line time. 2. Extended primary for ages 5 and 6 gives the advanced primary student more time for work in the afternoon with smaller peer groups. What really happens is your 5 year old who misses the arbitrary age cutoff is sent to another classroom to 'rest' with other kids, some 4 year olds, who don't require the sleep offered in the nap room. There is some interaction with an assistant and work is allowed but the teachers remain with the extended primary kids in their classroom. Short staffing results in too much play time and low quality rest/work time. Anti Montessori methods from an otherwise excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter used to fake every illness to get out of going to school. Since starting at MSD 3 years ago she is the happy, energetic, engaged child we were missing. The environment is structured yet individualized, and kids are encouraged to find and explore their passions. Teachers are amazing. GREAT school - we couldn't be happier!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved both our kids to MSD and are thrilled with the decision. In our experience three main things set the school apart: 1. exceptional leadership - head of school is committed, smart and engaged 2. Exceptional teachers / philosophy - each of the teachers we've had have been part of the school for years, and are creative, warm and dedicated. They always work to bring out the best in the kids 3. commitment to the mission - which is integrated into all activities and curriculum. This delightful school delivers on what it says, and our kids are thriving!
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has been a part of the MSD community going on six years. MSD is truly a gem! We currently have two children at the school, and are confident that they are receiving a top notch education. My children look forward to going to school every day. They come home with excitement and passionate stories about what they've learned during their day. My children are very different, and the education they receive at MSD has complimented their individual personalities, strengths, and interests. Not only are they excelling in reading, writing, and math, they are thoughtful, engaged, socially conscious, and highly attuned to the future ahead of them. We feel extremely lucky to be a part of this community on so many levels. The teachers are outstanding! The administration is devoted to creating an excellent school, and they genuinely care about their families and community.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children at MSD and could not be more pleased with our experience over the past several years. As parents, we feel incredibly fortunate to have found MSD and it is a core reason we have stayed in the Denver area. The administration and faculty treat our children like the young adults they are, fostering independence and confidence in a thoughtful and compassionate way. This school stands behind its mission statement of creating global learners who do good in the world. My children are receiving a well rounded education in the core academic subjects as well as learning how to be a good citizen, leader and group member. It is refreshing and stabilizing to see a place where our children are truly cared for and assisted in becoming capable, contributing members of our future society.
—Submitted by a parent

MSD has been the best thing I have ever done for my child. He is an articulate, compassionate, global thinker thanks to MSD. He has the knowledge that learning is fun and knows how to think rather than learning via rote memorization. Our entire family was embraced and welcomed by the MSD community, but the teachers are what really ROCKs this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been attending MSD for the past 4 years. We found the school on a recommendation of an educational consultant who thought it would be a perfect fit for our eldest child, and I am glad to report that it is! It is also a perfect fit for our 2nd child which is saying alot as they are polar opposites of each other. MSD provides a well rounded and positive and supportive educational environment where their students are not only learning to be good stewart of the world but have their math facts down too. The teacher staff is excellent and because of the low ratio of students to teachers you really have a team of educators in each class. The administration is highly accessible and knows each childs name (and parents as well). We love MSD and are thankful we found it.
—Submitted by a parent

When we were looking at schools for our child, many folks suggested MSD- but honestly I wasn't sure about the 'Montessori' aspect. When I finally went to see the school, all my preconceived ideas disappeared. Sending my child to MSD was the best choice I could have made, this was especially true last year when she was diagnosed with learning differences. I had the support and knowledge of her whole teaching staff (and the administrative staff), and continue to have it everyday. And now with their support, she is excelling and loving school. I love how she is not only learning how to read and write and do math but how they incorporate cultural and environmental and social ideas into everything. If you want a balanced, compassionate child who knows how to deal with conflict and be confident - MSD is the school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had at least one child at MSD for more than ten years. We currently have two children enrolled in the school. I feel one of my biggest jobs as a parent is to be sure my child is attending a school where he or she can thrive on all levels. MSD absolutely meets that goal. Periodically I visit other schools -- to see what's out there, to learn about various learning environments, to see other teachers and students in action. Without fail, I come away from this informal 'survey' feeling more confident than ever that MSD delivers the best experience on all levels. From reading to math to science, from good lunch options to after school programs, from social development to compassion for classmates and peers around the world -- MSD delivers.
—Submitted by a parent

My child learned 'social graces', but that's where it stops. There is no good academics to speak of. A lot of hype without any substance. If you like to hob-knob, this is the school for you. Not much beyond that.
—Submitted by a parent

We love MSD! It's a warm, secure, stimulating place for my child to learn and grow! The faculty and staff are open and helpful and caring. There is a strong sense of community which makes us feel so comfortable and welcome. I also like the emphasis on being 'green' and environmentally conscious. I can't say enough about this great place.
—Submitted by a parent

Horrible school! As an experienced parent of three sons, I can say that out of 9 schools, from preschool to high school, and over the course of 16 years of school for my kids, this was, without a doubt, the worst experience. It's actually the only school we've been a part of that we've left with negative feelings. My son's teacher was a night mare...mean, un-nuanced, dishonest. We got NO support from the administration. It's fair as Montessori's go. However, they were not careful with my son, were totally unconcerned with this little guy and his self concept. Poohey on them!!! I will never stop regretting every day we were there.
—Submitted by a parent