Montessori Peaks Charter Academy

I have 2 childrens at MPA. This is our 5th year at the school. I am an educator and have 2 other children who did not attend MPA. I have been in many elementary schools and feel the the amount of bullying at MPA is very low. When I have seen it, it was dealt with immediately and effectively. In my experience the multi-age grouping of students is what helps with bullying. Also, the montessori method of teaching math is exceptional. As a teacher, I am very happy with the math curriculum that my children have been exposed to at MPA. I love the Principal - the best I have seen. This school a great fit for my kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Agree with last poster. MPA is VERY behind esp. in math. Whomever posted that hit it dead on. It is disheartening to know that so many people are blinded by the deception, lies, and unrealistic hopes MPA pretends exist. Hey, we fell for them too-initially ... although we were skeptical the entire time we were there. Bullying does occur. It mainly surfaces and is tolerated from the children of those who volunteer the most hours. If you have a problem with the bullying, clearly you do not volunteer enough time or money!
--Submitted by a parent

This was not a good experience for us either. What hurts the most is that we tried to make it work. Do check out all of your options. Good schools do exist in Jeffco. There are many great schools out there. We are happier this fall. Worst decision we ever made was sending our child here.
--Submitted by a parent

So glad that we have decided to move on. Should have done so many years ago. Leaving was the best decision we made.
--Submitted by a parent

Sadly, both my sons are now done with Montessori. My olders left 2010 and my youngest finished in May. My youngest son, as well as a few of his classmates we deeply saddened to leave. They have both moved on to Middle School now and it is amazing to see how the Montessori method has taought them to think for themselves. I was worried there might be adjustment issues going from a single classroom to different classes, but it seems they have no issue. They get their required assignments and get to work. The only sad thing is that these teachers (middle school) have NO time to work with the children at ALL. They have to rush through the material, unlike teachers at Montessori that were able to teach the children and then let them learn.
--Submitted by a parent

Here are the results for my 3 children. All three started in Primary and two completed sixth grade there. MPA prepared them well to be responsible self-motivated learners who love to learn. After MPA one excelled in her art magnet Denver school with 5.0 + gpa leaving there after 9th grade and excelled at her international high school graduating this year with honors & awards and 4.0 + gpa and was accepted at selective universities & was offered 4 scholarships including a full ride. The second excelled at her Jefferson County gifted program middle school and is now excelling at her international high school. The third who left MPA after 4th grade due to our move continues to score in 98th and 99th percentile (compared to US students) in reading and science. When she began her 5th grade year she scored at 99 percentile for math having only had Montessori math before that. These details are so you can see how successful the Montessori program as delivered by MPA can be for a student who comes ready to learn and starts the program in Primary & continues the program. There are other ways to measure quality but by this you can see how the transition to more traditional schools went.
--Submitted by a parent

I am sure that all people have different experiences due to their own personal issues, but I have NEVER witnessed bullying at MPA, and I have had my daughter there for three years now (PK, K and now 1st grade). Montessori is not for every child, but if you have a child who can be taught to be self-reliant and be responsible for their own actions, you will be pleased. The principal is the best I have ever dealt with. I did have a problem with my daughter's glasses being broken (by accident) in PK, and it was taken care of within hours to my satisfaction. She will take as much time with you as you need. My daughter's teacher is a very high-expectations teacher, and I have full confidence that she will be well-prepared for the Upper Elementary level. I am grateful every day that my daughter was accepted into this school--especially after spending some time in regular public schools in the area.
--Submitted by a parent

The best decision we ever made was leaving. The gt program they try and promote is not a recognized gt program... And yes, there is bullying here. Agree with all of the dissatisfied posts.
--Submitted by a parent

AsMPA parents, we were thrilled to hear that MPA won the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award, an honor awarded to only a few schools in the state. Let's use real benchmarks and not slander to rate this school. We are incredibly satisfied with the quality of the teachers and staff.
--Submitted by a parent

MPA is a haven for rampant bullying and cronyism among the staff and administration. Our children were terrified in tthis hostile and unsafe environment. They have thrived academically and socially in their new school.
--Submitted by a parent