Richardson Montessori Academy

Richardson Montessori Academy: Good education but there is no communication between parents and staff (unless there is a big problem). These people who run the school are after the money. I had to remove my son from this school. No more comments!!! Hopefully you do your research on this school before making a decision to bring your kids here.
—Submitted by a parent

My grandson has been to Mendenhall , Richardson Academy, Hunnington and now Concordia. I feel that it was a wasted year at Richardson Academy. There is no communication between parents and the leadership, who run the Academy. I put him in Hunnington Learning Center to catch up the year he lost at Richardson Academy. As for parent involvement, leadership would not allow the parents to get involved. They refused to have parent -teacher conferences. I am suprised they are still open. I would actually give them 0 stars but I don't want you to think I forgot to rate them.
—Submitted by a parent

This "school" in a nut shell has the potential to develop into an excellent academic platform, however I feel it is inappropriately staffed and the campus is very open and somewhat unsecure. I, as a parent of now a kindergarden student and still now the 3rd week of school have not met the teacher. I have called and inquired personally my concern and rqst to atleast be able to identify the teacher that's been assigned as my child educational instructor and as of yet, I have not met nor been contacted was even questioned as to why I felt the need to. Encouraged but concerned be advised.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want nice teachers and staff who do not care about your child's education then go to another school. However if you want your child to get a great education, then you may want to give this school a try. The staff can be trying at times but in the end, your child learns. And ultimately, that's what is expected of s school. I checked their school grade this year and they received an 'A'.
—Submitted by a parent

I honestly love this school and how the kids are taught. So please do not listen to these disgruntled parents complaining about this school. They are the same ones that will hold their child back in life. Mrs. Brumfiled has been an educator for several years and requires each parent to do their job at home with their child to help them excel. TRMA is not a daycare as some parents would like to think. I just wished I had known about this school when my son attended elementary. Real reason they are disgruntled is due to the fact one year, the graduation ceremony was delayed due to issues with Hills borough County Schools. The teachers there do care about the children and do nurture them what they will not tolerate are rude, disobedient children and their parents. This is the same education system used in Europe to help maximize a child's learning potential.
—Submitted by a parent

I can understand a bad first impression of the Principal. She is, as she says, a woman of few words, and it took me a year to figure her out. However, my 3 youngest children have been attending this school for 3 years. I could not be happier. Yes, my children get frustrated at times. They are challenged every day, and there is no bending of the rules. Not only does this school outshine all of Florida academically, they are perparing these children for the realities of life when they become adults. Feeling warm and fuzzy about themselves isn't going to help them if they can't perform what is required of them in a real working environment, which requires self-discipline, self-control, self-governance, and respect for others, along with obeying any rules that must be followed. The Principal is, in reality, a very patient woman who cares deeply for these kids.
—Submitted by a parent

A friend of mind told me she was interested in this school until she read the reviews and was scared off. I told my friend that these reviews were all written between 04-06 and the hate focused on everything but academics because the academics at this school are challenging. There is homework every week and the children are tested regularly. The uniform rules are expected to be followed and every kid will practice being respectful to themselves and others which is a major problem with our young today. If you are looking for a school with callenging academics, one that builds character and develop children socially and culturally, this may be your place but you have to be your own judge. If you are looking for a school where you as the parent make the rules, try home school. This way you can be the teacher and the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is two grade levels behind. While attending public school he was below in every subject. His reading and writing was terrible. After failing the FCAT I removed him from public school. He struggled upon first attending this school but by the time he took the FCAT again he had excelled. He improved 150% overall. I like the academics here and have decided to place my niece here as well. My son has learned a great deal from this school. Parent involvement is requested, you must make yourself available. I have been involved as well as my older children in different activites at this school. They teach displine, self respect, responsibility, and accountability. These are things that children will need in order to function properly in this society. School is about learning not playing.
—Submitted by Anissa, a parent

This School is terrible. They are very lazy with homework assignments, they give you a very large packet and your supose to do this packet with a multi child family? My child felt like it was a test everyday. The reasearch was too hard for my child. Then they would have no homework at all. My child gets free lunch, not Here. I was told to pack a lunch every day,that means snack too? They inform you about activities at the last minute. I like the teaching stylebut not all the crap that came with it.Not allowed on the grounds without permission first,Why?
—Submitted by a parent

I would not recoment this school to any parent. my children attended and they were miserable. We could not wait for the year to end. the principle lacks the people skill and the knowledge to run a school. this is not a school it is a 'prison' I took them out and place them in another public school those kids have blooson into very happy kids who love school. If you love your child you would look for another school. the teachers have to follow the rules of the principal so I could not blame them for the way they handle the kids. also there is a lot of turn over she gets good teachers and assistant and the principal just talks to them like they were 5 years old. a very difficult person to deal with. not a good school. don't allow parents to visit with out an appointment. terrible. jp
—Submitted by a parent

We were very dissapointed with our experience at the Richardson Academy. The school fouces on proper uniform rather than the educational progress of the student. Students are not allowed to voice opinions or feelings. The faculty was very reluctant to provide feedback regarding the progress of our child. The only time we recieved communication about our child was if he was not in proper uniform. If uniform is important to you and your child, this school may be a good choice. If academics and your child's self esteem are important to you, this is not the school to consider!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a terrible school. Do not choose this school! The principal speaks to the parents as if they were young children. No one is friendly or suportive.
—Submitted by Jennifer, a parent

This school has been great for children who have had a hard time time learning in a regular classroom setting. The provides a well-rounded education by addressing the academic, social, emotional, physical and moral needs of each child. The children are provided with hands-on materials that enable them to to learn math, language science, and history, while at the same time, developing intellectual curisity, self-respect, and respect for the world around them. Instructors give small group lessons or one-onone lessons, and then monitor the children's progress as the complete projects on their own at their own pace.
—Submitted by a staff

I hate this school. The principle is hostile and unavailable. The teachers are not nurturing an environment conducive to successful learning. Although the students are exposed to and learn a lot of different things, it is often under stressful conditions.
—Submitted by a parent