Carolyn Barron Montessori School

The program at Carolyn Barron Montessori School is excellent. We love our teacher. Our son has learned and developed so much in the few short months he has been enrolled. We are very happy!
—Submitted by a parent

Went to Open House this week at CBMS!!! FABULOUS!!!! Beautiful grounds and buildings. I was so impressed with the professionalism of the staff, Director and even board members were there. We left this school because it was completely mismanaged by the previous director. She was unfair, uncaring, practiced favoritism and sought revenge on anyone who did not share her opinions. Her power trip is over, and we can now retuen to this school we have loved for so long. Everything is bright, clean and well cared for and well managed. We are so happy and look forward to being back at CBMS. Out with the old!!! In with the new and an even better next 20 years for CBMS!!!!!!

Our son's first exposure to school was in Pre-K level here at CBMS. We are so pleased with the way he has developed and blossomed under the loving care of the teachers and staff at CBMS. We couldn't be happier and plan on enrolling him for upcoming years.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an exceptional school. It has a committed, highly educated, and very experienced board of directors at the helm. They are supported by a director with decades of experience and a proven track record. The staff and teachers are very experienced and passionate about the students. All these factors coupled with an intense focus on the Montessori method and the joy of learning promote an excellent learning environment. Our children, as well as their peers, are far ahead of their private and public school counterparts. While other private schools are struggling and have shrinking enrollment, CBMS is quickly growing because results speak for themselves.
—Submitted by a parent

CBMS reignited my child s love of learning. He attended Kindergarten at another private school and became full of anxiety over all the things he couldn't do. He was easily frustrated when trying to read and inconsolable when trying to write. Rather than looking forward to 1st grade, he was terrified. We did summer camp at CBMS and then enrolled. It didn t even take a week for the light in his eyes to return. It was the most amazing and wonderful thing to see. He was excited to go to school! Within a couple months he was reading and writing with greater ease and confidence. Now as a 2nd year, he is reading at a 5th grade level, but what is more important, he just loves to learn. He is interested and engaged. In addition, he understands that being part of a family and part of a community means everyone contributes for mutual benefit, chores are done because they need to be done. Socially, he is able to work through disagreements with his friends and devise solutions with little to no adult involvement needed. There are many other positive things to say about this little school, but first and foremost I credit this school with saving my child s educational career.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school that is filled with new learning opportunities for my son on a daily basis. He enjoys every day and I love hearing the excitement in his voice when he tells me about his day.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended CBMS since he was 21 months old, and he is now almost 7 and in the Elementary classroom. There has indeed been a good deal of staff turnover in the last several years, but I feel confident that a lot of the change has been for the best and that there is an excellent group of staff established now. If you have never observed a Montessori classroom, I would urge you to do so. When you see the calm, focused environment for the preschool age children, you will know that some of the stereotypes you have heard about Montessori ("the kids just run around and do whatever they want!") are totally false. As far as the Elementary environment, picture your child being able to alternate between doing individual work, participating in a group lesson, and working in pairs with kids who are older or younger, all in an environment that is cozy, soothing, and structured with the child's needs in mind. The learning is totally individualized to your child, and the focus is on helping the child be a self-motivated, independent, and excited learner.
—Submitted by a parent

We are only 1 week in to the new school year and my husband and I are confident that we made the correct decision to move my son out of public school. He always made good grades but was bored and not challenged and now he has come home every day and tells me about all of the new things he has learned and that he is happy.
—Submitted by a parent

It is sad to hear that the administrator has left. I understand , however, that her reassons were to continue her children's Montessori experience. That of course speaks volumes to her commitment to Montessorri. I have seen unfortunately first hand the treatment she has received, and I personally wish others would not have treated her with such hateful hearts. I am hopeful that her passion and dedication will remain the thread of the current parents and staff. Best wishes to her and her families future.

The director has devoted her life to the school. It's sad to see a personal vendetta come to this.
—Submitted by a parent

Oh my! I just saw the post about our administration change. I am a staff member at CBMS and am very sad to lose our current director. She has been a great influence and support to me professionally. This is a very stable working environment, and the vision of the school is always about the children. I see thriving children all around me, and I am so grateful to be a part of their lives. Change is hard, but the structure and culture established here will carry us through finding a new director. I can speak as a parent as well; this is where you want your child! CBMS is a true gem in Newnan.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son has been attending CBMS for the last two years. I am constantly amazed by what he has learned and continues to learn. There have been several changes to the administration and staff throughout our time here. Change is always hard, but I know that this school is for the CHILDREN. Everything CBMS does is to ensure that the children have the best education possible. I can't imagine my son attending school anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the statement previous to this one.. That Montessori works best for children who can "structure themselves", but those who need alittle direction surely will not receive it at CBMS of Newnan. The teachers can't even communicate well with the parents. Effective communication is not their strong point at all. My only regret was that we did not pull him from this school after toddler class. We let him move up into a class when we should of taken him out. With little or no assistance from the teachers themselves, your child will not strive well at this school, unless he/she is already structured driven. They offer no assistance for children who need alittle structure help. The teachers, like I said before, can't even communicate with parents so how then are they teaching our kids?
—Submitted by a parent

Montessori works best with children that have the drive, focus, and discipline to organize their daily activities themselves. Montessori did not work well for my son because he likes structure, prefers routine and a predictable schedule. And after a full year at Montessori, the teachers failed miserably in teaching him to effectively organize his own time. There were some internal personality conflicts among the teachers that were all too evident. They desperately attempted to show everyone what a special, warm community Montessori was, but to me it came across as very fake... I liked most of the parents, who like myself, were seeking the best for their children; they did an excellent job volunteering and helping out, and that experience did seem genuine...! Academically, my son learned more at his next school in one month, than after a full year at Montessori. This, despite some excellent hands-on teaching tools, which I would imagine are great when used by the right teachers. I felt the greatest asset that school had was their Science teacher, who unfortunately taught only older children. It was a pleasure to meet her.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a horrible experience where the teacher yelled at my daughter to the point, my daughter was afraid to ask to go to the restroom. She sat in her own urine for God knows how long, only to be buckled into my car by her teacher who didn't noticed my child was wet!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is so amazing. Both my children attend and are learning to be intelligent, compassionate, independent and resourceful people. The entire staff cares so deeply for my kids, I would never consider anywhere else. Please go visit and see how amazing it is for yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a FANTASTIC school! We have been a part of this school through good times and tough times as well. It never seems to surprise me that when people don't get their way, they choose to attack and bring down others in attempts to make people upset. The negative comments clearly are coming from people that are challenged to see what greatness has become of this school. Our administration and current teaching staff are exceptional, and I am thankful each of these individuals have a place in my child's life. Having come from a public, traditional school, I am amazed at the care and commitment the director of the school has for the families and especially the children. Seeing how she has handled adversity by losing staff and how she managed to select such wonderful replacements speaks volumes of her passion for this program. Be smart and go see for yourself. You would wise to select this community for your child.
—Submitted by a parent

NO LONGER A GOOD SCHOOL. this school was absolutely amazing, 5 yrs ago. both of my children started in the toddler program and flourished under the supervision of an extraordinary primary teacher, who was forced out during the middle of the year. low enrollment and horrible admin. will leave this school as a failure.
—Submitted by a parent

In response to the 4-5 teachers leaving...in droves? Let's see...one moved to be closer to her aging parents, one had a medical problem that required her to leave, one left as she said she always would...when her kids completed their years at CBMS and one left because she believed that teaching was not for her...wanted to stay home with her kids, and the last one left because she was commuting from north Atlanta - spending week nights in Newnan - dividing up her family. So...how does this reflect badly on the school? It does not even reflect badly on the teachers except for the one who was obviously not cut out for the profession. CBMS is the better for her leaving. Go check out ANY school...see what the reasons are for teachers moving around. Get the story straight - get the whole story before you post something. I think you might be chewing on some sour grapes.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not send your child to this school! Students and teachers alike are leaving in droves due to the poor management. I predict in a year or two it will be closed down for good.
—Submitted by a parent