Montessori School-Iowa City

The other day, my 3-year old daughter said to me "Mom, I think school is the wonderfulest place ever!" What could be a better review of the school than that? I love knowing my kids are getting a wonderful experience from an educational and developmental standpoint. It's fantastic to know that they think it's so much fun, too!
—Submitted by a parent

We would not recommend the school to friends and family at this point. There has been negative changes in place since last year. Several teachers and students have left the school since then. Please do your research before committing your children.

Our child is having a wonderful year. Montessori of Iowa City is a caring, safe, and respecful place for children. The staff are warm, welcoming, helpful and very qualified. We enjoy listening to our child share all the wonderful things she is learning. The materials and activities in the classrooms are excellent. Thank you MSIC for providing such a wonderful place for our child to learn and grow!
—Submitted by a parent

My child is currently in her third year at Montessori. In that time I have been very pleased with her social, emotional and educational development. The staff are caring, professional, respectful and very qualified. The curriculum is excellent. My child is already reading, writing, doing advanced math skills and thorougly enjoys the learning process! Most important, my child is in a safe, caring, peaceful school where she is respected as a person. I have had many conversations with the head of school and am in awe of her knowledge of child developement, professionalism, and care and concern for all the children at Montessori. I fully intend to have my child continue into the elementary program at Montessori. I look forward to working with the staff and Montessori in the future education and growth of my child!
—Submitted by a parent

There has been a significant amount of staff turnover since the new head of school arrived. At least eight are gone and some of those head teachers/staff had been there for over a decade. This signifies a problem.
—Submitted by a parent

We've been with the Montessori School of Iowa City for three years, and I have always been pleased with the warm, experienced, and dedicated people who work there. The teachers are trained professionals who are sensitive and friendly and get to know the kids for who they are as individuals. The office staff is supportive and always is there to answer my questions. Their head of school is super-committed to Montessori, really knows her stuff and has always been kind and open with parents and staff every time I've been there. We love to see Montessori in action, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with the school for many years!
—Submitted by a parent

Agreed that the new principal does not know how to deal with parents or colleagues. The board really needs to address the principal issue and her handling of parents' wishes and concerns. While the new principal is not an asset to the school. The school itself is fantastic. The teachers at Montessori are wonderful and the education the kids are getting is the best in the area. The teachers are all wonderful and caring individuals who are committed to the education of young children. I don't know of any instances of bullying as reported by one other. Actually I am not sure how it could occur with so many teachers and assistants around. I feel 100% safe having my kids at Montessori and think that the teachers are wonderful at communicating any concerns with the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now in his third year at the school and our family's experience there has been wonderful. We love his teachers, who are warm and nurturing. They give him great opportunities to grow academically and socially. We appreciate that they focus on the whole child. Our son came to school extremely shy and a bit socially awkward. The teachers have done a lot to foster his growth in this area and help him learn to make friends and overcome his shyness. I've helped as a room parent, a PTO member and a board member and I've enjoyed working with all the staff and volunteers there. It's a great school community with people who genuinely care about your children and work to give them the best educational experience.
—Submitted by a parent

We were extremely disappointed with the way the school dealt with our concerning issue. Our child was repeatedly kicked, bullied and hurt by another student. We had expressed our concerns to the teacher and aide for several months, but nothing proactive was done. Due to our insistence, the principal met with us. At this time, there was a school program and she stated she was simply too busy to meet - maybe she would have time the following week. After meeting with the principal, she would not justify any of our concerns and also would not guarantee the safety of our child. My child's injuries were documented by our pediatrician, but the school would not recognize or acknowledge that this happened. The principal's statement to us was "I believe that's what you believe." The character of a school is tied to how the school deals with parental concerns. By minimizing and disregarding our concerns, coupled with the principals's complete lack of empathy and accountability, we would not recommend this school to other parents.
—Submitted by a parent

My family has been involved with Montessori School of Iowa for seven years. I have been on the board. I am acquainted with many of the children and their families, as well as the teachers and administrators. In general, on both the primary and elementary levels, I find the faculty to be dedicated, prepared and caring. They are devoted to each individual child's academic and emotional needs. MSIC is a joyful, nurturing environment. My experience with this school has been wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

I suppose if one is not familiar with the Montessori method of learning you may not completely understand what a child absorbs here at MSIC. We are caring, dedicated, and trained in the unique learning style that allows your child to thrive independently, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially. Kids will be kids! Learning doesn;t happen overnight, it is a 3 year process at MSIC (and yet a lifetime for some). Children learn from each other as well as from the adults in their life. It is not always peaches and cream, there are a few steps forward and another step back, but when learning is made fun (as at MSIC) your child thrives. They have only been on this earth a short time, step up and support their learning.

Our daughter went to Montessori for her last year of preschool and kindergarten, and we couldn't be happier with her experience. She grew so much over two years, academically, emotionally and socially. Her teacher fostered her love of learning. The work was never drudgery, she was always motivated by an innate desire to learn. Her feeling of pride when she accomplished a challenging task was also internal. And she learned so much! Her babysitter, who is studying to be an elementary teacher, was amazed at her math skills and grasp of abstract concepts. She also grew and matured socially and emotionally, and was supported here also by her teachers. I found the teacher to be extremely responsive any time I contacted her with a question or concern. I will say, the teacher quality seems to vary across classrooms. If you are considering the school, make sure to meet and observe the particular teacher your child is being placed with to ensure a good match.
—Submitted by a parent

My son loves Montessori and I have really seen him grow academically. Tuition is competitive, though it does not include any days that ICCSD does not have school, which can be difficult for working parents. I would recommend anyone sending their child(ren) here. As for the child that has been injured at school- kids are accident prone, it happens even with supervision- which I've never found to be lacking.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending to Montessori more than a year. I have been reluctant to send her although she likes the school. School facility is good but I could not not find enthusiasm from teachers. I am sure teachers in Montessori love children but clearly not as much as I expected. I always find myself watching kids play in the playgound whenever I go to pick her up but I never be able to find any teacher who pays attention to what and where kids are playing. In my point of view, teachers are more interested in talking to each other than kids. It has been about a month since the new academic year starts but my daughter went the pediatric clinic twice because she fell from high ground and hit her head. I am very disappointing.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have both attended the Iowa City Montessori School of Iowa City and we have LOVED it. The education they have received there has been phenomenal. Both boys started reading at age three and reading chapter books by age five. It's just a great school.
—Submitted by a parent