Paint Branch Montessori School

We have both of our children enrolled here, and they love their teachers, their friends, and coming to school every day. Both my kids go into school with a jump, a smile, and a hug (or handshake) for the staff greeting them at the door in the morning. We will send our 3rd as soon as he is old enough to go. The teachers in the primary classes are just excellent, and the children are learning so much. I am pleased with the curriculum and the range of activities that the children are doing, and I really like to see the work that they bring home every week. All the teachers and staff are very engaged with the kids and really care about them. The school is not perfect, but we wouldn't want to go anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child at this school, and the longer we stay there, the more dissatisfied I become. While the teachers clearly care about the kids, and I feel that my child is safe and learning in the environment, I think the school leadership is unprofessional, autocratic, secretive, and arrogant. It can be a very ad hoc environment, which is not acceptable - especially given the fact that the school is comparatively expensive. We are shopping around for other schools and I can't wait to enroll my child elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

No school is for everyone; different people are looking for different things, I suppose. However, for my family, this school has been tremendous. My elementary age son and daughter have gained a great deal of self-confidence and joy of learning here. They are happy and excited to go to school every day. They are challenged and respected as individuals. I have found the dedication of the staff to be inspiring and am thankful every day that they are there.
—Submitted by a parent

If the children are as happy and active and engaged learners as my daughter was when she attended Paint Branch Montessori School, (she is doing great at a catholic middle school now) there are no words to say enough thanks to all the teachers and administrator at Paint Branch Montessori School. Obviously their love and care and teaching my daughter the right things is what has made her so successful and self-confident. Thnks for doing the right thing by the children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is really bad. The teachers are vey unprofessional. They like for kids to behave, but yet they don't even have manners. It seems as if they don't have it together. Initially, I thought they were very nurturing, but it is totally the opposite. I wouldn't send my kids to this school because their staff is not friendly, clean, and not engaged at all with the kids.

Paint Branch is a great school. My child has been here since the new owners came and we love the place. The student teacher ratio is awesome. My son loves coming to school. There is so much happening here all the time. There's the Book Fair, the Annual Musical,Field Trips, PE, Music Instruction, Computer Training, Art and Spanish There is constant learning going on here all the time. The teachers are all Montessori trained and are very kind and considerate. It's a very calm, beautiful and welcoming place. I would recommend every one to send their child to awesome Montessori school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been associated with this school for several years and the recent transfer of ownership has resulted in a significant decline in the quality of the education. It has turned into a pure business, to the point that the teachers are treated like wage slaves and they have either departed or their enthusiam has declined. The treatment of the parents by the owners/administrators is abysmal. At this point, we are just sources of income.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at this Montessori school from pre-k to 6th grade. She is self disciplined, self motivated, intensely interested in learning, and working up to her capabilities. These are hallmarks of Montessori programs and this school fulfills those goals excellently. Children at this school are bright, have leadership skills, excel in standardized tests, are creative, and fun to be with. Science fairs, school newspaper, holiday musicals, regular field trips, seasonal festivals, community service, sports, all contribute to a warm and exciting environment. There are no safety or discipline problems and parents are actively involved. Many families have sent all their children there. For the past 25 years the school has educated prominent business (Google founder), academic and political leaders. It's an ideal learning environment and in my opinion the way schools should be.
—Submitted by a parent

To say that the 'current leadership is weak' at a time just after a fire in December 2003 is extremely unfair. The current leadership closed the school for 2 days only after a fire that gutted a major part of the school building...the staff, parents and owners worked like crazy to re-establish a working space for the children...covering up the devastation from the children so their lives would not be impacted, with the Christmas break less than 10 days away. The leaders could have chosen to close early but they showed their inner strength and leadership and the strength of their staff and the parent community by getting back to school in 2 days after the horrible fire. Great leadeership I think. Don't you think so?
—Submitted by a parent

Kids here are nurtured and encouraged to learn to their fullest capacity. I have a 7 year old who has been here since she was nearly 2. Reading has been a part of her curriculum since very early. She's an avid reader. She also excels in math. If only I had learned math this way! Most of all, my daughter has found a love and enjoyment of learning about others and our world. I highly recommend this school to other families. Diverse and welcoming faculty and families.
—Submitted by a parent

This school must be doing something better than others as my 7 and 5 years have better math, science, and english skills than their cousins from California, England, and Pakistan. I am proud to send my children there.
—Submitted by S Shaikh, a parent

It is a great school. The staff is highly qualified and experienced. The leadership is strong and dynamic.
—Submitted by a parent

The classes are small and the teachers are dedicated, involved and kind. Most parents are actively involved. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive. The current leadership is a bit weak.
—Submitted by a parent