The Montessori School

I have a six year old who has attended Montessori since he was three years old. We have had an unparalleled experience (and we have three other children who have attended other independent schools in the area) . Montessori is allowing my son to develop to the fullest that he can. He is provided with a purposeful, thoughtful way of learning and he is expected to take an active role in discovering how he learns best and how to navigate challenges he encounters as he learns (and all of this at 6 years old!). Montessori provides a family environment in which support, encouragement, and nurturing facilitate the learning experience. My son embraces the Montessori method because the teachers and staff live the method and make it specific through day to day activities. Teachers and staff reinforce values such as kindness, grace, respect for others and the environment through purposeful class discussion and daily activities. Everyone who works at Montessori seems to enjoy what they do and they truly love the students. Staff receives strong support from well prepared, experienced commited leadership Great for parents who want their children to be independent learners and thinkers.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who attend The Montessori School in the lower elementary. I feel so fortunate to be able to provide my son and daughter with such a warm, engaging learning environment. The children at Montessori develop a wonderful sense of independence, time management, self confidence, ownership and repect for themselves, those around them and their community/ environment. Children are able to progress at their own pace and the teachers do an excellent job of providing each child with individual as well as group lessons. The Montessori method provides many tangible ways of learning that allow children to learn concepts on such a deeper level than many traditional methods, which seems to be beneficial for retention of concepts over time, rather than memorization. The Montessori School makes learning fun and children love attending school each day!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my sons attended the Montessori School through middle school. One is now a college freshman and the other just started high school. I credit Montessori with teaching them how to be students who are responsbile for their own learning and giving them the skills to organize their work, participate in class, and communicate effectively with their teachers. They left Montessori with the skills and attitudes that have brought them academic success. Best part for the parents - we have never had "homework battles." They own it!
—Submitted by a parent

MAGNIFICENT!! I have two children that have attended The Montessori School since they were of toddler age, and I can only speak volumes for the incredible experience we have had thus far! Each of my children has had a different set of teachers and I found this to be very valuable for them as well as myself. From the get go, their toddler teachers were every bit loving, nurturing and encouraging of the blossoming person they held in their possession for a few hours a day. Each day held something special for them and it was this incredible foundation that has molded their self confidence and independence in the most positive fashion. Progressing into primary was seamless and they are eager to attend school each and every day. Both of my children are now in classrooms that truly reflect their personalities and those teachers have managed to channel the best possible positive energy out of them. Challenges are presented to the kids in a variety of ways to foster their sense of mastery. This school offers so much in an academic and specialty capacity! Hard to imagine being anywhere else but in the loving care of the amazing faculty and staff at The Montessori School!!
—Submitted by a parent

HORRIBLE. The kids watch TV in the camps. DO NOT PUT YOUR KID IN CAMP HERE. My daughter, in the Montessori Camp watched the Little Mermaid and my son in a different program, the Outdoors and Art Camp watched Toy Story. WHY? Because "it's hot." Of course it's hot! It's summer camp! Surely someone must exist that has access to books or an imagination over there! I paid $600 for two weeks of TV camp! I'm livid.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at the Montessori School since they were 3 years old. What a wonderful experience. One of my children has been through the middle school program and it is a great experience. The curriculum is self directed and really teaches your child accountability, responsibility, communication and getting along with peers. There are also several quite unique learning opportunities which my child loved. We have had many teachers over the years and although they vary in teaching style and personality, they were all nurturing and open minded.Yes, there may not be many extra curricular programs, but it depends how important that is to you.
—Submitted by a parent

This truly is one of the great schools in Baltimore. The education my son received was top notch. He attended the Montessori School preschool through middle school. His teachers were amazing and the facilities were beautiful. The experience he had in the middle school were some of the best he had at Montessori. The smaller class size enabled him to get all the attention he needed to be successful. He has become a confident, self motivated and independent student. Montessori has given him a love of learning which I don't think he would have received anywhere else. He leaves Montessori well prepared and ready to face the challenges of the future.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at Montessori since she was two and we couldn't be happier! She is now in the upper elementary program and is thriving. She loves going to school every day, and is genuinely excited about the prospect of transitioning into the middle school program next year. Academically, it is a great fit for her. She has learned that there are no boundaries for what she can learn and achieve. Every one of the teachers she has had over the years has been nurturing and encouraging. I wish I could have attended a school like Montessori.
—Submitted by a parent

My children found the school as good to excellent however I would agree that major changes need to be implemented. The 4th-6th grade experience was excellent however the extracurricular activiites were quite lacking. The Middle School is very self-directed, which is fine for some children but a disaster for others. Some of the teachers were excellent, others were mediocre at best. The administration seems very indifferent to any parent input which is very sad.
—Submitted by a parent

The Montessori School has been a great learning experience for both my Son and I. However, this school does need many changes to their facilities and staff. Being an old dairy farm, the classrooms have been updated poorly and are falling apart. Many of the staff members have been there since the school opened, and like one of the reviewers said, are narrow-minded. This school isn't any where as good as the other private schools in the area. Even though it has the excellent montessori curriculum, the curriculum does not suit middle school. Towards the end, my son got very tired of being told what to do like a little child, and we decided we needed to move on to a better school. This school has the potential of having an excellent program, but the staff and head of school are unwilling to hear the students and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

The worst nightmare that a parent and a child can go through. Old fasion, stiff minded, obssessed teachers. No happiness. Emotionless, not chalenging environment. You want to think that your child learned something, practically she just repeating some nonsence words without real understanding of the meaning. So much arrogance for so little to offer. A constant pain and stress. I had to brib my child everyday to go to school and always being critisized and attacked by teacher. I changed the school and she loves to go to the new school. Do not send your kids there, you and your child will be psycotic in the end.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has an outstanding program from pre-school through 6th grade. Extraordinary learning, small teacher-student ratio and well planned curriculum. The new middle school program is deficient and should be avoided at all costs.
—Submitted by a parent

It amazes me how knowledgeable my 5 year old daughter has become while attending The Montessori School. She is now going into her third year, and my son will begin the toddler program this fall. I feel secure in knowing that they are in a safe and loving environment. The teachers are wonderful and encourage the children to be independent and respectful of others. In this type of atmosphere my daughter's curiosity is nurtured and she looks forward going to school every day and discussing what she has learned when the day is over. She even teaches me a thing or two! I am very grateful and intend to continue both of my children's education at Montessori through middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

I found this school for my 5th grader O.k. There were no athletic teams, school functions were horrible! no clubs, and extra curricular activities were not that great either. Academics were O.K. sometimes, my 5th grader would come home crying because of social problems from other students, and that wasn't good! andI feel this school focuses on the small children and not the older children. That's why the school functons are not that good. I would recommend another school for your child. This school I found o.k., and now my child is in another school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the best educations a child can get. The school is wonderful. The children are sweet and gental. Teachers are excellent. we are so glad to be a part of this program!
—Submitted by a parent