Primary Montessori Day School

I am posting a negative review because of the way the administration handles parents. Our teacher is great, but the leadership leaves me uneasy. There is no dialogue between parents and teachers except for the annual child progress review. I also feel that my concerns are not addressed in a courteous manner leaving me discouraged and isolated. Also, there are very few school gatherings. The school says it is because there is not enough parking to have more activities, but there should be different alternatives to meet and create a better bond with the school. I feel very disconnected with this school, and feel that the Montessori method just wasn t for us.
--Submitted by a parent

Thanks to the prescreening eye exam at school two years ago, we found out our daughter had to wear glasses at the age of 3. It was quite a challenge to get her used to wearing glasses at such an early age. But with TLC and help by teachers, we slowly and patiently increased the hours of her wearing glasses over the long period of time and recently we were told that her vision has improved! For the last couple of months, my daughter suffered from severe seasonal allergy with swollen/itchy eyes. But again, even with limited staffing, PMDS extended their TLC, providing suvervision for my daughter to have indoor activity over a few weeks while other kids were having outdoor time. I feel like I can talk to them any day/time and more importantly, they do listen and care about what I address. Besides the school has been so good at monitoring/assessing my kid promptly when she does not feel well. This is such an assuarance for us since she had an episode of fibrill seizure at the age of 2. As a full time working mom, I feel confident that my child is under excellent care for up to 9 hours every day!
--Submitted by a parent

This is my child's 3rd school, and so far it is the best one. Yes it does have problems, and I heard some very negative stories recently. I guess it depends on what you expect from the school. I am a working mom and I only expect a good daycare, who can make my child happy when I work, and this one meets my expectation. My child likes the teachers and has her best friends there. When she is happy, I am happy. I honestly don't expect her to learn too much,maybe because she is in per-school now. Several things I don't like: very limited communication between school and parents (can we do more one to one parent conference than once a year?), no lunch offered not even catering option ( Franklin has it)' and the uniform requirement (lands end is pretty expensive). Overall it is acceptable although not great.
--Submitted by a parent

To the first point I'd just like to challenge parents in any school where they have an issue to take an honest look at how their child is treated. Is the teacher an advocate for your child? Does she/he communicate with you when your child is doing great and not so great? Does she know your child? Do the adults offer you sound, helpful and reasonable advice when you ask? Do they consider your advice? If for whatever reason your child does not like going to school do you take the proper steps to understand why (and keep in mind understanding why also means you will need to consider the personality of your own child)? Are you taking a honest hard look at the person(s) your child is spending his or her time with? I'm not posting this with a star rating because where I rate it high or low it will be dismissed by some. I know how I feel about this school. My children wouldn't be there if I had such poor feelings about anyone employed there. To have them is a toxic environment would be very irresponsible of me, and a disservice to them. To PMDS staff please continue your hard work.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended this school for 3 years and is graduating Kindergarten this year. She is a wonderful, smart, kind, and confident little girl and I attribute her attendance to Primary Montessori as a big part of it. They were a home away from home and she flourished there. The personal and academic growth over the last few years in our daughter has been amazing and the transition to a new school next year will be a hard one (for us as parents! Haha). The classroom environment itself is fantastic, but the loving attitude of her teachers is what we will remember the most. Administration was always responsive to our needs and welcoming. I recommend this school to anyone looking for a quality Montessori school with a balanced approach. There is a unique warmth to this school that is hard to find elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

Hands down - the best!!! Our son just started at this school in September and we LOVE it. I wish I had gone with my heart originally as my husband and I had toured several Montessori schools in the area before choosing one for our son. Unfortunately, we chose the wrong one based on a lower price with a more daycare style schedule . and I realize now what a huge mistake that was. I fell in love with this school when we toured it, but another school that was also local was cheaper and although we liked this one more it s a hard economy and we went with the other cheaper school. A year later here we are (with several other parents from that school!) at the school we should have just gone to in the first place! The hard truth is you get what you pay for. Lesson learned. Our son is thriving now he is with a certified Montessori teacher, in a beautiful classroom, friendly kids, and teachers/assistants who love him. It s been such a wonderful change.Thank you Ms. Anthony and all your wonderful teachers/staff! Please don t make the same mistake we did choose the school you know in your heart is best not the one that saves you a few bucks or gives you a coupon!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in this class and she loves her teacher. I am please with her progress. Her teacher is always available whenever I have a question or concern regarding my daughter. I know she is in the class because I get a progress report when I ask her and my daughter tells me what she did! The class teacher and the administration have always available to address my questions,concerns or suggestions. I would first get my facts straight before I write a review!
--Submitted by a parent

BEST CHOICE. Both of my girls attended this school. They are now 9 and 11, but I was researching schools since I was pregnant with my first one. When I visited PMDS I just felt this was the best learning environment that a child can have. The facility is beautiful, clean and very safe. Teachers know each student and his/her individual needs very well. Most importantly, my girls developed a love of learning there that is still obvious and I know will continue to be. This is the most priceless advantage a child can possess in life. Every summer, my girls can't wait to go back to school! They have been in advanced reading and math (1 and 2 grades above grade) since they left PMDS. My older one is beginning middle school this year and she has been placed in the most advanced classes for all subjects. Furthermore, my girls know more about the world than most kids thanks to PMDS. I'm now pregnant with my third (it's a girl!) and I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful Montessori choice for her too. Academically and socially it couldn't be better. My girls (and our family) are still close to some of the friends/families we met there, even if the children attend different schools now.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter graduated from the Primary Montessori Day School last year and my second child will be entering their primary program this coming September. My daughter attended the program from the age of 3 years old and thrived at the school. She is doing great at her new private school tested in easily to grade 3 - and the teachers at her new school have actually commented on how well-prepared she is. I have recommended the school to many of my neighbors and coworkers and they have all expressed their gratitude for the referral. . I toured MANY schools before choosing and researched all of them. Not sure if the previous poster is misinformed or what but the school is Maryland State approved the teachers all have bachelor s degrees and Montessori certification, and my understanding is while the school as a whole has chosen not to affiliate with AMS or AMI (Director was very open with me about her reasons why), it s teacher s all maintain their memberships and attend ongoing professional training. I have never felt like I did not know where my child was I had multiple conferences every year and reports. My only gripe is playground - wish it had more open space.
--Submitted by a parent

PMDS provides children with the tools they need to be successful, well-rounded, respectful, thoughtful, and kind. Unlike the more "traditional" system, this school focuses and nurtures curiosity and provides a solid foundation built on learning fundamentals and presenting material in a comprehensive -- as opposed to worksheet drills -- manner. The emphasis is on learning/teaching not testing!
--Submitted by a parent