Bay Farm Montessori Academy

Bay Farm is good through 3rd grade. After that, I simply cannot recommned the school. Pre-School is top notch, Kindergarten and Grades 1-3 are strong. The children benefit from the arts, the multiage environment, and excellent staff. After 3rd grade, it's really time to 'get real' and realize that kids need to have tests, textbooks, and more students to interact with. The reality is that throughout the later grades, in college, and in life, they will be tested. I am thankful I had the means to send my child to Bay Farm, but I do not recommend anyone spending the money past third grade. Money is not an object for me, but it's the principle. With the same $16k you would spend in grades 4-8 you can invest that money in a 529 for college, or just invest it for those same years into a mutual fund that will give them a nice downpayment on a condo or home when they graduate from college. Or with that same $17 k you can go on a wonderful family vacation where they can learn about other cultures. It's a good school, but it is not $17k better than free schools. Also, there comes a point when you DO want your kids to get out of the 'bubble' and learn that everything's not hihg-end.
--Submitted by a parent

My two children attended Bay Farm through sixth grade and I think it's made such a diference in their lives. . Strong, confident, creative , self-possessed young adults. I credit the wonderful staff and the Montessori philosophy . Creative, strong in the arts, very nurturing and warm, terrific parent community. The teachers really knew my kids well. This school treats children with respect and humanity. Very responsive to a family's needs.
--Submitted by a parent

What a uniquely caring, nurturing and successful environment for each child to do his/her best! My children have grown socially, academically, interpersonally... and, all in a developmentally-appropriate way. The teachers, administrators and the entire community have all just blown me away. Is it possible that they all care too much?
--Submitted by a parent

BFMA has been able to do what the public school in my community was not. That was to accommodate a gifted child's educational needs. Because of the great teaching staff and strong New leadership, the child's individual learning needs are met with caring and purpose. The school is always receptive to any all ideas, even if it comes from outside the institution. The school is also lucky to have a great balance of academic and arts programs. Bay Farm is an excellent school that just keeps getting better.
--Submitted by a parent

My two children attended BFMA from Pre-K through sixth grade and loved it! The school forms a small community that acts as a second family by reaching beyond the 3 R's of academics (reading, writing, and arithmetic) to include the 3 R's of Montessori (responsibility, respect, and resourcefulness). Mixed-age classrooms, hands-on learning, and practical life applications allow students to reach that 'eureka' moment often--plus, of course, teachers that care about the whole child and can work closely with them in small classrooms. Incorporating plays into the curriculum several times a year helps children build their self-esteem. I highly recommend BFMA to parents looking for an independent school that addresses children as independent thinkers! Hours were accommodating, and there were many extra-curricular classes offered such as drama, ballet, set design, fencing, hip hop, etc.

The teachers are wonderful at this school and the effectiveness of the Montessori approach to early education shines through the overwhelming weight of the unpleasant bureaucratic nightmare that dealing with this institution is. Communication failure seems to be the motto of this school, except when the need to communicate requests for more money. Money seems (from a parents perspective) to be the schools number one concern. There are other Montessori schools in the area that do not seem to have such an emphasis on funds and fund raising along with an outrageously high tuition rivaling some colleges.
--Submitted by a parent

Academic programs are outstanding, especially in the elementary levels. Music and performing arts are very impressive; all students (starting in preschool) participate in the production of several plays over the course of each year. Fine arts instruction is very good as well. Parent involvement in all aspects of the school is strong, typical for a Montessori school.
--Submitted by Hauke Kite-Powell, a parent

The best educational experience I could ever ask for my children! Academic excellence combined with deep appreciation for the arts. Who could ask for anything else!
--Submitted by a parent