Apple Valley Montessori School

Fantastic school. Our two girls -- one very high energy and outspoken, the other very reserved and sensitive, have both thrived thanks to the amazing teachers at AVMS. Our older daughter is now in public school and the teachers continue to comment on her focus and self-directed learning style. We were told by doctors that our younger daughter would be severely delayed, but would hopefully be on track by 1st or 2nd grade. This year (age 4) she started reading (among many other things) - and could not be prouder of herself. I am a tough customer/critic when it comes to my kids (aren't we all?!). And I can honestly say this school is worth every cent.
--Submitted by a parent

Apple Valley Montessori School is a wonderful, authentic Montessori school! All the teachers are AMI certified (the true, internationally recognized training for Montessori teachers).The teachers are highly educated, warm, caring and supportive.Each child receives individual attention and thrives in an environment that encourages learning and independence from an early age. AVMS provides a wonderful, specially prepared organic snack each day (parents don't have to think about packing one, as they do in other schools!).They have a wonderful before and after school program and run programs during school vacations! The school encourages parent involvement and has an active parent group.The school's tuition is lower than other Montessori Schools in the area and certainly in range of local daycares. But, the school is not a daycare. It is a wonderful school that nurtures the youngest members (toddlers) and highly educates children from pre-k to grade 5.Research the many and varied,long-lasting benefits of Montessori education.The best way to decide about a school is to visit and see for yourself. Check out their website at www.avms.org.We absolutely LOVE Apple Valley for our children!
--Submitted by a parent

Very, very expensive school. Annual cost is over $18,000. If that is not enough, they promote organic snacks that parents pay additional money. The school is similar to a daycare but charges astronomical numbers. Vacations, holidays,not open. Daycares are open many more days, and longer days. This school provides extended day, again more money. Besides the high tuition costs, teacher student teaching is minimum. Following the montessori method children are encouraged to learn alone, so tuition should be less than typical preschools, not more.As far as parents gettig involved only when donations are desired. They do not want parents involved. Better and less expensive schools around.
--Submitted by a parent

We have a child in the school and another one that has already gone through the school. When deciding where to put our first child, I thought the whole Montessorri thing was BS... and after the first two years still thought it was all BS... but am now eating my words. Once our first child finished the three year cycle, I saw just how the whole Montessorri thing works at Apple Valley. In the third year, everything pulls together and the results are amazing. Our next child is in her third year and everything is coming together with her as well. The teachers are great, experienced, and know what they are doing. The down-turn in the economy has reduced enrollment at all pre-schools, but at Apple Valley this has only given our children more attention (so we are secretly happy...). Compared to other schools out there, this school is excellent. It is somewhat of a hidden gem.
--Submitted by a parent

We are the parents of two children who started their education at AVMS. There are many outstanding features of the School. Foremost among of them is the intimate, one-on-one instruction, geared toward discovering and developing the best of the child's potential. Each child is inspired to find within herself/himself a sense of joy and accomplishment. Shunned is a formalized, top down, uniform instructions by the teachers, imposed upon the children. What transpires between the teacher and the child, and among children, is a sense of wonder and delight. Quality education is always expensive and time consuming. Someone once said: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." I see no way that any parent can save money to offer their children the same education as what Apple Valley provides. As a college professor, with over 30 years of teaching, I know what quality education is. Without dedicated educators, who bring out the best in the students, education would easily be reduced to a means for employment. Quality education is always an end in and of itself, and not a means for a further. AVMS is an exceptional place where learning and growing is a challenge and a joy.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former parent of two Apple Valley Montessori School children, I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am for the excellent education the school provides. AVMS has prepared them to become independent, caring and responsible young adults. My daughter who is the absorbent child carries with her the patience, perseverance, creativity and dedication that developed through her five years of education at Apple Valley. My son who studied there for six years is the opposite of my daughter. His different and sometimes difficult personality surely must been have been a challenge to some teachers. AVMS provided my son the environment necessary for him to thrive and to grow. Now he is a loving, caring and conscientious young adult. I credit AVMS for the excellent education and a safe, caring and loving environment both my children benefitted from during their early formative years as students of Apple Valley. The teachers have been great, well-trained, dedicated and respectful of the children. I have no doubt AVMS continues to provide the same quality education, the same safe and caring environment as it was when my children were primary and elementary students ten years or so ago.
--Submitted by a parent

Why do I send my child to Apple Valley Montessori School? As emphasized in many of these reviews, the education she receives is of exceptionally high quality. The teachers are true and seasoned educators. I was admittedly very impressed at how well-educated all the teachers are. The curriculum is expansive make that limitless - and academically based. The children are introduced to subject matters that many people would assume to be far too advanced...but quite the opposite is true! The multi-aged classroom gives our daughter many more learning opportunities than she would receive in a fixed-aged classroom. The school offers healthy and nutritious snacks, many of which are organic. It is a nut-free school and is sensitive and responsive to the needs of children with additional allergies. What really "sold" me was the spirit of the classroom. The classroom is lively and interactive, but peaceful and settled. Instead of competition amongst the children, there is collaboration and cooperation. The children's love of learning is evident and contagious! Whenever I observe a classroom, I am awed and inspired. Every child deserves such a wonderful educational foundation.
--Submitted by a parent

The Benefits of Nature Education in a Montessori school I have been teaching nature based environmental education for almost 30 years in various capacities and settings. I love this school!Our special dynamic outdoor classroom of several hundred acres of amazing habitats of meadow, forest, vernal pool, pond, three sister gardens I have been privileged to experience the joy of guiding children in their intrinsic curiosities and love of nature in an unprepared environment almost the opposite of our beautiful prepared classrooms. Yet the two complement and enrich each other that nourish the connections of a multi-sensorial whole body enrichment that spirals like a labyrinth to the core of self peacefully inside and out. I am in agreement of Richard Lous research that supports my belief that connections to nature create a foundation from which healthy human functioning and learning flows. At Apple Valley we follow the seasons and integrate Native American wisdom with a three sister garden, maple syrup production, snowshoeing, primitive survival and it really works. Stephen DeFlorio
--Submitted by a teacher

I strongly encourage anyone interested in Montessori education to visit Apple Valley Montessori School. AVMS is a extremely high-quality school, with programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged students. One of the most prominent features of Montessori education is the individualized instruction that students receive, which is tailored to their unique learning styles. Montessori capitalizes on the young child's inherent drive and desire to learn. Children are encouraged to explore, to discover, and to be engaged and active in the learning process! Montessori fosters both creative and critical thinking. I am constantly amazed by the skills and knowledge our daughter acquires at school on a daily basis. More importantly, she is happy beyond words. Because the children are treated with such a high level of respect and dignity, they respond in turn and are gracious and caring citizens. The teaching staff is exceptional and well established (all of the Head Teachers have been there for a minimum of eight years!). I could go on and on, but rather than reading anymore about my experiences at AVMS, you should go have your own!
--Submitted by a parent

After sending two children through Apple Valley for the Primary years (ages 3-6) and seeing them now in non-Montessori classrooms, we are constantly amazed and thankful for all the years they spent at Apple Valley. Our children are so much better prepared for their elementary years than their peers, and are so far ahead of their non-Montessori classmates, it makes me wonder sometimes what other pre-schools actually teach the kids. The mother of one my daughter's new friends (at her new elementary school) said, after observing our kindergartner reading well above her age-level, "Wow. I guess we should have sent our child to Apple Valley, too!" Our decision to send our children to Apple Valley for three years of Primary was one of the most significant and positive ones we've made in their young lives. I can't say enough good things about the school - from the primary base teachers to the naturalist, the caring administrators and the staff..... this is a top-notch school and the best thing you can do for your kids. I miss it and wish every school could be a little more like Apple Valley.
--Submitted by a parent