Concord Montessori and Community School

This school used to be very well respected. Now there are a lot of students that were expelled from other schools. A lot of favoritism of families with money. There have also been vicious rumors circulated about parents and students that are left unchecked by the admin. Students in the elementary end are 1 to 2 years behind other schools. It is no longer the "family" and "friendly" atmosphere it used to be. My 9th grader has been there since kindergarten, and fought with me to stay so she could graduate the same school she started, but recently asked about another school.... SAD!
--Submitted by a parent

This school takes the time to understand each child. It has an amazing way of making sure each child succeeds. As a parent I would recommend this school for every child!
--Submitted by a parent

We have the most varied programs, from dance to outdoor ed and everything else in between!
--Submitted by a parent

the freedom and individuality the students receive

I have to say that Concord had faltered, the leadership there in my opinion has turned it from a friendly, family like atmosphere into something not so friendly. We have pulled our kids, friends are pulling their kids, and my daughter will be puling hers soon. People are afraid to stand up to the director fearing for their jobs, students parents are afraid to stand up to him because they feel that it will be taken out on their kids. Our daughter was more than a year behind in her studies, and we have heard that from others that pulled their kids from Concord. Concord used to be one of the best schools in the state..... But the 'New Direction' that it is going is meant only for the select few that the leadership approves of. Public Charter School? Not any more.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is thriving at CM&CS. She is excelling more than we ever dreamed. She also is having a drama-free year, thanks to an expert on staff. The absence of 'girl drama' has allowed our daughter the freedom to focus on learning while at school. She is performing three grade levels above her 'official' level. Thanks Concord!
--Submitted by a parent

My children love this school. They have gone from one end of the spectrum to the other. I couldn't get them to get up in the morning until they started Concord Academy Antrim, now they are up and ready to go. They have gone from low C's to A's and B's
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a senior this year and I just wanted to post a review simply to express how glad I am that I'm going to be able to say I am a graduate of CMCS. The director of the school has completely turned it around; the teachers are no longer looking over their shoulders wondering if they're doing something wrong. The students have come together in a way I never thought possible. I have often compared the Director to President Obama because of the wonderful changes that are being made. If someone has recently pulled their student out of CMCS, it's more than likely because they are afraid of change. It's scary at first, but overall it has really impacted my high school career.
--Submitted by a student

My children have attended several schools over the years from moving around with the military and I can say without a doubt that Concord is the best school I have ever dealt with. The teachers are excellent and really get to know your children on a personal level. The multi age learning helps children to learn from each other and if a child needs to move up they are more than willing to help with that. There are plenty of opportunities for playing and outside learning contrary to a previous review. When the Northern Michigan weather permits it the children are taken outdoors to play and to go on little learning hikes and trips through the property with the teacher or outdoor education instructor. You cannot get the art and music teaching anywhere else in the area to compare to the culture they are learning there. Highly recommended! A++
--Submitted by a parent

At first, I was really pleased with Concord. Really, I guess I never really disliked it until I was forced to pull my daughters out due to a move. It was then that I realized that Concord really wasn't all that I had thought it was. The mixed grade level classes at Concord seemed to keep my daughter behind. She was never able to pull ahead once she was one of the younger kids in class. As the result of being one of the younger kids, she seemed to have been pushed off onto the back burner and forgotten. When I transferred my girls to Kalkaska, I realized how far behind Concord had them. To me, that should never have happened. I thought the concept of having mixed classes was great, that was one of the reasons I chose Concord in the first place.
--Submitted by a parent