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

I never realized how bad this school's academic program was until I took my kids out of it. My fifth grader was 3 years behind, and my first grader was 2 years behind. The plus side, they have a brilliant dance teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children that attend Concord Academy Antrim they both have attended since Kindergarten. My son is in 8th grade this year and he currently has a 3.9 Gpa. My daughter is in 2nd Grade and is also doing very well. There has been some changes this year but change isn't always bad, the teachers and the leaders are all human and sometimes things change, we just need to keep moving forward and have a positive attitude and keep the drama and gossip to a minimum, the success of the school depends on everyone working together as a whole. I Love this School and am looking forward to both of my children graduating from Concord Academy Antrim..
—Submitted by a parent

My little girl goes to concord she loves it. I find the teachers to be great! You walk in to this wonderful family feel. I feel all the teachers care for my little girl even ones that she will not be in for YEARS! She loves the dance, art and singing. Last year she was in the Mancelona preschool she did not get very far at all. At the end of the year I took her into concord to get used to the school before she would go there next year. She learned more in one day there then she ever did in Mancelona. It is my hope that I can stay close by so she can stay there K-12.
—Submitted by a parent

I had to pul my son out of this school. He could not read, spell or do simple math. After a month and a half at Mancelona Elementary he is doing just fine. The teachers at Concord really care but they have very bad a leader. I have tried to get the school board to listen but have had no luck.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! I have had nothing but great outcomes. My daughter looks forward everyday to come here. I really enjoy the fine arts. I am glad that it is available to my daughter. When I went to school it wasn't available to me. Teachers are wonderful here.
—Submitted by a parent

I volunteer at the school 4 or 5 days a week and there is a great deal of 'play' time for the elementary kids. It may not be officially called recess all the time but many teachers take the kids outside for 'fun' learning. This school has made great progress in the last few years.
—Submitted by Chris D, a parent

I think Concord Academy Antrim is a great place for children. It has opened up areas of the arts that my children would not have otherwise been able to try. I love the small class sizes and the friendly atmosphere. I have one child that is dancing at community area shows all dances that she has learned from our dance instructor. I think it is great.My child is an A student and I am thankful that she is here. My kids have done well and I look forward to seeing each of them graduate and go on to collage.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been going to Concord since the fourth grade.When I went there I got very intrested in dance because of the wide varity..Now the varity has slimmed down alot and there are no after school activitys either.. The work is harder than most schools and there arent alot of people with some times can be good and bad.I am not a fan of Choir and I think it should be an option but its a way to get students involved in more fine arts.If I was Principal I would get more varity and have after school dance programs other than folk dances and tap and celtic.Also I would provide an after school marching band and maybe even a football team.Theatre is something that i find myself not intrested in so I think that we should be able to pick out classes..Other than that its a good and respectful school.
—Submitted by a student

I am like Concord Academy and i think that it is great school. It was earlier posted that concord doesnt give children enough recess time and that we don't celebrate holidays. We do not celebrate holidays at our school in order to show respect to all of the religions at our school.It is not fair to students that their holidays are not celebrated because most of the kids do not celebrate that holiday. To avoid this problem we simply dont celebrate holidays in our school. As for the recess matter, would you rather see your child playing in school or learning? I think most parents would be upset if their child came home saying all they did was play outside all day. there is room for improvement at our school just like every scool but i think concord is a great school.
—Submitted by a student

I love Concord Academy. Its true that the recess time is limited, but during the actually school day, the teachers take out the students whether its to learn about science, sports, or to just go out to have fun. The multi age classes helps the students to interact with others of and older age and the elder children assist the younger children. The students also learn at their own level. I am a sophomore in high school at concord and i am in a math class with seniors and juniors because that is the math level i am at. Also, the school has board meetings every month that the parents are welcome to come to. I also met my true love at this school. I love concord, and I'm glad my mom sent me and my younger sister there.
—Submitted by a student