Creative Montessori Academy

CMA used to be a wonderful school but in the last few years, the school has really gone downhill. A good portion of the dedicated staff have left or will be leaving. There is too much turn over in the staff. The Montessori concepts are basically thrown out the window. Bullying is a large problem that the administration refuses to deal with as it is far easier to blame the victim. I have two children in CMA and we loved the school, adored the teachers and promoted the school at every opportunity. Now, I'm searching for another school. It's very frustrating and sad to see just how much CMA has changed not for the better.
—Submitted by a parent

Admittedly, I'm a fan. My son has attended CMA since Kindergarten and will be completing his last year in 2013-14. The dedication and abilities of headmasters, core teachers and specials has been 99% outstanding. Core values, small class size, child-centered academic plans, adherence to Montessori philosophy and curriculum while fulfilling state requirements are indicators to me that this is an exemplary organization. Regarding organization, over the years I have seen many improvements implemented. This fact speaks more than words of the collaborative and responsive child / staff / parent / management relationship. The proof is in how beautifully my child is developing, growing and evolving into a fine young adult human being.
—Submitted by a parent

The management team, that was hired by the school, stole the school from the headmaster and fired her after she put her life's work into it. Now they are slowly eroding away at the Montessori principles. Just Sick to my stomach over the whole thing. Such an awesome school that is now tainted.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children attending CMA. One is in 6th grade, the other is in 4th. They have both attended since kindergarten, and I could not imagine a better school for them. I have 2 older children who attended Catholic school, and by far CMA has offered a better learning environment and dedicated teachers who will go out of their way to help. Both of my CMA children are above grade level in everything, my 6th grade student is doing Algebra! If you have smart children who are not being challenged in a traditional school, please consider this school! You will not regret it!
—Submitted by a parent

My sons teacher mrs sysol has taught my son so much! This was the best choice in school for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a fellow student of can I was there for 5 years and at first it was pretty cool. but then I went to go to ask for help. I was yelled at or told to figure it out and go sit down. the school it ok to me but some teachers if you we're not a perfect Angel they would show that they hated you. many teachers we're very rude to my parents and so they enrolled me into Allen Park Middle School and my sister in Allen Park Lindamen there are 2 other commentaries these are very awesome schools.

My son is in the Preschool program at CMA in Mrs. Donna, Mrs. Myles and Mrs. Battle's class and he is really thriving in this enviorment both academically and behaviorally. The beginning of the school year was a little rough with him adjusting to new teachers, but Mrs. Donna always communicated with me and worked with us to get him to where he is now. These women are stern with the kids, but the amount of love they show to them is something I've never seen before, especially in a class with 36 children. I know my Son needs teachers who are stern and pushes him as well as lifts him up and nutures him and these women do exactly that. I almost hate for him to have to leave them and go to kindergarten next year, but Mrs. Donna has assured me that she always places her kids with the appropriate kindergarten teacher for their individual needs. I am really happy with my choice to place my child here.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student at cma, went to school there from preschool to 8th grade. Academicly the school is pretty good because it has prepared me for High School but they are overly strict because if you talk they will try to suspend you, ecspecially this one teacher( Mrs. Long) she must of never heard the word detentio because everything was a suspension, and she always picks a favorite student. Overall the school is good up into 7th grade then is a disaster

I attended CMA myself. From preschool to 8th grade. My grades were always poor, and they let me fall behind drastically before they took notice. Mrs. Marzec was a good teacher though. They do not teach anything really past 3rd grade. They give you assignments on a board and expect you to learn it on your own, and when you ask for help it doesn't always help at all. Sometimes it left you more confused then before. Most typical "lessons" involve checking work. They give a lot of assignments to do in a day, and if you have to learn from a book it can be quite confusing and poorly explained. I failed algebra 1 in 8th grade, and had the same book as a ninth grader at a public high school and did extremely well all thanks to the difference in teaching. I was taught in ninth grade, in eigth grade I was given a book and expected to learn two lessons in one day. In math they don't spend much time in each different type of problem they quickly go over each. In ninth grade we could spend as many as three days on the same material honing our skills.They teach science well, however. The quality of the spanish teaching is very poor. The teacher teaches the same few lessons every year and grade

I enjoy this school. My children excelled in the K-3. However, when she went to fourth grade it went downhill. Wordly Wise is used as busy work and is very complicated for the age.The work load was thrown at her and Montessori method was not used. No communication from teacher like we had in years before. The office staff is RUDE! the two ladies in the office tend to be mean and snotty. Loved my children teachers and other teachers there. My child can excel farther than her friends that are in public school in our neighborhood. My kids love this school and its worth the drive.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome learning enviroment. Kids are really guided to reach there full potention individually, instead of everyone learning the same for all. The life skills that are taught are equally as strong as the acedemics. I'm extremely happy with the school and hope they expand it to a k-12.
—Submitted by a parent

My two daughters have attended CMA since Kindergarten through 6th grade. The ability for the teachers to accomodate the levels of learning of each child amazes me. They individualize the lessons and the learning according to each child's ability. If your child excels and thrives, they pull work to give your child a challenge. The multi-leveled classrooms are a bonus and the children can feel equal on social and academic levels without being criticized. My daughter's are now in 7th grade, both on the Honor Roll. One is achieving all A's and is on the Principal's list. I am so blessed to have had my children experience the Montessori learning...where the teacher prepares the environment and the child directs his own learning. Montessori may not be for every child, but it was FANTASTIC for my children. Keep up the wonderful work, CMA!!
—Submitted by a parent

(continued from below) in class because I LOVE to socialize, so I don't get much work done in class. Not to mention the fact that besides socializing I'm easily distracted, which also makes it hard to concentrate at home. And to the people writing bad reviews on this school, you are just jealous that you didn't have this good of a school to go to when you were a kid because half the bad reviews have misspellings, bad sentence structure, and misuses of words. Although when I'm in school I don't like it, I have to admit, that CMA is a pretty good school! :) Submitted by a CMA Student.

I have only great things to say about CMA. In my opinion it is one of the best schools in the area. The teachers and principals take time to listen to concerns and do their best to make sure they are addressed. I am so glad that my family is part of this school. I hope more parents take time to write about all of the great things happening at CMA
—Submitted by a parent

CMA offers so much more than the traditional neighborhood schools. My kids love going to this school. They have the same teachers for three years so they are like part of an extended family. There are 2 teachers in each room to work with the children. There are a lot of opportunities for parents to participate at CMA - family fun nights, PTO, school fieldtrips, family picnics, love and logic for parenting, volunteer lunch room helper, coaching, tutoring and more. Teachers care about all of the children and will meet with you to talk about things you can do to help your child. The headmasters have an open door - just pop in and they will listen and help you, they have a monthly coffee with the headmasters.

My child went here last year and in 9/2009 and I had to take him out of this school. They don't know how to handle or solve problems.I will never forget when my son was injured by another child . They suspended my child and not the other child. And they saw what happen an sat there and was laughing about . That's so unprofessional . And they have their picks on who they like the most. And they are lazy and not respondsible enough to solve a situation. The Principal don't seem to care either. And they will lable your child because they are too lazy to take the time out to help your child if needed.
—Submitted by a parent

As a 2008 graduate, I can tell you this school is phenomenal. Of course, it has flaws, though this is true of any school. The biggest flaw though, was I was not quite prepared for switching classes going into the ninth grade. I was, however, academically higher than most of my peers. My brother and two younger cousins go there, and they love it! Keep it up CMA!

I took my daughter out of lincoln park school district for lack of learning, after being enrolled at cma one semester i noticed a big difference, my three girls love reading more now then ever there grades are somuch better, the teachers at this school are wonderful. Not only do they have a teacher to every class but a student teacher as well ...This was the best school i could have picked, thank you cma...Keep up the good work!...Roxanne smith
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 daughters that just started this year. Previously, the attended Wyandotte Public Schools. I can see such a difference in them. They have become very good readers, good in Spanish and enjoy their teachers. Mrs. Wallace is my favorite!
—Submitted by a parent

I am greatly disappointed in the level of education at this facility. The teachers are lazy and non resonsive to the students needs. I feel my grandson is learning more from me and his father than at your facility. I rate this school at c-----