Des Peres Montessori

We left this school very disappointed. Honestly I was afraid to write what I really thought of the place untill my kid was sucessfully integrated into a new school. Essentaly we left because the elementary teacher is a bully. She is also the principle. This school had more students a few yrs ago. As the teacher gets older she just gets meaner. She YELLS at everyone. She is charming and polite to parents and never yells on visiting days. Your big clue when looking at this school should be the very high rate of turn over in both employees and students. Whn we 1st came there I believed the excuses for this but now I know better. When I asked her about yelling at students she told me I was an overindulgent parent and someone had to yell at the children to get them in line. Know I understan it happens to the best of us to yell once and awhile but YELLING at kids as young as 2 untill they are sobbing? Yelling at kids who don't get their lesson the 1st time? Yelling at teachers until they are sobbing? I have a word for that. I'm soory I didn't post this sooner , this school does not have grades so all I had was her recommendation to show other schools. This si how she keeps parents inline
--Submitted by a parent

This school has very high teacher turn over in the preschool. They can not seem to keep a teacher more than a semester. Teachers and class room aides often quit in the middle of a term. I think this is confusing for the kids not to mention that at pick up half the time you don't even recognise the adult watching the kids. Parents are not even introduced to the new people. Between the constant flow of new staff and how run down the place is I know we won't be back next year. The principal claims she doesn't maintain the place so money can go into programs but peeling paint really? Over all its very disorganised. I've also heard compaints about the head ofschool yelling at staff and students. Just the opisit of Montessori .
--Submitted by a parent

I am not sure I would have survived parenting without Des Peres Montessori. My son's Elementary teacher has amazing insight into my own child. I have learned from her how my son learns best, what he needs from his environment in order to stay calm and focused and how to help capitalize on his interests. I also love how peaceful and completly immersed and absorbed he and his classmates are every day. A classical Montessori school structures each lesson or experience for the maximum benefit of each student, given his or her individual needs, learning style, intrests and natural curiosities. The school truly belives in the inherent greatness in each child and will do everything possible to help that child become the best whole person he or she can be.
--Submitted by a parent

My child looks forward to going to Des Peres Montessori each morning. The school focuses on authentic Montessori principals and the whole child is considered in everyday activities. The staff is caring, thoughtful, considerate and engaging! Many of the parents get involved with extracurricular activities. It is a lovely environment, and it is such a joy to walk in to the school everyday and see the children enjoying their school and friends.
--Submitted by a parent