Bennett Park Montessori School

I think this school is a really good place to send your child. Not only do they begin instruction at the early age of 3 years old but they involve themselves greatly in making sure of any assitance and extra help your child may need. My son has been attending this school for 5 1/2 years and I have no complaints.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has the potential to be excellent. A public Montessori school - what a unique opportunity! This school has a lot of things picky parents want at the early childhood level - nice facilities, tools and technology in the classroom, a unique Montessori curriculum, many good teachers, pets in classrooms, etc. It suffers at the middle school level. It also suffers from poor culture, morale, and leadership. Upon a recent visit to the school, I entered the main office to find administrators yelling loudly at each other. They were speaking badly of specific students by name. A senior administrator openly criticized individual teachers and policies - she was clearly negative and not in touch with her teachers. Also, it is a large school - 16 classrooms for the 3-5 year old age group. In the hallways, students seemed disorganized, lost, led military-style in lines, and spoke to poorly by teacher aides. The teacher aides I witnesses appeared unkept, did not speak with proper grammar, and handled the children too roughly. I would send my child to this school, but with caution and vigilance. There is a disconnect between school culture and their peace-based ideals.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children attend Bennett PArk Montessori Center. I think in terms of the overall condition of the Buffalo Public Schools, that the teachers and principal are doing their best under the circumstances. This school though, is in high demand in the district. I really like that they teach peace in the school. There is quite an active group of parents ensuring that the district deals with any problems the school faces. I also like that there are many diverse views and beliefs among teachers and students and that you can share them without fear. The worsening conditions of the schools does show in tension of the teachers sometimes. Every thing that is wrong with it doesn't have to do with the school itself, it has to do with the wrecking of public education by the government which is happening everywhere.
—Submitted by a parent