Metropolitan Montessori School

We feel very lucky to have landed at this school. My kids love it, the academics are excellent, and the families we have met are wonderful. While the curriculum presents plenty of challenge, there is also plenty of support and communication to help the kids continually grow and thrive. There is a true interest in social and emotional development as well as the hard skills. I am perplexed by some of the reviews here that talk about disruptive children... this is something that we have not encountered. In fact seeing the highly focused and engaged children in the classrooms is what drew us most to the school. Because of the Montessori philosophy, kids work in small groups at their own pace, so there is plenty of individual attention. We have been very happy, I just wish it went beyond 6th grade. However from everything I have seen and heard, the exmissions really are outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

We looked for a school that embraced our child's hugs and giggles and inspired a love for learning. Every afternoon, when we see the smile on our child's face, we know Metropolitan Montessori School, NY was the right choice.
—Submitted by a parent

I was contacted and asked to write a review. I am happy at the school but thought this was inappropriate. I would read all the reviews on this school with skepticism, as I have noticed there are a lot of upset families too. I decided, if I were honest and made this disclaimer, the review would be more fair. The best part of the school is the families & social life, the school (or should I say the parents, as they seem to do all the work) do a great job of socializing, throwing a lot of parties etc. The chef is great and I believe the education my child is receiving is excellent. However the school is only interested in the academic aspects. They appear not to care about the social emotional wellness of our children. Also as another poster mentioned, there are a lot of troubled students in the school both academically and behaviorally. These things do concern me for a school of this caliber. Finally if I raise an issue to the administration, it is put back on me. The school does not take responsibility to tackle serious issues, I find I am served with a lot of double and triple talk.
—Submitted by a parent

We switched to MMS from another school at the start of K and have been very happy here. The parent community is welcoming and friendly. The administrators and teachers are smart and committed to keeping up with what's going on in education. Also, and this might seem like a small thing, but it's been amazing -- the school has a fantastic CHEF who cooks the school lunches! He puts a lot of thought into the menus and gets the kids to try things like salmon and SALAD and veggies. There's always a soy-nut butter and jelly sandwich available for the pickiest kids, too. There is a school-wide emphasis on grace and courtesy which I think really makes a difference with the kids and fits with the values of my household. The teachers are ACCESSIBLE and available to listen to parent concerns, which has been really important for us. They respond to email :) They really care and know my child. My child is getting a great education at MMS, and of course I would expect nothing less from a Manhattan private school, but it's the little extras that set MMS apart and make it a real community. It's a happy place.
—Submitted by a parent

Metropolitan Montessori has been an exceptional experience for my children. The academic programs are superb and designed to foster a true love of learning. The school environment as a whole is very peaceful, supportive and child-centered, and the parent body is warm, welcoming and internationally diverse. I've been very impressed with the administration, and I can see that everyone who works at MMS cares deeply about maintaining the school's strong curriculum and sense of community. And then there are the teachers. We all know that teachers are the heart and soul of a school, and all the teachers I have encountered at MMS have been wonderful. They are devoted to nurturing the whole child (academically, socially, emotionally), and they work hard to bring out the very best in their students. My children are thriving at MMS and seem to love everything about their school, from their classmates to their teachers to the lunches that the school chef prepares each day to their monthly trips to Black Rock Forest (which is a land preserve north of NYC that serves as the school s outdoor classroom). We're now in our third year at the school and could not be happier with our choice.
—Submitted by a parent

My children are so happy at MMS. We have been part of the MMS community for 4 years now, and find it to be such a warm, inviting, and inspiring school. The teachers do a great job teaching the children both academically and socially, teaching them how to take pride in their work, and how to have compassion and respect for their peers and teachers. They do a nice job getting to know each child, and figuring out how to support each child's strengths and their weaknesses.
—Submitted by a parent

MMS is a wonderful school full of bright, intelligent, caring staff. While the school is highly academic, the teachers are more then wiling to work with your child to help them learn at their highest potential. They are willing to go above and beyond to answer any questions or concerns you might have. The greatness of the school is not only noted with the teachers: I have had many wonderful conversations with the head of school to the chef. Everyone is always willing to take a minute and have a conversation. We have been at the school for almost two years and can not say enough to the greatness of the school! I am extremely proud to call MMS my child's school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has too many disruptive & problem children. It should either be a 'special school' or not but it cannot be all things to all people. My children do not have problems or issues but are forced to deal with the issues in their classrooms because of all the disruptive children in the classes. Also the school caters to the 'important' families who are on the board or give a lot of money and if you are not one of these families you cannot gain assistance. When you try to approach the school about problems or issues you are pushed away. The school is only concerned about learning not the social emotional aspects of my children. We are looking to move out of this school as soon as possible. What a waste of money! It all looks good on the tours but once you get there it is a mess.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had a wonderful experience at this school. I sought out a Montessori education as I had gone to one of the oldest Montessori school's in the US (Ruffing Montessori) as a child and attribute much of my love of learning and thirst for knowledge to my early education. I've found MMS to be of the same high quality of education as my own early education teachers, curriculum and administration. When my son started preschool last fall he was delayed verbally and had behavioral issues. The administration and the staff worked with him and us to get him the help he needed. I was really taken aback by the level of care they had for him and concern for his development. I also was surprised that despite his sometimes extremely disruptive behavior they could see and appreciate what a wonderful boy he is. I'd heard horror stories of how Manhattan schools simply kick out problem kids. But MMS was more like a partner to my husband and I in getting our son the extra help he needed to be a functional part of the classroom. My son is now thriving this year and I attribute that to the school and his teachers. I've found the parent community very welcoming and friendly as well.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a gem of a school. The small enrollment makes my children feel so comfortable, since they know all the staff and students in the school. My children, a boy and a girl, are thriving at the school. The multi-age classrooms help children maintain friendships with different age children, the younger ones look up to their older peers and the older children look out for the little ones. Children stay with the same 2 teachers for 3-year cycles. This allows for individualized attention that has helped my kids excel at their strengths and tackle their weaknesses. In the primary years (ages 3, 4, 5), teachers encourage children to work independently and gradually give them more responsibility in the classroom. MMS is quite rigorous academically, particularly in grades 4-6, yet the teachers present material in ways that foster a love of learning. The teachers are caring and talented; they write incredibly descriptive report cards that highlight academic, social, and emotional development with real-life/practical suggestions for areas of improvement. I feel fortunate that my kids are so eager to start school each day, it is the kind of school I wish I had attended as a child.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, wonderful teachers & a challenging academic program; exmissions alone tell how challenging the academics are. Graduates go to top schools. The strongest part of the school is the nursery program. There are 4 nursery classes, 3 middle classes & only 2 older classes. The 6th grade this year was only 12 students. We came because we loved the school but the problem is we are not interested in staying through 6th grade & the school does not appear helpful with exmissions unless you stay until 6th grade. The new leadership is not great. Many people who were at the school previously do not like the new head. I have not been here long enough to make a comparison but she doesn't know who most of us or our children are & the school is small, she should. She does talk a lot but there is very little follow through. There is a lot of fundraising & pressure to give. The parents who give are treated better than those who do not. The parents are also divided, it is a love or hate sort of place. I feel somewhere in the middle. I don't love it but don't hate it either. I am not sure I would have send my child if I knew then what I know now.
—Submitted by a parent

Metropolitan has been a warm, wonderful home for our child since the first day of primary at 3 years of age. We're now in Upper Elementary, and can't say enough great things about the Upper Elementary program and exmissions prcoess. All the children go to schools that are right for them, and most move on to the top schools in NYC. But even more importantly, they get a superb education while they are at MMS. The school is intimate and caring. The children are treated and known as individual learners. We will truly miss this school when we leave, and always treasure our time here.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of an MMS graduate who is thriving at a top independent high school. My child is well organized, motivated, and responsible. Not perfect by any means, (the bedroom is a disaster), but on the way to becoming a grounded adult. I attribute this success to the wonderful foundation that MMS provides. Children discover their strengths, and they learn how to work at those things that don't come so naturally to them. They learn to listen, to be open to new ideas, to be independent. They learn that hard work can be rewarding, even fun! MMS is not just about learning facts, but becoming a well-rounded person. It is a jewel of a school.
—Submitted by a parent

We are new, but have been very impressed with MMS so far. Typical day for my 4-year-old: arrive and change into inside shoes (very Japanese!), choose work for the morning. Maybe make a model of the earth (crust, mantle, inner core, outer core) or fill in the numbers 1-100 on a grid matrix. Get self a snack, cubing a melon slice with a rounded knife, sticking toothpicks in to serve (all autonomous). Wash up from snack and head over to circle time, learn about how raptors, hunting birds, parent their young. Gym class (yoga and dance) followed by a visit to the rooftop playground and garden to check on vegetable plants, grown from seed. Round out the day with a one-on-one lesson with a teacher on cursive letter writing. Head over to River Run Playground after pick-up for a big playdate with classmates. As parents we've have multiple occasions to observe our son in class, even our nanny has been invited to several workshops and classroom observations. His teachers have been extraordinary in their communication with us (calls, conferences). We have made great friends with other MMS families. I am volunteering as a room parent next year. We've been thrilled with MMS.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a 6th grader denied admission to ongoing schools. There are a few of us. This is rare, students have been admitted to top notch schools. The new head has been a disappointment. We have to realize it takes time but if the first year is any indication, she is all talk and no action. There is no discipline and the policies in place are not enforced. Children are allowed to retake tests until they pass and can bully and misbehave without punishment. The school is already challenged ending in 6th grade; your child may be qualified but there are no spots. 6th grade is not an entry point for most schools and when it is it can be a tough transition. Many children apply out in 5th grade to have a better chance of finding an ongoing school. This does create a very small graduating class. The exception to the 6th grade issue is anyone interested in Hunter; there are an unusually large number of children who qualify for the Hunter test. This confirms the academic strength of the school. Academically the school is strong but based on this past year, the problems seem to be getting worse not better.
—Submitted by a parent

We think that Metropolitan Montessori School is the best place for our children after several years at the school. The learning environment in the Primary section of the school is top notch, both in its Montessori approach and the general classroom environment. We have children in the elementary section of the school too and the same sound approach to teaching continues. The children are engaged in their work and are learning the traditional subjects of elementary school, as well as broader life lessons about living in a community. I have chaperoned a few field trips and the teachers receive compliments about how respectful and inquisitive the MMS children are during their visit. We have a new Head of School and this first year under her leadership has been a good one. As the school year ends, it is clear that she is acclimating well to life at our school and is determined to continue the good work of MMS.
—Submitted by a parent

We just finished pulling our children out of this school. They are counting the days. What was once a small unique school has taken a turn for the worst. The new head of school has proven to be a failure. Parents are forced to band together and attempt to overturn various poor decisions she has made. While the academics are challenging, children who cannot keep up are encouraged to get tutoring to keep up or are counseled out. This leaves classes that dwindle each year after K with very few children entering. There is high teacher turnover, teachers do not stay for very long, even those with children at the school. The school prides itself on their exmissions process, yet this year many children were not accepted to any ongoing schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I went there until i was 7 and started when i was 3, and then I moved to Boston and in MMS i had the best time. when you first waled through those doors it was like one big happy family. everyone there was nice, happy, and helpful. me and my older brother went there and i swear every time my dad had to tell me its time to go I would get upset from how much fun i had there
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at this school for a number of years and have truly enjoyed the experience. They have done a great job at engaging my children and creating a love of learning. The school has recently hired a new headmistress so change is afoot. But given her background, I'm sure the school will continue to meet and exceed the needs of both the parents and their children.
—Submitted by a parent

I go to this school and everything from teachers to pencil sharpenersis great about it. The kids are nice and students get to know the teachers as a friend, not a teacher.