Montessori School of Raleigh

MSR has been an excellent choice for our two young children. They started attending this year and love going to school each day. The teachers are experienced, caring, and very knowledgeable about Montessori methods. Our children are flourishing there and have made tremendous gains in both academics and life skills since starting. We have had nothing but positive experiences!
—Submitted by a parent

If you are relocating to the Raleigh area, my advice is to look for a home in North Raleigh and strongly consider this school. We are a new MSR family who has been welcomed with open arms by the staff and administration. What a pronounced difference in their practicality, responsiveness, and organized approach to admissions. We had been trying to work with a Montessori school in the ITB area where our nephews attend for around a year, who were rigid to the point of defying common sense. At MSR, our daughter was matched with an instructor with over 20 years of Montessori teaching experience, who came in from his summer vacation for a 1:1 observation and parent interview. She loved him, and he was very positive yet astute about her personality and growth areas. The front office processed our paperwork and payments swiftly and in a friendly manner. When I expressed interest, they even found a spot for her in two summer camp sessions. They arranged for another directress to privately tutor her to help her acclimate before the school year began. At one point she popped her head out and said, 'Mama, guess what. I LOVE this kind of school.' Honey, so do we.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a grandparent of 2 kids at this school, and I believe that the Montessori style of teaching is the way of the future. I retired from public school teaching and unfortunately most public schools are no longer providing our kids with the skills they need to be a successful part of the 21st century. By its very nature, the Montessori method fosters collaboration, critical thinking, respectful communication, teamwork, intellectural curiosity and self-motivation. All important tools heading into this conceptual age we are now in when many of our jobs are being outsourced to Asia or eliminated due to advances in technology. Please come and check out the Montessori School of Raleigh, as it is the premier educational setting if you are a believer in the tried and true Montessori method. I was a doubter until I saw it in action, and see in real life what it does for my grandkids. As for the negative reviews below, to each their own. I am glad these parents have found a better setting for their kids. We all love our kids and want to do what is right by them.

It would certainly be upsetting if your child was miserable and you did not know it until after the fact. It is unfortunate that some former MSR parents have that experience. The school is now under new leadership, and hopefully some of the things that contributed to the below complaints will be better-managed going forward. As for my wife and I, we have been really happy with the school and are excited for our second child to start in the Fall of 2012. As an aside, neither my wife nor I are board members or serve in any volunteer roles for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent at the school and have been for 5 years. I am not a board member, as I work full time and do not have the extra bandwidth to serve the school in any volunteer capacities. MSR has gone through a difficult but much needed transition in leadership, and as a resulf this has been a great year. The upcoming 2012-2013 year promises to be even better, as our new Head of School takes over her role full time. In addition, some exciting new hires were just announced (one is coming to us from Yale!). I encourage any prospective parents interested in the Montessori method to check out the Montessori School of Raleigh. Like the other parent said below, you owe it to yourself to come and see the campus, the positive energy, the community culture and the fabulous prepared classrooms yourself. Love This School!
—Submitted by a parent

I actually agree wholeheartedly with the parent who felt that her son was shortchanged by a teacher who failed to understand her son was miserable and not learning challenged. Parents reading these reveiws need to keep in mind that many of the positive reviews are being posted by the parents who sit on the school board and in many cases contribute to the problem.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended this school for more than 6 years and has loved it! All schools will have ups and downs and not all schools are right for all people, but I am very pleased with the education my child has received. As a whole, the faculty is excellent and has cared for and educated my child very well. But don't just take my word for it, go visit the school and ask more than one person about their experience. By all means, don't listen to a few bad reviews on sites like these. Take them with a grain of salt.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the biggest mistakes I have made as a parent was selecting this school for my children. While it was barely adequate for one of my boys it was a colossal FAILURE for my other son. My super sweet, shy child was bullied by the students and belittled by the teachers. One teacher, who is still at the school in upper elementary, kept trying to attach labels to my child. This teacher insisted my child had a learning disability! Even after testing, which showed above average intelligence, this teacher kept insisting my child belonged in a special school!!! It never occurred to this "trained professional" that my child was desperately unhappy, and therefore not trying academically. Shocking! I challenged the teacher and the head of school, who had gotten involved, and tried be an advocate for my child but they were adamant that my child was learning disabled. I didn't believe their label and I was 100% correct. From the very first semester after leaving this school my child has been on the "A" honor roll every semester. Leaning disabled? Laughable. I'm quite sure other reviewers will refute my claim, but how can they? It happened to my family not theirs. Be afraid, be very afraid!
—Submitted by a parent

I've had children or nieces/nephews at many of the elite private schools in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area. Due to re-marriage, I became affiliated with MSR. I can honestly say that this school is the cream of the crop. It is so worth checking out. Go on a Wednesday morning when you can observe the students and teachers in action, and you'll see what I mean. "The proof is in the pudding."
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have been at MSR since the toddler program, and we're now in our fourth year at the school. I am amazed every day by the quality of the teachers and my children's growth and development. I could go on and on about my passion about the Montessori philosophy and how that is benefiting my 3 & 5 year olds, but it is really best to just go to the school for an info session and tour and see for yourself. The sense of community created by the teachers, students, families, administration, facilities and class environments is so compelling to our family, and our continued role in that community is something I never question. It is the best decision we've made for our children, and are so fortunate for this amazing school to be a part of their early lives.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has gone o Montessori School of Raleigh for 3 years and began at 2. He is about to enter his capstone year for children's house (which is the equivalent of kindergarten). He can read, add, write, skip count, and many other things. He can take care of himself and we think that we will see an even larger difference in his maturity through this capstone year. Our daughter will start in the fall in the toddler program. My children will be independent with a solid foundation for a love of learning that will carry them through their life.
—Submitted by a parent

The Montessori School of Raleigh is a leader in providing a first rate education, preparing children as critical thinkers and life-long learners who will be most successful in our rapid evolving world. My child has attended since age 4 and is now rising into the capstone 9th grade at the Middle School. What a wonderful place to grow and become, aided all along the way by truly excellent faculty!
—Submitted by a parent

As a staff member at the MSR Middle School, I feel compelled to elucidate the combined life & professional experiences which allow us to help shape our students in & out of the classroom. The MS has 6 main subject faculty & 2 resource faculty. 1) All faculty have worked for at least 8 years in direct experience with teens at the Middle or High School level. All are professionally certified in adolescent education. Some have dual certification, some Masters. One PhD. 2) Two have teenagers at home. 2 have children in college. 1 has a child in Medical Residency. 3) All have worked extensively with teens out of the classroom (summer programs, coaching varsity and JV sports, camps, clubs, class sponsors, camping trips, school trips, etc) 4) At last survey, all were potty trained and could zip coats unassisted :) Truly, the combined experience & insight/compassion of our staff allows us to respond exceedingly well to students & serve as mentors. We offer guidance and counseling, small group peer mediation & resolution, & a safe place in which to try on adult roles. Our goal is always to help students navigate the sometimes choppy teen waters & come through stronger.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am at parent at the MS. My experience is that there is so much that is right about about the place BUT the teachers are not mature. Most of them have very young children and no experience with teenagers. Any teen that speaks out or is seen as too strong is the one that is troubled while the sneaky girls are held up as leaders. Glad that we are almost totally done with MSR.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a departing family from MSR, and our child expressed these concerns based on her experience: The UE classrooms do NOT prepare the student for Middle School. There is too much free time, not enough transition preparation and little structure. The Middle School is now led by the faculty, not by the students. There are too many special situations that don't seem to be based on equity or true need, just on what parents squeak loudest for special treatment. This is the student's perspective, which in a Montessori world is very important. From a parent view, end of grade testing seems to be down for most students. We are increasingly concerned about the end-to-end curriculum at MSR and ensuing preparation to advance to the next level, whether LE to UE, UE to MS, or MS to any high school. This is a significant improvement area for MSR to address.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not sure if the last review by the MSR alumni is talking about "The" same school that I attended. As I prepare for my final year in high school, The Montessori Middle School prepared me for college level courses. I can truly thank Montessori for my study skills, my ability to tackle any challenge large or small and find answers to tough questions. It is unfortunate that individuals do not see that in order for growth to occur that change must happen. If Maria Montessori was alive today, she would expect this on MSR.

The Montessori School of Raleigh is unquestionably a great school; however, not infallible. The school does offer a nurturing sense of community that is apt for the growth of your child, but falls short of making its students as special in reality as the administration and teachers say they are. As an alumni, I can say that I benefited from a Montessori education, but could have benefited from an education that better prepared me for the real world--not a world of cushy ideals. In fact the majority of graduating students from the middle school, go into high school unable to get the spectacular grades they did at Montessori. These truly special kids, who are "better than the average student" at the time of their graduation, are not in fact going on to spectacular universities for the most part. Perhaps every other year a person from a middle school graduating class will go on to a college that is considered truly exceptional. This school is great up until middle school. I would strongly caution how much stock one puts into their perception of how great the school is.

The Montessori School of Raleigh is the best private school in town if you want your children to become independent thinkers with a true love of learning. The grace and courtesy demonstrated by the children at MSR is so constant and complete that I often have to remind myself just how young those amazing little people are. The teachers at MSR spend their days observing the children and learning what makes them tick, then directing them towards works they will find both enjoyable and challenging. And it works. If you are even considering MSR, I suggest you do the orientation -- I promise you will be amazed.
—Submitted by a parent

Our 7th grader is at the Montessori School of Raleigh Middle School and what a great year we have had. The middle school experience at MSR is amazing. The middle school campus is beautiful. The academics are challenging, the atmosphere is supportive and the social environment fun, safe and respectful. Our child is thriving and has incredible support from the terrific teaching and resource staff. Each of the teachers takes the time to really get to know the children. There are opportunities outside of the classroom to grow and mature as well with several sports teams and Montessori Model UN. Our child is challenged each day and is developing wonderful critical thinking skills as well as being prepared for any high school he chooses. He is not only being taught the scholastic components he needs but also learning how to learn in preparation for the future. MSR has given us a great gift of a wonderful middle school experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My family's Raleigh roots go back to the early 1900s, so we have multiple generations of experience with the area's schools. We started our first child in Children's House (pre-school, starting at age 3), and were so impressed with the school, the staff, and the curriculum that we transferred our older child from public school to MSR. The teachers at MSR are simply a cut above what we have experienced elsewhere. Their knowledge of each child's talents, and their ability to help the children excel with those talents, is simply amazing. Academically, our children are performing far above grade level, and well above the Honors curriculum that I took at the same age. But the magic at fMSR is not just academic. Our youngest exhibits grace, courtesy, and a concern for others that is shocking in the best of ways! Our oldest is able pursue electives that suit his artistic personality - without feeling like a nerd. MSR kids know how to think outside the box, and their Montessori training will help them become the visionaries and leaders of tomorrow.
—Submitted by a parent