Montessori Academy

My daughter is in her fourth year at Montessori Academy, and I could not be happier with her education. The faculty and staff have been very involved and approachable, and I know that my daughter would not be the caring, mature child she is without the school's influence. Also, the individualized style of learning has allowed my daughter to surge ahead in her reading. She is a first grader reading at a fourth grade level, and I know that she would have been held back by a traditional school setting. I highly recommend this school for any child.
—Submitted by a parent

I was blessed to serve the community of Montessori Academy as a teacher for over fourteen years and to have my daughter attend the 3-6 year old program before my husband was transferred with his company out of state. There is a high level of expectation for each student to excel according to interest and ability. The love of learning is established and nurtured throughout the individual classroom environments.

My son has attended MA in LE. A couple of years after searching for Montessori school's, I would like to add a review of my experience as the reviews on here were very helpful for my decision making. The positives are; our son has developed academically during his time at the school, we feel he has been challenged academically, the classroom is clean and orderly and the atmosphere is calm and has been a good place for my son to work. He enjoys the special classes, espcially music and art. There are many opportunities for parents to get involved at the school and the performances are always a treat. We've had a few issues over the past year or two, we agree that there is bullying, I think that's the case with most schools and I would have liked to have seen more effort made towards resolving our personal situation. The school has great amenities and we have a lot of respect for the work they do. Despite our tough times and the realization that the school is not what is best for our son at this point, I can still see it being a good environment depending on your expectations and your child's personal preferences. I do think it depends upon the individual experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I just joined the team at Montessori this year and am very impressed, so impressed that I plan on enrolling my own child in the next semester. As far as bullying goes, this happens in all schools private or public. From what I have seen, bullying is taken very seriously and students are dealt with immediately.
—Submitted by a teacher

Montessori Academy is an extraordinary community of learning, growth, development, and opportunity. Having our daughter there for seven years (from 3-10 years old) has been a gift beyond expression. Were it not for a work-related relocation, she still would be there, too. What M.A. does so wonderfully is give kids the chance to grow and blossom in a safe and nurturing environment, a place where there is no ceiling limiting learning, no "you've got to wait until you're older" rebuke for talented and gifted students. At the same time, M.A. has a very diverse student body in all respects, one in which every student is steeped in the ways of listening, working together, and being part of a community. What an outstanding place!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been going here since 2006 and have never experienced bullying that wasn't dealt with within a few hours. They teach the children conflict resolution at a young age with is invaluable for everyone. I wish adults could speak so well about problems and how to fix them. My son is around a year ahead of public schools in the same grade level and he isn't unusual around here, all of the kids are well above what public school expects. These children will be leaders as adults and that is what more school should strive to acheive.
—Submitted by a parent

After 35 years teaching band in private and public schools in the Nashville area, I joined the Montessori Academy team last year as a part-time band director. I have found the students to be highly motivated, eager to learn, and respectful toward other students as well as teachers. It is a pleasure to work here with the other music teachers and enjoy the support and appreciation from the other teachers, parents and administrators as we lead students to a deeper understanding and appreciation for making music.
—Submitted by a teacher

My children attended here for a number of years and have done very well in their public schools (all honor roll and end-of-year academic awards at Woodland and Ravenwood) since needing to move for their upper years of school. They definitely learned a love for learning, conceptual skills that have aided them tremendously and have an excellent base. They have remained friends with multiple children from their Montessori Academy days and had a tremendous social experience as a result of the very nurturing and positive climate in the school. Their self-confidence and actual skills are far beyond what they would have been had they attended other skills in those formative years.
—Submitted by a parent

Montessori Academy is a wonderful school that I highly recommend to all parents who put their kids first. The nurturing environment and sense of community allowed my children to be who they were intended to be and not what society wanted them to be. I wish that all kids had the opportunity to be educated here in this positive and diverse community where the sky is the limit. Thank you MA!

My daughter has attended MA for seven years now, and she is having an exemplary educational experience. MA has wonderful, dedicated, nurturing teachers at all grade levels. They take the time to truly get to know the children, to celebrate their strengths while giving them the time and attention to improve in their weaker areas. It is a school where academic excellence is balanced with the goal of educating the whole child. There is a strong dedication to peace, and conflict resolution is built into the curriculum from the time the children enter the school. I know that my daughter is receiving a wonderful educational foundation, and I also know that she is respected and cared for deeply by her teachers and the community of MA. This is truly a great school!
—Submitted by T. Murphy, a parent

Both of my children have attended MA and have had a very positive experience. My son was accepted to Duke TIP while at MA and again in 7th grade and is doing well academically at his new school. My daughter is thriving in the art and music program. Overall, we are very happy with the education and the enrichment. The Science program is very strong and teachers nurturing. Great environment for success.

I worked at the Montessori Academy as a student teacher, and found it a nurturing environment where administrators concern is for the student as a whole person. Teachers are responsible not only for academic growth, but also support students in areas of physical fitness, and social awareness. Students work together, conscious of the effect their actions may have on others. As in any school, the students are not always confident in expressing ideas, or feelings. Montessori Academy teachers and administrators model positive communication, and camaraderie, as they meet together often to formulate individual plans for students maturation in all areas. Likewise, students hold regular meetings to brainstorm ways of contributing to the outside community, to find healthy resolutions for classroom issues, and to recognize the gains others are making in scholastic and personal growth. I have observed students in many elementary schools, but I am always most impressed with the interactions of those who study within a Montessori environment. The students and teachers at Montessori Academy function as a family, holding each other accountable, and treating each other with respect and openness.

We have been at Montessori Academy for 5 years and we've NEVER had a problem with bullying! Kids will be kids and I hope parents know the difference!!!! The teacher are great and really care about the children there! The education they are receiving is incredible and i have always admired how the teacher let the CHILDREN work out their difference in a civil and respectful way!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended MA the last five years and have grown not only academically but socially as well. The nurturing environment in the primary level builds confident children; the primary teachers who work there are excellent at what they do and their love for the children shows. In kindergarten the kids learn so much the curriculum is built to give them a well-rounded education with an emphasis in reading and math. Both my children were reading a few grade levels above as they entered first grade. In elementary, each of my children has blossomed - the Montessori method really does work. As for bullying, I just cannot believe that this is running rampant as some other reviewers suggest. If I have ever had a situation with my child and another, the teacher handled it immediately. I have a good network of other parents, and after talking with them, we all agree that this idea that bullying is a problem here just isn t the case. Montessori Academy is a premier private school and the quality of education received cannot be challenged by of the more expensive private school s in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

Wide spread bullying, admistration don't have any interest in proactively dealing with the situation, hopefully it won't end up being at a students emotional or physical expense.
—Submitted by a parent

We attended this school for 3 years (one yr in lower school and 2 in upper school). The lower elementary school was good (wonderful teachers), but two years in upper elementry was major disappointment - waste of money and time. As the previous reviewer stated - the administration just didn't care - they literally drove families and their good teachers away. They turn blind eyes to wide spread bullying and brag on local paper saying there was no bully at this school. Started from upper elementar, they didn't practice Montessori method as much as they did in lower school. They mearly put up shows on open house day for the parents by laying our Montessori materials and adviced students to act the "Montessori way". For some strange reasons, they discourage face to face communication between parents and teachers...We felt being kept in dark a lot. Overall, there was no vision, no leadership..and I felt they were ruining the good name fo Montesorri. This critism is mainly aimed at admin. not teachers...many teachers we know were very dedicate, and full of love and passion for kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Since my last review in 2006, my older son has graduated from Montessori and is doing well in his new school. He is enrolled in all the honor programs in his new school. This was possible because of the excellent education he got at Montessori. My younger son who is now in 4th Grade is doing very well at Montessori. The love for reading and a keen interest for learning builds a strong foundation for future. I think this school is one of the best in Tennessee. -- Pinky S
—Submitted by Pinky Sharma, a parent

After transferring to Montessori Academy from another reputable Montessori school in the South, we found MA to be a disappointment. We found MA, although accredited, practices as a traditional daycare with a few Montessori materials. We found poor academics that required us to supplement their education at home, large classrooms of 37, no school security, infrequent janitorial services, disorganized carpool, no computer learning, xeroxed copies of copyrighted materials, too many plastic bead crafts, and mandatory 2 hour naps that we felt kept our kids from their learning potential. We believe a few dedicated teachers, without benefits, cannot makeup for the poor administration and lack of finances at MA. My children begged to go back to their former Montessori school. We had one chance at a good Kindergarten year at lost it at MA!
—Submitted by a parent

With several years attending the school, I can easily say that the preschool program is a phenomenal start for children; however, our elementary experience has been underwhelming. Parents should not be the ones directing the program for their kids, but that's how it has been for us (and several other parents in our class). We've talked with the teachers several times, and are giving it one more year to see if there's an improvement. From an administration standpoint, there seems to be an overall lack of care whether students attend or not. Brenda has been a huge asset to the school in terms of marketing the program, setting up a monthly newsletter, and working to keep parents more engaged. Our goal was to get our children in the school and not leave until the program ended. I am hopeful things have changed over the summer and there is a renewed commitment to excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at Montessori Academy for her Pre-K year and we have absolutely loved it! Her educational and social experience could not have been better. She has not had a morning when she was not excited to go to school! I highly recommend this school for others as well.
—Submitted by a parent