Montessori Community School

MCS is an excellent school, particularly for toddler and pre-k. Most teachers are well trained and dedicated with little turnover. However, when deciding on this program, consider that they follow the Salt Lake School District calendar, meaning that you will have to pay additional tuition (literally thousands of dollars more per year) for care during school "breaks" and that the program is closed completely on multiple days for teacher training and for almost two weeks in August. The school day is from 9-3:30 as well, so you have to pay extra for extended hours 7:30-6 pm. Additionally, many of the extracurricular activities cost extra as well ($80-100 each per session). The only criticism I have is that because of the Montessori method, I often feel that I do not have a good understanding of what the kids are learning in the classroom; as an involved parent I would prefer more consistent communication with the teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

The preschool and toddler programs are amazing. The teachers are dedicated and have such a joy of teaching. They have many programs available and the kids thrive. My kids excelled in different areas - my son was a wiz at math at 4 and they let him go with it and was doing fractions and multiplication in kindergarten. My daughter would help her younger friends learn to read and write. The elementary program is not as strong. The teachers do not seem to like what they do and perhaps some fresh faces will change the elementary program. It has great potential for a strong elementary program, but the teachers seem to be the only thing holding it back - and the administration who won't make the changes.
--Submitted by a parent

What a great school...wonderful sense of community. If you're looking for a Montessori school, this is a fantastic pick.
--Submitted by a parent

I have three 4-year-olds entering their 2nd year in the Early Childhood program at Montessori Community School. They thrived in the multi-age classroom last year, wanting to be like the bigger kids who watched out for them! I love the emphasis on the arts, the outdoor classroom, peacebuilding, and community at MCS. The teachers are so patient and they truly embody the Montessori philosophy. As a triplet mom, I'm thrilled when one or more of my kids figures out another way they can be "independent"! And I love the excitement they come home with when they've learned a new fact ("The skull protects our brain, Mom!") or when they've made something of their own with a new work.
--Submitted by a parent

I love working at Montessori Community School and coming to work each day is an absolute joy. We have highly experienced and dedicated teachers - many have worked here for 10+ years and a very talented support staff. We take the word "community" to heart in everything that we do as a staff and we have a very supportive and collaborative working environment. We are committed to being a world-class Montessori school and that commitment shines through in the quality of programs that we offer.
--Submitted by a teacher

My boys have been at Montessori Community School for the past 4 years, in the Toddler, Early Childhood and Elementary programs and they have absolutely thrived in this environment. The school has incredible teachers and a wonderful community of families. The school has beautiful gardens, a dance room, an art studio, a large gymnasium and lots of playground space for the kids. My boys love school. They are doing great academically and are developing the social skills that they would never learn in a public school environment.
--Submitted by a parent