Sunset Hills Montessori School

After many school visits, both public and private, we found SHMS for both of my boys. They have thrived at the school and after three years I can see the confidence that they exude. They love going to school and after a few days of vacation ask when school is going to start again. With school being not only a place for children to be pushed academically, but also a place to learn social skills and personal responsibility, SHMS does a great job at all. They bring higher level work for the kids that are ready, while working on the areas that they need extra help in, but all done a tthe individual child's pace. My Kindergarten son started bringing home some of his multiplication "works" a few months ago, which I was surprised by. My kids need to feel like they have a say in what they do (within boundaries) and the Montessori environment has definitely given them that.
—Submitted by a parent

Montesorri education does not fit all children. For my daughter, the educational foundation that she gained through the curriculum, teachers and administrators at Sunset Hills is what has made her successful today. She was fortunate to be able to attend Sunselt Hills through Middle school. I often second guessed if she was missing out on clubs, sports, and other activities available at larger schools. As a result of the edcuational foundation gained at SHM, my daughter was well prepared for high school, graduated with honors, received academic scholarships to college and is grateful that we were able to send her to SHM.
—Submitted by a parent

As a mom of four children, who has moved many times, I have experienced many types of preschools over the past 20 years. When it came time to pick a preschool for our youngest daughter we looked at many options in the NOVA area before pick SHMS. Hands down this is the very best preschool any of my children have ever attended. Every staff member I have encountered -- from her teacher to the office to the aftercare staff are kind, concerned, communicative, giving and truly love what they do. The school is the cleanest school I have ever been in. It's large with plenty of window light. A great playground and large space to do activities on rainy days. My three-year-old says on a weekly basis how much she loves school. She is happy there and learns many things (like the types of Virginia Birds) that she would never have gotten at a regular preschool. I have to say it's worth the monthly investment to see her thriving everyday! I also love the fact they have a great summer camp and other PTA sponsored act ivies throughout the year. Tour the school for yourself and sit in a classroom. You will what a hidden gem Sunset Montessori is.
—Submitted by a parent

My shy 2 year old is thriving at the school. He has learned so many new skills and has come out of his shell thanks to his loving teachers. They also provide guidance and help to support our family outside the school. We could not be any happier with the school, the teachers, and the PTA.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended SHMS for 2 years - pre-K and Kindergarten. She just finished her 1st grade in a nearby Fairfax County school. Alhthough her 1st grade teacher was great, she was not as loving and caring and as great with the kids as her SHMS teacher was. And midway through 1st grade my daughter said to me during some home work "this is not nearly as hard or as fun as what I did last year."
—Submitted by a parent

My daughters attended SHMS for five years. Our experience has been mixed. The decision making over the years has been increasingly business driven instead of the interests of the student or the class. One class unexpectedly went from being led by a beloved, experienced teacher to a newly anointed co-teacher. The risk you take is that the the next time the axe unexpectedly falls, it might be your child's teacher. While the school is seemingly fantastic, the leadership and teaching staff is at times unpredictable and unapproachable. If you sign the contract and start with a qualified teacher, will you be happy if you end up paying for a teacher with less experience and an untrained assistant? You take that risk at SHMS.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending SHMS since she was 22mos old. I looked at over 10 schools before deciding on this one. She is happy, engaged and learning at a fast pace. It s a great school and I am amazed about the poor reviews that stemmed from an incident that other classes were only vaguely aware of. Use your own judgment, tour the school, sit in on a class and decide for yourself. I highly recommend Sunset Hills!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending Sunset Hills Montessori school for the past three years. He loves the school, his teachers, and the school owner Mrs. Minarik. We are very pleased with his progress and plan to continue with Sunset Hills Montessori school for the near future. I recommend parents to observe the school for themselves and meet the school owner Mrs. Minarik and the staff before making any decisions.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is in a beautiful building. What goes on within the building is unprofessional and disappointing. The administration has hurt many children and parents and has acted in a cold and callous manner. They have tried to spin and sweep under the rug their bad decisions and broken promises. They appear unconcerned that families have been deeply disappointed and have left or are leaving the school. The administration s actions show that they believe families of the school are disposable the apparent belief is that they will just hold more open houses and recruit more high tuition paying warm bodies into the school to offset the numerous disappointed families that have left. Our children will be moving in the fall to a school where parents are treated as partners in their children s education.
—Submitted by a parent

When we first went to SHMS to check out the school two years ago, we fell in love with this school. We immediately could sense that the principal of the school was committed to the education of children and that she truly cared for them. We could also sense that this love and care for the children was present throughout the entire staff. We still feel this way about SHMS. It is an excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Sunset Hills is an excellent school; the education is excellent and my children are doing great there.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been on staff at Sunset Hills for three years now. The administration at this school by far has been great. As a professional educator who has worked in many diverse settings, Sunset Hills is truly an environment of professionals who work very well together. Regardless of what others on her have to say, the owner/founder of the school, the Operations Manager, and Asst. Head of School, all have been great to me as a professional, and supportive to me as an individual educator. I love my children, my co-workers, our parents, and our community.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son has been attending SHMS for the past 2 1/2 years and we are extremely happy with both the quality of the teachers and the administration. We believe that few Montessori schools in this area, or any other, can match the caliber of SHMS. Although a few parents have recently criticized the school, I have seen no grounds whatsoever for such negative criticism. The teachers are highly professional and the staff is courteous and efficient. What I like the most is the way that the staff really care for the children. The principal and owner of the school, Mrs. Minarek, is incredibly dedicated and I can see how much she really loves each and every child that attends her school. This love for children carries over to the entire staff and is apparent in the way the school is run. I have no complaints and nothing but praise for SHMS.
—Submitted by a parent

Having two children in the school, I have to confess that the stardards have slipped considerably. Of course parents have to use their judgement in deciding which school their child may thrive in. Knowing the alternatives out there, I have decided that this school certainly is below other Montessori schools which incidentally also charge less and are more amenable to working with parents. I wish all those who think that the school is great good luck and clear foresight.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has always brought my family and our children a lot of joy, great times, true Montessori foundation, and a loving staff. Don't be swayed by negative comments until you see it for yourself. I have personally found the administration always open to hearing my thoughts and feedback. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

My Son is very happy at this school. He has learned the basics of life and respects both his teachers and classmates. Its well worth the time and expense. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

SHMS is an excellent school. I am shocked that some of the parents of one class would initiate a smear campaign against the school. I understand that they loved their teacher(we love ours), but to post opinions like: 'the standards have slipped' because of a disagreement between the teacher and school is just wrong. If you on this site looking for a Montessori school, don't just read our opinions, go to an open house and speak to some parents as they drop or pick up their children. Those parents who have decided to try to 'hurt' the school by trying to sway parents from enrolling need to remember the love and dedication all the teachers and staff have for the children. I would recommend this school very highly. The proof is in the children.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter has been at SHMS for almost two years. The SHMS teachers have been successful in creating an environment that our daughter looks forward to. She loves her weekly music, Spanish, and art classes. The teachers both in the classroom as well as the before and after care are adored by our daughter. We, as a family, have enjoyed the performances and family events that the school holds, they are done very nicely. As parents we really couldn't ask for a higher level of comfort in our daughters early education.
—Submitted by a parent

In all honesty, all of this is a bit childish. The school has its shortcomings, but what school doesn't. If you simply follow the advice of some families that were slighted by ONE event then surely you have not done your best research. You must see and experience the school for yourself. Ask all the questions, do all of the foot work...your child's education is important to you and the administration at SHMS why would they put their hard work into something they didn't believe in. People are unhappy, yes but there are families like ours that owe so many fond years to this school. One event cannot undermine our strong bond to this school and the many memories our children have here.

All 3 of my children have or currently attend the school. I cannot speak more highly of the school, it's staff and it's adiministration. Follow the advice of others and go see for yourself. I would reccommend the school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent