Spring Valley Montessori School

After 8 years at this school, with my oldest, my youngest will not continue. The 4th-8th grade math instruction has been awful. After researching High Schools, I found that he was not given the skills needed for the advanced programs. He was not taught Algebra I, until I requested it, when I told them that the High Schools required it. I was told Geometry was a 10th grade subject. The math teacher said my son wasn't ready. I have had to send my kids to Mathnasium. Working with their tutors, both kids are were brought up to grade level math. My 8th grader had been working on the Algebra I and Geometry that he should have been working on at Spring Valley. He was very much "ready" for these subjects, the math teacher just didn't want to do the work. At one report card conference, she said she "didn't have time" to help them with math. Spring Valley does not use the WA State Test. I was told this is because it is a "bad" test. But after having my children take it in 4th and 7th. I believe they do not want their test scores compared to Washington, as they are afraid that it will make them look bad. It is sad that this great school has gone down hill in math.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children in the school. They have both been here since Preschool. My oldest is in Upper Elementary, and my youngest is in Lower Elementary. I am VERY happy as a parent. Both of my children excel at different subjects (younger - math, older - language). I am very pleased with how the teachers have kept my children's interest, while challenging them to become better. There are a few programs that I REALLY like: Salmon (raise from eggs then release into a creek on the school grounds), PE, cooking in the classroom, and FRENCH! I love that my children have a better, easier understanding of French than I do (I took 3 quarters in college)! I am very pleased!
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school for 2 years. While the staff was friendly, I found that the academic rigor of this school lacking. My son was not pushed academically to succeed and the school provided limited resources to support his growth. For the average student, this would have been OK, however with a child working 2-3 grade levels above, this made for some boring times and trouble. My family would have been better off investing the price of tuition in college savings and enrolling my son in one of the choice elementary schools in the area.
--Submitted by a parent

The love of learning that the teachers at Spring Valley encourage is hands down amazing. The kids are excited everyday to go to school. They are not waiting for spring break. Learning is fun again. I wish I could have gone to a school like this when I was young I probally would have gone farther. Hope I can afford to stay till 8th grade!!
--Submitted by a parent

Both my boys attend Spring Valley. I have one in preschool and one in kindergarten. They are so happy and excelling in their academics. Both of my boys love their teachers, their classrooms, and are proud of their achievements. Sending them to Spring Valley is an investment in their future that I will never regret!
--Submitted by a parent

I attended there from 2008-2009. I don't think I was getting enough education in math. The teachers are nice, and creative. My teacher Ms.Whitman was really fun. I enjoyed the other teachers too. I had a fun school year. Homework and vocabulary exercises were helpful. -Addie Mae Thompson
--Submitted by a student

In addition to the Montessori curriculum, French & music are incorporated. Madame (French teacher) is on staff to immerse students in French. Students are at ease with the language and sing songs and perform plays in French during Spring Performance. The music teacher teaches every Friday to study instruments, musicians, & various music styles. Students annually raise and release salmon hatchling into Hylebos Creek, which runs thru the campus. Kids are very respectful of and hands-on with nature and the beauty of it; the campus is conducive to that. I'm very pleased that the school offers such an inherently enriching program during school hours. Consistent with the Montessori method, SVM prepares students for life skills, not just to pass Iowa tests or get thru the school year. Students here are different--on the whole, they are delightfully inquisitive about life and have a zest for learning.
--Submitted by a parent

In Montessori, where students spend 1-3 years in 1 classroom, parents get personally invested in teachers, whose career decisions may lead them elsewhere. My child is in their 3rd year @ SVM (since PreK). I have every confidence in the school to choose great teachers (they also educate Montessori teachers, so they retain the cream of the crop) and believe in the core, traditional Montessori values of the school. The ratio of 2 teachers per class is outstanding-at any given time, I can ask either instructor about my child's progress and they show me. The teachers and principal are VERY receptive to parent inquiries and love to educate parents. Their love for teaching is evident. Visit the school and observe the children's strong propensity for learning fostered in the Montessori way. I interviewed many parents and schools before selecting SVM and am very happy with my decision.
--Submitted by a parent

Ratings are subjective if you have one parent that is unhappy unfortunetly they are quick to try and ruin it for everyone. I have several children at Spring Valley and am always sad to see a teacher leave but the core education is always at the school. If you are looking for a fabulous education Spring Valley is the place.
--Submitted by a parent

Spring Valley once had a lot going for it and could be considered one of the best elementary schools in the South Sound. It has unforunately gone downhill quicky. The vast majority of the teachers are useless and those who are wonderful are leaving. This will be the last year my daughter attends. It looks like we won't be only ones.
--Submitted by a parent