Skinner Montessori School

My 4 year old is starting her 2nd year of Pre-School at Skinner and I can't say enought great things about the school!! She is the only 4 year old we know who can read, write, and speak french! As we see our friends kids struggle with knowing their letters and numbers our daughter is reading books and doing simple math problems. The staff is wonderful and caring and they give me a daily update about her progression and what she is working on in class so we can encourage her progression! Be prepared though...with knowledge comes opinions...Skinner allows students to make choices and they are accountable for their choices and the transition was harder on me than it was on her! Give your child the best and get them to Skinner!!
--Submitted by a parent

My 4 and a half year old son has attended for over a year and truely loves his school. He is the first to tell everyone that he attends 'Skinner Montessori'. Beyond that I have found it and his teachers to be excellent, caring and compassionate. They inspire confidence and creativity in a true Montessori environment (they only accept AMI certified instructors) and produce remarkable results. My son is well above his peers who don't attend Skinner both socially and intellectually and I know so much of the credit goes to the safe, consistent, stimulating environment his teacher, Gina, provides. I have found Skinner to be far more racially diverse and tolerant than the public school environment (I am a former teacher) and ditto for our preschool experiences locally. I have always found all staff to be polite and interested in trouble shooting & any pushy rude parents don't stay long.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! My daughter spent last year at Skinner after having spent 2 1/2 horrible years in public school(Orchards). She would cry for several hours a day several times a week at the old school.The school and homework were very substandard. At Skinner I was continually impressed throughout the year by what my child was learning and the projects they were doing. My daughter loved the French class. I have also been very impressed by the behavior changes-my daughter is so caring and polite now after being in that nurturing enviornenment.Venus is an excellent, loving teacher. I am sad that I have to put my daughter back in public school this year because of the cost-but, if I have any problems at all I know it will be definitely worth it to bring her back.
--Submitted by a parent

My child had been at skinner for two years and the first 18 months were great. The last six months have been very sad, they just raised the rates and cut the hours. It looks like a once sold school is almost out of business. We will be pulling our little girl as soon as we find a solution.
--Submitted by a parent

The staff is sooo rude. They care about the donations but not the kids. Espesially if you are foriners - expect even worse attitude! My child was at this school for 5 month and get no any progress. My son hated the school. Now changed the school and have no problem. We feel so happy that we get rid off that nasty place.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a school that encourages learning, provides self confidence for the child, teaches the child who they are and where they are in the world, encourages creativity, this is the place for your child. Good structured environment for learning. And as a parent if you have a clue that a public school gets more than 7000 dollars per student per year to educate a child. And you are paying less than 7000 dollars a year to educate your child in a private school, you wonder how they do it? Yes they have to have an auction to raise money. It's a private school they have to raise money.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my sons attend Skinner and love it. My older one has been there since pre-K and I can't imagine a better foundation for him. Gina is a wonderful teacher...both of my sons adore her...and it's been very gratifying to watch both of my boys flourishing.
--Submitted by a parent

I am what they call a Skinner believer. My two kids have attended for over 4 years. My experience has been extraordinary. The first thing you note about the classrooms is the quiet (independent) learning undertaken by about 20 kids in various grades (the classrooms are multi-grade or multi-age). The second is that the kids are polite to each other and their teachers as well as encouraging of each other. They celebrate each others' successes constantly and in various forms. As one reviewer pointed out, there is little room for disruptive conduct in the classroom. And you will find no other school with the racial makeup of this school. The staff is great and caring.
--Submitted by a parent

My Daughter has went to Skinner for six years and I can't begin to explain how amazing the experiance has been. Her reading, math & spelling skills are beyond my expectations. I would say that its a very structured enviroment but the over all feeling is one of caring & compassion for all. There is little tolerance for disruptive kids.
--Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is attending her second year at Skinner Montessori and we couldn't be more happy! I feel that Skinner is a safe and encouraging environment for her and she is flourishing! Not only is she far ahead in academic areas but also in practical life skills and social skills as well. I feel the staff at Skinner not only treat our daughter with respect as a student but as a whole individual person. I am thrilled with the level of interest and concern for personal problem solving techniques that our daughters teacher and teacher's assistant have shown. They have gone above and beyond! I wish that communication was better from the office, BUT, the positives at Skinner FAR out weighs the negative! Skinner has been a great choice for our family. Good luck in your search!
--Submitted by a parent