Lakeside Montessori Inc

My child went to Lakeside Montessori - Sammamish for two full years and it has been a wonderful experience for him. My child has thrived at Lakeside and has grown into a smart, self-sufficient, kind, thoughtful little boy. The environment is more structured than say a regular day care, but this is one of the things I like best about this school. There are times to play and times to be focused and most children seem to succeed best when there is some structure to their day. The teachers are amazing-kind, generous, smart, and professional. Lots of one on one attention and small class sizes. Overall, choosing Lakdeside for my sons care has been one of the best parenting choices I could have made for my child. more

The facility is nice and well kept. The teachers are friendly. The administrative staff and policies of the school are inflexible and unreasonable. Over all customer service is lacking. They don't seem to understand that the parents and children are ultimately customers of their business. Academics are stressed over fun and exploration to a fault. They also go overboard with Montessori methodology by letting children drive everything to the point of children going hungry because they choose not to eat at the right time or getting very tired because they choose not to nap or rest. By the time they get home kids in this state can be miserable. Very little encouragement is provided to the children. Yet while being very open to children driving what they want to do and when, the environment is at the same time very structured. The environment is cold, military-like and down trodden. Children that conform quickly will do well at this school. If you want a place that will encourage imagination, exploration, fun as well as academics this is not the provider to choose. Don't commit early. If you end up changing your mind it will cost a lot of money. They will say spaces fill up early, but they still had spaces open into September. Don't commit until you are very certain this is a fit for you and your child. The hours are pretty limited and there are many, many days the school is closed. Make sure you understand all out of service dates before you commit. If both spouses work, you will need a back up childcare solution to deal with these extensive closures. more