Northwest Montessori School

The person who visited the school and gave her feedback about "They care more about the precision of their philosophy then about being responsive and adaptive to the kids." Does have some truth, I believe. I'm just saying that if your child is very energetic, talkative, smart, stuborn, attention seeking and likes to be the leader I don't believe the strict Montessori school is the right fit. Or at least not at a young age. There is no adapting to how the child learns. The child has to fit in with the group or they are ostersized. more

The reason the teachers are cautious about what "toys" the kids "play" with is because these educational materials are not "toys" and if a child is not ready to learn this material, they can get frustrated and may shut down their learning experience. It is much better to have a child feel like they can master something rather than be overwhelmed by it. The task of the teacher is to determine who is ready for what lesson. Most of the time, they are right on. more

Good: My daughter attended this school as soon as she was potty trained (2+ years old). She was tiny. But she thrived because she could do a task or learn a concept and take as much time mastering it until she thoroughly got it. She ;learned at her own pace. What an incredibly wonderful experience for a youngster to have.....to learn at their own pace not some pre-ordained timetable as you see in the public schools.. Bad: I didn't like that the teachers really don't want the parents to hang around and spend a lot of time in the classroom. I think it is important to socialize kids with adults, but their philosophy is that many kids are shy and when a "strange" adult is in their space, their learning stops or slows down. I can appreciate it, I just wish it weren't so. I like to get involved with my kids and their friends and their education and so I felt somewhat "left out", but I do think the teachers were probably right on. Other: My daughter had such a solid concept for math, reading and writing and enjoyed learning. I think her earlyier years at Montessori had a lot to do with it, and she continued to take the "Running Start" college program when she was in high school and just graduated from a 4 year college at the age of 20. I owe an appreciation for the wonderful teachers at NW Montessori.. more

Unlike the previous reviewer, my kids DO attend this school and I believe it to be the best school ever. We have a very bright child who was bored at the local catholic school and a child with significant learning delays. Both children are THRIVING. The education is exceptionally child-centered--math, english, and science learnings have been remarkable. We have found this school to be nothing less than flexible, loving and supportive. Can't recommend highly enough! more

My kids don't go here. I heard not great things about it, but the Wedgwood branch is so close I checked it out. Spoke to their teachers at the school on two different visits. I didn't like what I saw. They care more about the precision of their philosophy then about being responsive and adaptive to the kids. For example, I asked teacher Kate what the biggest challenge was, thinking she might say having a hyper boy in the class, or, cold and flu season, or getting new kids over seperation anxiety... etc. No , teacher Kate said the biggest problem were the parents. Not a huggy bunch of people. Not from what I saw. It is strange - they are so into fostering independence in a child, and letting the child feel in control and free to choose, yet, if the child chooses a toy that she 'hasn't had a lesson on', they are not allowed to play with it. So much for independence. More like you can do what you want to do so long as it is what I want you to do. Rather like a well trained penal colony. The Wedgwood branch was clean and tidy and organized with lots of toys and an outdoor space. more