Pebblecreek Montessori

PCM is an incredible school and I am so happy that I found it for my son. It is one of the very few accredited Montessori schools in the area (not all schools are truly Montessori even though they label themselves that way). \r My son is in the Spanish immersion class, which I wasn't really able to find anywhere else. The teachers are extremely dedicated and passionate about children and education. They take the time to get to know each and every child and the lines of communication are open in this school from the teachers, to the administration, to the front desk staff. The school also offers lots of after school activities such as basketball, soccer, yoga etc. My son LOVES going to school here and often cries when I go to pick him up. \r I have read some negative reviews about PCM on how they 'badger' parents to donate money, time and effort to a lot of the school events - gold tournaments, charity events etc. I appreciate the time and effort that the school puts in to get the entire parent community involved in the school. I love the parent education nights which they offer on a monthly basis as a way to learn more about a particular topic - from health issues to art to anti-bullying. \r my son went to another Montessori school a year previous to joining PCM and I am blown away by the dedication and commitment that PCM shows to its students and parents. \r you can't go wrong in choosing this school for your child. more

Pebblecreek brings out the confidence and independence in our children we’d hoped it would. Our kindergarten daughter happily walks our toddler daughter to her classroom every day. The teachers are excellent and willing to talk with parents any time, even after hours. The students are welcoming and respectful. Our older daughter considers every classmate a friend – for the first time in 5 schools she’s attended. The students experience Spanish immersion - our daughter's pronunciation is superb. She also has the opportunity interact with 1st-3rd graders daily. It has brought a confidence and maturity in her. In the classroom she's engaged in every subject. She is proud to show us her work and explain what she’s accomplished. Our toddler has become independent and self-sufficient and her vocabulary has grown immensely. The new head teacher is firm, patient, encouraging and an expert potty trainer. The assistant teacher is wonderful with the kids – our daughter considers her a best friend. more

This school is terrific. We are incredibly picky about Montessori programs and I toured/researched over 8 schools before coming across Pebblecreek. This one passed all of our tests with flying colors. The staff is truly wonderful, very caring and excellent educators. We have 3 children attending there. In response to the allegations below by ""snowhorse"" and ""wowandomg"", I have to say this: Please, you are being ridiculous. First, for anyone to believe your stories about not letting the parents congregate is ludicrous. We are encouraged to congregate. The school even provides numerous events for that purpose! The school is very much interested in creating a loving community involving both parents and children. And for the allegations that there are too many vegetables in the lunches - is that a joke? You really don't want your child to eat vegetables??? I am questioning your parenting skills more than anything after that review. The school provides wonderful lunches (you're invited to see anytime you want, as a parent) and they are both nutritious and delicious (according to all 3 of our kids!). If someone wants their child to eat chicken nuggets everyday, then public school is an option for them. ;) more

My three kids go to this school and we are incredibly happy, not only with the high academic level but also the kind and encouraging environment. They love to go to school, love to learn new things and I can see how they treat each other with more respect and compassion. I love how much Spanish they are learning, after only one year my oldest (11) now reads, writes and speaks Spanish! I have not had any problems with staff or administration. They have been supportive and helpful and try to teach parents as well. more

The staff are awesome, the rates are great, and our kids love it! more

The staff are awesome, the rates are great, and our kids love it! more

LMMontessori is a great center for kids. The facility is bright and neat, and the staffs are always patience, polite, and sweet. I remembered Ripple Goel is the first person I met in the center, and her smile makes the center difference. she made a tour for me and explained things clearly. I feel she is willing to give personalized attention to my child. she asked me how to pronounce the words on the language sheet and show care of willing to try to understand my child by learning the words. I also feel warm when they remember and called our names every time we walked in and out. And definitely feel very impressed with the zero violation in the center. I am glad I make the decision by choosing LMMontessori to grow with my child. more

LMMontessori is a great center for kids. The facility is bright and neat, and the staffs are always patience, polite, and sweet. I remembered Ripple Goel is the first person I met in the center, and her smile makes the center difference. she made a tour for me and explained things clearly. I feel she is willing to give personalized attention to my child. she asked me how to pronounce the words on the language sheet and show care of willing to try to understand my child by learning the words. I also feel warm when they remember and called our names every time we walked in and out. And definitely feel very impressed with the zero violation in the center. I am glad I make the decision by choosing LMMontessori to grow with my child. more

I know that everyone has different experiences with different schools and that all places cannot make everyone happy. Please do not let the negative reviews of this school sway you from considering it for your child. As in all businesses, someone upset tells hundreds of people and those who are happy usually tell no one. I have had my children here since my daughter was two. She is now 5 and my son is 2 and has been at PCM since he was about 5 months old. We could not be happier with the education that our children are receiving. Yes, at the younger ages there does tend to be more staffing changes as they move teachers to different rooms but this really does not happen beyond age three. I think that the changes are more difficult for the parents but the children know all the teachers (it is a small school) and all the teachers that we have had contact with have been nothing but loving. Firm, yes but we like that for our children. If you have a child who is academically excited, this is the place for them. They have no boundries for what your child can learn. I could list all of the beautiful things that they are doing at this school and how well my children are doing but the list would be quite lengthy. Both myself and my husband are doctors and feel strongly about quality education. I cannot recommend this school enough. This is our home. more

I know that everyone has different experiences with different schools and that all places cannot make everyone happy. Please do not let the negative reviews of this school sway you from considering it for your child. As in all businesses, someone upset tells hundreds of people and those who are happy usually tell no one.\r \r I have had my children here since my daughter was two. She is now 5 and my son is 2 and has been at PCM since he was about 5 months old. We could not be happier with the education that our children are receiving. Yes, at the younger ages there does tend to be more staffing changes as they move teachers to different rooms but this really does not happen beyond age three. I think that the changes are more difficult for the parents but the children know all the teachers (it is a small school) and all the teachers that we have had contact with have been nothing but loving. Firm, yes but we like that for our children.\r \r If you have a child who is academically excited, this is the place for them. They have no boundries for what your child can learn. I could list all of the beautiful things that they are doing at this school and how well my children are doing but the list would be quite lengthy. Both myself and my husband are doctors and feel strongly about quality education. I cannot recommend this school enough. This is our home. more

This school has it all. Love for the children is at the top. Very dedicated staff. One of the only Montessori schools in the area that follows the Montessori philosophy. more

This school has it all. Love for the children is at the top. Very dedicated staff. One of the only Montessori schools in the area that follows the Montessori philosophy. more

This school is awesome! Our son has been attending since he was 6 months old. I can't believe how much he has learned. Months ago he started saying his numbers and letters. He is now moving into the bilingual program and I can't wait to see what he learns - even teach mom and dad some Spanish. We looked around at other places before selecting this one. It was, by far, the best of 5 places we visited. The headmaster took us on a tour of the entire school and explained the Montessori way as the child progresses - she invested alot of time on us even though we were just looking. We were impressed about how clean and organized the school is, especially compared to other places where the floors were covered in Legos or smelled like urine - gross! Pebbecreek takes pride in its school and keeping it neat and organized. Our son is already good at picking up after himself and closing doors at only 16 months old. Now, if mom and dad could do the same sometimes. The staff is phenomenal!! They are so dedicated to what they do and want your children to develop into independent thinkers. They helped us so much when our son was young and being a new parent, we didn't know much. It was great to have their expertise! I was so comfortable with the staff that the first day I dropped off our son for a full day, I had no anxiety what-so-ever, I knew he was in good hands. I know some people think that they are too young to wear uniforms, but I'll be honest, it's been great! You don't have to worry about the latest trends or who's wearing what. Uniforms allows them to focus on learning. Plus, I don't have to think about what he's going to wear each day, makes it easy! No uniforms are required in the infant room. As far as food - they have a chef. He makes them healthy and nutritious meals, not just hamburgers and nuggets everyday like public schools. Each morning for breakfast, our son has something different. I haven't seen the same thing back to back. The school is very multi-cultural and community centric. They have cultural awareness week every year where the students learn about cultures outside of their own. As far as those that complain about donations, that's part of any school no matter where you go. Everyone thinks that tuition should cover everything, but it usually covers operating expenses and supplies for the classes, but not enhancements or other needs. I love this school and want to help it, since that will also help my son and others - you don't have to contribute to everything. Sometimes your time is all they need, not necessarily money. I was worried when we started since all of our friends have older children, but it didn't take long to meet other parents and see how friendly and welcoming they are. As far as communication, this school excels in it. Whether it's the administration or room moms, you always know what's going on and what's coming up. I could go on for a while. Short version - this school is great and have never regreted my decision. I would highly recommend this school to anyone. more

This school is awesome! \r \r Our son has been attending since he was 6 months old. I can't believe how much he has learned. Months ago he started saying his numbers and letters. He is now moving into the bilingual program and I can't wait to see what he learns - even teach mom and dad some Spanish.\r \r We looked around at other places before selecting this one. It was, by far, the best of 5 places we visited. The headmaster took us on a tour of the entire school and explained the Montessori way as the child progresses - she invested alot of time on us even though we were just looking. We were impressed about how clean and organized the school is, especially compared to other places where the floors were covered in Legos or smelled like urine - gross! Pebbecreek takes pride in its school and keeping it neat and organized. Our son is already good at picking up after himself and closing doors at only 16 months old. Now, if mom and dad could do the same sometimes.\r \r The staff is phenomenal!! They are so dedicated to what they do and want your children to develop into independent thinkers. They helped us so much when our son was young and being a new parent, we didn't know much. It was great to have their expertise! I was so comfortable with the staff that the first day I dropped off our son for a full day, I had no anxiety what-so-ever, I knew he was in good hands.\r \r I know some people think that they are too young to wear uniforms, but I'll be honest, it's been great! You don't have to worry about the latest trends or who's wearing what. Uniforms allows them to focus on learning. Plus, I don't have to think about what he's going to wear each day, makes it easy! No uniforms are required in the infant room.\r \r As far as food - they have a chef. He makes them healthy and nutritious meals, not just hamburgers and nuggets everyday like public schools. Each morning for breakfast, our son has something different. I haven't seen the same thing back to back.\r \r The school is very multi-cultural and community centric. They have cultural awareness week every year where the students learn about cultures outside of their own. As far as those that complain about donations, that's part of any school no matter where you go. Everyone thinks that tuition should cover everything, but it usually covers operating expenses and supplies for the classes, but not enhancements or other needs. I love this school and want to help it, since that will also help my son and others - you don't have to contribute to everything. Sometimes your time is all they need, not necessarily money. \r \r I was worried when we started since all of our friends have older children, but it didn't take long to meet other parents and see how friendly and welcoming they are. As far as communication, this school excels in it. Whether it's the administration or room moms, you always know what's going on and what's coming up. \r \r I could go on for a while. Short version - this school is great and have never regreted my decision. I would highly recommend this school to anyone. more

Pebblecreek Montessori continues to exceed my expectations in every way. The nurturing and attention our son receives by his teachers is amazing. The personal sacrifices the teachers and staff have made to create and maintain a first class school are heroic. more

Pebblecreek Montessori continues to exceed my expectations in every way. The nurturing and attention our son receives by his teachers is amazing. The personal sacrifices the teachers and staff have made to create and maintain a first class school are heroic. more

My childs experience with this montessori school was horrible.I truly believe that it did more damage than good. My child had a total of 4 different lead teachers and seven different assistant teachers in approx. half a year. There was a cold manner some teachers used with my child. One of his teachers told me that while changing for a summer event outside he was acting up so first his place in line was threatened to be taken away and he straightened up....but even after he had decided to obey the teacher and stand up straight to get dressed as he was told , the teacher went even further and told me that his clothing was denied to him for a time period while the other children got dressed "because he needed to see" were the words the teacher used. I personally dont think that food, drink, clothing or acceptance should ever be denied to a child Those are not privelages that should be allowed or taken away at the teachers transgression they are human rights! I should have listened to my child when after the first week of being in the same teachers class he hid behind me when he saw her coming down the hall and started crying. There are a few teachers who are absolute angels there, their hearts lie with the children, If your teacher is loving and fair then your child will quickly warm up (in a matter of weeks) if there is something wrong with their environment ...they will never like going there. Also, while the menu is healthy, many times children dont eat it because it consists of a lot of vegetables(most kids dont eat veggies very well), so they just go hungry and wait to eat until snack or until something is served that they enjoy eating. They probably eat a lot at home, mine did. I did not agree with the tone of voice used with the children at times(I would hear it passing by classrooms or in the halls during the day), the lack of emotional attatchment to the children (will be reflected in your children around the teachers, with mine he was afraid of her), and methods of discipline used with them. I feel as if my child was expected to grow up much faster than he was ready for. His new school and I are working on trying to teach him that it is o.k. to be himself, he will not be punished for it. Looking back now I see that he felt the unacceptance of who he was by his teachers. they teach young children to all do things a particular way, to be uniform, sit in circle all the same, carry work, roll a rug, a certain way, walk in line a certain way, which are all o.k., they are needed for school, but shoud be balanced with time to be themselves, to create, to imagine, to form who they are in the inside and believe what they formed is good. It is not balanced in this school. Look at the classrooms, there is hardly anything if nothing to just imagine or just create. Everything is about the work which has strict guidelines to follow when doing it. If children are spending most of their day following somone elses guidlines there is no room to foster the growth and self acceptance or idividuality. The only time they were allowed to think freely was when it came to choosing works, in this they were allowed to gravitate to which work they wanted to do the way they chose fit as long as the work they chose was developmentally appropriate. But even each work has a series of rules and guidlines that they had to follow in order to help foster their learning...but again learning achieved, childlike imagination, whimsical artfullness and natural playfullness lost. Their rooms have no dress-up, no art centers, no toys that a child can freely imagine with. more

My childs experience with this montessori school was horrible.I truly believe that it did more damage than good. My child had a total of 4 different lead teachers and seven different assistant teachers in approx. half a year. There was a cold manner some teachers used with my child. One of his teachers told me that while changing for a summer event outside he was acting up so first his place in line was threatened to be taken away and he straightened up....but even after he had decided to obey the teacher and stand up straight to get dressed as he was told , the teacher went even further and told me that his clothing was denied to him for a time period while the other children got dressed ""because he needed to see"" were the words the teacher used. I personally dont think that food, drink, clothing or acceptance should ever be denied to a child Those are not privelages that should be allowed or taken away at the teachers transgression they are human rights! I should have listened to my child when after the first week of being in the same teachers class he hid behind me when he saw her coming down the hall and started crying. There are a few teachers who are absolute angels there, their hearts lie with the children, If your teacher is loving and fair then your child will quickly warm up (in a matter of weeks) if there is something wrong with their environment ...they will never like going there. Also, while the menu is healthy, many times children dont eat it because it consists of a lot of vegetables(most kids dont eat veggies very well), so they just go hungry and wait to eat until snack or until something is served that they enjoy eating. They probably eat a lot at home, mine did. I did not agree with the tone of voice used with the children at times(I would hear it passing by classrooms or in the halls during the day), the lack of emotional attatchment to the children (will be reflected in your children around the teachers, with mine he was afraid of her), and methods of discipline used with them. I feel as if my child was expected to grow up much faster than he was ready for. His new school and I are working on trying to teach him that it is o.k. to be himself, he will not be punished for it. Looking back now I see that he felt the unacceptance of who he was by his teachers. they teach young children to all do things a particular way, to be uniform, sit in circle all the same, carry work, roll a rug, a certain way, walk in line a certain way, which are all o.k., they are needed for school, but shoud be balanced with time to be themselves, to create, to imagine, to form who they are in the inside and believe what they formed is good. It is not balanced in this school. Look at the classrooms, there is hardly anything if nothing to just imagine or just create. Everything is about the work which has strict guidelines to follow when doing it. If children are spending most of their day following somone elses guidlines there is no room to foster the growth and self acceptance or idividuality. The only time they were allowed to think freely was when it came to choosing works, in this they were allowed to gravitate to which work they wanted to do the way they chose fit as long as the work they chose was developmentally appropriate. But even each work has a series of rules and guidlines that they had to follow in order to help foster their learning...but again learning achieved, childlike imagination, whimsical artfullness and natural playfullness lost. Their rooms have no dress-up, no art centers, no toys that a child can freely imagine with. more

My 3 years old daughter went there for half a year until we had enough of this place. The school is a self promoting snobbish institution, and really not worth the outrageous tuition. Management is cold and uncaring towards both parents the children. It's all about the money. The director acted like a dictator and forbade us parents to talk with each other in the parking lot!!! And she knew well why - there were complaints about mismanagement and a dissatisfaction with the way the school was run. There were stories among the parents that the school threatened parents with law suits when they did not comply with the director. That's scary! There was even a rumor about one parent who filed a complaint against the school and shortly thereafter had CPS show up at their house with a bunch of unfounded allegations of ""child neglect"". This is just nuts! If I could give the school zero stars, I would. Do not even consider!!! RUN!!! Cons: Expensive, awful management more

My 3 years old daughter went there for half a year until we had enough of this place. The school is a self promoting snobbish institution, and really not worth the outrageous tuition. Management is cold and uncaring towards both parents the children. It's all about the money. The director acted like a dictator and forbade us parents to talk with each other in the parking lot!!! And she knew well why - there were complaints about mismanagement and a dissatisfaction with the way the school was run. There were stories among the parents that the school threatened parents with law suits when they did not comply with the director. That's scary! There was even a rumor about one parent who filed a complaint against the school and shortly thereafter had CPS show up at their house with a bunch of unfounded allegations of "child neglect". This is just nuts! If I could give the school zero stars, I would. Do not even consider!!! RUN!!! Pros: None Cons: Expensive, awful management more