Small World Montessori School

My daughter has thrived here. She has been at this school for 2 1/2 years now. This is the final year she can be at their since she's now considered in Kindergarten. She has grown immensly since being at this school. She's always been a good kid but they've given her lots of responsibility with younger kids and being a helper to the teachers. She is reading and working on math, learning about other cultures, the solar system and things I wouldn't know the answer to if asked. She loves to learn and I know some of this is in part to the teachers at Small World. \r \r They charge a fair price (lower than other montessoris I looked at) and are open 7am-6:30pm and are year round (except for usual school holidays). There are 3 rooms: one for babies, one for 2-4 yr olds, and one for 4-6 yr olds. They learn at their own pace but also learn how to participate in their group and the larger group. The kids learn there are rules which is great because that is the way the world works but I don't think they're overly strict. \r \r Some people say that they are trying to make money with special photos, books sales, etc. but no one has to partipate in them. Most schools are doing fundraisers all the time so I don't see this as out of the ordinary. They also offer Karate, gymnastics and a music class during school for a reasonable price to see how you children like those activities. Overall, I have been very happy with the family that runs this school and the teachers. I get the feeling that they do really care about each student and my daughter loves the school. more

The school has its plus and minuses but after having my son attend there for nearly a year, all the minuses add up and you are leaving feeling as if ""what was I thinking!"". I really value teachers that pride themselves in making sure a student is comfortable in their learning environment and that adapt themselves to the student and their level of learning, not have the student adapt to the school's environment and I did not find this to be true in this school. The director and the director's family members all seem to be focused on how they can squeeze extra dollars from the parents while really ignoring the importance and focus of a montessori school: the students. I felt that the teacher assistants working there seem to be really intimidated by the director and the other family members and have a low morale because I witnessed the director and other teachers mistreat them, and some of the children as well. Please before you consider this school, make sure you do your research. If I could give this school a zero star I would. Pros: too focused on academics Cons: too structured, not flexible with kids, witness mistreating of assistants and students, too focused on making $$$ more