Our Montessori School Stepping St. Program

Not a good experience with this school it is not what founder Maria Montessori had in mind. It seems like false advertising and that the school molds to your child into what they want rather the nurturing the child to mold himself or herself. They paint a much different picture of the school than what you will see once your child starts.

Our Montessori School has been a gem for our two children. Both of our children went to the pre-school and had a fantastic experience. With very experienced, patient and loving teachers, they both learned the pre-school basics like numbers, letters, colors and shapes but also about nature, animals, art, music, weather, science, sharing, Spanish, French, dance and so much more. My favorite is the special songs they learn and sing each morning about the "days-of-the-week" and "the months." It's pretty neat, when your 4 year old has a concept that April comes after March or that there are 7 days in the week and she can joyously belt them out with a big grin on her face.

I could not have asked for a more nurturing environment for my daughter. I have witnessed her grow over the past 2 years into a confidant, considerate and passionate little being, who loves to learn and explore. I credit this to the warmth, caring and compassion of her teachers at OMS. I am confident that I made the best choice for my daughter’s early education.

The school in the early grades is very nurturing but the academics is severely lacking in the higher grades. Compared to other independent schools things can often run quite slow paced. So if your child is advanced this may be an issue. If your child if for whatever reason doesn't fit the mold they will be left out. This is quite the cookie cutter school and NOT what Maria Montessori envisioned for children at all. She knew all children were different and learned differently. The school is most definitely run like a dictatorship as I saw one parent say. The school is also very clicky. Some kids stick in a group and leave others out on occasion. For a small class this can be hurtful to children. The school should assure this does not happen. I would often hear my son say I felt bad for so and so. They also do use aspects of common core. So if you are looking to escape common core this is not the place. They told us they did not use common core and after I addressed them I was told they did use the "verbiage" because children do transition back to public school. I am well versed in common core and it was the sole reason I put my child there. If you are looking for a small setting than this is your place. This is not the place where if your child struggles they are going to be properly evaluated or if your child is gifted they are going to advance. If you are looking for a good solid education that your money can buy I would look someplace else.

The teachers in the younger grades were wonderful and our children were happy there in those years. The problem came in the senior class. Our son was there for 3 years and was tutored privately by the head teacher for the whole 3 years. She consistently eased my concerns regarding his progress. We were always assured he was doing fine, slow and steady progress, but right where he should be. We were never advised to have him tested verbally or by mail. Finally I listened to my gut and had him tested. My son is reading at a 4th grade level entering 7th grade! I had 3 separate evaluations done and all proving the same results. We then did a neuro-pshych evaluation and now find out he's dyslexic. The institutions founders met with us and refused to even look at the other evaluations! They insisted that based on the teachers feedback and the Terra Nova scores that he is an average student and right where he should be. Terra Nova is so outdated and not used by any other school I have researched. Bottom line he is completely unprepared for 7th grade, will take 2-4 years to catch up. This should not happen to any student. We trusted this school, the teachers and the administration without question. They don't track progress, its a dictatorship and parent feedback is not welcome. It's not a terrible school for all kids, but this should never happen in any school to any child. Do your homework, know your kid and trust your instincts. I wish I did. Wont make the same mistake with my younger boys!