I was hesitant to write about my disturbing experience with this school, but the recent incident in…read morea Philadelphia Starbucks made it clear that this is a story worth telling. A few weeks ago my wife and I visited this school to see if it was a good fit for our child. We met with the school director in her office, which is just inside the main entrance and has a large window from which she can see the front door. During the one hour that we met with her ten or fifteen people came up to the entrance and rang the bell. Each time she glanced at the door and quickly buzzed them in. Although we didn't notice it yet, all of these people were white. Then a young African-American woman, maybe 25, rang the bell and the director stood up, apologized to us for interrupting the meeting, went to the front door and opened it just a crack, and said "Can I help you?" I was stunned. I turned to my wife and asked, "was that some racism?" My wife agreed. I would be inclined to give the director the benefit of the doubt--perhaps she knew all of the people she had buzzed in and simply didn't recognize the young black woman--but my wife and I had arrived separately and were each buzzed in immediately, and she had never met either of us. The character of an organization comes from the top, and this type of subtle racism and discrimination is not something we want our child exposed to.

My children have attended this school for five years, and it's be a great experience. My sons were…read morevery prepared for prek and developed a real love of learning and reading. (They also learned Mandarin!) It's a wonderful option for working parents, since it's open early and late and doesn't close as frequently as other day cares. But the best thing I can say is that the environment is warm, loving and safe. I left my children every day knowing they would have a wonderful time and be taught by teachers who were exceedingly caring. I couldn't ask for more. I have to address the negative review accusing the director of racism. The staff there is very diligent about not letting strangers in the building -- which I applaud as a parent! They absolutely stop people that they don't recognize, regardless of race (including my mother and mother-in-law when they came for pick up.) It's an extremely diverse staff and more diverse school than many in the neighborhood.

I'm really surprised by the review about the Seedlings Classroom below. My son just started in the…read moreSeedlings Classroom this year and so far our experience has been wonderful. There was a simple miscommunication when it came to his diapers (super minor) and the teacher rectified it right away and contacted me to clarify/discuss. The teacher and/or school are always reaching out, even for something simple, to keep me and my husband apprised and informed. We appreciate this so much and truly find it to be a reflection of those they hire to nurture and educate the children. We find their COVID protocols very well followed, and we're not nervous sending our son here a few days a week. The staff, teachers and administration always greet us at pick up/drop off and make us feel like our sons going to a special place and loved. In reference to the other comment on curriculum, they're under 2 years. They are just getting acclimated to going to school, let alone the ability to do a true art masterpiece. I think that's a bit unrealistic when it comes to an expectation of artistic ability at that age. Our son has come home with some really great art projects and we're really happy with his progress being he's not even 18 months old. He's learning so much already and we're grateful. Overall, we're very happy with Ridgewood Montessori and will continue to send our son for years to come (as long as everything stays as great as it's been!). In addition, once our daughter is age appropriate we would love to continue the legacy with her attendance as well. Thanks RW for a great experience and for showing our son love, attention, and teaching him every week. We're proud to be part of this school!

My son has been at Ridgewood Montessori School since 2018. He began in 3rd grade and is now in 6th…read moreand I can't say enough positive things about the personalized education he is receiving. From the incredible teacher to student ratio, personal education plan for each child, and all students in the elementary school even learn a real instrument (mine is learning guitar) ... the list goes on and on. I have even been impressed by the amazing handling of the past 2 years of Covid protocol.... All impressive!! I personally feel that these children have had the most "normal" school experience possible during the past two years giving them support and consistency that children need. Teachers are very responsive to emails and always make themselves available both before and after school for any concerns both in person and via zoom. Administration knows all the children by name and engages with them regularly. We came from another private school where our experience was disheartening and are so happy to have found our Ridgewood Montessori School Family!

My sister and I went here pre-K 3 through 4th grade (they used to only go up that high). This was…read moreback in the early 2000s, but my parents still say it was the best choice they ever made to this day. We, along with many other alumni, went to a Suffolk private school that was a common filter school for Christopher Academy kids to go to after the 4th grade cut off -- The fact that every single one of us among my sister and I's age groups (We are 5 years apart in age, so about 20+ kids) graduated with straight A's in the top of our classes is not a coincidence. Even now, I still see that many of the recent valedictorians of our Suffolk private high school are Christopher Academy alumni (our high school sends us the graduation mailer every year). Long story short- the curriculum, class size, and amazing teachers here laid a foundation for us all that put us ahead of our peers at our Suffolk private school, college & beyond. My parents STILL donate to this school 18 years later & do not donate a nickel to the previously mentioned school that we went to for middle/high school. We are in the process of helping multiple friends make the change to send their young children here based on our experiences. Thank you CA for shaping so many of us into successful students and leaders.

If you are looking for a quality accredited Montessori program Christopher Academy is the school…read morefor your child. I had two children through the school, starting at 2 1/2 years old and my oldest leaving after 1st grade, and I'm so impressed. Both my children have progressed to other outstanding schools in the area and they were very well prepared academically and socially. Christopher Academy staff and teachers proved themselves knowledgeable and very supportive throughout my children's time at the school and they made life-long friendships as did my husband and I.

My son has been attending this daycare since he was 4months old and the past 3 months has been pure…read morebliss. No place is perfect beside in there parents care. But I have never once questioned his safety or if he's being treated well. Comfortable child care is hard to find and I'm happy I found this gem and the staff their. They are truly wonderful people.

This is not your average day care center. This is the start of your child's education. My older two…read morechildren went to Montessori which is a wonderful school and a child's experience is even better which i never thought was even a possibility!!! The owner has put an immense amount of her time (I'm sure along with her experience in the field) making this school incredible exceeding every expectation i had personally. Every aspect of your child's day has been taken into consideration to make sure that your child will be learning and not being just babysat while you're at work like some other day care centers. My daughter is excited for the first time ever to go to school. She sees the owner and runs up to her and hugs her and loves all the staff. This truly is more than just a day care this really is a school environment and has structure and an amazing curriculum not that has been set by a corporate office to be followed but by an owner who wants to set your child up to love learning and be excited to to go to school! It's amazing how noticeable it is all the hard work and time and thought that has been put into creating a successful school for both the child and the parent. I cant day enough good things about this facility. What a wonderful journey we have begun sailing thanks to the amazing staff and owner!!!! If you want more than a babysitter and want to set your child up to start his or her education on a high note so your child will be excited to go to school and learn this is the place to go!!!!! Plus they have an amazing food program and even an app where you get updates everyday of what your children are doing. (I'm telling you the owner has really put her time into finding the best resources and utilizing them) best child care I've experienced thus far in eleven years!!!

It's obviously an extremely expensive school. Nonetheless…read more.. The teachers, staff, curriculum, facilities, and basically everything about how they grow children is excellent and wonderful. I couldn't ask for, or even imagine, anything better. The administration/ownership is bad. Aloof is probably too generous an adjective. It's Trumpian in the sense that it seems centered on what furthers their own idiosyncratic goals (eg prestige, donations, growth); which might not be the same as yours or your child's. In the end (if you can manage the tuition, and don't need any favors from the administration) it's a wonderful place.

Turns out, what you imagine will be amazing before your child arrives might not be amazing for the…read moreactual child you have. We were so excited about this school - it's beautiful, we love the philosophy, they have great exmissions, they said they took the children to play in the park nearby. And our first year in a toddler room was magical. The teacher was a phenomenal resource, our son grew and made some terrific friends, and we were excited for him to go to primary. Well, primary was a disaster. He had a young and inexperienced teacher who meant well, but telegraphed her disapproval of our high-spirited, high-energy, emotionally still very young kid so that our formerly school-loving child started melting down at every dropoff. An administration that wouldn't accommodate a request for change to a classroom where he had good friends, and seemed ill-equipped (or ill-inclined) to help him in general. When he needed extra physical movement, they had him walk in a circle along a piece of tape stuck to the floor. Carrying a cotton ball on a spoon. Which, as you've probably noticed, is not playing in the nearby park. No one said anything nice about our son to us at all until we informed them of our decision to leave. We went back to an AMS lab Montessori school in a different state, and the contrast is extreme. Teachers with decades of experience, lots of communication and support, lots of ability to respond to the needs of individual children who mature at different rates in different areas. The entire administration of the new school knows his name and says hello to him in the halls. Outdoor playground time every single day. And, it must be said, it's half the price. You might have an excellent experience at Flatiron. I hope you do. I wish we had.

Rainbow Montessori Hass to be one of the greatest things I ever did for my daughter! Not only is…read morethe staff friendly and care for your kids, but they make you feel like family. I want a place that my daughter was going to go to school where she can grow up with kids around her that feel like family. The school is kept extremely clean, they are very good at communicating, and I love the events they do for all the children. I highly recommend this school to anyone when they ask me. There will be no other place I would want my daughter to be!

Quality of education is very low. Kindergarten teacher is incompetent and blames the child. 1st…read moregrade teacher never sent any homework and it was a struggle to even find out what they were teaching at any give time. My child learned barely anything during the 2.5 years wasted at this school. When we left my kid was very far behind but caught up very quickly and is now thriving at another school. When we were leaving the director pulled me to the side and tried to tell me my child would struggle at the new school. That was not the case, the real problem was Rainbow. So glad we left and regret wasting so much time and money. If looking at this school for anything above infant/childcare I strongly encourage looking at other options.

Gold Material Montessori is a great school! Children feel at home - very warm environment and great…read moreeducation! The teachers are fantastic as well and care about the students and their development a lot! I highly recommend Gold Material Montissori!

My son likes his day care, some days a lot, some days not so much... It is what it is- Montessori …read more And you pay money ($1300.00) for the great experience . Teachers and care takers are the GOLD of this place - the ones who truly tried their best and make your child happy there! Your experience as a parent - 1 star only, there is nothing gold about it, especially, when you are the kind of a parent who asks questions. Do you want to be afraid of asking a question ? You are feeling like being bullied for your money. There is no two way conversation. Person who is talking to you at the front door does not know anything about your child progress or any other aspects of your child ups and downs. The only matter that person good at - "ruling" everyone around without any respect involved. Listening is not part of his job; fighting back, get offensive, threatening you - this is his style. You are asking why all of a sudden extra $ 100 for supplies is demanded from parents - the answer : " I do not want to talk about it, either you pay or you out!", you are curious what kind of supply they are going to buy ? - the answer : " You do not need to know, we KNOW what we need money for." You say " Let me think about it..." and you getting one more blow " in your face" - " there is nothing to think about , WE are giving you one week notice to quit our day care!" and he shots the door right in your face without even consider to listen to whatever you want to say. Do you want to be that parent ? Do you want to see that bully every day? Wrong person to deal with parents, makes your child 5 star expirience slides down to 1 star overall.

We are so indebted to Small World Montessori. Our child has flourished under Ms. Robins who has…read morenurtured and educated our son from the time he was 3 years old. Now under quarantine, he misses his school and Ms. Robins so much. The school has embraced technology in order to continue offering a home Montessori education to our children in this time of quarantine. In addition to virtual group classes, individual one-on-one time for kindergartners and daily group story times for all the children, Ms. Robins' virtual presence is a constant reminder that she is more than an amazing educator -- she is a constant light providing normalcy for our children during this unprecedented time.

My two daughters attended this school from 2005 to 2010. I agree that the school is better suited…read morefor children with a sense of structure, or this organized becaus they will not spoil the children, and it does require a certain amount of structure in the day and a child who is willing to work on it . However, the amount of care and personal attention that's my daughters got here was amazing, all of that in a very clean, perfectly organized environment that prepared both of my daughters to continue and excel in excellent private schools. We As parents were very happy and I am planning to put my third daughter in when she comes of age. I think the best testimony to the greatness of the school is my oldest daughter memory. Even today, she claims that the real difference in her education was her kindergarten years and she still remembers all teachers dearly.