We have been apart of this school community for 3 years now and with three kids, have participated…read morein the children's house, lower and upper elementary programs. As an educator myself, I could not be more pleased with the educational foundation my children are receiving. During the Covid crisis, the teacher and administration support have been astounding - in addition all of the class meetings, instructional calls, and materials provided, we a offered 1-1 consultations as often as needed. The teachers and administration have given above and beyond to provided support and meet the educational needs of the times. I cannot recommend this school highly enough!

We had a positive experience with the Newport News campus during preschool, though we ultimately…read morechose a faith-based school for elementary. For sixth grade (still considered elementary under the Montessori model), we returned to the Hampton campus. The school year started off well, but the teacher was a bit eccentric and was let go toward the end of the year. By year's end, we felt the education being provided was inconsistent, and we wanted more structure for our child going forward, so we chose a different path for seventh grade. When it came time for the elementary graduation ceremony, we received an invitation and attended, only to discover, upon arrival, that our child's name was not on the program. He had not been included in the ceremony simply because he wasn't continuing on to their middle school. This was disheartening for him, especially after a full year of good performance and full tuition paid. Excluding a student who completed the year successfully, solely because of where he was headed next, reflects poor judgment on the part of whoever made that call. Because of this experience, I would not recommend the Hampton campus.

I have zero complaints about this school. Ms. Amanda is my son's teacher, she is wonderful. My…read moreson has attended this school for almost two years. It's very clean and they seem very good about communicating in general.

MAV was a great experience for our daughter's first year in a school setting. We are so proud of…read moreher and how much she's learned since joining MAV. We are so happy we chose them. We love the Montessori approach and feel that it helps children develop very comfortably at their own pace. All of the teachers, TA's, and administrative staff have been easy to communicate with and helped us with any concerns over the year. Being that it was her first year, I admit that I did have a lot of questions, but the staff was understanding and as the weeks went on, I felt more and more comfortable that she was safe and well taken care of and she became very comfortable with her teachers, as well as her peers. I saw how much she learned just after two months. The schedules work and have helped her thrive academically and socially. I can see her problem-solving skills have really developed, as well as her thinking. The monthly newsletters kept us informed throughout the year. The school programs are all fun to attend and see the children work together, and also see their individual personalities shine. I feel that the facility is very clean and that she's picked up some good habits over the year. She's also made some good friends with her peers and learned good manners. We love hearing about her day, her lessons, and activities when we pick her up. The pick-up and drop-off system works fairly quickly. We also love that they do STEM, art projects to bring home, gym, outdoor activities, and trips to the farm. It's a great facility and we do love the diverse staff, who are all friendly and helpful. We have enrolled her next year and can't wait to see how much more she learns and grows over the next few years with MAV.

I can't say enough good things about this school. We originally chose the school because I was…read moreinterested in a Montessori-style educational experience for my children to get them excited about learning. I was also blown away by our initial tour. The classrooms were so orderly and peaceful, and the children were so happily engaged in their work. We've been with the school for the past four years now, and I've never regretted it once. My son is in Children's House and my daughter is in Lower Elementary. The teachers are all excellent and have allowed my children to make outstanding academic progress, and the overall atmosphere is warm, caring and family-like. I love how much the children learn without a lot of the negative pressure or homework that other schools seem to have. The atmosphere is also very sweet and my children have never had any kind of issues with other kids there. Overall, we're tremendously happy with the school. It feels like a bit of a hidden gem. My only criticism is that I wish they continued into later years!

My son transferred to McDonald Montessori from another Montessori school and it has been the best…read morething in the world for him. His anxiety dropped tremendously and he really, really enjoys going to school now. He was like a completely different child after the transition. The lower elementary classroom runs so smoothly and the children learn so much in an environment that doesn't seem pressured or intense. My son is blossoming both academically and socially at McDonald Montessori and we will be very sad at the end of third grade when he has to move on.

I am disappointed with how this daycare/school handled my child's potty accident…read more I fully understand that we have responsibility as parents to provide extra clothes, and I can acknowledge that we should have had backup clothes available. That part is on us. However, young children have accidents, especially when they are adjusting to a new environment, and I was shocked by how the situation was handled. I received a call telling me that my child had an accident and that I needed to bring shorts or pants because they were currently only in their shirt. I was also told that if I could not bring clothes, my child would remain without pants. That is the part I cannot accept. A childcare facility should still have a basic contingency plan for situations like this. No child should be left exposed, embarrassed, or without proper clothing because there are no backup options available. Even when a parent forgets something, the child's dignity and comfort should remain the priority. What makes this even more concerning is that since starting at this school, my child's confidence and self-esteem seem to have changed. They have started saying things like, "I don't use my listening ears. I never do," and "I'm a bad kid." As a parent, that is heartbreaking to hear. Children should be corrected and redirected with patience and care, not in a way that makes them internalize shame or feel like they are bad. A potty accident should be handled privately, calmly, and respectfully. It should never become something that adds to a child's embarrassment or affects how they see themselves. As a parent, it was incredibly stressful to receive that call and feel like my child's dignity was not being protected. I hope the school reviews its policy on potty accidents, backup clothing, and how children are spoken to when they are struggling or adjusting.

Parent pick up is always a breeze. Love the organization and the attention to detail from the staff…read more Education at this school is top notch... they even have their own farm with animals to teach the littles. Love it

Finding an authentic Montessori environment is rare, but Marie, the Head of School at Organic…read moreBeginnings Montessori, has curated a phenomenal program from toddler through elementary. Her unwavering dedication to true AMI methodology is evident in every detail. Marie hasn't just built beautiful, intentional spaces; she has also hired an exceptional team of teachers and staff who clearly share her vision for a high-fidelity, child-centered education. This is a genuinely wonderful community. Highly recommend!

I would encourage prospective families to ask very specific questions about Organic Beginnings'…read moreadmissions and waitlist process before paying application fees. We were on the waitlist for approximately two years. We paid an application fee in 2024 and then another $50 application fee when we were required to update/reapply in 2025. Both of my older children attended Montessori school, so our family was already familiar with Montessori philosophy and we genuinely hoped Organic Beginnings would work out for our youngest child. After waiting that long, I was invited to a separate meet-and-greet with the guide who was leaving and the new guide who would be taking over. My child was not present and was never met or observed by the school. After that meeting with me, Organic Beginnings informed us that they had decided not to move forward with enrollment. Organic Beginnings has also publicly described its family tours as providing "a comprehensive look into Dr. Montessori's philosophy and how our values align," and notes that those events are adults-only so the school can "focus on you." I did not attend one of those tours, but that wording became especially relevant to me after our experience. Because the decision not to move forward was made after meeting only with me, and before anyone had ever met or evaluated my child, I was left with the impression that the decision was based on the school's assessment of our family rather than on any assessment of my child. I repeatedly asked for clarification about why they were not moving forward, but I never received a clear explanation. Instead, I was given vague language about "classroom composition," "program needs," and whether the placement was an appropriate fit. I later learned that Children's House was not full. Organic Beginnings publicly stated that there were still "a couple of spots available." When I questioned how we could have spent approximately two years on the waitlist and then not be offered a spot while openings remained, I was again told that having an opening does not guarantee enrollment and that the school considers whether a placement is an appropriate fit for the classroom. I completely understand that a private preschool may have discretion over admissions and that being on a waitlist does not guarantee acceptance. My issue is the lack of transparency about how selective and discretionary the process actually is, especially when families are paying application fees and remaining on a waitlist for years. Because my child was never met or evaluated, I was left unclear about how the school could determine whether the placement was an appropriate fit for the classroom. The timing made it appear that the decision was based on the school's assessment of our family after meeting with me rather than an assessment of my child, and the school never provided a clear explanation that resolved that concern. The financial side of the process was also frustrating. We paid application fees in two separate years while continuing to wait for placement. When I requested a refund, I was initially told that application fees were nonrefundable. After I provided documentation showing both payments, the school ultimately refunded both fees in full, which I appreciate. My biggest issue is not simply that my child was not accepted. It is that the admissions process was not transparent enough for us to understand that, even after years on the waitlist and even when spaces became available, the school could decide not to offer enrollment without ever meeting our child and without clearly explaining why. I'm sharing our experience so other parents can make an informed decision. Before paying any fees, I would strongly recommend asking exactly how the waitlist works, what criteria are used to determine whether a family or child is considered a "fit," what the school means when it refers publicly to whether "our values align," whether the child will actually be evaluated before an admissions decision is made, whether available spots are offered in waitlist order, and what happens to the fees if the school ultimately decides not to offer enrollment.

Highly recommended pre-school! This school provides a warm environment for learning and includes…read moreinstruction in Spanish and Chinese and Zumba and Yoga classes. Violin classes can be added on as well. My son just completed his third year there and my daughter is entering her third year. We have been very happy! It is a traditional Montessori, putting emphasis on child-driven learning, so this is not the kind of school where all the kids come home with identical dittos and art projects each day. All ages are mixed so if you have an advanced, talkative two or three year old, you can rest assured they will not be siloed away from other talkers in a "2 year old" class. Learning is tailored to the student. The school holds fun holiday and cultural events (Christmas show and End of year show featuring multi-lingual songs and dancing and costumes; Leprechaun visit and traditional Irish foods on St Paddy's Day; Chinese New Year; Thanksgiving feast). School is 9-12 Mon thru Friday, with extended day until 1pm available Monday - Thursday.

From the owner: We are an education center as well as a learning center. Through the years we have stayed committed…read moreto providing your child with a safe, loving, and caring environment that meets their unique needs.

Between our two children we have been at Greenbrier Montessori for 11 years. It has been an…read moreamazing educational experience for both of them. The teachers and staff are highly trained, and very dedicated to the children. The teachers understand the different ways in which children learn, and strive to ensure that every child is given the tools they need to achieve, as well an ensuring that every child's natural curiosity is fed and nurtured. Our daughter is now in high school, and we can trace much of her academic success to her time at GMS. Our son will leave GMS this year, after 9 years at the school. He is fully prepared for middle school, and we are confident that the educational foundation he received at GMS will allow him to achieve whatever goals he sets for himself. We can not say enough good things about the school.

From the owner: At Greenbrier Montessori School our highly qualified and caring staff provide a nurturing and safe…read moreenvironment for your child to achieve academic excellence. Learning through exploration and discovery with concrete hands-on materials, respect for the individual child, recognition of individual learning styles and paces, and the balance of freedom and responsibility in the classroom all combine to provide the optimal learning environment.