I see people write this frequently where I wish I can give no stars. We are no longer at this…read morelocation but I would delete my previous review when was nearly 4 years ago. They were amazing then and now with a new head for a year all students have left for harassment issues, poor care of children, and confrontation with parents. Most of the guides have left too.

This is such a wonderful Montessori school! We highly recommend it…read more Our daughter previously attended a large Montessori school in bustling NYC for two years. Being used to the eclectic and energetic vibes of city life, we had inhibitions in how she would take to attending such a small and quiet school. Along with her previous classmates and guides, she was used to walking the streets of Brooklyn, taking the ferry to Manhattan, and walking to various public parks. When we arrived to see Guidepost Montessori at Fairfax, we were struck by its quaintness. The children have their own play area in the back of the schoolhouse, surrounded by a picket fence. It is intimate, yet spacious enough for all of the children to enjoy. The school is very clean and organized. The classrooms are set up in typical Montessori fashion, with the added charm of displayed artwork made by the pupils. The faculty takes the time to decorate for the seasons and holidays. The most charming and wonderful aspect of this school is the faculty. From the Head of School, the Administrative Director, to the Lead Guides, Assistant Guides and After School guides, everyone is kind, caring, patient and gentle, and respectful. They immediately treated our family as one of their own. They are the reason our daughter loves going to school each day. She has flourished under their care and guidance and we cannot thank them enough.

The teachers in the Spring-Mar Cooperative Preschool are wonderful. They create a warm, structured…read moreenvironment where kids feel safe and supported. Communication with parents is consistent and thoughtful, and it's clear they genuinely care about each child. Our daughter talks about her teachers (Ms. Claire, Ms. Alison, Ms. Patti, Ms. Cooper, Ms. Laura, Ms. Liza, and Ms. Mitcho) at home all the time, which says everything.

I can not say enough amazing things about our experience at Spring Mar. We first joined the Spring…read moreMar community in 2018 with our oldest daughter and quickly found a "home" within the amazing preschool community. The school itself had small class sizes, dedicated and loving teachers, and implements developmentally appropriate play-based instruction. Parents are involved as classroom helpers on designated "co-op" days, and we love being able to see our child learn and grow with our own eyes. We have also really enjoyed getting to know other families and have made lifelong friends through our time at Spring Mar. This is not your ordinary "drop-off" preschool - this is a community of teachers, parents, and children who are working, playing, and learning together. You will NOT regret choosing Spring Mar as your preschool home.

We have had two children at Hope Montessori, starting when my daughter was 2 and we kept her there…read morethrough kindergarten. We plan on keeping my son there as well through kindergarten. The staff is wonderful, loving, and nurturing and our kids have learned SO much! They also have before and after care that you only pay for what you need. I can't give enough praise for the teachers and staff. If you are looking for a home for your kids, this is the place!

Absolutely amazing school. The teachers here are top-notch, first rate. I could not be happier with…read morethe education my twins are receiving. Highly highly recommend. The teachers are exceptional, abundant with feedback, and great communicators. I love this school- had heard great things but being there has really exceeded my expectations. The kids are so thrilled to go to school every day. Great after care program as well.

MSO was my son's first school, where he attended from age 3 until kindergarten for three years…read more All the staff are so lovely and caring toward each child. We had such a wonderful experience here, my son felt so loved that he still misses this school! They focus a lot on hands which really helped my son develop his sensory skills and fine motor muscles. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a true Montessori education for their child.

I have been a part of MSO for 30+ years, as a parent, school staff, and as a grandparent. I have…read moreseen many children and families and can attest to the wonderful outcomes. The children truly bloom and grow, academically, socially, and emotionally. The staff is knowledgeable, caring, kind, and dedicated.

A team of caring and intelligent educators and leaders. We…read morehave been at The Springs for near a year now. We started the application process pre COVID and entered during the summer program which secured our slot for the fall, so my experience is limited to the Toddler Program (my child started at 22 months old) during the pandemic. For background, I have had my now toddler in a chain daycare (Kindercare) and a great in home daycare but those are true daycares vs a Montessori school so they are completely incomparable. I only have laudatory remarks about the professionalism and care of The Springs. Mr. Dan, The Head of School (HoS), and Ms. Katelyn the Assistant HoS are absolute leaders. Incredibly responsive to any request and communicative on all aspects of the school, I trust their judgment and appreciate all the efforts to remain operational during COVID. Our teacher Ms. Katelyn D., and her assistant teachers Ms. Belkin and Ms. Ethel are amazing with the children and my tot is THRIVING! I have sent emails late on a Friday or Saturday night to Ms. Katelyn D.,not expecting a response until the next working day, only to find a reply in my inbox within hours. Professional and dedicated, I feel a sense of team between the educators and parents as all focus is on the child. The Springs Montessori has me a true believer in the Montessori methods and although yes, it is more expensive than the other daycares my peace of mind for the well being of my child and results of my happy kiddo worth the price tag. Some perks: -A daily report of diaper changes/ what was eaten/ nap length so you can plan your evening -Catered lunches- no oops I forgot the lunch box on the table moments, such a time saver -Parent teacher conferences- yes for a TWO year old, it's awesome -Weekly photos of your child engaging in activities at school -virtual learning options -online portal to track your child's milestones and communicate on routine admin requirements Things to consider: -It's a school, not a day care, school schedules include seasonal breaks -when things get back to normal the kids wear a uniform, I love this but it does add cost -the parking lot is not great, it's busy! Between the parking lot and COVID mitigation, allot extra time for drop off/ pick up Bottom line- I love this school and my child loves this school too.

Would not recommend. They were not very approachable and do not try to work with the parent. They…read morewould always call me wanting me to pick up my child, because they claimed my child had a tummy ache or was sick. Upon arrival my child was completely fine. I was told once my child had pink eye. After picking them up, my child's eyes were NORMAL. Took them to the pedi. just in case, and was told nothing was wrong with their eyes. Not worth the crazy amount of tuition they charge. Find somewhere else, you DO NOT GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

I had my child here for one whole year but unfortunately we had to move why I couldn't have my…read moredaughter there twice. I loved the unique learning method that worked best for her. She has been ahead of fellow classmates. The playground in the spacious backyard is perfect for little kids to run up their energy. Ms. Thea has been a very understanding and attentive to our child. Her space is very warm & inviting to children. Her decorations around the room changes with the learning theme they are on at the time. It's different from most aces that are boring and business office environment. Since I have moved out of the area i have recommended many friends to go to Appletree. Thank you for all your hard work Ms. Thea!!!

We started our 3 year old there a few weeks ago and are super impressed with Ms. Thea and her…read morestaff, and the entire operation there. Our son was previously at (arguably) the best pre-k school in Indianapolis and we were concerned we'd be able to find a similar quality school here in NoVA, or at least one that had a reasonable wait list. We feel like we found a real gem at Appletree Montessori, which currently has a few more openings for kids aged 3-5 years old. You can find out more about the school here: https://www.appletreemontessoriva.com/

A wonderful pre school environment for young families! The teachers truly care about the kids.read more

I contacted the preschool while the director, Gail, was on vacation. Within 24 hrs, Gail contacted…read moreme from vacation & gave me detailed information about the school. The preschool has a small class size- 1 teacher & an assistant teacher for 6 kids which is perfect for my shy 2 year old. Gail has a great positive energy & you can tell the teachers adopt that attitude as well. Everyone is genuinely happy to be there & there is a warm atmosphere to the school. We do not have a Jewish background, but Adat Reyim does a great job educating the children & including all cultures in their curriculum. I am truly happy with the preschool, and my once shy 2 year old has really blossomed!!!

My 2 children have been attending this school since they were 2.5 y/o. They are now 4.5 y/o. MSHR…read moreis absolutely wonderful. Ms. Ling, the administrator, is the ultimate professional and the school is very well run. I love the ease-of-access to direct communication with the administrators and teachers. I don't have to leave endless voice messages that go unanswered and every response is super timely. My kids were in Lavender and Ocean. They are the same age and I was nervous to separate them, but Ms. Christy (head of school) encouraged me that this was the right decision. Ms. Jharna and Ms. Michelle have fostered the growth of each child in a loving and attentive way. EVERY ONE of the staff there seem to genuinely care for the children. Academically, I believe the Montessori was worked best for my kids. I highly recommend this school to any parent.

My daughter attended Holmes Run Montessori starting at three years old and until kindergarten,…read morealmost three years. It's a wonderful school. The teachers are exceptional. They are loving and caring and skilled at fostering a calm environment conducive to learning. My daughter had a wonderful teacher, Ms. Jharna, for three years. What a blessing to have that stability in her little life. I will be forever grateful for her. My daughter learned to read and write early, but more importantly has developed a curiosity about learning new things and enjoys science experiments, museums, nature We met wonderful friends and enjoyed the school community. I highly recommend this school.

I regret enrolling my daughter here. Despite committing early (touring in Feb 2024, paying a…read moredeposit, and submitting all forms), the school's lack of communication, disorganization, and disregard for basic safety and hygiene created a deeply frustrating and emotionally exhausting year. From misplaced incident reports and unaddressed injuries, to administrative errors and tone-deaf leadership, this school consistently failed to provide a safe, transparent, and developmentally supportive environment. My daughter came home with swollen lips, unexplained bruises, missing shoes, and stories of peer mistreatment -- with no formal documentation provided, despite repeated requests. These were not isolated events; I have video/photo documentation, and other parents voiced similar concerns in meetings. The director's conduct was both inappropriate and hypocritical -- once sending me a photo of my 3-year-old with paper in her mouth and demanding I "talk to her about telling the truth" over a harmless joke (gum from dad), while gaslighting parents about emails that were never sent. We were made to feel like the problem, when in reality the school's tech systems, operations, and staffing plans were simply broken. Staffing was unstable -- the lead teacher left for maternity leave with no real succession plan. Parents were informed of changes through hallway gossip before any official notice. Other red flags included: * Poor nap hygiene (child's skin broke out); * No proper underwear/clean clothes sent home; * Unsafe food handling policies; * Lost orthopedic shoes due to mishandling after an accident -- only replaced after escalation; * Inconsistent behavioral reporting, with my child being singled out for normal 3-year-old behavior, while aggressive peer behavior went unaddressed all year. The school showed a lack of respect for working parents, sending critical updates (like school closures) late at night and offering no accessible options for required events (no childcare, no virtual options, last-minute notices). They ran meetings on free Zoom accounts that cut off mid-call, used free Gmail accounts, and misunderstood basic tools like unlisted YouTube links. My concerns were dismissed, incident reports were never filed, and when I reported this to the county, I was told it was "too late." Given how long and hard I tried to resolve these issues internally -- and my documentation of events -- this only added to the heartbreak. In hindsight, I should have trusted my gut and pulled my child out much earlier. If you're a parent considering this school, please ask hard questions about staff turnover, behavior policies, safety reporting, and operational transparency. And if something feels off -- trust yourself.

Will only state the facts that lead to this review…read more.. In preparation for our move to VA this year, my family and I have been searching for a suitable Montessori school within this area. After speaking with Cardinal several times via the phone we felt that this might be a great option. A few weeks ago, my wife had scheduled a school tour and staff meet with Cardinal's senior coordinator (not official title) to allow us to see a routine day at the school and view its operation. We scheduled the tour for a Friday, which we were told was not "normal" but would be allowed given the fact that my family had to drive 5+ hours to get there. The tour was locked on that Monday with a 0930 start time on Friday. We had no other communication from the school throughout the week and on Thursday afternoon, we hit the road after I had gotten off work and arrived in VA just after midnight. We were up the following Friday morning and arrived at Cardinal at 0910 to an empty parking lot, locked building, lights off, and no one on site... We sat, waited, and attempted to call anyone with no luck and no response. It was about 0930 when finally a car pulled up and a women was dropped off. She didn't engage us at all and simply walked into the school. My wife proceeded to knock on the door and was met by said women who appeared to be cleaning. My wife explained our situation to the women who simply laughed, nodded, and said that the school was closed due to a maintenance emergency. A few minutes later, another women arrived who identified herself as a teacher. We calmly explained how we were scheduled to meet with a Ms. Igera for our tour but had not been able to reach her or anyone else. The teacher looked surprised and quickly reiterated that the school had been closed for the last few days. She then pulled out her phone and said she would call the "school owner" who was already on her way to Cardinal. At approx. 0945 the school co-owner arrived and welcomed us inside. We explained, again, who we were and why we were there. She quickly apologized and then explained how the school closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to plumbing issues. They had sent all the students and staff home and were now back (Friday morning) in order to clean for the reopening on Monday. She didn't ask any further about the botched tour appointment, but rather tried to go right into her pitch for the school. At the end of the walk-through, we were on our way out the door when we asked for Ms. Igera to call us about the clear failure in communication. The Co-owner said she would, glorified her staff, and said she hoped we would consider them when we moved... Fast forward 2+ weeks later....we got that call.... And it was to schedule yet another tour at the school. Nothing more. The level of complete disregard, disrespect, and sheer unprofessionalism that went into this waste of time is truly astounding. For better perspective, here is a better overview of all my family and I sacrificed in order to simply VISIT the school and observe its operation. - late night drive 5+ hours after work. - pulled my 4yo daughter out of current school in order to see the Cardinal school and meet the teachers. - my wife is 7 months pregnant at the time of all this. And she had to make all these movements. - I scheduled a full day away from work to make this trip happen. - spent hundreds on gas to make the round trip. Along with paying for a hotel in order to stay overnight... The Cardinal school may do just fine in some things, but I find it hard to imagine what. The coordination, communication, and lack of accountability is frightening. To make a commitment to an outside family who is willing to spend thousands on the betterment of their children's care and education and then not even have the courtesy to communicate a simple appointment change is unacceptable. I would HIGHLY encourage any family seeking a Montessori program to move on and explore other options (military families or otherwise). I have nothing negative to post about the teachers who work here, simply the lack of efficient and effective administrative overview of the school itself. This was not a sophisticated encounter, but rather a simple and what I would image routine engagement with an interested party. If this is how they treat an unaffiliated party, how do they respond under higher stress situations? Who actually maintains the schools appointments? Who is charge of registrations? Etc... Bottom line, keep searching. There are other great options within this region of VA, as my family and I learned. So disappointed to leave a review of this manner on a Montessori related establishment, but title alone does not guarantee quality. I truly hope this review can bring about a greater awareness of the low standard practices at Cardinal.