My daughter has attended Baxter for the past 3 years and during that time, I have come to know all…read morethe teachers and the administration very well. In its essence, Baxter is a very sweet neighborhood school that is geared toward the Montessori philosophy of caring for and cultivating independent children. One note to take into account when reading critical reviews is that the school did change ownership in January 2017. The previous owner (and founder) was notoriously old-school and had a pretty hands-off style, in dealing with both parents and children. The new owners have taken a very different approach, and in the two years since they took over, I have seen major progress with the school's communication with parents, nurturing children, and making sure that the school is truly living up to Montessori standards. PROS- -The physical space of the school is charming, sweet, and beautiful, and the children spend at least 2 hours outdoors every day. The buildings are classic cottages from the 1920s, decorated in true Montessori form- with simplicity, and with all the tools and materials being accessible to little people, so that they may choose their own path and learn to be independent beings. - Ms Le, the head teacher for like the past 40 years, tends the garden and feeds the stray neighborhood cats and pigeons. Her care for the plants and animals is a wonderful model of the social responsibility and connection between humans, animals, and earth. - The children move quietly during class time, engaging in either independent or group play, doing the "jobs" that they choose to engage with. It's astonishing how quietly and seamlessly a classroom of 2 to 5-year-olds flows! - The school has a very low turnover rate for teachers. Most of the teachers have been there many years, and seem to work really well together. All of the teachers have their own personalities, and while there are a couple who are a little more old-school and less forthcoming in their communications, the majority of the teachers are very communicative and receptive to feedback and questions. When I have had concerns about my own daughter, I have found that my communications were very well received and that the teachers would work with me very intimately on an ongoing basis until we worked through the issues. - Every day they have a different extracurricular activity from visiting instructors. Mandarin Chinese on Mondays, martial arts on Tuesdays, yoga on Wednesdays, and music class on Thursdays. I love how these extracurricular things are integrated so I don't have to run around after school or on the weekends trying to make sure my kid is getting a well-rounded experience. - The academics are amazing. Have no fear that your child will not be prepared for kindergarten! The stories about kids from Forest schools who arrive at kindergarten and have a hard time adjusting to the structure of daily school life do not apply here. In fact many children arrive in kindergarten being so far advanced that they were promptly pushed to first grade. This happens every year. - OK this is a big one: Baxter is geared towards working parents. From its no-frills application and admissions process, to its very reasonable tuition price, and it's flexible drop off and pick up hours... Over time you truly do begin to appreciate how important these qualities are. - But the community may truly be the very best thing about Baxter. The parents and the families who go to Baxter are genuinely some of the best people I've ever met. They are just down to earth, great people. We have a long-standing tradition at Baxter that the families meet at the Silver Lake Meadow every Friday after school for a potluck picnic, and it is truly a bonding experience for all, and fosters a real sense of community. There is very little drama at Baxter. There is a familiarity there, and it's all love. CONS (More like a previous con) - Under the previous ownership prior to 2017, there was less focus on the social-emotional. But in the past two years, I have seen a great improvement in this area, with more attention given towards nurturing the children's social and emotional development, as well as conflict resolution. No one would ever let a child cry unattended (as one reviewer from years ago mentioned), and daily peace circles and lots of attention to teaching love, kindness, and empathy are definitely now part of the culture at Baxter. Although a work in progress, it IS a priority, and they are actively working on it and very receptive to suggestions. Overall, I think Baxter is a fantastic school, and if I had to choose all over again, I would still choose Baxter. The friendships we have made here have been priceless, and I am 100% sure that my daughter is as prepared for kindergarten as any other child in her class will be. It is a non-pretentious sweet little local neighborhood school and the teachers and the community are truly exceptional.

My little one loved Baxter (she is now at Micheltorena Elementary). Ms. Li and the other teachers…read moremade her first school experience very special. She misses them dearly.

First of all, who chooses schools from Yelp reviews? I mean, no disrespect to Yelp, but you may…read morewant to dig a little deeper than this site if you're concerned about the future of your child's education. That said, my wife and I are finishing up our fifth year (second child) with Elena, Nelida and the team at Montessori Shir Hashirim (Berendo campus). To say that we've enjoyed our experience there would be an understatement of unimaginable magnitude. What this school has done to enrich our children is simply beyond compare. Here's what you can expect if you enroll your child at Montessori Shir Hashirim: - Lest you fear Montessori is "all work and no play", you'd be terribly misled. They play. They play plenty. - Your child will learn various tasks and "jobs" meant to hone their fine motor skills and help in their ability to work in groups. This is manifested with the aforementioned "jobs" -- classic wooden Montessori projects -- but also with weekly baking, gardening and other stimulating activities. - Your child will learn about all manner of the arts -- not finger painting and PlayDoh, but the actual construction of thought-provoking crafts and artwork inspired by artists that the children get exposed to throughout the year -- the likes of Picasso, Klimt, Haring, Warhol, Renoir, etc. - Your child will perform in three plays a year. (And lest you think your child wouldn't possibly be able to learn lines or pay attention or sing complex songs, you are dead wrong. In the capable hands of the enrichment teachers, your child will absolutely astound you.) The plays are often based on Rudyard Kipling stories, and at least one play a year is Shakespeare. Yes, Shakespeare. A fun, witty, amusing rendition of a Shakespeare play. It's phenomenal. - Your child will also be exposed to math, reading, language arts (Mandarin, Spanish & French), dance, music, and a host of optional extracurricular activities (my daughter is currently taking ukulele). But as enriching as all this is, your child will most certainly make friends that he or she will likely keep for a long, long time. And you, as parents -- believe me -- you will meet new and interesting and fun parents that you too will want to hold on to for years to come. As much as it saddens me to leave Montessori Shir Hashirim, I will be most saddened to leave this incredible community of families. Know this: As a parent preparing for your child's first educational experience, this is a big deal. A really big deal. And admittedly, Montessori is not for every kid. You go and see if it's right for you and your child, and if you think it is, and if Elena agrees, you will be rewarded with a program that will change your life. As it has most certainly, unequivocally, changed ours. (Oh, and Elena doesn't do any fundraising. So there's that...)

We are so grateful to Shir Hashirim. Our daughter has had a very fulfilling preschool experience…read morethat is unlike any other in Los Angeles. She is graduating enriched by the impressive academic curriculum but also the terrific arts program. The school (led by the incomparable educational legend, Elena Cielak) nurtures them to be strong, independent thinkers and worldly global citizens. Children leave this school incredibly well prepared for the next stage of their education, and it's no accident elementary schools across this town all love Shir Hashirim graduates! It is truly the best preschool and a magical place.

This is a cozy and unpretentious preschool ran by the most loving and dedicated teachers. For…read morealmost six years I put my pin code into that little orange door and my kids ran happily inside. They learned their letters and numbers, got potty trained, celebrated every cultural holiday and most importantly to me, felt incredibly safe and loved. Sometimes I still feel like dropping by just for the warm vibes and to ask Sakina how to parent through a tough moment. I could not recommend it more.

Avoid at all costs. School is cramped, overcrowded and there is a complete lack of communication…read morefrom those in charge. There are plenty of other, more welcoming options for your family's needs.

Where do I even begin with this amazing place? IMA is truly a gift to children, parents, families…read moreand the entire community. First and foremost, the teachers are stellar! They are incredibly talented, caring, and passionate about teaching children-not only foundational academic skills like reading and math, but important life skills such as cleaning up after themselves, problem solving, independence and responsibility. I truly feel like we found a treasure in IMA. Although I am sad my first child's time there is coming to an end, I am incredibly grateful for the educational foundation he has received. I know the skills, confidence and love of learning he has developed at IMA will have a lasting impact throughout his life. Thank you, Mrs. Sollito for such an exceptional job of creating an environment where children feel safe, loved, supported and excited to learn. IMA is such a special place and we cannot thank you enough for all you have done for our children!

Our family has been part of the IMA community for the past five years, and with our youngest now…read moregetting ready for TK, it's bittersweet to say goodbye. If you're looking for a school where the owners and staff are 120% dedicated to creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment for your children, you've found it. Their kindness, patience, and genuine passion for what they do are evident every single day, and those values naturally rub off on the children. We truly believe our kids are more kind, empathetic, and confident because of the environment IMA created. We feel incredibly fortunate that both of our children were able to attend IMA. The fact that they prioritize siblings during enrollment was also a huge blessing for our family. The teachers and staff are simply wonderful. They consistently go above and beyond, especially during the summer program. Every week is filled with exciting activities like petting zoos, magic shows, carnival days, pony rides, and so much more. You can tell how much effort goes into making each event special with all the decorations, treats, and thoughtful details for both the children and their families. As working parents, we also found tremendous value in their extended early drop-off and late pick-up hours. It gave us much-needed flexibility, and our kids genuinely enjoyed being there, even if it's past 8 hours. Having them in the same program year-round (with scheduled holidays) made life so much easier and helped keep our family's routine consistent. We also felt the tuition was an incredible value for everything the school provides. More importantly, every interaction with the staff was met with understanding, warmth, and genuine care. They always made us feel like part of the IMA family. We will truly miss IMA and everyone there. Our children were incredibly lucky to grow up in such a nurturing environment, and we will always be grateful for the love, support, and unforgettable memories they gave our family. We wholeheartedly recommend IMA to any family looking for an exceptional Montessori school. It has been one of the best decisions we've made for our children.

I owe a debt of gratitude to MAWA for the enormous leaps my kids have taken developmentally during…read moretheir time there. My eldest daughter started at MAWA when she turned three. By the time she left for kindergarten a couple of years later, she had learned songs and vocabulary in Mandarin and Spanish, was adding, subtracting, and counting into the thousands, doing CVCs, knew all the continents and planets in the solar system, learned all about the biology of humans, animals, insects, and plants, and was making all sorts of cool art projects based on famous artists in history. My other daughter is currently going to MAWA. She started when she turned two with a speech delay and in six months her confidence and speech development has been through the charts. Now, she's able to express her needs more clearly, put phrases and multiple word sentences together, imitate speech patterns, and respond to questions. It's also a game changer that MAWA coordinates with the regional center so their speech and occupational therapists can do sessions at the school to work with your child and cater to their specific developmental needs. What I appreciate most is that it never felt like the kids were just going to school, but were in an environment where they could truly thrive. One of the most rewarding things as a parent is seeing the joy and excitement on your child's face as they explain the lifecycle of a butterfly as they look at a chrysalis on a leaf, or show you the watermelon they grew from a seed in the school garden, or tell you all their favorite fruits and vegetables in Mandarin, or show you how they're able to make raisins dance through buoyancy and gas absorption. For that, I'm forever grateful to Julisa, Carla, Mireya, Esmeralda, Lupe, Gina, Sophie, Jill, Vanessa, Ruhi and all the rest of the MAWA teachers and staff. Thank you for shaping the world of my kids and many others through play.

We loved our time at MAWA so much. My son attended for three full years (ages 2-4) in three…read moredifferent classes and had a wonderful experience at every stage. The teachers are kind, caring, and patient, the admins are helpful, and the student & parent community was amazing. The kids get such a well rounded experience there - two language classes, reading & writing, special on-site "field trips" (aquarium, petting zoo, etc.), science fair, 2 performances each year, spirit week, cultural events, and not to mention the very strong academic (and practical skills from Montessori methods) foundation they receive. It was amazing to see the progress he made there in 3 years. Like many private preschools it's pricey but in my opinion it was worth every penny.

27 years ago, I had the pleasure of going here as a pre-schooler! 27 years later I came back to…read morevisit with my life long friend that I met here! Wow I was brought back to relive some great memories. Most of the staff are still the same people who took good care of me! The staff even remembered an item I brought for show & tell. Talk about paying attention to details! Seeing all the kids in such a good flow, cleaning up after themselves and listening to all the instructions was so beautiful to see. If you're looking for a pre-school, look no further. The caring staff, strategic system that works to develop foundational skills & dedication to providing a nurturing, tailored space for kids is what makes this pre-school amazing!

Southern California Montessori School is truly a hidden gem, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be…read morepart of it. Under the wise and compassionate leadership of Ann Abellera and her exceptional teaching team, the school fosters a deep love of learning that radiates through everything they do. Ann brings a calm, thoughtful presence to the school, and her decades of Montessori experience are evident in the respectful, child-centered environment she and her staff have created. Rather than traditional classrooms, there is one beautiful, open learning space that allows children to move freely and engage deeply with their work. The materials are thoughtfully chosen, and the environment is designed to spark curiosity, independence, and joy in learning. I've noticed the pride my kid takes in his discoveries - it's so rewarding for a parent! Beyond academics, the school nurtures kindness, responsibility, and confidence. It's clear that every child is seen, respected, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. The outdoor space is also a huge plus--a well-maintained and cheerful playground that gives the kids a chance to run around and play. Southern California Montessori is more than a school--it's a community rooted in trust, care, and joyful learning. We can't recommend it highly enough.

Our daughter just graduated from Mrs. Rosa's class at Pacifica, and while her little sister will…read morecontinue there, we wanted to take a moment to share our experience. From day one, the entire Pacifica team has been incredibly kind, welcoming, and supportive. What we appreciate most is that Pacifica is a true Montessori school--rather than a school that uses Montessori materials. The teachers genuinely respect each child's individuality while encouraging independence, confidence, and a love of learning. We've watched our daughter grow so much over the past year, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. She looked forward to going to school every day, and that says a lot. Thank you to Mrs. Rosa and the entire Pacifica team for creating such a wonderful environment for children to learn and thrive. We are so grateful and can wholeheartedly recommend Pacifica to any family looking for an authentic Montessori education.

We couldn't be happier with our two years of experience at Pacifica Montessori. All teachers pay…read moreclose attention to each child's personality and learning pace, The campus atmosphere is gentle and inclusive, our child made many lovely friends and became more outgoing, focused and self-disciplined after studying here. we absolutely give full marks.

LHT and Ms. Jackie have become such a special part of our village! Between our two kids we've had…read moreat least one here since the summer of 2022.  Our older son started when he was 18 months old and attended until he moved up to TK. He absolutely thrived in the welcoming and nurturing environment that Ms Jackie has created and he was so well prepared for this transition. Our younger son also started at 18 months and it's been wonderful to see him growing and thriving just like his big brother. I know he'll be so prepared for TK when the time comes!  A few special things that stand out to me: (1) Ms. Jackie truly takes the time to get to know each kid and adapts her curriculum (and her menu!) to highlight their interests. (2) The small size of the school makes a difference. It's such a gentle transition. (3) It's nurturing while also encouraging independence. Ms. Jackie is great at gently pushing us to see how capable our child really is -- even when it's tempting to just put their shoes on for them because it's faster! We feel so lucky to have found such a supportive preschool and would highly recommend it to other families.

We were first time parents looking for a preschool and so glad we found LHT. Our daughter went here…read morefor 3 years, and LOVED it. Now she asks to go back and visit the school and Ms Jackie. Any concerns we had with our daughter at home were also noticed by Ms Jackie and her fellow teachers, and they helped us get our daughter through the concerns. I personally was not looking forward to potty training. Ms Jackie took that anxiety away and essentially did the potty training for us while showing so much patience and love with our little one (and us parents too) Our daughter graduated from LHT (yes, there is a graduation ceremony) and was completely ready for TK, knowing how to act in a classroom setting, and being further along in her education than most of her peers. There was also a strong community among the families attending here which helped us as well.

If you are searching for a great preschool, look no further. Back in 2022, we toured BWM and right…read morefrom the get-go, we knew it was the right environment for our daughter, who has now been there for 2.5 years. The appeal of the Montessori system, their language immersion, the small-sized classrooms, and most importantly, the caring and loving teachers have made BWM the best educational choice we could have made. Our kid loves going there. There is a variety of extracurricular activities, and the teachers always make sure that students stay academically challenged while also growing into confident kids. It is truly a nurturing environment where our daughter can be her true self and build long-lasting relationships. Academically, we've been impressed by the curriculum and how they explore a range of topics including math, reading, writing, problem solving, and more. We can't recommend it enough, and we are very thankful for the staff and teachers.

Both of my children attended BWM, though in different circumstances (because of the timing of the…read morepandemic) and in different classes. Pros: - the academics are excellent, especially when it comes to learning to read. - cannot say enough good things about Ms. Gia! - they enjoyed coming to school and loved their teachers - there is a true commitment to the value of bilingualism Opportunities for growth which I don't think could be learned from a tour or handbook: - traditional binary gender stereotypes are reinforced with explanations or comments like "boys like to play more rough" - there is a missed opportunity to engage with parents as equal partners who can add value. - I wouldn't mind sacrificing the academics a bit for more time spent on social emotional content, such as how to navigate conflict on the playground or being inclusive of all classmates or celebrating growth and transitions Would I choose a different preschool if I had to do it all over again? I don't think so. We would still have chosen this school. It was a solid start to our children's school experiences.

Our kiddo just graduated from the best preschool which prepared her for the global world!…read more Specializing in full immersion programs Spanish only Mandarin only Mandarin & Spanish dual (switching classes after nap) I read that exposing children to multiple languages before the age of five unlocks part of the brain otherwise not developed. I researched and toured countless preschools before selecting CCM. Our kid did the dual which was the best decision ever. My husband speaks Spanish (but doesn't at home) and I know very rudimentary Korean. Our daughter at the agent of 2 years 3 months picked up both languages quickly. Hearing multiple languages was normalized at her young age. She has loved learning the language & experiencing both Latin & Chinese traditions. All kids get to dance with mariachi singers for Cinco de Mayo Break piñatas Lunar new year Dragon or Lion dances And too many more cool events to list Culver City Montessori is intimate, clean & safe. We loved the teachers & staff. They became family throughout the years and we hope to continue to be a part of the CCM community for years to come. Highly recommend!

We've had multiple children go through the Trimmersion (Mandarin + Spanish immersion) program, and…read moreevery single one of them have absolutely loved their time at CCM. My older kids were devastated to leave. The teachers and staff are beyond exceptional, and they treat the kids with so much love and kindness. We've become close friends with many of the other families, which speaks to the care and thought CCM takes in putting classes together. They also have a robust activities/enrichment program, including soccer, tennis, and dance. Most importantly, my kids have come out of the program fluent in 2 foreign languages! There's really no other preschool like it on the Westside. My only note is I wish CCM would extend through elementary school! :)