This school has educated a couple of generations of Salemites now. It's run by a wonderful family…read morefrom Sri Lanka. Head teacher Shanti, her husband and one of their sons, along with another teacher who was a former parent at the school herself. The kids truly learn.....academics, nature, compassion, character...... It's a wonderful option to have your kids be able to stay enrolled during their "kindergarten" year so as to have a true "full day" kindergarten rather than the typical half-day. Our son has thrived there the past two years and never complains of being "bored" as he used to do. He's learned to read and write and count and more. Once a week they have Japanese culture and language lessons and they grow to love their Japanese teacher. Several times a year they put on programs where all the students sing and dance, learning various cultures, languages, and styles along the way. The interaction of this school and our own efforts have been completely in sync and we will be sad to leave them but are truly grateful for the solid foundation they have helped give our child.

I absolutely love this school. I went here as a child in the 80's and the same family is still…read morerunning it. They have two wonderful teachers and other teacher's aides that help run this amazing Montessori school. They focus on letting the child explore their interests and encourage them in their learning. Your child can start here as early as 2.5 years old if they are 90% potty trained (very few accidents. The cost of this school is less than some other Montessori schools around and the quality of learning and teaching is awesome. My daughter has absorbed so much in the few months she has been there. They offer half day or full day preschool and kindergarten, plus before and after care at a very minimal fee! They do field trips twice a year, and do a craft and show and tell on Fridays. I can't begin to truly express how great this place is!

Would not recommend this school to anyone. And strongly urge anyone considering this school to do…read moreyour research first as they do not follow the standard Montessori teaching practice at all. Staff are not licensed educators, and instead only certified which they received from a quick online course. Classrooms are chaotic, lack structure and guidance and lack any form of teaching. On numerous occasions when picking up my child, I found them wet, cold and being neglected leading to pneumonia. When contacting the school to discuss concerns I encountered directors and staff that were dismissive, would down play my concerns and who were defensive. My experience was both disheartening, and unsettling. Following investigation into this facility I learned that they are NOT a registered school as lead to believe but instead is licensed under a child card day care facility which in my experience is very much how they operate.

Little Friends Montessori has been such a gift to our family. We have been attending for four…read moreyears. I have a child with special need and from the very first day, the staff made us feel completely welcomed, supported, and seen. You can tell they truly care about every child who walks through the door--not just as students, but as little people with their own personalities, strengths, and needs. The teachers are incredibly patient, nurturing, and intentional. They meet kids exactly where they are and help them grow confidently at their own pace. My child comes home excited, proud, and full of stories about what they learned or explored that day--everything from practical life skills to creative projects and hands-on activities. What I appreciate most is the genuine warmth of the community. It feels like an extension of home. They communicate clearly, celebrate milestones big and small, and create an environment where kids feel safe, loved, and encouraged. If you're looking for a place where your child will be understood, supported, and inspired every single day, I can't recommend Little Friends Montessori enough. They've truly made a difference in our lives.

We moved both of our kids to Cascade Summit after them being at another Montessori school from the…read moretime they were both 3 months old. We really agonized over this decision but ultimately we have been very pleased with the move. Our son who is older and had a tough time adjusting a first told me soon afterwards "can we please stay at this school?" and has talked about how much he likes going there. The teachers and staff are wonderful and I have no hesitation leaving my children with them all day. The class sizes are great and I can tell how much time and attention my kids are getting. My four year old is already doing addition and subtraction and learning so much about various countries, the human body, how to write, etc. And for my toddler, they have been fantastic at assisting and supporting potty training which is such a nice bonus. She cannot wait to run in and hug her teachers and friends every day. As a parent and working mom, I really appreciate that we have NEVER once had to keep our kids home because the center lacked ratio, something that happened constantly at our last daycare and was a source of extreme frustration. Their prices are fair, they provide all the food and snacks, and they have minimal days that they are closed, in particular if you choose their extended day program. The people and other families are friendly, and the place has a great vibe to it, something you can sense as soon as you walk in. Overall this daycare center has been a great find and a huge asset for our family. I highly recommend them.

After almost two years, I no longer felt my child was safe at Cascade Summit Montessori. There were…read moresome positives. There are some wonderful staff and teachers. The school property is gorgeous. The playground is nice. Lunch and snacks are included in tuition, which I believed was reasonable. We tried to give the school time to regroup during this past year because we saw so much potential, but, it never got better. We received very little communication from our teachers, if any. The turnover has been extremely high. In less than two years, we've been through 3 directors and 5 teachers. We often did not know who would be teaching our child any given day, or if our teacher would even be there. The inconsistency was hard to ignore as you try to build your child up to depend on adults and to be able to rely on their teachers. A new teacher would arrive with a new routine, new rules, new keywords and phrases...and a few weeks/months later...a new teacher would arrive. The turnover rate just left our child in limbo, shuttled between classes, different teachers, different rules, for over a year. It was not a consistent, positive, nurturing experience. I was willing to overlook many of the negatives. But, this school has dealt with multiple shutdowns in the past few weeks due to COVID exposures. We would often find out on a moments notice, sometimes AT the door to drop off our child, that the classroom was closed. When we asked about reimbursement due to a staff-related exposure closure, we were told that there weren't any "fiscal updates." They didn't offer more vacation days or any other compromise or compensation. They didn't even care to follow-up or mention it again. When we inquired about their staff being vaccinated, they said it was a personal choice. But, when the classrooms closed due to a staff-related exposure, we were told to keep paying. After multiple COVID exposures, classroom closures, and extremely high teacher turnover, the school began requesting the assistance of parents to find substitutes. They also requested parents who would like to "do more within our community" to "volunteer" during pickup and dropoff to help take temperature checks for children at the door. This reminded me of one dropoff experience where I waited patiently at the door with my child, along with another parent and their child. When it came our turn, the teacher came to the door and taped a piece of paper to the door with a phone number. She cracked it open slightly, enough to let us know that "we're full, we're in ratio." My child looked up confused and said, "They're full? No school today????" The teacher said that we just needed to call the number and a teacher would come to the door. I asked if it wouldn't be too much trouble to let someone know, as I had left my phone in the car. She said "sure", closed the door, and went back to her classroom. Within a few minutes, before I could leave the parking lot, the director...and the same teacher...were at the door helping a new line of children. They were "full" and "in ratio" just a few moments prior. But, these are small examples of the inconsistent leadership at this school. Lastly, and what hurt the most, was when we told the director that we no longer felt our child was safe and we would be leaving Cascade Summit Montessori. This is the school my child had spent the past two years at. Two years. Almost half of my child's life. When I said we no longer felt safe and would not return, the entire email was "We are sorry to see her go." They didn't even bother to ask one question, or even leave a salutation, signature, name, nothing. That was how it ended. Seven words. When I arrived to pickup her remaining belongings that day, the director was notified I had arrived. I saw her helping other parents. She looked my way, but didn't bother to say a word. Nothing. After two years, I would expect a school to be more invested in my child, invested in their safety and their care, and be more professional. After two years, they could only respond with, "We are sorry to see her go."

We chose to take our four-year-old son to SunGarden after relocating. It's a lovely small community…read moreof staff, teachers and parents, but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be what we thought it would be when we enrolled. Keep in mind, we have high expectations since we're talking about our children. We're within walking distance and we prefer Montessori methods, and SunGarden is AMI vs AMS (please research the difference if you're looking into Montessori schools)... so SunGarden seemed like a great choice. Everyone is warm and welcoming, and our son grew leaps and bounds academically (which is great if you're looking to raise an Einstein), but I was disheartened by a few things listed below: 1) Time outside: We were told when enrolling our son would be able to work outside when he wanted to (with provided lanyards) and they would often be outside anyway. However, he would come home and say he was not allowed to run outside (a four-year-old not be able to run?!). And although the outside area is beautifully cared for, it's extremely small for how large the community of children is, which is why they were worried about safety if the children ran into each other or any of the garden equipment. At this age, we feel kids need to run off their energy, especially after doing serious academic "work" in a classroom all day - see below. So the outside area and the rules that go with it ended up being a downfall and we were a bit displeased. 2) Turnover: We were only at SunGarden for one year and it was the director's first year in this position, as well as our teacher's first year (her name was Amy - but she was the best part about the school experience for our son). Their "outside guide" left the school mid-year making it even more difficult to allow children outside to do their work (something we were told would happen daily, but ended up not happening much at all). 3) The environment: I have to commend the school on its materials - it complies with AMI rules and materials have to be up to a certain standard, and they are beautiful Montessori materials, kept clean and orderly. However, as much as I love a calm, organized, quite environment for learning, the rooms were unusually quite (these are children ranging from 2.5-6 years). There should be noise and laughter and giggles. Anyone who needed to "move" - which was more often than not - was told to walk briskly along a circular line tape placed on the floor. It almost felt like caged animals when I observed this. 4) Academics: AMI Montessori schools want your children to thrive academically. I want my child to thrive in this area as well but he was still 4... not heading to college yet... and the reports I would receive from my teachers were how long my child would sit, focus and work on math or other subjects. And although he learned quite a bit for a four-year-old, I felt bad the days he didn't want to enter the classroom, crying and sitting outside, because I knew in my heart it was because he was entering what he felt, was a place he couldn't essentially just "be a kid." 5) Play & Art: In our son's previous years at another Montessori school (which we all loved but was AMS), he would come home exhausted, often-times dirty from playing outside (this is a good thing, parents...), or covered in paint and/or in a change of clothes after getting wet on hot days. Unfortunately, he always returned home from SunGarden as well groomed as he had been when he went in the classroom door that morning, so it seemed that very little art exploration, imagination, creativity or getting dirty was encouraged (at least that we saw). Again, it felt exceedingly academic for little minds. I do know they have some make-believe areas (such as a small doll house), sing songs (he came home reciting the same 50 states song I too memorized in 2nd grade), and read stories, but the teachers are there mainly to observe the children do their focused work quietly. 5) Flexibility: I want to be fair, the director did allow our family some flexibility, but again, complying with AMI methods, SunGarden requires your children to attend five days a week. So if you're looking for part-time care (because we wanted our child to be able to move and explore non-academic areas on those days off), then unless they've changed their rules, you don't have that option. Overall, again, everyone was warm and kind and I do know they care about the children. Unfortunately, I left with the impression they care even more so about complying with their AMI Montessori beliefs and methods than what the children inherently desire and need to be a kid at heart. It is a great school for those looking to ensure their children simply grow in academics and social responsibility. Again, these are the areas in which we saw our child grow the most with his time there and we are grateful for this.

As current parents of two children at SunGarden (one in each room), we couldn't be happier with our…read moreexperience. New to the area, we wanted a local Montessori provider where we could feel connected to the community. From the first day we dropped in (literally) to tour the school, the director, guides, and staff made us feel welcome. Since then, we've continued to have great experiences with the school, the parents, and the community. We love living in West Linn and often comment that SunGarden was the best decision we've made here. Specific to the school, we love the building and yard, the amount of outdoor time the kids get (rain or shine, they go out!), the pictures we get from the guides, and the ongoing parent/guide conferences. There are opportunities to connect with the guides, have drinks and coffee with other parents, learn about the curriculum, and interact with the whole community (annual events). SunGarden is the right place if you're looking to be a part of a Montessori community where your children will be cared for and given individual attention.

My daughter has attended Child's View for the last two years and it has been a wonderful…read moreexperience. We are big fans of the Montessori approach to learning, one that gives the child the opportunity to explore and find the activities they need to grow. The school and the teachers create an environment that allows for that kind of learning. Child's View changed ownership last November and has only gotten better. If you are looking for preschool to kindergarten program, I would strongly encourage you to check out Child's View.

Child's View is a great little Montessori tucked in SW Portland (near Capitol Hwy and Barbur). They…read moreemphasis respect both for each other and for the environment. Very green. Great renovated facilities. Wonderful, nurturing staff. Nice outside play area and garden. I highly recommend them.

I was excited to send my child to a Montessori school for the summer and would consider enrolling…read morefor next year. Unfortunately, I was disappointed because I didn't see hardly 'montessori' learning in the class. Not sure if it's just for the summer or it's how they operate during the school year. Frankly, I found her old preschool to be better than this Montessori school. I still believe in Montessori method of learning but the "Montessori" word has be thrown out so easily and quality of "montessori' is not regulated. Just Beware to parents who are interested in sending their kids to a Montessori school. Ask a lot of questions. They charged a lot, but I feel my kid didn't get much out of it. In 3 hours my kid was in school, they went outside to play 2 times, watched a movie, and lunch. Everytime I picked up my kid it was usually a free quiet time, but none of the kids there did Montessori activities. they were reading books. Not that reading books is bad, but I was hoping the kids were more exposed to Montessori learning. According to my kid, they didn't have story time, and singing. After experiencing this, I decided to send my kid back to her old preschool which we loved so much.

My daughter has been going to this preschool since June 2009 and she loves it. The teachers are…read moreall very friendly, kind, and energetic, and the facility has lots of mind-engaging, learning activities in addition to the usual gamut of toys and outdoor play structures. I like that the teachers give me plenty of feedback about my daughter's day, how she napped, who she is friends with, what they are learning, etc. This is also one of the least expensive programs in the area, especially for a Montessori school. There are cheaper programs but they are NOT schools, they are just daycares. I want my kid to actually LEARN something!

I am the grandmother of a two-year-old who has been attending Montessori Cares for nearly a year…read more While we are able to provide her full-time care ourselves, we've seen that the environment here is far more beneficial to her overall development. Socially and academically, the growth has been remarkable--especially in her speech, confidence, and ability to express herself. She is learning valuable practical skills, from simple independence at the table to problem-solving with puzzles. She loves reading, responds beautifully to her teachers, and is thriving in a child-centered, self-paced environment. We don't simply see progress--we see confidence, independence, and joy. The Montessori approach, focused on independence and hands-on learning, has truly been a gift to her development. After 27 years at an elementary school, I can say with complete confidence: children thrive when they are allowed to learn at their own pace and according to their individual interests. This is the difference between a child who keeps up--and a child who truly excels...where learning is not just beneficial, it's TRANSFORMATIONAL! We feel a deep sense of peace knowing she is being so well prepared for the future. The "first five" years are critical, and this school is providing an exceptional foundation. Mrs. Khan is extraordinary--attentive, intuitive, and deeply invested in each child. After our granddaughter returned from a hospital stay, she noticed subtle weight loss that others might have missed. That level of care speaks volumes. She truly KNOWS and loves her students. Montessori Cares has exceeded our expectations in every way, and we are deeply grateful for the care, intention, and excellence they provide each and every day.

At the start of the covid-19 lockdowns, my husband and I were impressed with how quickly online…read moreclasses were structured at Montessori Cares. It was a seamless transition as Mrs. Khan was one of the first to start curriculum on Zoom. To be honest it seemed as if she had this as a back-up plan all along. As changes occurred she was in constant communication through email or phone call. I never felt as if we were out of the loop or abandoned, in fact I could hardly keep up. Mrs. Khan was thorough in addressing any of our needs. She offered us all some type of relief; special arrangements for the essential-working parents in need of childcare, also financial adjustments to accommodate the changes and any job loss. Virtual circle time, math and language classes yielded show-and-tells along with homework. The children engaged with their teachers and classmates during extracurriculars such as Music, yoga/meditation, and storytime. We all did our part making this new normal work out for our children. The effort put forth from Mrs. Khan and her team is to be praised. I am very grateful for this school and its wonderful teachers. Thank you for all you do and for the loving patience you have with our kids.

This school is such a loving and nurturing place for the youngest learners and we feel very…read morefortunate that our children have the opportunity to come here. Their independence and confidence has come along in leaps and bounds. Heather is a highly experienced teacher. It's clear she loves teaching and is gifted at it. She cares deeply about her students in a way only someone who has a calling to teaching could. As parents, we appreciate all the tidbits of knowledge she shares with us that have helped us overcome some of our parenting challenges at home. We are happier parents and have happier children. She also brings her musical talent to school (she is a professional jazz singer) and it's been wonderful to watch our children's love of music blossom as they sing the songs they've learned at school. We would highly recommend this school to other families in the area who are looking for a Montessori school.

My wife and I consider ourselves very lucky to have come across Happy Children's Montessori. Its…read morebeen a blessing to not only have our children attend but has given us, as parents, a valuable experience in being a part of high-performing and demanding school. I came across their location and website with a Google Map search looking for Preschools. The preschool itself makes use of a few rooms of Hillsboro Presbyterian Church. Though its not directly affiliated with the church, the school does share Christian values, by having themes during each month (ex: Respecting others, Self-control, Honesty, Patience, and Kindness). As the title of the school implies, it implements a program based on the work of Maria Montessori. The school also make use of methods based on the book Love & Logic when dealing with issues or areas of conflicts with kids. The kids typically get a lesson on an item of their choosing or something they're encouraged to work on. From there the child works on demonstrating proficiency and is on to their next piece of work. The emphasis is definitely on the child's "work". The kids start a project and can return to it each and everyday until they get it done. They learn how to respect one another, each others' space/work areas, ask for assistance when needed, and how to politely move around. Its not only about work and learning, there's time for play, outdoors in a safe play area, or a large indoor playroom for running around and burning off extra energy. They plant flowers in a garden, have a field day near the end of the year, and hold 2 concerts, 1 before Christmas break and 1 before the end of the school year. They have 1 field trip a year, when they visit a local pumpkin farm or an apple orchard during the fall. We couldn't ask for a more well-rounded preschool and more loving teachers. Heather and Kaycee really are angels to our kids. Guiding them, celebrating their achievements, and making them feel warm and welcome at all times. I will forever be thankful for having come across this school, making the choice to apply/register, and having the opportunity to get our children enrolled. God bless you, and thank you for reading our review.

Our family has been with the school for 2yrs and we have appreciated the dedication and care…read moreprovided by the teachers. Our kids independence and reading skills have greatly improved during their stay. We do not speak Spanish at home, but our kids are developing a robust base of the Spanish language through songs and play. Our 4 year old is now competently reading. We are truly grateful for the small, community focused school.

Extremely pleased at our daughter's development at the school. The teachers are really dedicated to…read morecreating a nurturing and learning environment and do so with a great creativity. Also amazing to see the gift of multi languages at an early age.