Here is a haiku about Puddletown: Perfect, wonderful…read more and exciting just as well you should join right now! I joke, but it really is an amazing school. I have attended for 9 years and the community, the experiences and the curriculum are all great. Please enroll in the middle school program there so I am not a lonely 8th grader next year... - A Puddletown Student

My daughter joined the Elementary program at age 6 after enjoying several years at another…read moreMontessori preschool. The transition was very smooth and now in her 3rd year there, she's still doing wonderfully. The community (parents, administration, teachers, support staff) are all relaxed and intelligent people that clearly love and value children. The Montessori philosophy and learning environments are authentic and beloved by the children. There's plenty of interaction between the children and the outdoors, with fun interactive garden experiences and an interesting outdoor play area. Tuition is the same as most other Montessori schools, and they offer before and after care, and plenty of opportunities for parents to volunteer. Good times!

My boys love going to school here! They do fun activities everyday and are learning so much…read more Recently they have been learning about plants and next is a unit on bugs. Everything is very thoughtful and age appropriate. They also love their teachers very much

Daughter has gone here for a year now. I like their learning curriculum and themes for toddler…read morelearning. Kind and great staff. Some turn over issues (possible due to covid restrictions) but I trust my daughter is in good hands at this facility!

I disagree with previous reviewer about shaming the students! It is an academically focused school…read moreand they're doing exactly that. I've got 3 kids attending and am very proud of their work as are my kids.

My son is graduating from the PAA. Yes, his reading and math are strong. So is his anxiety, shame,…read moreand fear. They use group punishment, breeds discontentment between peers. Students grade each other's work, teachers are not super aware of how kids are doing. The principle at PAA uses yelling and fear to get results, doesn't have the skills to talk to kids and doesn't take the time to get to know where they are coming from. She often makes up new rules on the spot, no talking during lunch, no running during recess, etc with inconsistent enforcement. Staff retention is very low as well. We went through so many changes in one year. We were flat out told that "school was not for learning social skills." One learns social skills regardless of intention, and their lack of intentional work taught kids to bully, hide things, and dislike school and learning in general. Facilities for lunch and recess sorely lacking at the Portland Arthur Academy.

Our family was new to Columbia this year and we were welcomed with open arms, smiles and an…read moreauthentic curiosity about how Columbia could serve our family best. I find the teachers to be personal, professional and truly strive to understand each student individually. Columbia has supported my kids in a transition year and has help them each find their "thing" that lights them up and gets them excited about coming to school. Columbia Christian has also helped support some of my kids that have learning support needs in a way that encourages and hold them accountable. I highly recommend Columbia Christian if you are looking for a place where the staff and kids care about each other and are encouraged to drive for excellence. We drive 25 minutes to attend and it is worth every single minute/penny!

Our son just started here this year after moving from a private school in a different state. They…read morehave been welcoming and he has adjusted to well. Academics are solid and staff is supportive.

Our family has had the most wonderful experience at Little Hands Garden School. My older son…read morestarted in 2022 and will soon be heading off to kindergarten with so many beautiful memories and a strong foundation, thanks to the nurturing environment at this school. My younger son joined this past year, and we are so grateful that he, too, gets to grow and learn in such a special place. The teachers at Little Hands are truly exceptional--kind, conscientious, warm, and confident. They approach each child with genuine care and respect, creating a safe space where kids are not only encouraged to explore and express themselves, but also gently guided to be thoughtful, kind, and responsible members of their community. It's clear that the staff is deeply committed to teaching children how to be good humans in our complex world. We especially love the play-based learning approach, which allows the children to learn through curiosity, imagination, and joyful discovery. The time they spend outside in the beautiful garden is a highlight--planting, playing, and connecting with nature in meaningful ways. It's the kind of early childhood experience every parent hopes for. Little Hands has been such a gift to our family. We're constantly in awe of the heart and intention that goes into everything they do. Thank you to all the amazing teachers for helping our boys grow with confidence, kindness, and joy!

Staff falsely reported me to DHS for sexually abusing my daughter over TOTALLY NORMAL BEHAVIOR,…read moresuch as grabbing her crotch. They proceeded to inform my coparent of this when she was the one who had dropped my daughter off! Resulted in a massive problem with my coparent wherein I did not see my daughter for over a week while the investigation was conducted. The staff was totally unresponsive and irresponsible. DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD GO HERE! THEY ARE UNTRAINED!

After researching and visiting several Montessori schools in the city for a few years, we decided…read morein 2009 to send our daughter (at age 3) to Providence Montessori School. We love the guides, support staff and other families at the school for their genuine care and interest in children and for the overall school community. We live closer to another Montessori school on the West side but decided the commute was worth the reward of great care, education and community of Providence Montessori School. What I love about the school: *Low turnover rate of the school staff After having a daughter at another Montessori school where the staff turnover rate was high, it's wonderful to have the stability of having the same faces in the school and classroom for my kids. The staff are happy to be part of the school, and that shows through as an overall positive energy and focus in the kids. *Elementary Classes-availability and opportunity to continue the wonderful Montessori method of learning *Enrichment Programs & Holiday Camps Unlike some of the other schools in town, they have before and after school care on site with some of the same staff kids see during the day. Oh, and they have a dedicated Enrichment Director who constantly comes up with great ways to engage and entertain the students. I'm amazed at the creativity in projects and activities to keep kids' interest and the artistic, fun results contributed by the kids. *Involved Parent Community We have lots of opportunities to meet and get to know other families at the school: Parent night out, picnics at the playground, potlucks, Coffee Fridays (for parents to drink coffee, snack and chat), etc. The school has a Parent Advisory Board where families can come learn about what's going on with the school administration and have input in the operations and programs. *Large open green space as playground They have an amazing, large secure play area for the kids with a boat, a tree house, a garden and plenty of are to play games and run around. My daughter loves to lift up all the big rocks to look for insects and worms and climb on the tree house. *Indoor Gym space When the weather doesn't permit outdoor time, the kids have an indoor gym they can still play games and burn off some energy in an indoor gymnasium next door. *On-site after school programs Rotating classes of Spanish, Yoga, Soccer, Cooking, Violin to name a few *Cultural and Socioeconomic Diversity The school gives scholarship to about 12-15% of families throughout the year (fund raised through school auction) and tries very hard offer great education to as many types of families as possible. This was one of our main reasons for choosing Providence Montessori School. We wanted our children to have a diverse peer group as it is in the real world. These are some of my quick thoughts. I can't type as fast as I think or talk and believe this is enough info for families who are researching and thinking of schools for their precious little ones. Sincerely, Current Happy Providence Montessori Family

Sharing our response to the denied acceptance email received pertaining to our son. Our daughter…read morewas accepted. We are completely caught off guard and very disappointed to hear you have decided not to accept Henri. After reading through the numerous emails from TPMS there was NEVER any information that his acceptance was pending a school tour. In addition to the emails, we specifically discussed our situation with Jessica during the tour and I followed up with telephone calls after. Jessica reassured us TPMS had children similar to Henri. We were worried about disappointing him and told her we did not want him to tour the classroom if there was a chance he would not be accepted. She assured us that it doesn't work that way and the tour was just for him to get familiar with the classroom and meet his teachers. I specifically told her I do not want to even apply if there was not room for both children. We had a secured/accepted a spot for Lillian at another Montessori school and had Henri on the waiting list, which we have turned down since receiving your "acceptance letter." It is too late in the school year to secure a spot for our children at another school. This decision is INCREDIBLY disruptive to our family and completely irresponsible per TPMS admissions staff. It is pathetic I had to email Braden to find out why we had not had any follow up after Henri's visit. It is also misleading Elisabeth did not indicate anything went wrong with his behavior during that visit. Her communication & demeanor with children and adults is lacking. Judging a 6 year old boy with special needs after observing him for 2 hours in a completely new environment full of strangers is unbelievable and inaccurate, and speaks volumes per your internal practices verses the montessori educational platform. Your policies should be clear that you don't accept children with an IEP or ADHD, to avoid wasting families time Lillian will not be attending TPMS. I HIGHLY suggest you take a look at your admission process and the way TPMS communicates with families. Because of your poor communication and decision our children will not be able to attend Montessori school in the fall. Considering our situation after much homework and clear communication on our part, we suggest TPMS advertises correctly and does't mislead people in the future as it's been a very disingenuous and incompetent experience that will greatly affect our family and our child's developmental plans. Parents are always going to be their children's biggest advocate and TPMS should be ashamed as your mission statement and admission process is severely flawed, and its obvious people should know the truth! In closing, I'm not looking forward to explaining to my son that he will not be attending the school we've been building up to be a great experience. He was greatly looking forward to the school & "new friends" and going to school with his little sister, both of which will not happen now.

Roots and Wings Preschool has been an incredible foundation for both of my children, who attended…read moretwo years apart. My eldest started just as we were emerging from the challenges of COVID lockdowns, and I was drawn to the school's emphasis on play and socialization. It was exactly what my children needed to reconnect with peers and learn essential life skills. While at Roots and Wings, my kids learned so much beyond academics--they learned how to make friends, share, follow a schedule, and become more self-sufficient, all within the nurturing environment provided by the kind and caring teachers. Jill, Jennifer, and Erin were the perfect first teachers for both of my children, leaving a lasting impact on their lives. My daughter, now in second grade, and my 5-year-old son still talk about their preschool teachers with such love and nostalgia. The half-day schedule was the perfect introduction to school life, providing structure while still allowing plenty of time for family and play. Roots and Wings has also gifted us lifelong connections--my daughter met her best friend there, a friendship that has grown into something like sisterhood. On top of that, I made a mom best friend who has been such a source of support and joy as we navigate motherhood. Even though my kids have both graduated, I still stay in touch with all of their teachers, which is a testament to how special they are and how much they care. I cannot recommend Roots and Wings enough to any family looking for a warm, supportive, and play-focused preschool experience. It's a truly special place that fosters a love for learning and community.

Wonderfull preschool would recommend the teacher there are just the most caring people my children…read moreare always so excited to come home and tell me about there day.

This is a great daycare operation. The kids are well cared for, the staff provides structure and…read moreeducational activities, and the director (Rose) is an incredible human being.

We are so grateful for Belmont Academy! They are a wonderful neighborhood school with a lovely…read morecommunity of parents, kids, and teachers. The class sizes are small, the teachers are consistent, and the parent communication is outstanding. Every teacher knows and loves our daughter, and they bring such care to the small details of her life. I've noticed all the little things like helping her take off a sweatshirt when it's warm outside (vs letting her overheat!), fixing her hair to be out of her face, and remembering to ask about something she said she was going to do over the weekend. The preschool learning is exactly our speed - this Fall has included About Me, Feelings, My Family, calendar, weather, a letter each week, etc. We get lots of photos on the app so I feel included in what's going on and can talk with my daughter about her day. Snacks and lunches are great too, and the kids eat outside when the weather is nice. The long hours are awesome too - 7:00-6:00. We rarely need such long hours, but it's so much less stressful to not race the clock to avoid late pickup at 5:05 or not having to wait in the parking lot if we arrive a little early. After the pandemic, it's a hard transition to having my daughter away from home during the day, but Belmont has made it really easy. It feels small and cozy, not like a giant facility where my kid is just one in a big group. I can't say enough wonderful things!