my son went to the Northeastern Montessori school in revere MA for 3 years and I couldnt have been…read morehappier. i had initially taken him to another very known private school in the area and he cried every single day. we changed him to NEM and he stopped crying within 4 days. classes are small and the teachers are seasoned/experienced educators. there was not a day i felt uncomfortable leaving my little one there. my son loved all his teachers, specially Ms Kathy and Ms Totto. he walked in there every day like he owned the place. He would come home talking about things like Martin Luther King, Animals, continents, celebrations around the world etc, when he was in preschool which i thought it was awesome because you could tell they were not only playing but also learning. this is not something they do in all preschools As some of them just limit the children to playing. my son stills talks about going back. i was able to bond with other moms that I still see once in a while for birthdays and we all miss the school and the teachers. Another positive Is that they take very seriously keeping the students and teacher healthy. The school owner does not play around when it comes to mitigating any virus outbreaks. she is very strict with this policy which I liked. My only complain is the admin part of the school. I dont think they have a person dedicated to it 100% of the time so its a little bit of a challenge When you need something. you just have to insist and it will get done but you have to be on top of it. if you are considering this school, def give them a chance. its a small school that takes pride on caring and educating children, which at the end of the day its what matters.

I joined the waitlist for Northeast Montessori while I was three months pregnant, and when my baby…read morewas one month old, I was offered an infant spot for January. I immediately paid the required deposit on August 18. After submitting payment, I received no confirmation or acknowledgment -- not even an automated receipt -- which was concerning given that the payment form collected card details directly. From August 18 to November 1, I reached out multiple times seeking updates. I called the school twice and was advised both times to follow up by email. I sent three separate emails during that period and received no response. In those messages, I asked for confirmation of my deposit, a tour of the facility (as I had not yet seen the space), and an invoice for my records. The invoice was particularly important because I work in research and needed proper documentation to submit for my employer's childcare credit reimbursement. When I initially asked about scheduling a tour, I was told the floors were being waxed and that someone would follow up once tours resumed. However, no one ever reached back out. By November 1 -- just a month before returning to work -- and still with no communication, I sent a polite but direct email asking about the status of my child's enrollment and inquiring about the refund policy, since the contract stated deposits were nonrefundable. The reply I finally received was short and stated that the refund would be processed, citing personal circumstances as the reason for the lack of communication. While I empathize with anyone facing family health challenges, it's concerning that there appeared to be no administrative backup or system in place to maintain communication with parents -- particularly when planning infant care around a return-to-work schedule. As a solo parent who paid a significant deposit in good faith, this experience left me disappointed. Reliability, clear communication, and professionalism are essential when it comes to infant care, especially for working parents. I'm sharing this so future parents can use their time wisely and avoid being put in a position of having to scramble to find childcare just weeks before returning to work -- especially when you've done your part by being proactive and organized in securing a spot for your child.

We had an incredible experience sending our two children to Children's House Montessori (CHM) over…read morea 5 year period. This served as our introduction to Montessori techniques and it worked out great for our family. Ms. Paula and all the teachers we met over the years were amazing. Our children left CHM fully prepared for public elementary school.

Our children had a wonderful experience at Children's House. It is a remarkably calm space for kids…read moreto learn.

The leadership team created by Annmarie Quezada is simply phenomenal. Our child has attended St…read more John School for the last 5 years and loves it. The majority of the teachers have master degrees from Boston College and are excellent teachers. The staff and other educators are meticulously chosen and contribute to the school at the highest level. St. John School is only Catholic elementary school (Age 2 - 6th grade) in the heart of Boston proper and is conveniently located in the North End - and close to all major employers for parents to consider. Many families attend from East Boston, Medford, Revere, Saugus and many Boston neighborhoods. The students are out-performing BPS schools on MAP testing and exceptionally prepared for junior high. The 6th grade students interested in exam schools opt in to tutoring and prep for the fall exams and outperform their peers in many instances. The school community is bar none the best. Families have left SJS and returned because the community of teachers, staff, parents, grandparents, and extended family are exceptional. You cannot find this level of care and community anywhere else! This is also the most affordable private school option for many families who want to instill a Catholic education. All the students participate in what's called the Tower Garden. Ms. Shay created a hydroponic garden that is tended by each class over the course of the year. After the greens and veggies are harvested, they are hand delivered by students to different local non profit organizations like St. Anthony's Shrine and ABCD. Having the option of afterschool from 2:30 pm - 6pm plus a variety of enrichment classes and music lessons, makes this school even more attractive and special. Tours are provided by appointment all year round. And parents are always willing to share their experiences. I should note that a 2 year old program begins in September. That's in addition to the 2.9 yo program. Definitely check out the social media pages too. Facebook and instagram @stjohnschoolnorthend

Where a school is more than just a great education - but an amazing community of families - who…read morevalue education and a responsibility to the world around them. The last remaining Catholic school in Boston proper one understands how it is still here 120 years later, it leads in educational programming from Greek-Latin Roots program, Scratch, Kahn Academy to language and arts. It is a wonderful place for any child to to attend from K3 to 8 - and for any family who is looking for a true sense of community. An excellent school on all levels!

Our daughter has been at La Petite since she was 2 (and is now almost 4) and our son started here…read moreas well at 4 months. We love this school. The teachers a warm, loving, and committed, the space is beautiful and well-equipped with age appropriate toys and games, and the Montessori approach has really helped our children grow and develop into kind, independent, and curious kids. We can't recommend this school enough for anyone looking for quality care (at a not unreasonable price) here in Somerville.

We are still so VERY happy with St Columbkille School. Our kids are thriving academically and…read moresocially and they are happy at school. We are so thankful for the amazing staff and the school leadership is exceptional.

I have mixed feelings about St. Columbkille Partnership School. On the surface, the school presents…read moreas warm, community-oriented, and supportive, and many of the teachers and families are wonderful. I personally gave a great deal of time and energy to the school community this year, volunteering more than 140 hours in various capacities. However, I was deeply disappointed by my experience with school leadership when an issue arose regarding a school trip. What concerned me most was not simply the financial issue itself, but the lack of transparency and flexibility in how it was handled. A significant cancellation policy affecting families financially was never disclosed in the enrollment materials we signed, and school leadership did not appear familiar with the applicable policy when questions first arose. Despite repeated requests, we were only provided with the policy after the trip had already concluded. At no point were families provided with clear information regarding illness-related cancellations, reimbursement timelines, or whether trip insurance was recommended or available. In hindsight, that information was critically important. In my experience, leadership was pleasant and collaborative when things were going smoothly, but far less flexible or solution-oriented when a genuine concern arose. Despite our family's significant involvement and goodwill toward the school, there was no willingness to consider even a partial compromise. Parents should make sure they carefully ask questions about financial policies, trip terms, cancellation rules, and how disputes are handled before committing to programs or payments.

My son attended Old South Preschool for his first school experience as a preschooler. The school…read morecame highly recommended by a trusted friend and it was immediately apparent that Old South stood out from many of the other preschools we considered. The classrooms are bright, open, and calming with quality materials used for play and lessons. The many "stations" curated and rotated by the teachers ensure children can feel comfortable choosing between their favorite activities or trying new ones. The kids are exposed to many themes and subjects. The focus on education is on building blocks for kindergarten. Kids are exposed to math and reading in a way that cultivated their curiosity. Weather, calendars, arts, nature, you name it! It's amazing how much is picked into the year. Our sons pride in his handwriting and creative creations was clear each day as we were welcomed into the classroom to review his work at pickup time. The school's emphasis on safe exploration of the city was another draw. We wanted our son to become a citizen of the city. A safe street crosser who observes and learns from his surroundings. Hearing from our son about the classes prep for their walks and then their adventures and lessons around the city was great. Finally, the staff and teachers were fantastic. The care and attentiveness they brought to the school daily was always top notch. They were always available to chat about a rough morning departure for school or other issue. Their ability to handle occasional hijinks was also impressive with the children quickly learning proper etiquette and behavior. Director of Old South, Carolyn, was very helpful coaching us young parents through some behavior challenges and through the kindergarten admissions process. All and all we would send another child to Old South and would not hesitate to recommend this school.

My son attended Old South Preschool during the 2020-21 school year. The year before, he attended a…read moredifferent, more local preschool (we live in Somerville), but that school chose to close due to COVID. Given the pandemic, we were scared to send our son to school at all, and it was even more nerve-wracking thinking about sending him somewhere new. Old South Preschool was recommended to us by friends, and being members of the church (the school is non-religious), our son was already familiar with the building. We decided it was worth the longer commute to have him in school somewhere we were all familiar with. We had no idea what an incredible year he would have. The staff took COVID precautions very seriously, and the school was open all year. Even with all of the extra safety measures, our son felt safe, cared for, and looked forward to school each day. The teachers--many who have taught there for over a decade--are masters at what they do (I am also an early childhood educator and was continuously amazed by their ability to relate to and motivate each child). Our son left Old South more confident, independent, and definitely ready for kindergarten. Old South Preschool was such a bright spot in this very bleak year. We are so grateful to Old South and could not recommend it enough.

My son attended the school for 2 years and from ages 3-5. The teachers are very/very mature,…read morecaring, and organized. Their arts and crafts followed the seasons, events, and holidays. I was consistently impressed with the art work he brought home. In addition, the children would write their own names-every day. This repetition gave him confidence and joy to write. The Director is very accessible, friendly and hand-on. I would highly recommend this preschool.

My daughter has been in the preschool program for a year and my son just entered the toddler…read moreprogram last month. I am impressed every single day at how the director and teachers pour their heart and soul into what they do. I love how every week is an interesting theme and the kids come home with multiple creative projects that they make each day. In addition, the toddlers focus on learning 2-3 letters and a number each month along with a shape and a color and the preschoolers practice tracing their names, letters, and numbers along with scissor skills and lacing. The teachers are so wonderful and nurturing and the kids are stimulated, learning, having fun, and so proud of themselves. I couldn't be happier with this school.

This school is incredible. The teachers care so much about each of their students and take time to…read morefoster each child's growth. It is a safe and loving environment for children of all backgrounds. The director Leslie is superb and is so involved that the children know and love her as much as the teachers. She is understanding of many different personal situations and will work with any family to provide the best care. The ratio here is great. Kids get the attention they need. They get tons of outdoor time and enrichment. Scheduling is flexible. After coming from another school in the area that did not meet expectations I can firmly say that changing to Pilgrim was the best choice I ever made for my child.

I have a child in their first year of attendance at PNS. I have nothing but great things to say…read moreabout the school and its teachers. The women who teach there are all quite nurturing. My child loves going to school at PNS.I feel like my child is learning a lot there and just not being babysat for three hours. My child can now write their name, recognizes letters and letter sounds, and can use scissors (at 3yo). Classes are small. The atmosphere is relaxed. The teachers are all experienced and have taught there for many years. As a parent, I highly recommend going for a tour if you're looking for a small nursery school that will give your young child a great start in their school career.