TLDR; Second child just graduated Montessori…read more
Bittersweet is the vibe. We truly wish our time here would never end, but now it has, and for the second and final time. Both our children entered this happy place at the youngest possible age, 24months, bc we wanted them to enjoy the stimulation of a preschool setting, and we are so happy we did. It goes far beyond the lessons learned in the classrooms, and the social norms they picked up in the sandbox. This is a place entrusted with not only watching your most precious possessions, but nurturing them and guiding them in their most formative years. It almost feels inadequate to relate the gravity of this responsibility and the proven outcome in a few graphs on the internet, but here we are. A combined 6+ years total, spent at this place.
The first week at Monty with our first born, we weren't sure what to expect. She was able to do dropoffs well, as she had experience w that in daycare. Ofc, there were more than a few days where those turned difficult, her tears streaming, legs kicking, voice straining with violent screams at the prospect of not hanging out with Dad all day as he worked from home. But nobody is better at that particular hostage negotiation than the staff at Montessori. What seemed a task akin to charming a hissing Cobra snake was handled like a scoop of ice cream. I still remember the first Friday pick UP where my daughter had a complete meltdown at being told she was coming home for the day, and no, she couldn't come back til Monday.
From an infrastructure standpoint, it's hard to beat this facility. The powerful HVAC hums along in all seasons so everyone is in comfort. The lunches are prepared hot, consistently, and lovingly everyday, which is so convenient. And most of all, their vast shaded outdoor space, separated by age, is what really sets this place apart. Children are at their best when given room to run, and the playground and toys provided are second to none. I'll miss cleaning the sand out of their shoes every day.
Ultimately tho, what really makes this place what it is, is the Staff. The longtime teachers here truly love their job and the children they teach. The small class sizes ensure these wee ones have a loving experience as they navigate the bright and sometimes stormy journey of early childhood. The teachers always know how to handle any of the challenging situations that arise, and have a never ending supply of love to share. They also potty trained both our kids in a short amount of time, filling the crucial daytime gap of our schedule.
Another advantage they provide you with is the highly individualized education plan that is tailored toward the daily progress of your child. Age is just a number here. When our kids were showing progress w their numbers and letters, they advanced appropriately. Both had a full kindergarten education a year early as a result. And, not to brag, but I strongly believe this to be the main reason why our oldest (now a soon to be 3rd grader) threw a perfect game on her OLSAT. Some folks say start kinder a year late, I think a year early (for the right child ofc) is the move.
When LAUSD started offering free transitional kindergarten, it was natural for us to consider taking them up on the offer. But we quickly decided against it, despite the cost savings and convenience of a single dropoff in the morning. We didn't want our 4 year old getting bullied in the bathrooms by 5th graders, nor being immersed in a classroom of 30 some odd kids either. At this tender age, the loving, hugging nature of Monty is something we could never quantify, and is by far a superior environment.
Really, it's hard to overstate the profound feeling of gratitude we have for this School. Like, it's not simply a Thai food restaurant you frequent bc you can't think of what to make for dinner. It's a place where children will receive an upbringing that never misses, that they enjoy and truly delivers at every opportunity.