We toured several different Montessori schools in the area when our daughter was 2 and most of them…read moreseemed decent. I will admit that during our search, we actually drove by Cloverdale Montessori the day before our appointment with them, and at first glance thought, "No, this one won't work because it's just a residential house. Seems weird." But we took our daughter to the appointment anyway and I am so happy we did. We were greeted by Miss Rose Marie (Sorry if that's spelled wrong), and for the first time in the many tours or school visits, our daughter was IMMEDIATELY engaged and focused. I was in awe. Their style of teaching had my daughter wanting to learn, understanding what she was learning, and understanding the importance of manners and proper etiquette. After being there for an hour and seeing what my daughter had learned in that short time, I was sold. That was in 2023 when my daughter began her education journey with Cloverdale Montessori and just finished their kindergarten and fun summer program three years later. I really can't say enough about this school. The owners Tim and Marie, their lead administrator/teacher Miss Carrie, and all the wonderful teachers there are some of the most caring and dedicated people you will ever meet. Their teaching style goes well beyond standard education...obviously and probably most importantly, my daughter learned SO much when it comes to reading, writing, math, science, and all the core education items that children need to excel in life, but I feel like my daughter became a better and kinder human from being around these teachers. They don't get political, they show no bias, they just teach human kindness. Oh, and I should add that once you get into the "residential house" that I initially thought wouldn't work, you find several different cozy learning areas and a huge, amazing backyard with all kinds of play equipment and fun activities. I'm sad that she has now "aged out" of Cloverdale, but am so grateful for the three years she had there. She learned so much, made so many friends, and made so many memories. I would highly recommend Cloverdale Montessori to anyone looking for their child's first school. You won't regret it.

Our daughter has been attending this school since 2020 and we love it. It has been the best school…read morefor her. The teachers are all wonderful and have been at the school for decades. You cannot get that anywhere else. My 5yo daughter says it is a "loving and kind" environment and that is why she loves it. She knows that they care about her, they are invested in her development and that they instill a respectful culture. It is truly special. The education she has gotten there is so well rounded, I cannot say enough. They implement the Montessori methodology and have gone above and beyond to implement as many learning opportunities as possible. My daughter has grown in math and reading as well as the day to day basics that children need to grow in this world. Just this week they have been growing their own spices, learning about them, grinding them and bringing them home for use. She loves it. Ms Rosemarie has been teaching her Spanish, which she loves, and Ms Carrie has been taking them on educational field trips to grow her education in the community. She looks forward to seeing Ms Jan every day, and wanted to tell her about her loose tooth. She loves Ms Amy and the activities she has put together for the outside play. I just can't say enough good things. We love all of the teachers there. If you want your child to thrive, bring them here!

This is a wonderful preschool. Caring teachers and my son had a great experience. They supported…read morehim so much in his learning and his friendships.

Our son attended Hillside for over a year, and during that time we saw his behavior greatly…read moredeteriorate. As he struggled the director made no effort to figure out why he was acting out, she just punished and belittled him. We eventually pulled him out when her behavior became unprofessional and unkind towards our son. We also raised a few safety concerns like the front door being propped open, which has immediate access to Hill Road. I would not recommend sending any child to Hillside.

I really wish we would have found Hillside Academy sooner. My son has just blossomed since I…read moreenrolled him there. He loves to learn now and comes home every day full of new knowledge. Highly, highly recommended.

I absolutely love this daycare! As a first-time mom, going back to work was incredibly difficult,…read moreso finding a place I could truly trust with my baby was so important to me. Choosing Happy Hearts was the best decision I could have made. The teachers are wonderful, the community feels so close-knit, and their flexibility makes a huge difference. Most of all, you can tell how much each teacher genuinely cares for the children. It gives me complete peace of mind knowing my baby is happy and well cared for while I'm at work. Since starting this daycare, I've noticed my son is hitting milestones quicker and love that he is getting socialization at such an early age. As he grows, I'm excited for him to get to explore: more education opportunities, support with potty training, and to participate in all the fun events they do! A special shout-out to the teachers I've gotten to know and absolutely love: Jazlyn, Anna, Bekah, Destinee, and Summer!

I wouldn't recommend working at this daycare. When I first…read morestarted, I was genuinely excited. I'm a single mom, and I chose this place not just to work, but to also have my twin boys enrolled so I could be closer to them. Sadly, what began as a hopeful opportunity quickly became one of the most toxic and disappointing work environments I've ever experienced. A teacher I initially trusted (my children's teacher) ended up mom-shaming me to my face and behind my back questioning if my children could sing their ABCs, count, or put on shoes, and even suggesting they weren't "smart enough" to be in her class (despite her own son being the same age). She pushed to have them moved down into my classroom and later, when I experienced a serious medical issue at work, she told others I was "faking it." What I went through medically was something beyond my control and deeply personal. To have it dismissed like that was beyond hurtful. I addressed my concerns respectfully and privately with the owner. Instead of addressing the issue directly, she sent out a vague message to staff about gossip but never followed up or took further action. ( which I asked for )That teacher continued to be unkind and unprofessional, including making comments about me not deserving donated diapers for my kids. I asked multiple times for a group meeting to resolve everything calmly and constructively. It never happened. I felt so unsupported, disrespected, and anxious every day at work that I ultimately quit even though I didn't have another job lined up. That should tell you how emotionally exhausting it had become. Before leaving, I shared my disappointment in the staff communication thread not to be dramatic, but because I believe people should treat each other better, especially in a space meant to nurture children. Instead of acknowledging the problem, my message was deleted, ignored, and swept under the rug. Since then, I've heard several more staff members have quit for the same reasons I did. Yet the same individuals who were creating the toxic environment continue to be protected. I truly don't understand why. As for the daycare itself the children are not in danger, and many of the caregivers genuinely do their best. But I do believe the classrooms are too small, outdoor time is limited (30 minutes a day), and efforts to reduce outside play due to "staff interactions" is not in the best interest of the kids. When teacher turnover is high and staff morale is low, that inevitably affects the children, too.

Both my daughters and my nephew have gone here for years. All the kids in my house are highly…read moreintelligent and very polite. I owe their positive demeanor to this institution. Any issues I have had with the staff have been addressed immediately and with urgency. This Montessori school is doing a great job, and I hope they continue to educate our youth in the manner they have been.

I took lessons for adults and she was great. My niece took lessons for kids and loved it.read more

Peace Valley Charter School is truly a gem in Boise. From the moment you walk onto campus, you can…read morefeel the sense of care, intention, and community that surrounds the students. What sets Peace Valley apart is its Waldorf-inspired approach within a public charter setting. Children learn through art, music, movement, hands-on projects, gardening, storytelling, and deep relationships with their teachers -- while still meeting academic standards. My child comes home excited to share what they learned, whether it's a science experiment, a painting, or a class play rehearsal. The teachers genuinely know their students and care about their growth -- not just academically, but socially and emotionally too. The school feels small in the best way: families know each other, staff are approachable, and communication is thoughtful and transparent.

After a few hard years, I can honestly say that Peace Valley Charter School has never felt…read morestronger. The growth we've experienced as a community--academically, emotionally, and culturally--has been incredible to witness. My child is truly thriving here. The teachers and staff deserve every bit of praise. Their dedication, patience, and genuine love for the students shine through in everything they do. You can feel the care the moment you walk onto campus. They see each child as an individual, and that makes all the difference. The magical Waldorf principles that drew us to the school are more present than ever--woven beautifully into the curriculum, the environment, and the rhythms of the day. Creativity, imagination, movement, and hands-on learning aren't just ideas here; they're lived experiences. My child comes home inspired, confident, and excited to learn. Peace Valley is on the up and up, and I'm so grateful to be part of this journey. It truly feels like a place where childhood is honored, education is meaningful, and the whole child is nurtured. Highly recommend to any family looking for a supportive, enriching, and truly magical learning environment.

We've had a great experience with Vista Montessori so far! The teachers are fantastic and truly…read morelove all of their kiddos. We're so grateful to have the opportunity to partner with VMS for our child's early years.

My two kids attended between 2016 and 2023. My boys loved Vista and still insist we go visit on…read moreoccasion to see there former teachers. While childcare can be stressful, I always trusted the Vista family. They did everything they could to safely stay open during Covid. I hate seeing the rating so low from some folks that had a very limited or one-time experience. My kiddos were well prepared for Kinder and thrived, especially socially, at Vista. If you're in it for the long haul, Vista is so great. I'm glad my babies made core memories and lifelong friends there.