I am a current and alumni parent of Westmont who was admittedly clueless about the difference of a Montessori education when evaluating schools for my children. Westmont educated me while educating my children and now I am an advocate for life. My children, now 7 and 3 have experienced countless benefits from the Westmont environment and I feel so strongly about the community, teachers, administration and leadership that I was driven to action to post my very first YELP review to say as much. Westmont has each and every student's best interest at heart and I have seen that demonstrated over the course of my last 3+ years affiliated with the school. The academics and social/emotional curriculum is second to none. The community we entered has provided lasting friendships for my children and my spouse and I that have become our foundational friends in this community of Chester/Mendham that was new to us. You will not regret giving your children the opportunity to thrive at Westmont. Please reach out with any questions because as a business person I value a balanced and objective perspective but I also have very high standards so when a business exceeds those standards, especially when my children are the benefactors, I had to post a review! read more

Westmont provides a truly exceptional environment for young minds to learn in. My daughter has attended since "Little Steps," at two years old. She is and has been nurtured and cared for by a staff that cares for her nearly as much as I do. She also has learned independence, respect and how to deal with emotional situations. In addition to the solid foundation she is learning for bigger concepts, she is learning to become a solid human, as well. I would recommend it for anyone that cares about their child and values education. read more

We just moved to the area and had to enroll our 4 year old before we even knew the area. We have been so pleasantly surprised by how nurturing and caring the teachers and staff are. Our son is now thriving and loves going to school each morning. Highly recommend for the child who needs a little extra care and attention. read more

The Westmont Montessori School was a wonderful experience for my two girls. From the toddler program to kindergarten their teachers were amazing. Loving, caring, supportive, and encouraging every single day. My girls truly have gained a lifetime love of learning and hold fond memories of this special place. C.S. read more

First of all, my wife and I are true believers of the difference a Montessori foundation makes on your child's education and development. So, after our daughter went to a Montessori school for 3 years in Florida, it was clear to us upon moving to NJ that we wanted to give the same experience to our 4 year-old son. We initially placed him in another Montessori school, and yes, it was cheaper than WMS, nevertheless, we weren't pleased with the level of attention, details and overall experience our son was having there. So we moved him and luckily, we found Westmont! I am very happy my wife took the initiative to explore Westmont, as it is a great preschool. There's a great family spirit within the school and parent community, lots of involvement from parents (field trips, crafts, etc) and I have always been impressed at how the staff (including the principal) know my name (I'm the father... so I don't go there as often as my wife does). It really gives a sense of a big family... And with regard to the academics, I have always been impressed about the Montessori methodology on how it lets children go at their own pace. They truly follow the Montessori philosophy... My now 5 year-old enjoys adding numbers, counting up to 3 figure numbers... He always comes home with something new he learned (be it a musical instrument, something about Russia, Africa or Brazil, patterns, etc). You really get what you pay for... Couldn't be happier! read more

For my son's PreK year, (3 yrs), the teachers in 2011 and environment were great and very honorable. HOWEVER, it is the Management department and method in this facility that is abhorred. As much as my son and I loved the teachers, the management practices were so intolerable that I often spoke up, (as many parents forget that they can do). During after-care, a friend, (who had often pushed and shuved my son when he tried to hug her), reached over to interfere with my son's toy. My son was defensive and her hand was consequently hurt. I fully agreed to refrain from using after-care TEMPORARILY, since I know how I'd feel if my son was hurt (which he had been in the past, but there was no corrective action then). When management continued to extensively bar him from after-care beyond 9 business days (close to 2 wks), I spoke up and expressed the loss of income this was causing, since now i had to stop working at 3pm and pick my son up, instead of using the services available to me as a client. I also reminded them of when my son got hurt, through no fault of his own, yet I didn't make a big stink of things. As a result, they indicated they are seeking advice from their legal dept and my son (and I) got expelled on that day, 1 month before the school year ended. This alone is a reportable and tragic event out of this private school. They committed to reimbursing our 1 month balance and hefty deposit for the successive year, but then held it all back long term, claiming their accountant was on vacation. Everyone that i tell this sad tale to cannot believe that any professional school would not know how to work out the situation and instead barred a child indefinitely from class. Also, there was another child in the same after-care who would maliciously kick toys being used by other babies and toddler, (knowing the toddlers weren't as responsive), and knocking chairs off the tables at clean up time. No action seemed to be taken for this and unfortunately peers were learning this behavior. All I could do was ask the favor of the teacher to redirect my son from spending time with this obvious bully. So upon our expulsion, I was perplexed at the difference in approach between my son's 1 heated incident versus continuous bullying and mischief, - but then it became clear... ...we never donated to this nonprofit institution, more than the hefty tuition. As other reviews indicate, the cost of such schools are already a pretty-penny, which I found worth the teachers and equipment. However, the other problem was the incessant prodding for further donations in the name of being a not-for-profit organization. In my opinion, the extra funds seem to pay for the unnecessary huge administrative dept and the actual fund-raising events, instead of the kids. As time went on, if one didn't participate in donating, you were singled out with letters directly to you and made to feel that you were taking advantage of the other parents who could afford to donate a little more and attend the fund-raising festivities. Since we couldn't participate in extra donations, I must wonder if that influenced the expulsion of my son. If they were to deny that, then I'm still quite certain my son WOULD NOT have been expelled if we HAD donated. Shame on them. We continue to support the montessori way, just elsewhere. Some of these private schools forget that we are clients and not inmates, and it is the children that suffer from pure business-driven philosophy. Please don't forget to speak up if you have suggestions or even commendations for any institution. Good schools would appreciate it and recognize a vitality in conscious parenting. read more

The toddler room is not run like a true Montessori classroom. For a child's first experience in a preschool, it is imperative that the the teacher is nurturing and sensitive to his/her needs; do not expect to find these qualities in the teachers here. Rather, the teacher is short tempered and insensitive to the children. For such an expensive school, one would expect the teachers and curriculum to be top notch. Bottom line is: you can find a better school with better teachers for much less very nearby. read more

Both my children are enrolled at Westmont & I couldn't be more pleased. My children are happy, safe & excited to go to school everyday. The teachers are all amazing and both my children have such love for their teachers. I have been in contact with just about every staff member at the school & all have been warm, welcoming & generally care for all the children. I have visited other preschools & none compare to what they can offer. A great perk is all the volunteer opportunities offered such as going into the classroom...reading a book or doing a craft & so much more. There is also a Westmont parent organization which is a wonderful way to meet other parents & become a part of the Westmont community. It's truly a wonderful place. read more

Great school! My son has learned so many things. Everyone is kind and make us feel welcome. I recomend it to everyone who wants their child to grow academically and socially, and wants to invest in their kids future, not just pay daycare. read more

Both of my children attended Westmont Montessori School from the Toddler program through the Kindergarten Enrichment year. The experiences for both children were, in a word, fabulous. Westmont is such a special place, from the teachers, to the curriculum, to the sense of community that evolves as a result of the warm and nurturing environment. I highly recommend Westmont!!!! read more

Westmont gave my children the competitive edge I was looking for. The idea that I really could find a place that teaches to my individual child was amazing. If your child is gifted and talented then this is the place the place for them! My daughter was reading at 4 years old and my son left kindergarten with a concrete understanding of numbers that he could never have gotten any where else. My children were given every opportunity to foster their individual talents. read more

My child attended the early childhood program as well as Kindergarten. Academically the school is great and truly follows the Montessori philosophy and program. The teachers are nurturing and provide attention to each child. The programs is not for every child, just like the school is not for every family- big difference! My child has a "mind of her own" and I never felt she was singled out. Instead she was taught - in a calm, non-aggressive way - what was expected of her and quickly moved on from it. The tuition is as expected for a private pre-school in this area. Its high! but you know what you're getting into when you sign the tuition contract. There is fundraising, as there is in every school. We never felt obligated, less welcomed or less appreciated by not volunteering or making additional financial contributions. I would encourage anyone to visit the school and see if it's a good fit for their child and family. read more