We got to be a part of Westside Montessori School for a year and a half. I wish we'd had more time! It is such a warm and caring school. We're so thankful we found the school when we had a real need and our daughter was welcomed in. The Upper El teachers are incredibly kind, patient, and truly get to know each child as an individual. There's a nice balance between structure and freedom, allowing students to explore and learn at their own pace. The teachers gently guiding them with respect and encouragement. When we had opportunity the observe the classroom we always saw students focused and enjoying their lessons. We also appreciated the sense of community the school offered--it feels like a second home. There are lots of special gatherings and fun events. It's clear that the teachers and administration genuinely love what they do. Our daughter felt safe and comfortable at Westside, she gained not only academic skills but grew in confidence, responsibility, and leadership. We highly recommend Westside Montessori School! read more

We've been a part of Westside Montessori for 5 years and we have always loved the school and teachers. My children have been taught to be well rounded, respectful and independent. It has brought pride and joy to our home to be able to say our children attend this school! read more

Westside Montessori is a hidden gem in West Houston. Their academic program begins at 18 months and goes through grade school. The outdoor campus is the best we have seen for private schools. The teachers are well educated within their field and the student ratio is well suited within the age groups. read more

Our first child started at Westside Montessori School in the toddler classroom when she was 18 months, she is now entering her second year of Lower Elementary at WMS with Ms. Jasmina! Our son also started at 18 months and is now in his second year of Primary with Ms. Rachel. The WMS community has been great for our children and our family. It is amazing to be able to leave our children in a comfortable, nurturing environment focused on a true Montessori education. Both of our children are thriving and ahead of their peers in reading, writing, and STEM activities. If you are looking for the best educational experience and social development for your children, then you should quickly take a tour of the WMS campus and meeting the amazing staff, students, and administrators. read more

My family will soon have been at WMS for 10 years, and it breaks my heart that my kids must graduate and move on. This is so much more than just a place of learning. It's a community that feels almost like family - the teachers are the best you can get, the parents have become my closest friends, and the staff care as much about our kids as we do. Dr. David is wonderful and has lead changes to an already great school that make it truly one of the best in Houston. I am taking the time to write this review because I know the stress that every parent faces in picking "the right school" for their children, which is why you are reading this, and I believe to my core in Westside Montessori School. As a parent, I adore this school and the approachability of its administration. As a former teacher, I am in awe of the teachers' dedication to their students and their work. As a highschool graduate of Houston's Awty International School, I see that our academics are on par with the elite private schools that charge twice what we do, and I'm confident that my children will be academically and socio-emotionally ready for the rigors of any secondary school. As a school board member, I know that students' wellbeing and success are at the forefront of every conversation. I grew up in the Montessori system, and I knew that it was what I wanted for my kids, but - just as importantly - I understood that not all "Montessori" schools are the same. Anybody can legally use that label, and so many places do, so we parents must do our research to find LEGITIMATELY Montessori schools. Are the teachers Montessori trained, and if so, are they trained for their respective age levels? Are they affiliated with the American Montessori Society? Do they follow Montessori curriculum, or just use the cute materials? Does the school ensure that each class level is tracking with the levels before and after to be sure that there are no holes in the students' academics? Does the school make every effort to prepare students for academic success in traditional (i.e. non-Montessori) middle schools? Is the school externally affiliated with a private-school association that sets high standards for its members? Do they not only welcome but encourage parent visits and engagement? Are teachers trained to identify learning differences at all age levels, and can the school help if that happens? Has the school taken extensive steps to physically secure the campus? For all of these Westside, checks the boxes. Montessori-style learning is specifically designed to work for a wide range of students, and WMS does a stellar job of working with students with different needs. Every effort is made to work with families if difficulties are encountered or learning differences are identified. The structure of Montessori learning style is not going to work for every single child, and WMS does everything it can before very rarely recommending that the school isn't a good fit for a student, but that decision is only ever made with the best intentions for the student and their class. The physical, mental, and emotional safety of ALL students, teachers, and staff is paramount and must be prioritized over all else, and WMS does that beautifully (please bear that in mind when reading any negative reviews - I assure you that they are very skewed perspectives). If you are still reading, I recommend that you come for a visit to see the school. Go into the classrooms to see how happy and engaged the students are. Speak with the staff and discover for yourself how much they care about what they do and how well they do it. Ask for board members' contact info - we are all very willing to chat with you and answer your questions, too, because we all love WMS and its community. I wish you luck in your search, and I hope that your family will be as thrilled with your school choice as we have been with ours. read more

I really love the school. The program is wonderful and the teachers are very knowledgeable and caring. WMS, is a great school and our family would give the school 5 -start, I would recommend this school to anyone who wants the best for their children. read more

Both of our children have thoroughly enjoyed their experience at Westside. Our older child completed the middle school at WMS and was VERY prepared for high school at a competitive school. The teachers really care and the families truly make it a community. read more

An update, the school has blocked us from Facebook page for writing a honest review on how horrible and unfair they treated my child and our family. And how their hasty decision without any process has harmed my child. They also had 3 parents ( in the past recent week) who their children have been attending Westside Montessori for some years to " suddenly" write some nice reviews on their Facebook page to cancel out and have their nice reviews on top. How dishonest and unethical. Didn't expect more from this institution!!! read more

This school is a hidden gem! I always knew my kids were getting a top notch education here but I didn't realize how above and beyond this school is compared to other schools until we moved away and went to a new school. Both my kids went here. My son was there since he was 18 months and started 1st grade over the summer before we had to move. He left the school reading at a 2-3 grade level and with a huge desire and love for learning. The teachers are not just teaching basic ABCs. They teach the kids so much more - geography, history, science, art, Spanish, music, etc. These kids learn from doing and not just from lectures. I am so blessed we found this school and had the chance for my kids to build the basic foundation here. I wish we could have kept them here and would have if we were able to. Go tour the school. The teachers, staff, kids and families that go there are absolutely amazing. We really miss the quality education my kids got here. read more

I am glad I am the first one to write a great review about this school, perhaps others think it's not necessary or they wanted to keep this excellent school as secretive as possible but I do think this school needs the recognization it deserves on the Yelp! My daughter enrolled this school just merely two weeks and I can see her dramatic changes in self-help and verbal expression. Every staff from principal to the teacher are so nice and attentive. I am so glad I listened to my sister whose son also attended the school. That is why there is a long waiting list for the enrollment! read more

If I could give them no star I would. They completely lack leadership and resources. The administration is all about money. They make decisions without any plans or process in place. The teacher made a chart of bad behavior ( completely against Montessori education) they didn't not have a plan Or even enough time or resources in place. They do not follow Montessori principles. Our child suffered from their failure as educators. Not only they don't foster emotional growth like they advertise on their mission statement they have no resources for mental, emotional and extra academic of their students. The new director does not have the knowledge or experience to solve problems. After we put comment on their Facebook page they block us and they had two parents " suddenly" wrote good reviews ( their children have been attending the school there for years). They haven't had a review for 2 years and suddenly after our honest review they have two new "good reviews. This itself tell you what a dishonest and unethical institution this is. Do your research and don't fall for them. Save your money for a school that truly cares about your child and sees their potential and works towards helping and fostering it. read more

We started at Westside in 2019 and couldn't be happier. The school is doing a tremendous job at keeping our children safe, learning, and genuinely happy. The teachers and families work in collaboration to meet each student's needs. The holistic approach is much appreciated! read more

-Nice playground that kids are never allowed to use. -6 week trial period. Children must also be interviewed by the teacher before accepted. (what would Dr. Montessori say?) -Nearly zero communication with the teacher. -car pool mandatory (cannot talk to teacher or meet any other parents. Made by design?) - if late (after carpool window) you have to sign in and explain why you were late. (to humiliate?) -claim open door policy, but it is opposite. -many rules for children (no tip toeing, collar down and buttoned up, no monkey bars til turn 6, no noises, no talking, no moving in seat etc etc etc I dropped off bug spray one day and decided to peak into the window of our daughter's classroom for the first time. She was reading a book and sitting next to another child. I stayed only a minute, then left. She didn't see me, but the teacher had. That very afternoon she called me to schedule a meeting to discuss "concerns she said had with our child" . This was the first time in a month that she mentioned anything to me let alone having any concerns. Our child's little spirit was being broken and her love of learning lost. As the rules became more opressive, she just started giving up, didn't even want the teacher to give her a lesson on new materials any longer. I didn't blame her, the teacher was mean. I witnessed a couple of times how she spoke (scowled) at the children. In conclusion, your child, after being "broken", will learn, but there will be no love. It is a prison for young children. We decided to move our daughter at the end of the year to another montessori school (which she loves and is still going to 2 1/2 years later). When we started the summer school program at the new school we asked how she liked her new teacher and she said she was "very nice, she doesn't yell at all". read more

Westside Montessori is the type of school every parent dreams about sending their kid to- small enough to have a strong sense of community yet large enough to be full of diversity. The faculty truly care about each family and they do a wonderful job of teaching with compassion and consistency. Even now with 2020 bringing so many changes due to covid-19, the staff has done an incredible job of keeping everyone informed & making every effort to cater to both in-school students & virtual students while still keeping the feeling of community at the center. Let me put it this way- in all my 20+ years of driving, I have never *once* put a bumper sticker on my car but within minutes of getting my WMS sticker, I proudly put it on my vehicle- I want everyone to know how pleased and proud we are of our school & I'm happy talk anyone's ear off as to why we love it so much :) Westside Montessori truly is a very special school & we are so lucky to have them as a part of our lives- our two kids come home from school happy and truly enjoy their classmates & teachers and that is worth it's weight in gold :) read more

My daughter just started here in September and we love it already! I toured this school and Smaller Scholars when I was looking for a montessori toddler program and made the mistake of choosing Smaller Scholars which is more of a daycare than a montessori. My daughter is so much happier at Westside than she was at Smaller Scholars. She is excited to go to school, lights up when she hears her teachers name, and has made big strides in self help. She just turned 2 and she will run into the bathroom when it is time to go pull down her own pants do her business, wipe and pull the pants back up. She also cleans up after herself and washes all her dishes in the sink now. We love Westside and wish we went here first. read more

We are an expatriate family in Houston and between my two boys we have experienced almost all the programs available from toddler to upper elementary. As a parent and teacher myself, I can tell you that the Montessori curriculum encompasses the US and European learning expectations and goes beyond. But besides the Academics, the atmosphere, the collaboration between teachers, between teachers and parents and the sense of belonging to a community that doesn't stop at the school gate has been transformational. We have loved our 4 years at WMS and will miss it immensely when we leave. read more

I have two children both in WMS since the Toddler program, and now they are in the 1st grade and Primary program. I can not be happier for my decision to enroll them there. It is true that this hidden gem is missed or hardly mentioned when parents in the area are considering for a private education institute. WMS truly carries out the consistent teaching of Montessori Education in every classroom and every level of programs. My kids are very shy and quiet, yet they feel loved and accepted by everyone and are very comfortable at school. They were never once not wanting to go to school and that means something. Daily, they are taught routines, boundaries, and are given guidance; at the same time, freedom to thrive. Every teacher they had in the past and have currently, helps build their confidence, motivation to learn, and personal responsibility. All of which contribute to their academic and personal well-being. As for academic, my 1st grader reads and writes well beyond her level. Math, science, geography, cultural study, and art are taught. Then kids apply what they have learn in their school projects. When my younger child was going thru a rough phase, everyone was very willing to work with me. I never once heard any school employees raising voices or "forcing" any child to do something like a nap. I agree with the daily down time to recharge, when children needing a break after a full morning of learning and activities, but sometimes when my kids did not want a nap, they were allowed to read quietly. Education is a team endeavor, and I'm glad WMS plays a big part in my children's development. If you're a parent looking for a school setting for your child, please call the school for a tour and see it for yourself. You won't regret it. read more

My name is Vivian Leger and I am a 12 year old here at Westside. This is written from a students perspective so that whoever reads this can hear both point of views: a parents and a students. I am a 7th grader in the new middle school that just opened. I am the first to experience it along with my other classmates. I have been here since I was a baby and I have loved it ever since. The curriculum is amazing and all the teachers are amazing. My toddler teacher, Ms. Ana is still here and has watched me grow and learn. My parents love this place and is a great learning experience for kids from 18 months to now, 8th grade. For the reviews that have come before me that rated only 1 star, is ridiculous. This school would never force children to take naps. By the definition of force it means to exert force to something and the teachers would never do that to children. Especially dismissing a child for throwing a tantrum. The teacher would talk to the child kindly to stop because it's not right. Dismissing a child from the school for a tantrum is not true. I know this school and it has been my home and family for 12 years. All the teachers there are my family and all my friends there are my family. I communicate very well with kids younger than me and they communicate very well with me. I love my school and I learn a lot every day. For every parent who is thinking about sending their child to Westside, it truly is a remarkable place and follows the method Maria Montessori made exactly. If I have kids, I will definitely send my child to Westside because it is a great educational experience. I definitely don't think it should be turned into a gym or McDonalds. Especially a McDonalds. Yuck! There is nothing more important than an education. Especially compared to a McDonalds. It is also a great experience for parents because they can make friends and learn a lot. If you would ever like to know about the school, you could have a personal tour. Westside Montessori is the best School place to learn. read more

My child attended this school for several years. During this time I have encountered several parents who were not happy about the Head/Principal (Diane Musgrove) of the school. My experience is the same like theirs. The Principal is very rude. If she behaves this way with parents how will she behave with the kids!!!! Luckily the kids have very little to no interaction with her. Academically the school is good in the primary level and that is why I kept my child in this school even after knowing the fact about the principal. I do not know if the elementary level is good or bad as I do not have any experience for that level. read more