I will start this review by saying that the curriculum and some of the staff at the school are great. Ms Marie does provide a true Montessori classroom and teaching method for the children. Most of the interactions my child has had at the school have been positive, and she has blossomed at the school.
That being said, there have been many things I have not liked about the school, and how they handle things.
1. My daughter has had her face spat in by another student, with no incident reports provided or feedback about the incident from the school.
2. My daughter has literally had another student threaten to shoot her, my wife, and myself during class, and the school did nothing other than send one email to inform us of what happened. No punitive or corrective action was taken about the student who made the threat, and the student was back at school and playing around my daughter the very next day.
3. The school claims to provide a non-secular educational experience, but my daughter has been told her life was brought about through divine creationist ideologies by teaching staff. (She and her "soul" were created by God)
4. The meals provided by the school are very small and unsubstantial, and my daughter has regularly come home tired and hungry.
5. My daughter has come home with many significant bruises on her legs and arms, with no reference provided by the school. Even when an incident with another student did happen, causing the bruising, and reported at the time of the incident to the teacher, and still no report by the school or report filed.
TLDR; The school does a good job teaching the kids, but downplays serious behaviors, including violent ones, and does a horrible job reporting things that happen to the parents.
Response from the provider:
Hello Serin:
Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective. We care deeply about every child’s safety, wellbeing, and growth, and we take your concerns seriously.
Your daughter’s experience and progress: She truly blossomed here. She is reading, writing, and doing math at a second-grade level or higher, and she consistently engaged with lessons and activities throughout the year. She appeared happy at dismissal with her mom, expressed affection for her teachers, and got along well with her friends. On her last day, she walked over, complimented my blouse, and gave me a hug—behavior we associate with a child who feels cared for and connected to her school community.
Reporting of incidents: Prior to your review, you did not raise these concerns with me verbally or in writing. Each time I encountered your wife at school, her feedback was positive. Had you informed me of any unreported incidents, I would have addressed them promptly and thoroughly.
Alleged threat involving another student: We acted with the safety of your child, her classmates, and our staff in mind. The child who made the statement had no history of violence or behavioral issues and is a gentle, soft-spoken student from a stable, caring family. Her family took the matter very seriously, spoke with her, and she wrote a heartfelt apology note that your daughter was excited to bring home. I explained our approach to you via email and also discussed it in person with your wife.
Secular program: We offer a non-secular program. When you alerted us that a teacher mentioned God in class, we addressed it immediately. The teacher acknowledged it as an unintended slip and did not repeat it. For context, the teacher does not come from a religious background. A single mistake does not reflect our program’s stance, and we reinforce our non-secular guidelines with staff.
Bruises and communication: We did not receive reports or observations from staff that matched the description of significant bruising, and no related concerns were raised to us at the time. If we had been informed, we would have documented, investigated, and communicated with you in accordance with our policies.
Meals and nutrition: Our meals are approved by Excels and MSDE and meet nutrition guidelines, including vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates, and protein. Children receive fresh fruit in the morning, plus a weekly special snack the class prepares that connects to their learning themes (for example, the class recently made “dinosaur eggs” with rice krispies, crushed Oreos, and melted marshmallows, alongside the regular fresh red apple snack). At lunch, we do not limit portions: children are offered additional sandwiches and sides whenever they ask for more.
We respected your decision to withdraw your daughter after the threat incident and your choice not to have her attend the graduation celebration, though we had hoped she could share that milestone with her friends to keep her memories of a school she loved sweet. We genuinely wish your family—especially your daughter—continued success and happiness in her next school.