| Date | Who | Comments |
| 10/31/2012 | parent | Our children have been going to Montessori for 3 years now. The staff is amazing and treat the children with respect. You don't see that in alot of the public schools around here. Believe me we have tried almost all of them. My son had a bad experience from another school and they were so understanding with him letting him learn to like school. I don't think any other school would have helped the way they did. I think they teach things that other schools don't it is not just about test scores it is about teaching the whole child. If you want your child to learn to respect others and love learning this is the school for you. I just hope they have the highschool ready when my kids are ready! |
| 10/4/2012 | parent | My family has been part of the Montessori Academy community since 2002. My daughter came from a public school & was transformed into a curious student who loved learning within the first semester. She has only fond memories of her school days. Not long after she graduated, my son started there. Montessori Academy is like a second home to our family. The teachers & admin are accessible and responsive through emails or in person, handling any issue with careful consideration and competence. Truly, this is a Montessori learning environment that takes a holistic approach while finding the right path to learning for each child. They are supportive & passionate about kids. The school moved from a tiny campus in south Scottsdale 3yrs ago & doubled their attendance. The dedication & determination of the admin to do great things with this transition was palpable. This permeated throughout the school community to form an organic hands on mindset among parents and teachers alike. If you are thinking about trying a Montessori school, I would definitely recommend taking a tour. Also, prospective students may spend a day shadowing a MA student to get a good feel for the school. |
| 9/23/2012 | parent | It is interesting that the person who posted the previous comment has been keeping track of how many negative posts there have been, and where they have gone. This seems to suggest that they are watching and adding negative comments as needed. This website is great, if used properly. If you are posting more than one comment on your experience, you may be giving a skewed view of how many negative experiences people have had. Please have your say and move on. Many of us love the school and staff. We will have our say once, please only have yours once. |
| 9/19/2012 | parent | Very strange. One by one most of the negative reviews MA are disappearing from this site. They are not mean but honest appraisals of the unfortunate experiences children have had with this school. Ask around at the area schools that former MA children have now transferred to, quite a few children are now repeating grades after having lost time at MA. The parents of these kids had no idea their kids were so far behind until placing them at another school. If you like this school that is great, it is most definitely not for everyone. |
| 9/17/2012 | parent | Glad to hear YOUR child is doing well at AZMA. Please try to pull your head out of the sand long enough to realize that your experience is just that, YOURS. MY experience, and that of several of our friends, was much, much different. My child went into AZMA Kindergarten performing at a high second grade level thanks in part to an amazing pre-school, and a lot of hard word at home. In our first year at AZMA, practically all the teacher did was sing songs and have the children color pictures. There was NO academic instruction whatsoever. I know this first hand because I observed the class on several occasions. So you go right ahead and be "appalled" that someone had an experience that did not match your own. I for one, am appalled that this school is allowed to "educate" children at all. As I said, I am very glad to hear that YOUR child had a positive experience at AZMA. Mine absolutely did not. |
| 8/31/2012 | parent | Our daughter's teachers at Montessori Academy are TERRIFIC! Our daughter is excelling on her AIMS test and in the classroom. We are active at the school and love the teachers and administration. They are exceptional and so devoted to the success of their students. I am appalled that any parent would write rude and untrue statements about this school. Perhaps they should look at themselves if their child isn't succeeding. |
| 8/1/2012 | parent | I'm so pleased with this school. My children attended a different Montessori School in Scottsdale and came home each day with feelings of low self esteem and worthlessness. My son is very intelligent and active. The principal at Montessori Academy along with his teachers have worked so hard to help my son. On our last parent conference I actually became emotional because of their genuine care and desire to help all students. If your're considering this school you won't be disappointed |
| 7/29/2012 | teacher | I am so happy for my daughter to be at such a wonderful school!! The teachers and assistants are all so great! The administration does an amazing job in communicating to the parents on a very profesisonal friendly level. I have seen all the growth the school has been through, and is still thriving to be the top school in arizona. This is what Montessori is all about, great people all working together as a team for a better future!! Our children.....thank you Montessori Academy for everything you are doing!! All of the negative comments that people put on here are really sad to hear, but it should also make you think about the children they put in montessori. Just because they dont get their way, they think they can talk badly about a school. Instead of putting down the school focus their energy on working with teachers/administrators and their children to have a positive outcome. Really take a close look at the child, sometimes its hard to do! Thank you again to all the hard work you do on a daily basis! |
| 7/29/2012 | parent | My kids love this school They have never been happier! we love the 2 pools and swimming lessons! Great staff also. |
| 7/5/2012 | parent | After reading other reviews, I have to respond to the teachers and parents who point fingers at those of us who've had negative experiences at AZMA. Why do you feel that just because *you* had one kind of experience, that *everyone* must have experienced the same? If you're happy with the school, that's great and thank you for sharing your feelings on the subject. There are LOTS of us who are/were not happy with the way our children are/were being educated, and we have just as much right as you to express our opinions. Furthermore, our "claims" are absolutely based in FACTS, which are quite easily verifiable. There is no standardized curriculum, or at least not one that is enforced for the lower grades (We had friends in other classes in the same grade level, and the curriculum taught was completely different in all three classes! The Principal is too busy trying to be everyone's "buddy" to be an effective manager and leader. The communication was improved, but is still severely lacking. There is very little pre-planning or forethought at this school, and the lackadaisical attitude from the administrators is completely unacceptable! This school simply does not set a good example. |
| 5/24/2012 | parent | I could have written a similar review about remaining positive when there warning signs of problems. Great report cards but other signs of trouble, etc. The principal is a great saleswoman for the school but she is only selling her vision for the school, she does not have any leadership skills to run the school to attain her goals. The reality is that the school is currently a mess. Many mid year withdrawals and now end of the year transfers to other schools may make it hard for the school to survive. GIven the low level of education at this charter school I am not sure if they should. Children should not pay the price for their disorganization and huge egos. |
| 5/22/2012 | parent | We gave this school a chance, remained positive and hopeful, although our first grader seemed to be learning at a very slow pace in all areas. Yet the report cards were always great and the teacher kept assuring us that everything was fine and told us to be patient every child learns at their own pace etc. Not being sure of the this assessment, we had our child tested by a third party school and was told that our first grade child was at a mid-to-low kindergarten level in all areas and recommended that repeating the first grade would be highly recommended. During our conversation it became apparent that we had experienced a lost school year and really only had been sending our child to a daycare facility. Needless to say we will not be back; and regardless of the positive reviews I have personally spoken with over a dozen parents who have expressed the same concern as ours. Some have left while others have stayed. The teachers are unprofessional, uncaring, lacking proper leadership from the principal who is more interested in whether there are sweets in lunches than properly leading her staff. Teachers avoid parent contact unless you are volunteering to help out in class. |
| 5/8/2012 | parent | We moved our son to Montessori Academy in the middle of 2nd grade this year and could not be happier. While he was more academically challenged at his previous school (Madison Traditional Academy), he was bored to tears with repetition. In addition, he was treated with disrespect and this attitude came home with him. From the day he started at Montessori Academy his attitude changed. He is treated with respect and encouraged to work on his character as well as his academics. Within a week or two in his new class his teacher, Ms. Cross, had correctly surmised his strengths and weaknesses and was gently nudging him in the right direction. Amazing! I have done several tours of the school and EVERY time I have walked into a classroom all the students (including the early education, i.e. preschool and kindergarten) are calm and engaged in learning. Thank you Montessori Academy and especially Ms. Cross! |
| 5/6/2012 | parent | Teachers are the backbone to this country's future and this school has dedicated personelle. The real concerns for anyone who is serious about educating their child; should be around curriculm - which this school needs to prioritize. The public vs montessori student ratios casues issues of frustration for all involved - With time this school could become quality - No patence to wait as our children can not be the byproduct. |
| 5/1/2012 | teacher | I have worked at Montessori Academy for about 4 years. It would be interesting to know from the negative comments how long they have been part of the community. The "turnover" that these posts speak of is totally blown out of proportion. Yes, teachers have left for personal reasons, but that happens everywhere, in all speres of life. The communication complaints have been remedied through email accounts for all teachers and newsletters that are sent out on a weekly basis and voicemail boxes for all teachers to facilitate phone contact,, a homework line so that parents can be aware of the work that their children are doing, as well as an open door policy with staff and adminstration. As for the credentials of the staff at this school all lead teachers have their Montessori certification, and there are several assistants who are currently going through Montessori training for certification. As a staff member of this school I am very pleased with the professionalism of the administration, and the overall environment in which I work. I am very saddened that people are upset with the school, but would say that most if not all of their claims are totally unfounded. I LOVE working at MA |
| 4/18/2012 | parent | We absolutely love this school and feel so fortunate that our child can attend here for free. For this quality of education along with the beautiful campus you would normally have to play high-price private fees. Our child is absolutely thriving here academically and socially. The Montessori method nurtures the whole child and gives each student a world view and and a thorough understanding of science and culture. There are also many fun and enriching outside activities and a real sense of community. |
| 4/16/2012 | parent | My daughter and son have gone to this school for many years. I have come to appreciate the Montessori philosophy and culture. My children have thrived in the community and I enjoy the parent community. My son has gone on to high school and has excelled academincally and socially. I would recommend this school to anyone. |
| 3/29/2012 | parent | We will NOT be back next year along with so many other families I have spoken to. My kid did more challenging work 2 years ago in public school! To say it is disorganized and there is a communication problem is an understatement. Definitely some scary behavior problems on campus. Many of teachers do not have very relevant credentials if you check the bios on the website. The Director of Education does NOT even have a Master's degree (she is the Principal's sister). |
| 3/22/2012 | parent | When my daughter started at Montessori Academy last year in pre-school, she was shy and reserved. A year and a half later, she's blossomed into a very happy, outgoing and bright kindergartener. She's reading at a second grade level and she comes home never wanting to watch tv but wants to read and do arts and crafts instead. She loves learning. I really have no idea if she would be doing this well at any school or if I have Montessori Academy to thank. The school can be a little chaotic but the teachers care SO MUCH. Communication with the parents isn't perfect by any means. It's a little unorganized. But I can deal with this when I know that my child is flourishing. I'm not sure we'll be here through 8th grade, but I'm definitely not moving her anytime soon. I can understand other parents' frustration with the school but most parents I know who are not 100% happy with the school do believe their children are doing well, they're just not crazy about how some things are run. |
| 1/19/2012 | parent | This school literally changed my daughter's life. After much frustration with the AZ public school system we were seriously considering home schooling, and then we found Montessori Academy, where every child matters and every child is engaged and learning. If you are open to a non-traditional approach, I suggest you check it out. This is not your usual school based on a archaic factory-style system of education dreamed up in the 1950s, but rather it is a nurturing environment where children use their natural curiosity to learn about their world and apply their skills and creative talents in their own innovative ways. |
| 10/16/2011 | parent | Some teachers are good and not all are montessori certified. School is always filthy and have multiple issues with keeping a good cleaning company. Communication could be Alot better, we had one of the teachers quit and were never told until after she was gone finding out she gave two week notice. There seems to be always a new person or change... Lots of turnover. Won't continue taking my sons here for the money you pay vs quality it's not worth it!!!! |
| 7/19/2011 | parent | MA is amazing. Our two children just started pre K and 2nd grade and we could see them grow intellectually right from the beginning. Subjects during summer camp included continuing their education anlong with Spanish, arts, crafts and swimming. The principal was always available to meet if we had any questions and works to continually improve the programs they offer. I am totally impressed by the professionalism and desire to help educate our children. |
| 1/19/2011 | parent | My daughter began at this school this past fall (2010). i'm very happy with her 1st grade teacher--i think she is very well challenged and the environment is kind and nurturing. i love the art program. The principal and my daughter's teacher have handled any concern I've had immediately--it was impressive. I think there are some growing pains as the school has more than doubled since its move to PV. Some of the school-wide activities have been slightly disorganized--but otherwise I'm very happy with MA. |
| 10/13/2010 | parent | Beautiful school with giving teachers, involved principal and office staff. Parent group is strong and dedicated. |
| 8/16/2010 | parent | Montessori Academy is an AMAZING school. It has just moved to it's new location in Paradise Valley and the school campus finally fits with the schools true spirit. This is our family's 4th year at the school. It is wonderful to see my children learn and be excited about going to school. The teachers are great and with a 10 to 1 ratio, they have time to spend with the children. My oldest just started middle school and is looking forward to the four trips throughout the year. I went with him on his big trip last year to Washington D.C. It was a fantastic trip and the children learn so much through hands on experience. The school has always exceed my expectations. |
| 7/30/2010 | parent | This school was very disappointing to our family last year. The teachers are 1st year/inexperienced teachers which lead to unprofessional ways of handling the children. The principal and teachers did not enforce various school policies, until there were numerous complaints from parents. Communication from the school to the parents was terrible. Gives Montessori education a bad name. |
| 4/27/2010 | parent | While there are some great teachers at this school, several are not state-certified and/or Montessori certified and/or college graduates. The campus is always cluttered and dirty-which surely must pose a safety issue in addition to not providing a lovely environment for learning. The administration is sorely lacking in communication skills. In the two years my child was at this school, the principal responded to less than half of my emails/phone calls and was frequently unreachable to the point that the office manager rarely knew where she was. |
| 8/14/2009 | parent | I am incredibly impressed with the faculty and students. Thay are all genuine and compassionate. I know I chose the right place for my child! |
| 10/14/2008 | parent | It's a very good school. Our children have attended for five years, and are doing great. The middle school teachers did a great job in preparing our son for highschool, where he is now and doing great. Our daughter is in seven great and loves it. We love it and would do it all over again. |
| 5/19/2008 | parent | My daughter has attended for the past several years. This is a great school. Staff care about your child's progress and will do anything necessary to ensure success. Administration is visible and available. Extra curricular trips and events are amazing. Highly recommended. |
| 8/20/2007 | parent | My children have been at Montessori academy for the past two years. I can't tell you how pleased I have been with my children's appreciation for education since they began. The teachers are interested in my children. They are interested in how I feel when it comes to my childrens education. I rate it top notch and the test scores prove it. Send your kids here. You won't go wrong. |
| 3/19/2006 | parent | I believe this school could be great, if they had stronger leadership. The technology in the school is not up-to-date and the communication with the parents is poor. The facilities are in need of extreme improvement. On the plus side, there are a few teachers there who are adequate enough to do their jobs. Even one educator who is above average. Overall, their technology, facilities and parental communication are not up-to-par. |
| 3/8/2006 | parent | First rate! We started after the winter holidays, and all staff and students were extremely helpful and welcoming. There is a great staff/student ratio. There also seems to be a fairly good amount of parent involvement, and there are a lot of extracurricular activities and opportunities for parents to get more involved. Staff/parent communication is also good. |
| 1/31/2006 | teacher | Montessori Academy is a wonderful school. They have very dedicated teachers who follow the child and enhance each child's learning. They model values and instill these into the children. They create a learning environment that meets the needs of each child and makes learning fun. The teachers go above and beyond. |
| 1/16/2006 | parent | Montessori Academy has done very well with our two children. They have excelled in reading and are showing improvements in writing. There are activities available, but with being such a small school, they are limited. Parents are very involved and are definately encouraged by the staff. |
| 8/20/2005 | parent | Great school! when the kid loves going to school, excited every morning and doesn't want to miss even one day, it says all. Both my children go there. I don't even think about moving them to somewhere else. |
| 7/15/2005 | parent | Excellent school, great environment. The school focuses on providing a scholarly, healthy, innovative environment dedicated to excellence, independence and enthusiasm for life-long learning. They seek to balance academic excellence, personal integrity, environmental awareness and global responsibility. The school emphasizes the core Montessori philosophy through the use of multi-age classrooms, authentic Montessori materials, and a Montessori-trained faculty, and expands on this with contemporary teaching and access to educational technology. We augment our program with Outdoor Environment, an agriculture curriculum, honor council, special education, a full 'virtues curriculum' and gifted childrens programs. |
| 7/7/2004 | parent | When a school makes 'the box' fit around the child and not the child fit into 'the box' it could not be any better. Montessori Academy is a splendid place to grow and learn. |
| 3/27/2003 | | This school is a fantastic school which allows children to learn at their own pace. There are things getting taught in Kindergarten that are just starting to get taught in higher grades elsewhere. My daughter is completely happy and comfortable with everyone there. It is smaller and the teacher per student ratio is great as well. It's a great school even my mom has commented on how she wants her granddaughter to stay there as long as she can. |
| 3/27/2003 | | Gtreat smaller classes with lots of individualized attention |
