Montessori Elementary School

1730 Montaño Road Northwest

School District

Montessori Elementary School
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

charter

School Map for Montessori Elementary School

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on December 29, 2022

I worked here for a year and the staff and community are lovely, but a bit disorganized at times.I’m concerned that I’ve reached out several times to the school after working there for a year for verification employment with no luck. My new employer is so confused and has not experienced this before.As a teacher, I also submitted several requests for administrative signatures for necessary student loan relief with no response. It’s confusing and concerning and I wonder if other teachers who have worked there (due to the high yearly turnover) have experienced the same?I hope they will reach out, but am exploring all options at this point.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2022

The teachers are great. The administration is not so great. As mentioned in all the other reviews it is ran by nepotism. The administration lacks empathy and compassion or any people skills. Since the administration is horrible the teachers change frequently but they still manage to get awesome teachers. My children are still there because the teachers are SUPERB! But I fight with the administration regularly. If I had known what I know now I would not have put my kids in this school. If you enroll your kids here please don’t be afraid to speak up for what you feel is right.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2019

This school seems so good on paper, but the reality is quite different - especially if you ever have to deal with the administration. The principal is downright horrendous, and I have grave doubts about her aptitude.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2019

Awesome! I found this school by chance and have been so happy. All of my children have gone here. Highly recommend it. Especially middle school, it is a smaller school and supportive.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2019

The administration is hostile and ignores parent contact. They don't care about my kid.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2018

The teachers do their best under an administration that underfunds staffing and support, is unethical, unprofessionally aggressive, and disproportionately punitive to parents and children. If your child never has to interact with administration, then they would probably only feel the effects of lack of personal attention and having a revolving door of teachers. But, what child goes through 9 years of school without some kind of personal interaction with administration? I would think that is very rare. And for those children and their parents who do have to interact with administration——-the administration operates under a policy of nepitism and strong-arm, coercive, and intimidating behavior.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2018

Disappointing. This school was founded on great ideals. Nepotism, mismanagement of money, and a rude and ineffective administrator have really made a mess of it.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2016

Students receive a well rounded education that focuses on more than the basic subjects. The music program is the best in the city. The small campus is great for fostering community. All and all a great charter school.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2016

The Principal is dismissive to parents. It's her way or the highway. The school programs are excellent.
Submitted by other on March 27, 2016

Beware. Most of the staff is related. Principal is confrontational and nepotistic. Children are allowed to walk around unassisted on campus. Would not recommend as an employee or a parent.
Submitted by teacher on August 13, 2015

The principal is a very abrasive and confrontational lady. Most unprofessional experience with her imaginable. Brace yourself.
Submitted by other on June 18, 2013

i have been going to school here ever since kinder now i am entering 5th Grade the teachers are really nice and they explain things in different ways so that all kids can understand i thing that i dont like about TMES is that 4th And 5th graders have P.E. at the end of the day when it is really hot. Another thing that i didnt like about the pastyear is that there was no general music teacher like how there was one in the past. My favorite part of the past school year was probably the TWO overnight trips the 4th And 5th graders take every year one in August/September and one in May the one in May is more fun because the #rd Graders get to come!!!!. Another thing i love about this school are the Assistant teachers i like both of the Assistant teachers in 9-11. The way TMES puts kids in classes are not like any other school that i know of kinder is only 5 And ^ year olds but 6-9 is not the grade it is the age so 6-9 is 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders and 9-11 is 4th and 5th there is also middle school. I <3 TMES aka The Montessori Elementary School
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2013

My son started kindergarten at TMES this year. In all honesty, my list of pros and cons of this school pretty much even out. The school is small, more personal, more individual oriented - and I really appreciate that. I also really like that there is such a strong focus on music and art, but I think that there is a lack of focus on physical education and athletics. Also, the attitude towards standard school and testing is terrible (teachers are very snotty about Montessori being superior to traditional). My son was well ahead of kindergarten grade level in both reading and math when he started school, and it seems to me that he has not been challenged at all. Because he is able to figure things out on his own, he is often left on his own, and instructed to help other students rather than have the teacher do it or have him working on something new to him. I once went to pick him up early from school and was not allowed into the building! I understand not disrupting the classroom, but I should be able to walk in and get my own kid when I need to. I think the anti-parent policy (unless you volunteer all the time) should be addressed. Some of us can't be there every week.
Submitted by teacher on October 04, 2012

I have worked at TMES for a few years now. The staff is a wonderful group of people who really work together well. It has been a great experience thus far.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2012

This school has a weak or non-exist anti bullying policy. The teacher told my child that the student bully 'was just joking'! We requested a formal investigation and a week later (after repeating our request) we got a terse note that the student was 'talked to'. The student continues the behavior and the principal, lead teacher and classroom teacher are doing nothing to stop it that I am aware of.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2012

We have found this school to be average, at best. Students are supposed to have the same teacher for 1, 2 and 3, and then another for 4 and 5. Our child had a different teacher every year. Only one of these teachers had much experience teaching the Montessori process. The others were either new to teaching, or new to the grade level they were assigned to teach. We have not been impressed by the teacher our child has this year, nor felt particularly welcomed by her. Our child required outside tutoring to bring her up to grade level. While the music program is strong, the visual art program is average. Physical education is taught by non certified staff members. The school has very little, if any, technology for the students. Perhaps with more time TMES will develop into a stronger school. There needs to be more consistency and less teacher turn over, and perhaps a more friendly atmosphere. We see very little advantage at this school compared with our local public school.
Submitted by parent on February 15, 2012

We placed our son in TMES for kindergarten because we knew that he needed a more open and flexible learning environment than he would be afforded in a "traditional" classroom, where most of his day would be spent sitting at a desk doing worksheets. We could not be more pleased with the education our son has received so far. His confidence, competence and skills have grown tremendously since he started at TMES. Yes, TMES expects a lot of their students, parents and teachers. This is not a negative thing; actually it is a positive, and something sorely missing from most educational environments. We have high expectations for our son as well, and expect him to do his best every day. Between the instruction he receives at TMES and the encouragement we give him at home, he is thriving. He also gets art, music, physical education, and culture instruction at TMES he could not get elsewhere, at least not without a hefty tuition charge. We feel fortunate to be part of TMES and highly recommend the school.
Submitted by teacher on October 07, 2011

Teaching at TMES for over 4 years now is a pleasure. We have such a knowledgeable, passionate staff. I love how many family volunteers we have participating daily in our school! The school keeps growing in a positive way and I am excited to see where we'll go.
Submitted by other on May 13, 2011

I have volunteered in TMES for half this current school year (2010-2011). As a retired teacher of 30 years I was amazed at what I witness and observe at TMES. Children are busy learning, working on independent projects, sharing ideas and integrate effectively within their classrooms as community...unified and happy. The classrooms I have been lucky to have worked in have been supportive of the children's levels of learning and provided individual and group instruction so that every child is attended to AT THEIR LEVEL. It has inspired me to return to teaching and get licensed in the state of New Mexico. I continue to be amazed at the music program and recently attend an end of year concert that was unbelievable. Every student learns to play violin and parents are urged to attend lessons as well. TMES was for me, a breath of fresh air to see innovative instructors and children that actually are enthusiastic about learning.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2011

This charter school provides my children a 'private school' without tuition. My 10 yr old 4th grader and 8 yr old 2nd grader are wrapping up their 3rd year and I couldn't be happier with their teachers. The Suzuki violin program offered to every student is a wonderful compliment to the Montessori method. All children are encouraged and inspired to work at their own level. The school has met AYP standards each year while still allowing for a large percentage of self-directed learning. I can't afford private school, but am happy to supplement the school where I can to maintain the high level of instruction it provides. The school has never forced or guilted parents to donate money. They are forthcoming with financial information so parents can decide if they want to help or not. This school has none of the bullying, cliques or prejudice I've witnessed in 2 other elementary schools my children attended. This school teaches cultural, social and environmental awareness and tolerance. Great job, TMES.