Mountain Shadows Montessori School

4154 63rd Street

Boulder, CO 80301

16 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-K
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 28, 2024

We’ve been part of the MSIMS community for about six years with our two children, and the school's globally-minded approach truly sets it apart from other private schools in Boulder. Integrating international perspectives into the curriculum has been an incredible asset to our children’s education. The 8-acre campus is an inspiring space where both our daughters have thrived, especially within the peer-mentored learning environment that fosters independence and collaboration.The school did experience some leadership flux in the early years, which had it's challenges. But as of 2023, under the dynamic direction of the new Head of School and a leadership council with extensive experience in school and community development, Mountain Shadows has made impressive strides forward. The AMI Montessori philosophy has been thoughtfully adapted to meet today’s educational needs, and new bilingual classrooms and assistants have added a valuable layer to the program. Also, the school has brought on a tenured reading specialist, and community engagement is stronger than ever, with parents actively involved and a supportive network in place.We would wholeheartedly recommend MSIMS to any parent seeking a global curriculum and a collaborative environment for their children.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2024

My husband and I wanted an AMI Montessori education for our two sons and moved from Oregon specifically so they could attend Mountain Shadows (MSIMS). For the last 7 years we have enjoyed our time but also witnessed the impacts COVID had on the school and how the different leadership teams have coped and made changes. Through it all, they pulled through but I can tell it wasn’t easy. Things have settled down and this year the current teachers and leadership are by far the best I have seen at any school so far. The parent teacher educations are so engaging, the sense of community is strong and there are many fun events throughout the year. My sons are proud to be students here and we hope maybe the school will even add some middle school grades so they can stay longer.
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2023

The school Board has no voting parents on it & the bylaws have a loophole so there are no term limits. Until Koral and the Board turn over, there will not be forward progress. Harry has been unfairly maligned in previous reviews. He knows what to do, but his hands are tied by the governing body that won't allow change.In Koral's class there was almost no parent communication. I was discouraged from helping my children learn to read during a pandemic. Koral also did not follow masking guidelines.I found out half way through the school year by accident that my kids weren't reading well in 1st grade. I asked Joni about it and was told they were doing "reading interventions." But she never volunteered this information.I was discouraged by Joni from getting my children tested. I was told that there were at least 5 other kids in the same place and I shouldn't worry about whether or not my kids could read on grade level. When I got them tested they were both below grade level, which means 25% of the students in the class are also below grade level!Joni taught them using the program Hooked On Phonics (literally). She also did 30 minutes of silent "reading" PER DAY. Joni doesn't believe in Zoom tutoring and won't allow it at school. Zoom tutoring at home helped one child to get back to grade level. Any extra help they got was with the classroom assistant who was not trained in reading interventions. Why pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for a school that can't teach reading and won't work with parents? The last thing a prospective parent needs to know is that the recent 5 star reviews were solicited by Harry. I don't blame him. But it would be better if the Board and Koral would turn over so that he could actually fix the problems with the school instead of trying to put a bandaid on bad reviews.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2023

My three kids are all enrolled in Mountain Shadows and I've had the pleasure of being part of all classrooms over the past few years - YCC, Primary, and Lower Elementary. The teachers in this school are wonderful and apply Montessori principles extremely effectively. Through their time with Koral (Primary) and Joni (Lower Elementary), my kids have gained a deep curiosity and joy of learning across a wide range of topics - from chemistry to science to conservation to athletics to history. The campus is beautiful and the school community is small, kind, and caring. Compared to other schools we've attended, I have found that the culture at Mountain Shadows is one where my kids can explore their unique passions and thrive as their truest selves. I'd recommend Mountain Shadows to any family looking for a strong Montessori education for their children. Take the time to tour the classrooms, see kids in action during work cycles, and connect with the wonderful faculty.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2022

As the parent of a former student, I would not recommend this school and would suggest ignoring any reviews posted prior to fall 2020 as in that time there has been 100% turnover in the administrative staff, a high turnover rate in teachers, and many families have left the community and in my opinion it is effectively not the same school. When we initially toured the school there was a lovely Head of School in place (see all of the pre-2020 reviews) but by the time we arrived in fall 2020 she had left. The new Head of School has no educational background with his only relevant experience being the parent of former student(s) and our experience with him in the time we were at the school was quite negative.I could go long on all of the issues we encountered, but in short the school did not provide a safe environment for our child. For example, on their very first week in the YCC program (ages 1-3), our child came home with a visible head injury with no notification or explanation from the school. Similarly, our child was bitten by another child in the classroom at one point, and we only found out from our child, not the school. Of course toddlers will injure themselves from time to time but there was a repeated pattern of the school not notifying us of injuries which is both against their own stated procedures and also incredibly worrisome in a classroom where not all of the children are verbal and wouldn't be able to tell their parents what was happening. There are many other incidents I could cite, but the final straw was when our child was being repeatedly pushed or hit by another child in their 3-6 year old classroom who we subsequently found out from other parents had been injuring other students on a routine basis for at least months if not longer. When we raised the issue with the teacher and then Head of School we were emphatically told that there would be no changes in how the school was handling the issue and that it was effectively just "children being children" and that we were "complainers" for raising this and other safety issues. We left the school at that time and have joined a different local Montessori community which is 100% better run and our only wish is that we had never joined MSMS in the first place.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2014

Mountain Shadows has been incredible! They do Montessori right and I am grateful every day for the passionate and curious student my son has become after 5 years at Mountain Shadows. He is now in their Elementary program and the measurable education and opportunities for personal growth he has received are nothing short of remarkable. Thanks to the MSMS staff for their steadfast dedication to our son's education! I read the only negative review on greatschools.org for Mountain Shadows and couldn't disagree more. The school enrollment is healthy and increasing over the past several years, the programming is top quality, and the energy at the school is vibrant and warm! I highly recommend a visit to the school and talking to current parents if you are considering Montessori for your child's future, you'll be amazed.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2014

Mountain Shadows Montessori School offers an exceptional quality educational experience from Toddlers through Elementary. My child has excelled in the Elementary program. He has received individualized attention and has progressed in every academic area. He is stimulated and challenged through the use of concrete materials (and to gain understanding of the abstract) in an orderly and organized classroom. He is gaining responsibility, accountability, self-confidence, discipline, and the intrinsic value of learning. He is developing life skills in critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution and leadership. MS offers a positive, loving, safe environment for all children to develop their full potential, with highly qualified teachers and staff. As a former Montessori teacher, MS is the quality school of choice for our child!
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

I would not send a child to the elem. school. The school has been in decline and it is to the point there is very little benefit, very little good, coming out of the elem. program. Not a good climate, not experienced teachers, not healthy, lacking in programming.
Submitted by teacher on April 30, 2014

My experience at Mountain Shadows is nothing short of amazing. Working with a staff that is very knowledgeable and supportive of all things Montessori is so much fun. I love to go to work everyday and interact with this amazing crew. The children are so happy and are always going above and beyond what they would get in traditional education. The fact that Mountain Shadows is an AMI school is so important to me because it allows me to teach the Montessori philosophy and know that no one will try to get me to teach any other way. I encourage anyone interested in sending their children to Montessori to come visit our wonderful campus to take a tour and sign up for a class observation.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

Mountain Shadows is truly a wonderful find for our family... it's set on a beautiful renovated farmhouse with wonderful space for the children to explore and meticulously planned classrooms to help them grow. The teachers are so nuturing and engaged that I feel our son is in great hands. He has been there since 18 months and they have helped with toileting, independence and now reading and writing.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2014

My two children spent a total of 16 years at Mountain Shadows Montessori. It is the best gift we have ever given them and will last a lifetime. My kids are completely different in about every way and MSMS was perfect for both. One is now thriving in college and one is the top of her class at a public high school. They are both self driven, curious, independent and capable thanks to the all inclusive, well rounded education of a true Monetessori school. Mountain Shadows is the only AMI accredited Montessori school in Colorado and we were blessed to be able to send our children there. Speaking with public school teachers has reaffirmed our decision, as every one of them values the students that come from a Montessori background and finds those students to be self-driven and rewarding to have in class! I recommend MSMS to anyone who values education and wants their children to thrive not only now, but their whole lives! My kids HATED missing school and loved every day at Mountain Shadows!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2013

MSMS is a true Montessori school. I am a mother and a teacher of this school. We moved from Utah just to be at this school. All the teachers and staff are passionate about the Montessori method and the children. I highly recommend this school to all who are interested in preparing their children for life. If you want your child to love learning and to become a positive leader in their life and community, this school will certainly aid in that development.
Submitted by teacher on November 19, 2013

As an AMS certified teacher, I was not initially impressed by AMI certification. In Mountain Shadows' case, it means that staff, administration, and board members adhere to the highest standards of professionalism. They truly care about education and children, and it shows. I am proud to be part of their staff.
Submitted by teacher on November 19, 2013

My niece has been enrolled in the Mountain Shadows Montessori School Primary Program and she loves it. Her teacher has over 20 years of experience and is very knowledgeable in AMI Montessori education. In fact all of the teachers at MSMS are amazing, all having been through the rigors of AMI training. They are all wonderful people too. My niece, who is a shy young lady, skips in to school most mornings, in anticipation of the wonderful things she is going to do and learn. I'm hoping my brother-in-law and sister-in- law decide to send her to the Elementary program at MSMS! I often say I wish I had attended a Montessori school like Mountain Shadows when I was young. I'm sure it would have changed my whole perspective on learning and education. I would highly recommend sending your children to MSMS. It is truly a worthy investment for your child's future.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2013

As the only AMI-certified Montessori school in Colorado, I moved to its Boulder location to enroll my son because I was assured it adhered to the highest standards of training, teaching, and delivery of the Montessori ideals that just can't be found in other Montessori-themed schools. The emphasis on learning that evolves at the proper developmental pace of the child means my son will grow up to be a critical and independent thinker that can succeed after-school, in the *real* world. It educates with the end goal in mind - a person who can pursue their best work in harmony with the world they enter. Schooling at Montessori is about life skills - not just wrangling tests to get into the "best" college. Check out Mountain Shadows - the finest school of its kind in Colorado with the best teachers in the finest setting for learning - you will wish you were starting all over again at this place!
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2013

Terrific school, true Montessori. Both my kids attended from kindergarden age through 6th grade. They did great after that. Would recommend to anyone..