Butler School

15951 Germantown Road

Darnestown, MD 20874

25 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 16, 2023

Butler Montessori creates an environment that encourages my child's academic, social, and ethical development. The teachers balance high expectations with deep respect for each student's interests and strengths. My child has learned to set high (but realistic) personal standards and has received the support needed to reach those standards. My child is eager to go to school every day to engage in motivating and challenging work and to enjoy time with classmates.The classrooms are warm and inviting. This includes both the physical and social environment. My child has learned to appreciate the qualities of the diverse cohort of students, and has been appreciated in turn.The school takes full advantage of its beautiful campus. Students have ample structured and unstructured time to explore the woods, fields, and creek. They have the opportunity to learn about the horses in the school's extracurricular equestrian program. Middle school students plant and tend gardens to provide produce for their weekly farmer's market.As a long-time public school teacher, I had never anticipated my child attending an independent school. However, a couple of years of uneven experiences left me frustrated. I wanted to see my child growing academically, socially, and ethically. Instead work was often treated as "good enough" without any clear guidance for improvement. Poor decisions were not used as learning experiences. Insufficient effort was made to develop classrooms of mutually supportive leaners. The primary cause of these problems was staffing. Some teachers were inexperienced and / or ineffective. In any given year, my child might have an amazing teacher, but the next year might be a complete turn around. Butler Montessori expends great effort to locate and develop teachers who can faithfully execute the school's vision. The teachers are responsive to students and parents and work collaboratively to ensure the success of each student.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

My son has been attending Butler since he was 3 yrs old in the primary. He is now 12 and in the Intermediate program and is loving every minute of it. Butler has been his second home and has enabled his intellect to thrive, has instilled a love of the outdoors and given him maturity and confidence to succeed in whatever he does. Highly recommended to any who are interested in a K-9 Montessori education in Montgomery County
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2019

We have been at Butler for 5 years and have experienced both the Upper Elementary and Intermediate classes. Joining the Butler Community was the best decision we made for our son and his education - we have been extremely pleased with the curriculum, administration, community, and opportunities afforded to him over the years.Love of nature, love of learning, pride and respect for community, responsibility, and contribution to society – all of these beliefs have been instilled and fostered during his time at Butler and we are so grateful for the respect, encouragement, and motivation that his teachers have given to him.We asked our son: when you reflect on your experience at Butler, how has it impacted your life so far? His response: Butler has impacted my life in many ways. For one, it’s given me a much greater appreciation for nature and the outdoors. I am so grateful for the time that we get to spend outside – working, hiking, and playing - and can’t imagine having to spend all day sitting at a desk in a traditional classroom. Butler has given me a stronger sense of leadership that has helped boost my confidence and self-esteem through participation in the plays and team building activities. It’s encouraged me to write and actually enjoy writing – the style of writing in the Intermediates is very creatively focused and we are allowed to write imaginative stories and poems instead of just book reports and reference papers. The school environment encourages you to experience new things without being scared of the unknown or the new. It’s also a very friendly atmosphere – you can express yourself as you are without judgment. There is a strong sense of inclusion throughout the community which has encouraged me to grow and evolve into a more confident person. Our involvement in the Model UN program afforded me the chance to work and exchange ideas at a global level. The Peace Study to California and the Immigration Study to New York were opportunities that few middle school students experience – I am grateful for every moment spent on those trips as they helped shape me into a better student, a better friend, and a better citizen.I believe it has thoroughly prepared me for the rigors of high school – and served a pivotal role in my acceptance into a magnet program.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2019

Our son has been in this school since he was 3 and we’ve been very happy we chose this school. Our son had a difficulty adjusting to this new routine of being away from home and going to school. It was tough time for all of us, but the school was patient with him and gave us some flexibility with the schedule as well. The school and Montessori education have been working wonderfully for our son, but I do see that, depending on the kid, it may not work of him/her.... some kids will thrive in this self-directed, independent work style but some will be lost in lack of firm structure without adult motivating them all the time. I also need to point out that if the parents’s view of “education” is based on so-called “academic achievement” of getting high score on the tests, etc., this school is not it. Parents really need to at least try to understand what is to learn in the Montessori system (the Whole Child Development methods, aiming to prepare child for life by instilling self-confidence and creativity). So if your definition of “great school” is about getting good grades or scoring high on tests, then move on to some other school.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2018

Great! We are happy with the school and plan to stay here through 8th grade. I can't imagine another school that would love and support my children and help them become independent and confident young adults.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2018

I highly recommend Butler Montessori. If you are thinking about the school, I suggest touring the school and observing in all the classrooms (YCC, Primary, Elementary and Intermediate). We signed our contract the minute we toured the Intermediate program as that, to us, demonstrated the longterm benefits of a Montessori education. The Intermediates have their own Farm program including a CSA and do all sorts of interesting things like building projects that teach life skills but also incorporate math, science, etc. It's amazing to talk to the students and hear about their experiences. Observing in the Primary and Lower Elementary classrooms gives you a sense of how the classrooms operate like little communities with each child seeking out classroom materials and receiving individual and small group lessons. I'm happy about our decision to attend Butler Montessori and hope to be here for a long time.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2018

The school grounds are beautiful with the nature walks, equestrian program, pool (which is mostly for the summer program), and gardening which makes an enjoyable and a unique learning experience for the children. The Montessori approach is quite interesting and effective for the right child. As I said before, a child with special needs will basically drowned in this environment . I feel they invest more in the children that will strive and the other go to the wayside. They ask for a lot of donations on top of the expensive tuition. Some of the teachers have been amazing but they can only do so much. A Montessori class room can have up to 30 kids per 1 teachers and 1 assistant which is crazy in my opinion. I know 100% my child is academically behind because they just don't have the resources to accommodate. If you do not fit in the cookie cutter category I would send your child elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2018

Academics are well below public school standards. My children attended Butler for years (starting in primary) and we are still playing catch up in public school. The campus is beautiful but that's about it. Bullying is a BIG problem. The head of school seems to care more about her business and legacy than the well being of children. Please seek out parents that have left the school and ask questions before you enroll. Ask to see test scores (which are nonexistent for a reason). If the school sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2017

Wonderful community, the best place for children to at and learn in a great country setting. I honestly cannot image a better school for my kids. We love how happy they are to go every day. Teachers are amazing, the principal is fantastic, she is a true Montessori-expert.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2016

Excellent school administration, teachers and staff who are focused on fostering my children's love of learning, self-reliance, creativity, critical thinking and care for the environment on a spectacular campus. My children especially love the outdoor learning and playing, whether it's hiking or studying nature in the woods, gardening, visiting the chickens or horses, running around the playground, or sled riding in the winter. My children are receiving an amazing education for life.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2016

This school has tremendous leadership and vision for the future. My children have been at Butler for many years and go happily into school every morning. The amazing campus and beautiful setting ensures they are in touch with nature every day, and spend recess running, making dens and exploring. They have mostly loved every minute of their time at Butler.
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2016

My son spent six years at Butler. We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful school - a beautiful environment, caring teachers, a fabulous music and drama program, a fabulous outdoor / environmental program, and the Montessori approach, which has proven to be terrific for our son.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2016

My daughter has been at Butler Montessori for four years. In this time she has been nurtured and cared for by her teachers and the rest of the staff. The school believes in "following the child" and so she is always challenged academically at the level she needs, and is allowed to explore and create in a safe, interesting and beautiful space.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2016

Butler has provided a great environment for my 3 children to learn and grow within. They have flourished both socially and academically at the school
Submitted by other on April 24, 2016

Butler Montessori is a wonderful option for those who want an exceptional experience for their child. Academically, my child scored very high on the Terra Nova tests but, most importantly, loves to learn!
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2016

While it has a beautiful campus, my delight with this school stops here. The education is below average, paid tutoring is a regular occurrence here and many of the teachers are sub-par. The principle has no ability to manage conflict and it appears she does not regularly evaluate her teachers performance honestly. I wish the Board Members would step up and get real input as to how the parent community feels. I think they would be shocked.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2014

Our son started at Butler Montessori this past September (at 4 1/2yrs old) for half day primary. We have enjoyed watching him grow and become very independent and confident. We feel like the Montessori approach really suits him. The staff and teachers there are wonderful and I credit them with how quickly he is learning things. They truly are supportive of the whole child and the family, which was evident during some recent stressful family health issues. Their support of our son and our family really helped him continue to thrive during this time. We are looking forward to him continuing on to full day primary next year.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2013

We are having a great experience at Butler. The flexible approach of Montessori works very well for our son, who can learn at his own pace, which in some subjects is very advanced and other on par. We have found the teachers to be very responsive, and always willing to take a lot of time to talk with us and formulate the best plan for our son's success. He loves going to school and always comes home happy. He also knows that if there is any problem, it will be addressed so he feels secure. The school addresses the whole child, including social skills. Also, the parent community is warm and welcoming. Finally, the environment is beautiful, which is important to our son who loves the natural world. This is our son's fourth year here and we will be going through Middle School at Butler.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2013

We are very glad we found Butler! This is the best school in the area
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2013

Butler School is an AMAZING place for yur child. They have a phenomonal staff and a wonderful group of children here. The classes are small and the the children are taught how to work together and how to solve difficult situations amoungst themselves. My daughter and I movd down here from Massachusetts and she has truly blossomed since starting at Butler. She has learned better ways to study, she has become more social, she has grown more confident in her abilities and how she goes about solving problems and conflicts. Before going to Butler she struggled socially, and while very smart, she used to get very frustrated if she actually had to work at what she had for homework. Now she has learned the best way for her to learn, and how to ask for help and how to work through difficult problems without getting upset. There are many different activities that the children can do at the school. There are horses on site that are used to teach the children confidence and a different way to incorporate physical education. Its such a wonderful school, and I truly recommend it to any one!