The Montessori School

710 Howard Street

Kalamazoo, MI 49008

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-6
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 16, 2020

Best decision we ever made was to send our child to this school. The teachers are 100% invested in every student's well-being, academic progress, and overall place--and unique importance--in the world. We simply do not know what we are going to do once our child ages out of this school, as he is so very deeply connected to his friends, teachers, and the TMS community. So much gratitude for the amazing, dedicated teachers and staff who have provided years of enrichment for our child and indeed our family.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2020

We have been a Montessori School family for 10 years now, and I absolutely cannot think of a better start for our children - academically or socially. The teachers and staff truly "see" each child for who they are, help them explore their interests, make learning fun, interesting, and seamless, and encourage independence while fostering a sense of community and showing the children their place in the world.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2020

The staff and teachers care deeply about every student. The focus is on character development, but a strong education and passion for learning is clearly evident
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2020

Very business and money-making oriented. A want-to-be-non-profit.o he leadership of the school doesn't have the children's best interest in mind (although they pretend that they do). Every child has a dollar amount attached to it.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2019

My wife and I bumbled dumbly into The Montessori School and its system. We’ve since been thoroughly schooled, and absolutely won over.Our son spent 3 years at Richland, and we were thrilled with the little person his teachers — though they call themselves “guides” — enabled him to become. The worst thing about Richland is that the school ends after kindergarten.We’re north of Bedford, 45 minutes from the Kalamazoo campus, in decent weather. Making that drive roundtrip — five days a week, twice a day — seemed bonkers. We anguished over the decision. We talked to everyone. We visited schools. We debated giving our son up for adoption — kidding. We would never.The school, back in 2015, was in transition. Ok, tumult is nearer the truth. The longstanding head-of-school retired. Succession sucks for any organization, and especially for small ones. But the Board was steady and — after some trial, some error — they got all the pieces in place the summer we were finalizing our choice. Namely, they hired the amazing Ann(e)s: Ann Pilzner, Head-of-School; and Anne Thomas Wester, Lead Guide for lower elementary.That was nearly 3 years ago. In that time, the school — and our son’s experience of it — has been little short of stellar. So much so, we don’t begrudge making that drive. A number of studies show that few things are as critical to student achievement as an outstanding teacher. Or guide. All else — curricula, class size, funding, family and community involvement — pales.We have a wonderful dialogue with our son's teacher, the outstanding Anne Wester, and we’re in awe of her. Anne’s bright, funny, and disciplined without ever coming across as overbearing or uncaring. (I think it helps that she’s tall.) She gives the confident impression she’s doing exactly what she loves: encouraging your child to be better, and to do better, in a beautiful, difficult world.And while Anne’s constantly nudging your kid along an individual course, and safely, she does so with an appreciation — a love, really — of who your kid already is, never mind who or what they promise to become. In short, Anne Wester is a treasure. She makes all the difference. Your kid would be lucky to have her. When our son moves on from her class, after three full years in her close company, she will be dearly — but we hope not desperately — missed.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2015

Our daughter Amelia is entering her second year at the Richland Campus of The Montessori School. She loved her first year there (2014-2015), quietly absorbing new things every day. As with most kids it was very difficult to extract her daily school activities out of her, but we soon noticed how easily she took on new challenges and applied school lessons (activities) to situations she ran across at home. Evan at times advising us on "This is how we do it at Montessori."It is very difficult to put into words what a wonderful learning environment The Montessori School Provides. Observing a classroom at work is quite the treat. Small groups of kids helping each other, moving about the 'classroom' free to choose any activity or lesson they have been exposed to by their teacher. There is a quiet but strong energy that comes from the kids while working, just amazing. I really can't envision a better School to introduce our daughter that learning can be fun and cool.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2015

Excellent approach to learning and discovering new experiences. The teachers are dedicated to adapting to every students needs. We have had only the best experience and look forward to the future as well.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2015

Over six years ago we started to look for preschools for our first-born. Richland had some good options, but I kept coming back to The Montessori School. I didn't know much about Montessori before our search, but the peacefulness, the gorgeous learning materials, the staff, and the child-focused approach all stood out to us above the rest of the options, and were a total match with our family and our needs and wants for our son. We had only anticipated using the school for the preschool years, but we were so impressed with what our son had learned, both academically (amazing reading and math skills well above grade, a depth of understanding of topics, a love and yearning to learn and to ask questions, fantastic musical development) and socially (kindness, cooperation, peace, mindfulness), that continued his Montessori education by enrolling him in the elementary program on Howard Street. Our oldest son is now entering his 3rd grade year there, our younger son is in his extended day (kindergarten) year in Richland, and our daughter will attend when she is old enough. I can't say enough positive things about how The Montessori School, it's staff, and it's authentic Montessori approach has changed our children, and our family.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2015

The first time I walked into an open house at the Richland Campus I knew I wanted this education for our son. The classrooms are a quiet, calm environment that allow students to concentrate on their work. The students are individually introduced to materials when they are ready for them and are then allowed to choose which materials they are going to interact with on any given day. Many people I have interacted with have a misconception that Montessori students just do whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it. That could not be farther from the truth. It is a very controlled environment in which the students are allowed to make choices and pursue the items that interest them most.Our son has attended the school for 4 years so far and we could not be more pleased. My favorite thing about the school is how the children are guided to be a kind and caring community.I encourage anyone who is considering this school for their child to reach out and schedule a tour, as well as time to observe in the classroom. You will not be disappointed.
Submitted by other on August 19, 2015

The teachers at TMS care about my children. They create the environment for my children to explore everything--writing, math, parts of a flower--everything is hands on and the kids are not memorizing they are internalizing and truly learning. I love the Montessori School. Best decision we have made in choosing a school for our kids.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2014

WOW! Teacher's with critical thinking skills! I really appreciate how this school fosters relationships between the students and creates a school family. The academics fall into place naturally and my boys are motivated to learn on their own!
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2014

We love. TMS. We have had three kids in preschool there and one continuing through elementary. Montessori is a much better setup for my boys than the standard classroom set up
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2012

This school provides an amazing learning and growing environment for every child to achieve his or her goals.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2012

The Montessori School does a fantastic job of preparing children for the future and instilling in them a love of learning and an interest in discovering their world. The elementary program creates tremendous opportunities for work beyond the basics in researching topics and really digging in to subject matter way beyond memorization. The life skills of working in groups, communicating and presenting ideas and other, atypical experiences are so valuable. Meanwhile my children are excelling far beyond their grade level on standardized tests! Great job!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2012

The Montessori School has an exceptional learning environment for children to find their own element and flourish. The teachers and staff encourage the growth of each child as an individual.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2012

The Montessori School is the real deal. The staff, who are Montessori trained are very nurturing and care for every child and family and folllow the Montessori philosophy. Our child attended the Kalamazoo campus and in particular loved the calm classroom environment, the music program and the wonderful hands approach to learning. Our child thrived at the school is now amazingly organised and has an incredible passion for learning, will seek out answers and believes that everything is possible. I am often asked what is so special about the Montessori approach to learning is not easy to describe in a few words. I think that you have to see it for yourself, spend time reading the materials the school provides, take a look a their web site and most importantly experience the environment for yourself by visiting a classroom. I would say that if you are considering visiting preschools in this area that The Montessori School should be at the top of your list! It is the best investment we ever made in our child s education.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2012

The Montessori School has been a perfect fit for our family. The primary program provided a wonderful foundation not only with respect to my child's academic readiness, but also with respect to her social and emotional development. It has been a joy to watch my daughter blossom into an articulate, conscientious, well-rounded child who loves learning. The Montessori environment allows children to learn at their own pace and and to explore areas where they find true joy and passion. I have been so grateful for the opportunities my daughter has and for the efforts the teachers and staff put into facilitating her strengths as well as providing focused attention in areas that are more challenging for her. Not only is my daughter receiving an amazing education, she also feels so loved and nurtured. The teachers and staff are all so warm and caring and truly delight in the uniqueness of every child. Choosing The Montessori School is the best decision we have made. We love being part of the TMS community!!