Valley Montessori School

1273 North Livermore Avenue

Livermore, CA 94551

28 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 02, 2017

This is the best school I could have chosen for my daughter who was very clingy. All the teachers took lot of care of our daughter and made the transition really easy for her. All the teachers are amazing and spend time in understanding your child's needs and help them become independent. I would highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2017

Totally disagree with the 1 star review from January 26th. I've had my child at VMS since toddler. My child was crazy at home and in public. They are constantly pushing boundaries and it takes every ounce of attention to try and keep the in check. However after spending the past 3 years at VMS the change in my child has been dramatic. My child is pleasant and focused. My child wants to help with cleaning and takes pride in doing things on his own. While at home my child still pushes the boundaries at school they are a totally different person. My child has learned how to interact with other children and even become a mentor to younger students, leading them through work. Being in Kindergarten my child is ready and doing 4 digit addition and subtraction. My thought is that the negative review is from a parent who doesn't want to face the fact that they also have to parent their child and that the school isn't going to fix someone who is spoiled and receives little or too much attention at home. There are many "busy boys" at this school who have no trouble at all focusing and following the rules.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2017

Don't send your son(s) here. They only like to have well behaved children who is VERY QUITE. If your boy(s) is typical boy(s), go to other places. Once they label that your boy(s) is active, then that's done deal. They don't want to educate your child(ren). If they found a problem/ problems (which they think, from their own judgement, they just ignore doctor's opinion), then you will finally need to leave.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2015

My son and daughter attend this school. My wife and I moved to south Livermore for the public schools. We put both of our kids in pre-school at VMS and our kids loved it. We thought about enrolling our kids at Sunset and even considered the charter school. However, VMS has the rare combination of high academic achieving students along with a supportive, yet independent nature that the school fosters in its children. This is something neither my wife or I have not seen elsewhere. The teachers are amazing and there is a very high level of parental involvement, which translates to a great school experience for our kids.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2013

This school is amazing. My son came here from the peninsula several years ago. In addition to small class sizes and lots of individualized attention, the curriculum is individualized as well. My son enjoys the other kids--bullying is no longer a problem and he never complains about having to go to school. His standardized tests scores indicate that he is above grade level in most subject areas and it is due to his education here because that was not the case elsewhere. You will not find more caring teachers.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2013

VMS has a strong community and dedicated teachers!! We could not be happier with the "whole child" approach to our children's education. Our children are critical thinkers and we watch them take on the challenges of every level. We highly recommend VMS if you are committed to educating your child for the challenges of higher education and a rewarding career path
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2013

Valley Montessori School is a wonderful place for our children. This is the fourteenth year our family has been at the school and we are so happy with almost everything. From the philosophy of the teaching method to the awareness that it is imperative to teach the whole child when educating, not only the 3 R's. VMS has always believed what we've recently heard on recent TED talks about educating. In a perfect world, teachers don't educate, especially in the younger grades. It is the child's curiosity that propels them into greatness. The teachers are there to provide learning opportunities and guide the children. At younger ages, this is so applicable. As the children move up to older grades, there is a gradual change to a more traditional approach. This is appropriate since our children will all go on to high school and college and will need to be able to compete with everyone else. In my opinion, The children at VMS learn to think out of the box, rather than just follow. Their love for learning is nurtured at every step. You won't find any of these kids complaining about school. They all love it! We have been so happy at our school.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2013

Valley Montessori preschool is excellent. The teachers are loving and are very focused on the needs and growth of the students and students are well cared for emotionally and physically. They are taught at their individual levels. I love the total environment and trust the teachers and school personnel to do what is best for my child.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2013

I can't imagine a better place for my children. I urge you to find out for yourself by visiting a classroom. You will be blown away. You ll marvel at the lack of desks in rows, that the children are all quietly working hard without having to be directed to do so. * The kids are in mixed aged classrooms. Younger kids can go to older ones for help, and older students get lessons reinforced by teaching it to the younger ones. * The children are allowed a choice of activity and can pursue their interests. They are never bored and are always stimulated. * Children learn by using hands-on concrete materials helps reinforce lessons and make concepts like math and spelling easier to understand. The teachers are exemplary. They are highly trained and certified in the Montessori curriculum. My kids are happy, caring and imaginative. They will be well prepared for high school. Alumni routinely are placed into advanced high school courses. The test results show that the kids are testing well above grade level
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2013

Our oldest went through the middle school program and we have our 2 youngest making our way through lower elementary and primary. We really believe in the school and it has been academically a great place for our kids. Socially, we have had some problems with bullying, but the teachers and administrative staff were very responsive and the situations were dealt with immediately and effectively.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2013

As a member of the VMS community, I am grateful. There are many words for what I feel, but grateful is the one that speaks the loudest. I wanted my child to have a place to learn academics, but also to become a good person. I was unfamiliar with Montessori. I was invited to come and observe. I spent an hour. I watched a classroom with 3- to 5-year-old children who played together happily (later learning that the children were using a material designed with deep thought for children s cognitive development). Since beginning, my child has walked an incredible path--from preschool to Middle School. With a strong group of friends and their families, teachers who care and understand, and an administration that supports and encourages, my child understands respect and shows empathy. My child LOVES TO LEARN. My child has a voice. My child has self-confidence. My child cares about others. My child learns from older children and mentors younger ones. Reviews that you read are the opinions of adults. The proof of what VMS is about lies in the students. I encourage you to talk to them to visit them to see them in motion a picture is worth much more than ANY words.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2013

We are new to Valley Montessori this school year and it has been nothing short of amazing. The teachers are warm, welcoming, loving and provide an academically rigorous curriculum. They are able to balance various ages in each classroom with their Montessori approach. The student-teacher ratio remains small which is the best predictor for success academically. My daughter is thriving at Valley and is happy going to school. She clearly has gained the "love of learning" that Valley tries very hard to instill in every child. We came from a very well established independent school in Baltimore and worried that trying to find something similar in California would be very difficult. This has been a perfect fit for both my daughter and our family. The families, teachers and employees have welcomed us with open arms and continue to guide us through our transition as a new member of Valley Montessori. I would strongly advise a visit to see the school to make your own judgement call. I am very sad to see poor reviews online. I can't imagine my daughter going anywhere else! I would give the school a 5 star review but believe there is always room for improvement and growth.
Submitted by teacher on December 02, 2012

I am also a staff/parent. Many families come to VMS because it is a "good school". While that is absolutely true we are more importantly a MONTESSORI school. We follow the child on all levels- social, emotional, mathematical, language, sensorial, practical life and gross motor. As teachers, we foster the child's ability to internalize independence, coordination. concentration and order. These are the core principals of the Montessori Method. If you would like to understand the Montessori Method pick up the following books-The Science Behind the Genius by Polk Lillard, The Montessori Method by Maria Montessori and Joann Deak's research on brain development. We can't normalize/teach your child if you don't understand and internalize the Montessori Method yourself. Please know each teacher has gone through two years of training and one year of internship to be accredited by the American Montessori Society. Our Montessori training is very different from traditional training. We learn the "lessons' with all their steps as Maria Montessori dictated and wrote them down 100+ years ago. All the teachers at VMS have the Montessori Method as their core principle and value. We LOVE TO LEARN
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2012

This school works for some children, but not for mine. My sons preschool teacher told me she suspected he was autistic. I made an appointment for him that day at his doctors. I explained to his doctor what his teacher told me. He asked me what school, I said VMS. His response, 'Not that school again.' Because of that irresponsible comment, and so many other reasons, I could not recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2012

Outstanding school, impressive academics, outstanding teachers and administration. My son is enrolled in the Middle School (started there in 4th grade). We came to VMS from a private school in Pleasanton (where there were bullying issues the Board and administration refused to address). We also tried public school before that and we were not impressed with the level of academics. The annual test scores for VMS are off the charts. They differentiate learning on an individual basis. Numerous field trips through out the year enhance the learning for the children. We love the school, the supportive community and the mutual respect that exists between teacher and child, which provides a strong anchor for all they do!
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2012

I agree with the reviewer in January who gave this school 3 stars. We have been to several private schools, relocating for work reasons. This is a modest school. I can point to several teachers that are, frankly, not very smart. I understand and respect how some long-time parents have found a warm and comfortable nest for their children. There are few alternative schools, which is why we remain.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2012

I give VMS 3 stars, which is average. There are a lot of over-the-top, cultish and fawning reviews for this school. The school is fine, you certainly could do worse (public schools), but you could do better (private schools far away in Walnut Creek and beyond; Middle school in Danville). We have found that the Montessori method worked for one child, wasn't so good for another child. Resources are adequate. Outclasses such as music, art and PE are weak. Languages OK. In the end your children will be well-educated, but I believe you will always have a lingering suspicion that they could have been superstars somewhere else.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2012

Omg!!! I am surprised by the last post of Dec 27, 2011. My child has been going to this school since the toddler program and is currently in the Primary class. I still have to see a class that has only one teacher in the whole class. The student teacher ratio is one of the biggest pro's of this school and the one that wins over all the other schools. While no 1 teaching method is the same for all kids, perhaps your child preferred the new school method to Montessori. while some might not do so well in the new school method but might prefer the montessori. so to blame just the teachers is highly unfair. Yes there are some teachers here that may not fair so well but then which school doesn't have them? Infact, I would say in my experience I have found the teachers to be more nicer than the admin staff. The only reason I give this school 4 stars is because there is no school as the "perfect" school. They all have some room for improvement. I find VMS is open to listening and working on those areas.
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2011

I am the parent who posted the review dated August 5th. I am not sure what school you are talking about, but my son's classroom had a student/teacher ratio of 18:1. I still stand by my review. I came to greatschools.net to ensure that my review was still posted as I can not believe the change in my son since moving him to a new school this past September. Not only is he reading at a 1st grade level and working with fractions at the age of 5, he is thriving socially and has so much self confidence. The incompetent teaching staff at VMS had robbed him of that, but thankfully, he has regained it.. I am sure it depends on the teacher, so perhaps subsequent posters (if they are actual parents and not staff members) were lucky enough to find good ones. I will just say avoid Mandi Han at all cost.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2011

Best school and best staff. Not sure if the Aug. 5 post is talking about the same Valley Montessori School...it sure does not sound like it. Our daughter has been going to the school now for 5 years (since the toddler program - she is now in 1st grade). She is at a second grade reading level and math level. I credit her success to the amazing, very highly educated and experienced teachers. The student teacher ratio is about 4:1 for the early programs and about 10:1 for the elementary programs. After teaching in the public schools for 8 years, I would highly reccommend this school and Montessori Program.