Innovation Montessori Ocoee

1644 North Lakewood Avenue

School District

Orange County Public Schools
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

charter

School Map for Orange County Public Schools

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 parent on July 29, 2023

Our kids love attending school here. They come out excited to tell me about their day everyday!
Submitted by student on November 05, 2022

This school had a lot of potential. The Montessori principals are used up until middle school, once there it loses the benefits of it being a Montessori school. The high school is even worse. Almost all of the teachers are NOT Montessori certified. There are a lot of issues with the building, broken bathroom stalls, no real kitchen in the cafeteria, the power is finicky, and it’s a very small building for the amount of students. They love to teach personal responsibility and natural consequences but punish children like any other school. They refuse to hear students out even though they practice “restorative justice”, they lecture students and talk over their continued complaints, they sweep things under the rug when they don’t feel like dealing with it. They demonize public schools and continuously tell students that it’s a privilege to be at their school when students complain rather than offering solutions. They preach equality and call their campuses safe spaces but ignore students preferred pronouns, bullying, and sexual assault/harassment. The school and their way of teaching has benefits for many children, teachers, for the most part, can spend more time with a student to help them when falling behind, less students means everyone knows each other which can facilitate a good support system, and giving students the opportunity to work at their own pace can instill good time management skills and a sense of personal responsibility. Like I said, there was a lot of potential for this school. I don’t think it’s too late to make changes but I also doubt anyone is willing to actually put in the effort to fix it.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2022

This school is a prototype they have tried to put together Montessori education at higher grade levels and are failing the kids tremendously, everything is halfway done, but teachers at this school fall through the cracks because the teachers are not the best, some are just TAs they have a friend and are hired and keep their job because the main teacher left. yes, some are excellent educators but are minimal and struggle with some many kids they are pass along the can't read write, multiplied, etc but most are mediocre educators especially in Math English Science History, for parents is hard to check on real grades, and progress because there's not a real curriculum the only time you know kids are struggling and so behind academically is when students moved to other schools or privately tested. The Montessori education fails at this school after leaving casa. administrators are all over the place and you can see how unhappy they are, just by looking at them this school started as a great dream but has become a nightmare. leaving many children with huge gaps now they have to try to close and catch up. as apparent I do not recommend this school many good families have moved on as well many teachers here quit who were an asset, leaving kids to pay the price with bad education.
Submitted by other on August 31, 2022

This school is not proper Montessori and is more concerned with getting funding to subsidize its growth and new buildings. Class sizes have become ridiculously large. If your kid has a hint of special educational needs, do not send them here. They will not help them. They will discriminate against you. You will be told that it isn't a good fit and to find a new school. They won't give your kid a chance because the teachers aren't trained properly and don't know how to help. But they will at least treat you with "grace and courtesy" (fake) while trying to shove you out of the door.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2020

Outstanding school, great teachers and Montessori environment!
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2020

Terrible, very disappointed. Not true Montessori experience.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2019

Not great. I would not recommend it unless your alternative is really bad.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2019

Great school and education philosophy Outstanding teachers and administration
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2018

Our daughter is in her second year at IMO and she absolutely loves it. She is reading and completing complex math work way above her grade level. Her teachers are wonderful and full of love and compassion. They work very hard to support the learning goals of every child and have created an environment where our daughter and her classmates seem to find joy in learning. The administration has been a true model of grace, courtesy, and kindness. We love that our daughter is surrounded by a staff and community that works incredibly hard to create a school that encourages children to challenge themselves and to celebrate a true love of learning.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2018

Very poor, very disappointing, very hard place to connect with other parents, teachers seem overwhelmed and cold to the children. Constantly in need of fund raising.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2018

My daughter loves the school, the teachers and her classmates. I am happy she is learning well academically and developing socially.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2017

We have moved to Orlando & were looking for the same quality of montessori school or better. It took us almost 1,5 years to get in & we can not be happier now. We used to the best of true montessori teachers and this school has it all. They live & breath montessori. It's hard to find quality empl. in this city & IMO is nailing it on every level. There is no montessori school like IMO in Orlando. I am just glad we didn't give up on lottery & knowing that both of our children are receiving the top education is priceless. Thank you IMO, you are the best!!!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2017

This school has been amazing. Our daughter has come so far academically ina short amount of time. I can’t wait to see what happens the rest of the year.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2017

This school is an amazing community with the rare opportunity to experience a Montessori education in a public school. The new campus is a true reflection of their vision as well, and I’d definitely recommend you take the tour to learn more about their approach.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2017

My son is thriving at this school. The teachers are warm and caring. There is a lot of parent involvement. The students are kind to one another. We are big fans of the Montessori method and this school provides an authentic Montessori education at no cost. We feel very fortunate to be a part of this school.
Submitted by other on November 11, 2016

My daughter has had such a great experience coming into this school. The students really do show each other a "grace and courtesy" that I haven't seen in other schools (and I'm a traditional public school teacher) and the teachers do a great job of combining Montessori lessons and methodology with state standards. We are so thankful to have found this public charter school in our area!
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2016

I cannot say enough about how amazing the school is! The community involvement is inspiring. The care and attention that the teachers take with each individual student is invaluable. I am truly amazed by what our son has learned and is accomplishing through studies here. We look forward to many years at this school for both of our children. We are very proud to be part of this school and the community.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2016

As a long-time Montessori family, we started our children at a different school (private, very expensive, and very lovely Montessori called Montessori World School). Not being able to carry that tuition, we have been seeking a different option in the public school system which our tax dollars pay for (our children moved to the public school gifted program that they tested into through the school system, and they spent 2 years at Orlando Science School which was a colossal disappointment full of weak teachers and weak STEM education). Our hope was always to find an affordable and engaging Montessori education. Well MWGCS is definitely it. While they lack the funding of the other public schools and private schools, they do EVERYTHING they can to operate a true Montessori. It is a school that engages and lifts up its students. The Board of Directors is amazingly dedicated to providing the optimal, absolute best education for the students. The teachers, faculty, and staff foster a kind and dynamic learning environment. And the students are nurtured. The PTO is always absolutely fantastic, with a dedication and commitment that is completely in line with the Board of Directors... these organizations will keep pushing this school to become a magnificent powerhouse. They are working on a new building to accommodate the new grades being added in the future. I know that whatever the new building will be, it's going to become a magnet for families intent on providing the best available education for their kids. We are very impressed with the mission of this school and most of the teachers selected.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2016

I am interested in knowing where it states all students passed the FCAT. I am a parent of a student at this school and my child did not pass, but was not held back due to the discrepancies of the testing. I do not feel there students are prepared enough for standardized testing prior enough to the actual test itself.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2014

100% of 4th graders passed the FCAT reading! Only 3 other schools in Florida share this distinction. Absolutely unique and high quality learning experience. There's a waiting list - but you should get on it.