Augustus H. Shaw Montessori

2301 North 13th Street

School District

Phoenix Elementary District
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Phoenix Elementary District

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 October 25, 2024

The school has a very strong emphasis on diversity, very rigorous curriculum, and strong leadership. Many parents commute from all over the valley to attend this school. Highly recommend this school. Parents are required to do service hours yearly.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2023

Our experience with the school has been great, 50% of enrollment is open enrollment, teachers are state and Montessori certified. The school leadership is very strong. Parents are required to serve 10 volunteering hours per school year. Even with such high level of open enrollment the school is a Tittle 1, this should be something parents should keep in mind. The school needs a lot of support. Children receive free breakfast, lunch and after school care. Parents should come in with the mentality of helping teachers, asking what they can donate to their classrooms, donating their time and be willing to donate to the school MONETARILY. The outdoor environment(Garden) is fully funded by parents donations. Attending a Montessori schools is very expensive and choosing to attend a public Montessori doesn’t mean stop supporting your child’s classroom needs.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2023

I understand that in order to receive public funding they have to break the Montessori model in some aspects. However, I believe they go above and beyond to cater to the district and traditional school model over their claimed Montessori methods. Counter to what Montessori schools purport to be, Shaw uses systems of external rewards and punishments that are favored over building intrinsic motivation within the students. They squeeze student effort and ability into letter graded boxes, mandate daily teach-to-the-test homework modules, and use methods of exclusion to reinforce these rules. For example, students as young as 5 can be banned from field trips if they don’t have certain amounts of hours of their homework completed, and made to stay behind. These amounts are well over the recommended levels according to National Education Association. Family and student choice are given lip-service but the reality is that they support a one-size-fits-all model of education nj h more heavily than anywhere that calls themselves a Montessori school should. Still, it is a slightly less oppressive environment for students compared to fully traditional district schools.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2021

It's been almost 8 years now since we started our oldest daughter in Faith North to Shaw Montessori. It has been a mix of challenges and happy moments one day at a time. This school have proven itself to foster family, community, and personal growth for each student. I currently have 2 daughters in this school, and we certainly have seen changes in the school year after year. Teachers are different class to class, style to style, and so are students. The tough teacher mentioned in the other review helped my daughter developed her math skills and improved learning per se. She was hated by most parents in the beginning but loved and appreciated in the end. There is no perfect school. You become part of the process of perfection as parents, students, family, teachers, and the like. My child was bullied hard in this school but we received the help we needed from Principal to teachers, Psychiatrist, and other parents; because of that, my daughter surprisingly decided to stay instead of leave Shaw. As parents we didn't even have to meet with the bully's parents. I'm thankful for the patience of the leadership/staff of Shaw Montessori. For making this place a safe community, a piece of home for our kids to learn and interact, we are happy to be part of Shaw Family.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2020

We were at Shaw for four years and our experience varied drastically from year to year and teacher to teacher. There are some wonderful educators and others that seem burnt out. One teacher in particular assigned so much work in first - third grade that my child is still recovering from the stress. The climate in that class revolved entirely around test prep. We did enjoy the diverse community of families at the school. While there were things to love about Shaw, we are glad we moved on to a different school.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2014

Both my boys attend Faith North. My older one is in the 7th Grade and my younger one is in Kindergarden. In Faith North, they learned to be resourceful and understand that if you want something, you need to do the work. Although my older boy is currently being a typical preteen boy and bemoans having to study, my younger son absolutely loves school and pouts on holidays when school closes. Montessori is the kind of school where you learn much more than what you find in books, and I'm confident that they will succeed when they one day transition to a traditional school.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

Both of my boys have attended this school since kindergarten. My oldest started high school this year. I am so pleased at how well Faith North prepared him. He is doing very well with the rigorous curriculum as well as the change to a more traditional environment. He's very able to manage and direct himself as necessary at his new high school. In addition to academics, Faith North teaches amazing life skills. I can only say good things about Faith North after all these years. I echo all the great sentiments about the principal and the teachers. An excellent school.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2014

Both of my children have now graduated from Faith North and both are excelling at their new, traditional schools. This is such a testimony to the wonderful and valuable education they received. Faith North gifted them with a love of learning and s sincere curiosity for the world. The principal knows each child by name and does such a superb job of creating a community and a sense of inclusion. I will be forever grateful for the many years that the teachers and the staff of Faith North fostered their interests and a sense of peace in my girls.
Submitted by other on April 17, 2014

My granddaughter is learning so much at Faith North! She's in the first grade and loves school!
Submitted by teacher on January 17, 2014

I love this school. I have been at this school for almost 10 years. I have first hand knowledge that grace and courtesy permeate every aspect of communication at this school. I interact with parents on regular, day-to-day basis. Parents are overwhelming positive and regularly express that they feel this school is blessing in their families lives. This is their phrasing, not mine.
Submitted by teacher on September 24, 2013

I started working at Faith North in February and couldn't believe the oasis I found in the middle of downtown Phoenix. Not only is the campus beautiful and inviting, the students are just phenomenal. The children are polite, well-mannered and excel in their academics and afterschool activities. I am so grateful that this was the school I landed in.
Submitted by teacher on September 24, 2013

Faith North is one of the few free Montessori schools in Arizona. The staff are highly trained and qualified. The curriculum passes state standards. The children are nurtured and encouraged as they develop academically, socially and physically.
Submitted by other on September 21, 2013

Faith North is a free, public Montessori preschool - 8 school in downtown Phoenix, and the staff is awesome. It has an "A" rating by the state of Arizona. Also, it is easy to get to if you work in downtown Phoenix and want to drop off your children. It's on the light rail line. You will love this school.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2013

My daughter started this school when she was in kindergarten as she got older the teachers got better until fifth grade, the teacher she had was the worst of the worst. The school did nothing when I complained. I used to love the school but obviously, it's gone downhill
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2013

I love this school! My daughter has been attending Faith North since Pre-K. She'll be advancing to 7th grade this fall and I couldn't have picked a better school for her to attend. Going through public school myself I see the differences. The community is close knit and the support is wonderful! It amazes me how it feels like a family more than school. The opportunities for outside learning is endless it seems! More than what I got at my traditional public school. As a parent, you strive to give your kids the best. I believe a better opportunity, if not the best, in education. I see that in her love of learning, everyday.
Submitted by parent on August 13, 2012

We really LOVE Faith North!! From Ms. Engdall (principle) to the teachers, there is nothing more we can ask for. Our daughters have never expressed any disinterest in attending school. In fact they're disappointed during breaks (winter, spring, summer and even weekends :-D). The Faith North community is very welcoming and provides a great environment for families!! Our children have grown so much (as a whole person) since beginning at Faith North!
Submitted by other on August 12, 2012

Our Grandson is starting his second year at Faith North. So far so good, but would really like them to teach spanish from preschool all the way through 8th grade. They learn so much easier at at early age and being bilingual is so important these days. Would really like to see them incorporate this into the program. Have spoken with many other parents that feel the same way. Pls consider!!! Thanks.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2012

We love Faith North! My daugter started here in Pre-School and is about to start First Grade. I'm impressed with how much she has learned already (starting Multiplication and reading extremely well.) I especially find the small community at Faith North enduring and incredibly diverse. The teachers and principal appear to be genuinely interested in their students. We've looked at "10" school throughout Central Phoenix, and haven't found any reason to move her to another school.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2012

After reading many of these negative reviews I felt it necessary to respond. This is my daughter's second year attending and I've never seen the discrimination that is repeatedly mentioned. I've also had nothing but positive interactions with the Principal. I'm especially pleased with the social worker, who has gone above and beyond helping my daughter academically and socially. My biggest complaints are the vast amounts of homework, extensive fundraising "opportunities" and a teacher that is sometimes too busy to help in the way needed. I see these negatives as a result of the school budget cuts, not a reflection of the school itself.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2011

I am so happy my son was able to do 7th and 8th grade @ this school.The teachers he has are wonderful and understand the behavior of this age group.My son started @ faith north in the 6th grade after leaving a different montessori school in the area.The other school he went to was a horrible experience the last 2 years he went there.Thank you faith north for making him enjoy school again and making me remember why i choose montessori10 years ago.