Monticello Academy

3345 Lochinvar Avenue

Santa Clara, CA 95051

30 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 17, 2020

I would rate excellent elementary school and 2 stars for middle school.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2018

This review about Monticello Academy is long past due. My daughter has been going to Monticello Academy for past six years now. She started in preschool and now she is in 3rd grade. And over these years I have seen my daughter and the school evolve and develop amazingly. We chose this school because we saw laughter, happiness, hugs, and dancing along with writing, fun little experiments, and field trips when we visited the school. All the teachers are very hard working. The school offers enrichment classes in Computers, Spanish, Music, Art and Drama, and PE as a part of the curriculum. And the enrichment teachers work as hard as the core teachers. In computers, my daughter is already learning animation. The Music, and Art and Drama programs have drastically improved over the last six years and both the teachers work hard to educate the students about different instruments and art forms. Their drama/ theater productions are evolving every year. Of course, this is all possible with the support of the principal Ms. Trinh who is diligently working to improve the school at all levels. She is at every single school event not monitoring but helping, organizing, and participating. Monticello Academy organizes multiple events for students and parents including walkathons, talent shows, international potlucks, end of school year dance party, movie nights, parent appreciation night, and also events to help communities. There are a wide variety of after-school classes being offered from Taekwondo, Robotics, Chinese, Hindi, Band, Basketball, Soccer, Chess, Tennis, Mindfulness, and Track and Field. The school has a kitchen on campus and they provide hot lunch and snacks every day. It is a nut free school which is a peace of mind for parents of kids with nut allergies. Another plus is that there is a school nurse on campus. In short, the school is Ms. Trinh's baby and she evidently nurtures it in many different ways. My daughter is very happy here. It is her second home.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2018

Not good. Academic standard is not good at all for the fees parents pay. On top of that, the director who is also the owner of this school (Mrs. Trinh) will regularly conduct fundraising events asking parents to pay. Also, every student must pay $85 for teachers appreciation at the beginning of the year. However the education standard is horrible. Do your kids a favor send them to another school.
Submitted by other on August 25, 2017

This is a small private school catering for a very specific needs - parents that want a rounded education for their kids. Granted the sports program in the school is nothing to shout about, the school offers a variety of after school activities. I generally agree with most of the negative comments; the principal is strict, very small school & academic driven and yes they have an assessment test for kindergardener. It works for us. This is exactly what we wanted. My kid is very happy going to school everyday.
Submitted by student on November 06, 2016

The staff is supportive and the material is great. If your children will go there, they will achieve!
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2016

Stay away from this School. They are assessing students even for Kindergarten. And the assessment questions contains recognizing vowels, sounds, first letters of the words, numbers up to 100, kids behavior in the class etc. If teach all these before the school, what is the point of getting them the school. They are pre-selecting students, and it is not fair!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2016

We moved our daughter from a public school to Monticello after a disastrous 3rd grade public school experience (the teacher could not finish the curriculum due to students who were too far behind). She's now in her second year (5th grade) at Monticello. I was worried about a transition to a new school, but she has absolutely loved her experience at Monticello, and made new friends immediately. The extracurricular activities are what keeps her happy. She's actively involved in Band, Art, and Drama at the school and loves her teachers.
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2015

I am very happy that my son graduated from Monticello Academy last year, and currently attending Archbishop Mitty High School. He was very well prepared for high school during his four years at Monticello Academy. The teachers were caring and worked very hard with the children, and the atmosphere is more like one of an extended family rather than just an educational institution. I definitely recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2015

We have 2 children at Monticello Academy, and have been with the school for the past 2 years. It is a small school with very dedicated teachers, and our children are striving in this small schoolenvironment, both emotionally and academically. The principal is very devoted, the teachers do great work, and in general it is a very friendly, great group of kids. I highly recommend this school to prospective parents.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2015

Previously withdrew our son from this school due to his below average academic performance, we sent him to a near by school (paid higher but we're fine with that). Our son didn't do well at new school either. We identified the problem. Probably we hadn't spent much time with him and his teachers. Asked our son which school he'd like, he preferred Monticello, because of his friends and teachers at Monticello were nice. We transferred him back to Monticello with no issues. Teachers wanted to work with us to help our son. We worked with the teachers for more than a years, and they're great, helpful, dedicated and open minded. Tuition at this school is lower than its competitors. I have to agree that the facility is not topnotch but I would hold against it. Lesson learn: It's a both way street, parents and teachers work together to achieve common goal for our children. Administrations anywhere are ridiculous to be fair, but our son worked with teacher, not administration. I've read a few sour grapes on this site, but it's their options, their life. We'll send out daughter to Monticello when she's five years old.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2015

Monticello gets both of its stars because we have had generally good experiences with faculty. However, the administration spends so much time nagging the parents on one hand (attendance, tardies, uniforms) all the while undercutting the core teachers' classroom management. If your local public school is truly below standards, or you need extended care before/after school, then Monticello may work for you. But know going in that the curriculum lacks anything innovative, the hot lunch has devolved into reheated frozen offerings from Costco (this started in 2013), and the focus on the whole child are now a thing of the past. Ask to see the census of the student body over the last several years, and then question why there has been a massive exodus in the student body (75 students over just one summer!) If having integrity modeled for your children is important to you, then this is not your school. The administration will discuss your children or your family's plans with other parents. They will openly discuss the kick backs and perks they receive from vendors of the school. They will take the cheap way out in terms of field trips and student safety.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2014

My kids started at Monticello in preschool (first one in 2005),and we are still there! I truly believe that the teachers, administrative staff, and principal want the absolute best for the students; they repeatedly go out of their way to help in whatever way is possible. When my youngest was diagnosed with a serious, chronic medical condition, the staff didn't skip a beat and incorporated the new issues into their routine. The negative reviewers are surprising--not every aspect of the school is always perfect for each of my children at all times, but when we have brought a concern to the staff, the situation was addressed and was handled appropriately. The school offers a wide variety of extra-curricular activities that often are missing in elementary/middle schools these days. Also, the after-school program is well-run with many additional options. I highly recommend Monticello Academy to parents interested in a caring, academically-challenging educational experience.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2014

Fabulous school so glad my son was nurtured and taught here. This school continues to grow and improve each year.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2013

Great Principal, supportive teachers and individual attention to students. This school does require a lot of dedication and a commitment to excellence. Rules are pretty strict all around but staff is extremely caring and helps children improve in every way in a nurturing manner.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2013

My daughter studied on this school. The biggest problem with this school is class teachers. I believe that some of class teacher's are not good. The teacher is not having enough experience to handle students and some teachers are not showing interest to speed up students. We have struggled with this school. I and my wife put lot of efforts to pick up my daughter. Really there was a lot of improvement in my daughter's performance. The parents must think twice to admit their kids into Monticello academy.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2013

Simply put Monticello is the best! A fantastic school where both of my sons have blossom tremendously throughout the years. The academic programs combined with the well rounded approach to teaching children have put Monticello Academy in a league of their own. My children have experience kindergarten to the 3rd grade programs so far, and I have only praises to sing in regards to the teachers, the academic program, the after school care and the administration. When problems arise, the principal, the administrators and teachers are there to respond to the issue/need. They bring valuable feedback, provide guidance and get a solution in place. I have rarely met such a dedicated principal, administrators and teachers! Mrs. Trinh s (principal) leadership and ability to hire teachers have made Monticello the best choice for us and our children. I could not be more pleased than I am with our decision to have our children attend such an incredible school.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2012

The overall bad attitude of the administration and general lack of accountability for bad supervision severely outweigh the few good teachers at this school. You can tell few teachers, preschool, elementary, and middle school genuinely care about the kids and parents. The teachers seem to be overworked and underpaid. The tuition is one of the highest in the area and they still expect and hound you to donate for every fundraiser and school function that comes along. The principal will be your best friend to your face and surely favor your children if you refer your friends or have multiple children there but don't ever get on her bad side....I have heard her talking and laughing about people with that snotty assistant of hers the second someone leaves. Overall, I would not recommend this place to anyone. Your money will be better spent somewhere that children will be shown love and respect not treated according to how well liked their parents are.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2012

Overall, teachers at this school gave lots of favoritism to a few selected students whose parents were close to the principal. And, many of the teachers could not balance the core subjects evenly such as they would teach more of their stronger subjects and their weaker subjects less. The principal would allow the teachers to be absent for a week for their personal leisure, and what made it worst was that most of the substitutes were inexperienced and could not even carry on the course where the core subject teachers left off. Also, this school campus is too small to house pre-school, elementary and middle school together.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2012

This is my daughter's second year at Monticello Academy and I couldn't be happier. This is the place where the principal and teachers know all the kid's names. Their commitment to the success of the students is second to none. The priority of the teachers as well as the staff is that each and every student reach their academic as well as their social/emotional potential. The goal of Monticello is that the students are successful in school and ultimately successful in life. We all feel as a part of a big family in this school. I highly recommend Monticello Academy to other potential parents.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2012

I have moved my son from different private school to Monticello to 2nd grade because his prev school was disaster academically. He was really upset to leave the great place where you can do nothing except having fun so Monticello teacher had a bit of challenge. He is doing great there, accepted the fact it is much more homework and structure and I am just sorry I didn't know about this school before. It is very affordable for private school, great afterschool program, hot lunches included in tuition ect... I hope for next year we will have as great teacher as we have now.