Paint Branch Montessori School

10309 New Hampshire Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20903

24 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-4
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 10, 2024

I can’t express enough how incredible the Sun Ceremony at PBMS was! It was truly a magical experience that beautifully captured the essence of what makes this school so special. My son was beaming with pride as he participated, and it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully planned.The Sun Ceremony itself was such a meaningful way to celebrate my child's growth and milestones. The atmosphere was filled with joy, love, and a deep sense of community. It was heartwarming to see the kids interact with one another, and embrace their journey in such a positive, supportive environment. What stood out most to me was the sense of unity and connection — not only among the children but between the school teachers. The ceremony was beautifully organized, with each child having their special moment to shine. The whole event felt personal and heartfelt, and it was clear that the Sun Ceremony is something the school holds dear in fostering the children's emotional and social growth.Thank you, PBMS for creating such an unforgettable experience! It was truly a privilege to be part of this celebration and to witness the joy and pride in our child's eyes. I couldn’t have asked for a better environment for my child to learn, grow, and thrive!
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2023

A Traumatic Experience!!!I must express my deep disappointment with this school. My family's first encounter with a Montessori school turned out to be a traumatic experience. Unfortunately, the issues were not reflective of the Montessori philosophy but rather the specific practices of this particular institution. The Head of School is a significant obstacle to effective communication. Her controlling nature hindered any direct interaction with our child's teachers, resulting in a lack of transparency and understanding about our child's progress. Furthermore, her aggressive and rude communication style was distressing, and the threat of expulsion for minor incidents seemed disproportionate.Financial matters only added to our frustration, as we discovered inconsistent and overcharged fees. The Head of School's response was far from reassuring, with an initial dismissal followed by an admission of impending fee hikes. Only after our insistence on contractual amounts did they adjust the fees, highlighting a lack of transparency and honesty in their business practices. The treatment our 2 year old daughter received was deeply troubling. Constant false accusations, manufacturing issues, and ultimately unjust expulsion created an environment of distrust. The subsequent dishonesty about the expulsion further soured our experience. Legal intervention was necessary to secure a refund, showcasing the school's lack of integrity.While the teaching staff demonstrated competence, their fear of repercussions from the Head of School compromised their ability to advocate for the students. Discovering that other parents shared similar negative experiences reinforced our decision to leave.We are at a better AMI Montessori school where our daughter is thriving, highlighting the importance of a school's focus on the welfare of students rather than financial interests. This particular AMS school failed to uphold Montessori principles, and it's disheartening to see such a departure from Maria Montessori's vision. It is crucial for prospective parents to thoroughly research and consider alternative options before entrusting their children to this institution.I will not recommend this place!
Submitted by other on March 19, 2022

PBMS will forever be a part of our family! The love and care Ms. Grover gives to all the children is at the heart of the success in developing future leaders. My granddaughter Zoie attended from age 2-9. The foundation they provided has been fundamental to the amazing interests she has in learning. Zoie is compassionate, kind, creative, and a true leader. She was always excited about going to school and has made wonderful friends that she continues to socialize with. She continues to excel academically from the Montessori method of learning. We as a family enjoyed Grandparents and Friends Day, the Holiday Potluck, Field Day, Reading with the children, and all the wonderful performances that we attended! I'm so delighted that they are continuing to build future leaders! I highly recommend PBMS for your children!
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2022

My now 4.5 year old child has been at PBMS for the past year, as well as my 6 year old enjoying some summer fun with her sibling during 'summer camp.' Our family has had a wonderful experience and our 4.5 year old has thrived in the mixed age classroom setting. The loving, culturally inclusive environment has been a great school family to be a part of. PBMS campus is located on 60 acres, which include a lovely nature walk through beautiful woods, meadows, and a solar farm. As a naturalist myself, I appreciate the additional care with which PBMS uses their amazing campus as a learning experience - we here a lot about "visiting the chickens." PBMS puts the safety of our children first, and our family has appreciated the pandemic precautions put into place and continued consistency of those precautions throughout the past year.
Submitted by other on January 05, 2022

My family had a wonderful experience with the caring, smart, accessible staff and program at PBMS. My 2 kids enjoyed the fun, stimulating programs, engaging and dedicated educators, and cultural and academic variety offered.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2021

We love Paint Branch Montessori School! We have been a part of the PBMS family since 2017 with one child enrolled and this year were overjoyed to enroll our second child. We could not be happier with our experience. The teachers and staff are incredibly loving, attentive, and talented. Lead teachers are Montessori certified and bring outstanding skills in delivering a Montessori curriculum. Each child’s strengths and needs are attended to and supported as they grow in amazing ways. This school has provided the foundation for my children to be lifelong learners who are curious about the world, love and respect their peers, elders, and communities, and celebrate diversity. PBMS provides an outstanding education and phenomenal environment to grow in.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2021

We’re so happy to have our son join PBMS. I’m an alumna who went in the early eighties. I love that my son is playing with literally some of the same learning materials that I used. My favorite part is that being a kind, polite person is still a huge emphasis, even with the change of directors and teaches, that vibe is still completely alive.
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2020

My daughter attends PBMS and we love the staff and all the special things they do for her.She is learning Spanish,art, music and she does not want to come home! It is great diversity and the fabulous staff.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2019

PBMS is a Fabulous school we love. My son had blossomed over the years he had been there. We highly recommend and encourage parents to go to check it out.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2019

My experience with this school was shortcoming. My son spent 2 years in this school. The first year seemed like he was doing well he was still very small. But the last year, it seemed like the head of the school had already labeled my son as a trouble kid. Multiple instances she commented that my son was aggresive and that maybe she should get checked or check his diet or something else? I listened to her he first times, but then it sounded more like she had a vendetta against my son. I commented all those issues with family, friends and even the pediatrician and those closest to us couldn’t believe what the head of the school wa say ain’t about my son. The pediatrician even mentioned that it was time to move on. That there was nothing wrong with my son. That he was an active boy like any and if the head of school was making such comments about his hyper energy and other “aggressor begaviours” then it was time to move on. Multiple times I tried to get to the bottom of the issue to help my son, and the teachers understand when my son was getting handy, but the head of the school always took charge of the situation and was never able to explain to me how things started, what evidence she had of everything she was saying when she wasn’t present. I would ask the teachers and they would look at me like I was crazy because they would say that whatever the head of the school told me My son did wasn’t true. It came clear that the teachers cared and understood my son. But it seemed more like the head of the school had another agenda. This is a montessori school, my son was taken to the administrative office multiple times for not listening and hurting others? I do not condone bullying but I felt like the administration didn’t know how to handle kids fighting? Multiple times I tried to meet up with the administration to fix what was going on about my son acting out but in one occasion my husband and I made it 5 min late to the parent/admin meeting. The teacher was ok with us being late but the head of the school said no bag they were now busy even though we were 5 min late. I asked if we could make it after work hours around 5 pm? The head of the school said “no because at that time we want to go home and there is not time to have such meetings” it was then that I realized that the head of the school no longer cared to help my child.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2018

Our son has been at Paint Branch Montessori joined in kindergarten and has been there three years now. The teachers have been great, and he absolutely loves Ms. Dana, who teaches elementary students. He also interacts with other teachers, especially those who work in the aftercare program, and he loves them as well. The school has music and Spanish lessons for the children. Our child has a weekly work plan, and comes home on Fridays with a report that he and his teacher go over to review the things he learned and how he did - both academically and in his school citizenship. In addition to doing daily homework assignments, elementary students do longer-term research projects such as a report on a country they choose on the continent the class is studying during the year. And our son can write in cursive! While many public schools have abandoned cursive lessons, it is still a useful skill. Being able to write is important to being able to take notes, and research shows that we learn better and retain more when we take notes by hand rather than typing them directly on a keyboard. The school does mentoring as well, older students help walk their younger colleagues back to their classrooms in the morning. And each elementary student has a job for the week to help with the class. We love the family atmosphere, and we are confident PBMS is helping to set our son up for future success!
Submitted by other on April 10, 2018

I have 31 years experience with public education.Paint Branch Montessori provides a better environment and promotes better academics, fine arts and citizenship than I have seen in any other school.
Submitted by parent on November 16, 2017

I am the parent of three PBMS alumni. The years my children spent at PBMS were invaluable in helping to instill in them a love of learning. The school has a strong sense of community and very caring and nurturing staff. My family has many memorable experiences from our years spent at PBMS. The time my children spent there contributed greatly to helping shape them into the strong and confident individuals they have become.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2017

What a delightful school! The first time we drove up to the school, our first impression was of the charming shaded playground with wooden structures and surrounding fence. Ms. Sudarma, Ms. Hamdi, Mrs. Grover, Rebecca, and everyone there is so kind, so sweet, and so devoted to the individual development of each child, both psychological and also academic. We were amazed at our much our LO learned in that year and deeply valued the diversity and community of the teachers, staff, and students and the wealth of experience of the teachers. He also learned manners and the importance of picking up (makes a 2yo easier to live with!), and both teamwork and independent play. They have integrated Spanish into their program, and offer after care special programs such as dance and soccer. We cannot recommend this school highly enough.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2015

I am so pleased with PBMS! I enrolled my daughter when she turned 2. She will be 3 in 4 months. Last night she sorted a bunch of miniatures onto their respective word cards, she rolled out pizza dough, and she put on her own PJs!! For all of these things, I give primary credit to PBMS. They relieve my working-mom guilt!!!! I know she is learning and thriving and cared for there!
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2013

My son enrolled in PBMS just after he turned 2. He didn't speak much, but within a few months at the school, he started having conversations. Now in his 3rd year, he is a social, compassionate, and curious little boy. He is inquisitive about the world around him and applies the lessons he learns in school to his daily life. He is also very well behaved and respectful. We are always complimented on his consistently calm demeanor, something we contribute to PBMS and the Montessori style of teaching. The teachers and staff are caring, knowledgeable, and make us feel like part of an extended family. We love being involved in our son's education and it's great to see all of the students learn from all of the parents' talents. I feel confident that my son has learned how to learn, which was paramount when considering his early childhood education options.
Submitted by teacher on November 30, 2013

I am a part time music teacher at Paint Branch Montessori School and I have to say how wonderful the environment is there for the children. The staff is knowledgeable, warm and engaging and understands both the theory as well as the humanity of the Montessori approach. It is true Montessori with each child encouraged to make the best of their individuality and at the same time taught their place in community with others. At Paint Branch, the parents are welcomed to participate as they are able and to the extent that they want. Parent informational meetings supplement regular parent conferences. I have even had parents come to the music classes to showcase their instruments and play music for the children. I heartily recommend Paint Branch Montessori school to all who are seeking quality education for their children.
Submitted by parent on November 24, 2013

Our three children attend PBMS, and we have been a part of the school community and family since 2006. This is a wonderful, nurturing, and supportive school, and our children have all thrived here. We always work in partnership with the teachers, staff, and administrators and know that we can always count on them to do what's best for our children. The Montessori environment is a wonderful one, and the teachers are well trained and experienced in implementing Dr. Montessori's philosophies. The children are able to progress at their own pace, and the pleasure and interest that the children show in their work make the classroom environment such a joy to watch! Every day, getting them to come home is a challenge because they don't want to leave school. PBMS is a home away from home for our children (and us too!), and I can't imagine wanting them to be anywhere else!
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2013

We consider PBMS as our extended family. My son has been in this school since he was two and a half years old. He loves his school and enjoys going to school. We feel happy and would like him to continue his learning there. PBMS has the most fantastic, knowledgeable, loving and caring staff we ve ever known. The whole school is like a big family. They have great competitive academic curriculum; wonderful art & craft programs, excellent music teacher and fun-learning aftercare with lots of dancing & singing. Over the past few years, we see our little boy and his friends have blossomed beautifully, each in their unique way in a family oriented, loving & caring learning environment. We love them as they re part of our extended family!
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2013

Ms. Joan and Ms. Sudarma are wonderful teachers! The preschool program is fantastic for starting your kids' education, and children can start as early as age 2, which is a year earlier than most Montessori schools. The parents are really involved, and we've made some really good friends over the years.