Washington Montessori School

240 LITCHFIELD TPKE

Washington, CT 06777

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 12, 2020

Washington Montessori cultivates individuality and freedom of expression throughout the curriculum, emphasizing independent learning and creativity. My daughter is 9 and thrives in the multi-age classrooms; she truly loves helping her peers (and learning from them as well). Nature and mindfulness are integral to this community. The parents and teachers work together - I really can’t say enough positive things about being part in a community of likeminded parents and having the continual support of the teachers. Everything is tailored and every student is seen as an individual learner. This is not a one-size-fits-all school. I think it is important to mention that WMS has given us so much in the way of distance learning- the work is engaging, there is a vast amount of work to choose from, and, if your child is moving ahead you can use materials from grades above (or below to get refresh certain skills). It is very flexible (I work full time) and can be adapted for any type of learner. I am a WMS Alum (the 80’s) and have been a WMS parent for 4 years, I volunteer heavily to support the school and love doing it. WMS is an exceptional place to grow and learn, for children and parents alike.
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2019

Excellence that we, and our two children, are thankful for.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2019

I have 4 children at WMS (1st, 4th, 6th, and 8th grade) and could not be happier with the education they are receiving. The teachers are so engaged and the curriculum fosters intellectual curiosity at every level. The students work together and help each other, while learning to be independent and self-sufficient. I am thrilled to be part of the WMS community.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2019

WMS is a great school. My son loved going to school...need I say more!
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2018

Having relocated from a larger city, we arrived with high expectations and the school simply exceeded our dreams. Our kids developed strong character traits, notably resiliency and the ability to advocate for themselves when needing assistance with a classroom topic. Our kids were incredibly well prepared academically and socially for high school.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2018

We are simply thrilled with our experience at WMS. My older son started when he was entering 4th grade. Because we had moved, this was the third school he had attended in three years, so we were concerned about his transition. However, since his first day at WMS 4 years ago, his teachers and classmates have treated him (and our entire family!) as if he had been there since kindergarten. The entire WMS community is warm and welcoming, and is committed to a comprehensive approach which values the whole child. My boys are now in 7th and 2nd grade and are thriving in the WMS environment which emphasizes hands-on learning and strongly values respect, mindfulness and awareness. The experiences my children have had at WMS are simply amazing. We are grateful every day to have found this wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2018

We could not be more pleased with our experience of WMS. Our kids both look forward to getting to school in the morning. They have been exposed to theater and an exceptional music program which has helped them feel comfortable and confident on stage and also helped them assume music and theater are parts of life. The annual work they do to study a continent or an ancient civilization has been fun and informative. The approach to learning spurs their own curiosity and engagement with all sorts of topics. They are truly curious about the world even though we live in a small town. They are both active in local sports teams and look forward to middle school sports at WMS. They also learn kindness and good communication skills through student-led meetings from an early age. We could not be more happy with the way WMS has cared for and nurtured our kids.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2018

As our son graduates and ends his five years at WMS, we could not be more grateful that we sent him there. The only regret is that he did not start sooner! As a family, we are huge fans of the Montessori teaching philosophy, and while our son missed the early years at WMS, these principles are well integrated into the Upper and Middle Schools and translate well for the older students, too. WMS has the most qualified, invested, nurturing, insightful and receptive teachers and staff, who clearly want every child to succeed. Students learn through trial and error, are supported and guided through the process of learning and discovery, and are helped to be independent and take ownership of their learning. The program is extremely intentional, starting from the early years through the last, with consistent themes and subjects built upon and expanded as students graduate from one class/grade to another, taking on greater academic challenges. The curriculum is well developed, hands-on, and supported and enhanced with wonderful resources and meaningful, outside experiences. As parents, we have also had the privilege of spending time in the younger classrooms, and these Montessori principles are well rooted and students as young as 18 months are showing incredible independence, responsibility, compassion and awareness. The WMS program and community are exceptionally enriching and stimulating for its students as well as families, and beyond its educational mission, WMS has cultivated an incredible community which includes the faculty, students, parents, and alumni. We could not be more honored to be part of WMS and recommend it as one of the best gifts you will ever give your child!
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2018

My child has had a wonderful three years in the middle school. As a teacher myself, I appreciate the deep connection my child has with her teachers there. I highly recommend it.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2018

We are in our second year at this school with two children. I cannot speak highly enough about the level of care, support, and energy that comes from the teachers. We have been very happy with the ways in which our teachers have handled mean girl play, illness, and learning differences. There are a number of reviews here that are coming from a space of punishment and pain. I fully support ones ability to vent their frustrations but I want make clear that their feelings are not shared by the rest of the parent body. We are also not able to make large donations to the school but still feel incredibly supported and embraced by this community. This is a progressive school and its approach is not for everyone. But for those families that are looking for a more nurturing and nimble education environment this school is for you.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2017

The teachers are terrible and the head is even worse. The school is not up to date on anything. Math is almost nonexistent and there is no science. Terrible school. The only thing it is good at is raising money. They are always asking for money.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2016

There is a serious lack of communication. They try to cover up bullying by claiming children are exploring boundaries. An act of unkindness happens once every so often and not by the same child. Bruises on a child's body by the same children is bullying.
Submitted by other on November 20, 2014

Fantastic school. I graduated recently and I'm so glad that with siblings still there, my ties with the school have not been completely severed. The teachers really care about the kids and there is mutual respect between the two parties. Calling teachers by their first names makes the relationship between teacher and student more personal. I went to a public school for two years and you really didn't know your teacher. It may not be for everyone but I encourage you to keep an open mind and give this school a shot, for most kids it really is an amazing experience.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2014

They are greatly understaffed and not qualified to deal with anything that veers away from the Montessori "method." They rent the library to homeschool kids during the day to make money. They tend to play favorites with families that make large donations. We pulled our children after 1 year.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2013

The most meaningful education I've ever seen in action. Students of all ages are taught to be responsible, independent, and respectful. And how to think deeply and problem solve and create. Brilliantly well done and rigorous. Many secondary school teachers and administrators say they love WMS alums.
Submitted by other on June 15, 2012

Great education, some good teachers, but they need to make a point of addressing issues. If a child is having a problem with a teacher or another classmate, do not just sweep it under the rug. Over all, it's a good school.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2012

As the parent of two current students, I feel compelled to provide a balancing review to those already included. The school's strengths are a committed group of parents who are active and involved making the community a vibrant one, teachers who generally are dedicated and have the children's best interests at heart and the Montessori orientation of the education. Unfortunately, those strengths are offset by an entrenched administration whose primary motivation in making decisions, either academic or otherwise, appears to be placating large donors. Rather sad considering the small size of the school. The school would benefit tremendously if the current head of school would retire and be replaced with fresh blood more committed to the child-centric model of education that it espouses so publicly. The school could become the rarified place described in other reviews, but it is not at present.