LePort Montessori Irvine (Lake)

We enrolled our son in LePort's Lake campus based on our interviews with and tours of different schools and campuses. Unlike other Montessori schools, LePort's Montessori Method program is geared towards children as young as 18 months old. Their campuses are clean and well kept. They have strict sign-in and sign-out procedures in place for the children's safety, and they are diligent in issuing any "ouch" or injury reports to keep the parents fully apprised of any incidents involving their children. All classrooms have the official Montessori Method materials. Because the children are always engaged in lessons, we felt confident that we were not leaving our child at a standard daycare facility or baby factory. Our son has attended LePort's Lake campus since he was 18 months old. We have been very pleased with our son's teachers and assistant teachers. Ms. Ana, Ms. Fernando, Ms. Maricela and Ms. Anabella are excellent at what they do, and we feel that our son has benefited tremendously from their guidance (and patience!). The teachers and staff keep an open line of communication with us, and they always welcome and take into account parent input, which we truly appreciate.
--Submitted by a parent

We are very happy with this school so far. After watching our daughter attend the preprimary program for several weeks we have noticed definite social maturity and dramatic increased vocabulary and speech. Her teacher, Ms Ana is wonderful and our daughter is really excited when she talks about her. We attended the parent education event and we realized how much thought and prior organization goes into all the activities that the children do daily. There are not "just playing", everything has an important learning point and lesson. We have been very impressed with the Head of the School Ms. Thompkins- very intelligent, well spoken, educated individual, who definitely "knows what she is talking about"! I have the read the other reviews, I do agree, it would be nice to get some kind of daily or weekly progress report on the child or the activities they did that day/week. But, if you take the time to ask the teacher, she happily explains and tells you what they did that day. We look forward to future time in Leport with our daughter and soon our youngest son!
--Submitted by a parent

LePort Our daughter is 4. She is at Leport Lake for 6 months now. We can't be happier with the quality of this school. And we have to compare with... We've had terrible experience at one of Newport Beach preschools. At LePort Lake she is safe, happy, she learn's a LOT. She starts to try to read, she's alredy writes her name, they learn geography, mathematics, they have dance classes, music classes, foreighn languages classes, sports.... They changed some of the teachers. I ALWAYS recieve letter that confirms about some changes or events at the school. I ALWAYS have opportunity to speak with my daughter's teachers or the head of the school with no problems. And i never felt or heard anything rude from whomever: children, teachers or parents. The reviews are a big help if your in the process of finding a school for your child. BUT i would say: trust your eyes and heart! Just pay a visit to the school. When i saw confident, polite, happy and smart children there, when i came, i knew i want my daughter there. I'm still not dissapointed. Look at the children. If you like what you see, then you'll like your child to be there.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter (34 months) goes to this school for the last 5 months in the half day primary class . I have seen a great improvement in her attitude, intellect and social behavior. The other day I was picking her up from school and she said, "I think my school is fantastic and my teachers are incredible". I know it was hard for even me to digest the fact that my 34 month old can use words like incredible and fantastic, but the truth is that she is right. Her teachers Ms. Rees and Ms. Jones are very understand and patient. Her pre-primary teachers were great too. And Ms. Julia and Mrs. Thompkins are so helpful, always greeting parents with a smile and ready to resolve any problems that parents like me have. I am glad that I enrolled my toddler in the Leport Irvine school. In my daughters words, "its oouutstanding"
--Submitted by a parent

My son goes to this school since 6 months. They indeed have too many policies for the little ones. The teacher in the primary section is very rude and so is the baby sitter who takes care of the kids after 3. They are left outside from 3 onwards to clean the classrooms and they are made to eat outside in the cold weather at 4. I can't wait to take him out soon.
--Submitted by a parent

The instructional aides are the foundation at this school. Very nurturing and focused on the children. Some of the actual teachers and the administration seriously lack professionalism. It is run like a business, (they have CEOs) rather than an educational pillar. I witnessed some extremely unecessary and rude behavior from the director to other parents and interested parents. Montessori philosophy is meant to cater, uphold, and prioritize the child and community it serves. This school's policies are inflexible and patronizing. The other Montessori schools in Irvine include a lower tuition price for a full day (7-6pm) without nickel and diming parents for "policy" details. Furthermore staffs at the other programs are more professional. Limited equipment as well. I was relieved to find other programs when I pulled my child out of LePort. I could go on...however, my advise is to talk to the parents at the preschools you consider.
--Submitted by a parent

I am so happy with the school, but more important, my toddler is also as happy to go to school each morning. the teachers in the pre-primary room are so nice and patient and sweet. And Julia at the front office y so nice to both parents an kids, and always ready to help out in every way she can.
--Submitted by a parent

We enrolled our son in Le Port Montessori when he was 20 months old. Within a couple of weeks he was waking up everyday wanting to go to school. The teachers are very involved and completely plugged into the child's development. We find in him a very positive change in confidence and comfort level in social settings. We attribute a large part of his development to Le Port Montessori teachers and their curriculum.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started in Sept. She is always happy at the end of the day & proud to do the Montessori 'work'. She also learns a lot from the older kids in the class. She can sing complicated songs and loves her caring, enthusiastic teachers. I have observed the class and found most kids are very self-disciplined and confident. I found the adminstrative staff to be very helpful, and my teacher responded to my concerns timely. The teachers are all well-qualified Montessori teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started in Sept. She is always happy at the end of the day & proud to do the Montessori 'work'. She also learns a lot from the older kids in the class. She can sing complicated songs and loves her caring, enthusiastic teacher. I have observed the class and found most kids are very self-disciplined and confident. I found the adminstrative staff to be very helpful, and my teacher respond to my concerns timely. The teachers are all well-qualified Montessori teachers.
--Submitted by a parent