Hillcrest Montessori School

My family has known Hillcrest Montessori School since 2002. All 3 of my girls have graduated from Hillcrest. This school is what you expect a Montessori pre-school to be: CLEAN, ORGANIZED, SAFE & staff is always PREPARED. Children are able to express their personalities & opinions while being taught to be respectful & show manners to their classmates & teachers. There is teacher/student time: provides your child the attention needed for learning & absorbing the activity being taught. My girls have learned to communicate, be respectful, courteous & were well prepared for kindergarten. Learning includes the alphabet (recognition/sound), numbers (math concepts), shapes, geography, science (plants, anatomy of insects, skeletal system) & Spanish. The school environment is diverse; children learn & celebrate cultural events. Open house is in March, teachers show parents the activities your child works on. School provides snacks, eating area with kid-friendly setting, plenty of secured space for playing. Best school performances Christmas and graduations. Tuition is within fairness compared to other Pasadena preschools. Easy drop-offs/ pick-ups.
--Submitted by a parent

I truly recommend Hillcrest Montessori School for your child. The school environment is diverse, teachers are prepared, school is clean and safe, and children are always happy and well mannered. My daughter who just graduated is ready for kinder. I was amazed with school work she brought home, booklets of insect anatomy, 3 letter words, addition/subtraction math facts. She talked about the solar system, inner/outer parts of planet Earth, human skeletal system; she knows the names of continents/oceans/flags of countries. School is in a good clean neighborhood. Teachers are great, communicate well with parents. They all make you feel comfortable and always welcome you. The seating area for snacks and lunch time is suitable for the children. Playground includes sandbox, woodchip area with play structure, and lots of tricycles.
--Submitted by a parent

Indeed Hill crest Montessori was a great choice. My son started at the age of 2 and just graduated. His experience was amazing by all means. He loved the school alot and made great friends. The principle is very dedicated, organized and friendly. As for the teacher, they are very kind and pleasant with the students. The classes were so much fun and educational too. My son is moving to one of the top private schools in pasadena. He wouldn't have been that fortunate if it wasn't for Hillcrest Montessori. I highly recommend this preschool to all the parents.
--Submitted by a parent

Really outstanding school! Very dedicated and caring teachers. The school principal is amazing, she thought my son so many things including all the bones in the body, countries of north america, reading, math. My son was very happy in Hillcrest Montessori and he even wanted to go there on the weekends :). The children and families are great too. My son and his friends were very ready for kindergarden and they all got accepted to top kindergardens of their choice in Pasadena after attending Hillcrest Montessori. Will definitely highly recommend this school!
--Submitted by a parent

Our son recently graduated from Hillcrest and our daughter is starting her 2nd year. We have been very happy with the quality of our children s education. On graduating, our son was starting to read, he was well-versed in addition and subtraction and had been introduced to multiplication and division. Both kids have received a well-rounded education, learning about everything from volcanoes to state names to butterfly life cycles. The lessons are tailored to each child s abilities, while ensuring that everyone ultimately achieves a solid grasp of the material presented. In the school's annual Christmas pageant, the kids learn about performing in front of an audience. Hillcrest also makes a point of teaching the children good citizenship, i.e., sharing, picking up after themselves, being courteous, etc. The teaching philosophy of the school has kindled a love of learning in our kids that we think will set a great foundation for kindergarten and beyond. Hillcrest prepares its students well for entry into any of the private or public schools in the area. The only downside is finding a kindergarten that can keep up with the education that Hillcrest provides.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my son and daughter attended Hillcrest Montessori School. My son is one out of two of the smartest & highest scoring children in his class. My daughter was accepted into a private school because of her high entry exam testing. The Hillcrest staff has practiced patience & consideration for each and every student. Students are able to express their individual personalities and opinions while being taught how to respect and show manners to their peers and teachers. I have five children and have experienced many preschools private and public and none compare to the caring and staff as well as the academic enrichment that you will find at Hillcrest Montessori.
--Submitted by a parent

After searching over 20 preschools in Pasadena, I instantly knew that Hillcrest Montessori was something special. I started my daughter a year ago when she turned two and not only have they helped her communication and social skills evolve beyond my expectations, they also help with potty training, which was so helpful. The class size is very small and the teachers are all so nuturing and caring. I have a 15 month old who cannot wait to go to school with her big sister. The only complaint I have is I wish that my child could stay there longer, because no elementary school I have seen has come close to the environment that Hillcrest Montessori provides my daughter.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to Hillcrest for 9 months now. She goes 3 days per week and the school is very accomodating to a working parent's schedule. I have always felt very comfortable leaving my child in the hands of the teachers. The environment is very clean and safe. The teachers are warm and caring and always have the children's best interest in mind. My daughter started there when she was 2 and now recognizes the whole alphabet. I researched approximately 12 other preschools prior to making this decision to put her into Hillcrest. Our plan is to keep her there until she goes on to kindergarten.
--Submitted by a parent

My twins are in their 3rd year at Hillcrest Montessori. We love the school and the teachers, especially the director Ms. Paiva. The staff seems genuinely happy to see the children every morning. The children learn alot every week, including letters,numbers, spelling, geography, spanish, art, music, etc...They bring home art projects and 'paperwork' all of the time. The class size is small and everyone knows everyone else. It is just a wonderful place to take your kids every day!!
--Submitted by a parent

This is the best preschool in the area for early childhood development. Teachers are trustworthy. My first one graduated knowing 4 digits addition & subtraction, basic concept of multiplication & division, wrote three sentences paragraphs at age 5. Better yet, she was well disciplined knowing respect others and was the most popular kid in her kindergarten class. I will not send my kids anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent