Apple Montessori

Although Montessori has a wonderful reading program, this school has much to learn in regards to communicating and respecting parents and the way that they discipline the students. It is no longer a 'safe' environment for the children or parents. Homework would go for weeks without being checked, homework was not assigned once the Terra Nova testing was done since all time was spent on various holiday presentations. When homework WAS checked, it was marked correct with stars although there were many blatant mistakes. It is this carelessness that has made the school go downhill. The administration is never around in order to express concerns and when you finally get to talk to them, they don't want to acknowledge that there is a problem and quickly dismiss your concerns. Teacher aids are the only ones in the room consistently and have on several occasions mishandled the children. Parental involvement is not permitted. At this point, the education does NOT outweigh the other factors. Too much drama
--Submitted by a parent

The school has gone downhill the last year. The school is good academically (the main reason I have sent my children there for the last few years). But the school has issues with communication to the parents (or lack there of), and their internal staff. The staff turnover rate is drastically high among the teachers and the class assistances but none of this have been communicated to the parents or the children in a timely manner. Classrooms have been left unattended by teachers for weeks at a time, and many children are left in a state of neglect and confusion.
--Submitted by a parent

There is no denying that the school is strong academically but they have ways to go when it comes to dealing with feelings of little children. They tolerate children only and only as long as they conform to their rules. Every child has a different learning style and I wish they would be more tolerate of that and sensitive to childrens feelings. The
--Submitted by a parent

My son went to Apple Montessori for his pre-K year. I thought it was too focused on academics and so strict that it left little room for playtime and the ability for my child to be a kid. He is now in Kindergarten in public school, and is the only child in his class reading at an early second grade level. Although I am proud that he can do this, I really feel he missed out on a major 'play' year by sending him there. I also disagree with some of their harsh discipline tactics and expectations for children of 3-4 years of age. On one occasion they made my son sit for 1 1/2 hours, missing playground time, because he didn't want to finish his lunch! On another occasion he accidentally spilled pencil shavings and they made him sit for an hour until every last spec was picked up!
--Submitted by a parent

Great school for academics!! My son was there for 2 years and has immensely benefited from their reading( phonics ) and writing programs. My son is only now entering 1st grade, but is already reading the chapter books of the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osbourne. I would attribute a lot of it to the jumpstart that the school has provided with their reading, writing and emphasis on comprehension programs as well as a focused attempt by the teachers to encourage and challenge students beyond their capabilities. I would highly recommend the school!!
--Submitted by a parent

I was intitially skeptical of the focus on more academics vs 'playtime' for a 3 year old, but later realized that a lot of it falls hand-in-hand. The older children set examples for the younger to follow which initiates the academic process while the younger children and peers still allow for my child to be a kid-at-play. The teachers are super sensitive to all the childrens' feelings and work one-on-one for each child's level. My child is now 4 and in pre-k, reading on a first grade level. She writes very well and has develop close relationships with many in her class. They also teach Spanish and have a wonderful phonics program for kindergarteners. There are field trips for FT pre-k's and regular trips to the library for K's. She will continue through Kindergarten and I will be sending my 1 yr old when old enough.
--Submitted by a parent