As a First 5 Orange County Commissioner, appointed by the OC Board of Supervisors three times to…read moreoversee county programming of children 0-5, I can tell you STAY AWAY. I can recommend other preschools: ENC, Community Seedlings Preschool, LePort Montessori, Guidepost Montessori, Newport Coast Child Development Preschool, any of the Head Starts or state preschools, ECLC (Irvine), dozens of other great schools. If it is Montessori you want, this is not a true Montessori school because they don't even practice what Maria Montessori taught. The owner clearly doesn't take discrimination or inclusion that seriously because she shows no effort to outreach or work with children with disabilities. To me this demonstrates that she clearly cannot handle anything that isn't exactly how she wants it to be. Her assertion that they were found to be in full compliance is not truthful or accurate, there was "no finding for further action," which is not a finding of full compliance, but I think this may be above her head. It was a her word against mine issue, where it could not be proved, not that it was found not to have happened. Remember OJ was found not guilty beyond reasonable doubt, he was not found innocent. The "scheduled meetings" were offered only AFTER my daughter was removed from the acceptance list, and put back on the waitlist, only to wait how long? For the owner to continue to string us along? No thank you. Why would we want to go to such a school when they have such discriminatory practices? There was NO meeting offered in order to process enrollment when we were told there was a spot for us, my daughter was removed from enrollment before we were even told of the decision that she could not enroll due to being disabled. It is all utterly disgusting. It actually was a blessing in disguise to be hurt in such an awful way, because I would only want my child to be somewhere where she is truly wanted and accepted, as in the programs she has attended (without any accommodations for her disabilities, by the way, so she would have thrived in a Montessori classroom). And we stopped communicating because there was no point. We didn't send our typical child there because we didn't want her polluted with the owner's promotion of her own caste system and eugenic philosophies. The owner can lie and spin all she wants, like with every excuse she has with every negative review! No one is so perfect that *every* complaint is not even an ounce their fault. The fact that not even once in any replies to negative reviews does she ever admit even a teeny tiny mistake or a misunderstanding, just plain and simple everyone else is the problem and she is perfect, should be a red flag to readers of these reviews. It shows that she just spins everything, or maybe she is just delusional and actually believes her alternate reality. There are multiple comments here dating back years that relay a very similar experience about discriminating against children who she thinks will not be picture perfect robots: Jennifer P.'s review from Apr 23, 2021 or Dara M. from Apr 28, 2016. Don't fall for the disproportionate number of reviews from people who have only written one review and it is about this place. I think most people can see what I'm talking about. The owner claims to have a faith in God, so it is between her and her maker how she treats and has treated the most vulnerable and fragile children with such utter disregard and in such an ugly way, like they are disposable, when they are deserving of nothing but acceptance and love. One has to ask, why would I stake my reputation to make these statements so publicly? I am more than open to discussing details further with anyone who wishes to reach out to me. ALL I am saying is do your homework. If you are a current parent, consider: are there any children with noticeable disabilities? Maybe you agree with the owner and don't want your child learning alongside a child with disabilities. I've heard it from a lot of people, so it doesn't shock me. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and to raise their children how they see fit, but that doesn't mean that the owner doesn't discriminate and that we weren't handled in the most insensitive and cruel of ways.

My wife and I couldn't be happier with our experience at Mission Montessori. Our son has been…read moreattending since he was just 6 months old, and it's been incredible to watch him grow through each stage from the infant room, to the toddler room, and now into the primary room. Our son's development has progressed tremendously, and we truly credit the school and the amazing teachers who have guided him along the way. Each classroom transition has been smooth and thoughtful, and every teacher he's had has played a meaningful role in his growth, both academically and socially. The staff at Mission Montessori have been exceptional. They are not only highly skilled, but also genuinely kind, patient, and understanding. It's clear that they care deeply about each child's development and well-being, and that shows in the way our son talks about his teachers and his day. Our son especially enjoys the soccer classes on Thursdays and the hands-on work activities that keep him engaged and excited to learn. It's been wonderful to see him develop independence, confidence, and a love for learning at such a young age. We are incredibly thankful that our son has the opportunity to attend Mission Montessori. We truly believe this school is giving him a strong foundation that will help him be successful for the rest of his life.

This is an amazing place to send your kiddos! My child started going when he was 18 months. Before…read morethis he was at an in home daycare and we felt like he was starting to fall behind with speech and walking. Within a few weeks, village turned things around. Ms Marieva, Estephanie, Naghma from the infant room made us feel comfortable during our first two tours and even had him join a circle time before we committed and a meet and greet before he started. The teachers are so loving, kind but also firm. Regardless of what time of day we stopped by, the kids were well tempered and the teachers were calm. They also had a lot of crafts and fun pictures to take home. He moved up to the 2-3 class and Ms Lauren and Monika made it a smooth transition for him! They have Montessori time each day to choose and complete activities, tons of art and time playing outside. The owners Sam and Nayna are the cherry on top. They know all the kids and parents, are never too busy to chat or ask questions and didn't pressure us at all when we were touring, they wanted to make sure it was a good fit both ways. They proactively communicate and plan fun events for the entire school. In fact, teachers on a daily basis were highly communicative letting us know if they didn't eat much (in the infant class), why they changed their clothes if dirty and if they seemed to feeling under the weather. Highly recommend this place, you will not regret it!!

My dear son attended Village Montessori Center from the age of 2 through 5, and I couldn't be more…read moregrateful for the incredible experience he had during those important early years. From the very beginning, every teacher and staff member welcomed him with warmth, kindness, and genuine care. Over the years, he's grown in every way possible. Academically, he was gently and thoughtfully guided through foundational skills like writing, reading, and basic math, all while engaging in creative art projects and fun hands-on activities that made learning exciting (I'm also incredibly grateful for the support I received in those early years with milestones like potty training). But beyond academics, what I'm most thankful for is how much confidence he's gained. When he first started, he was quite shy. But through the loving support of his teachers and the nurturing environment at VMC, he's blossomed into a confident, social, and joyful little boy. Now that he's started kindergarten, he is not only well-prepared academically, but he's thriving and making friends easily and adjusting beautifully to a new classroom environment. I'd like to give a very special thank you to Ms. Nayna, whose patience and unwavering support made such a difference in my son's journey. She always went above and beyond--not only by treating every child with love and care, but also by taking extra care to check and make sure my son's allergies were avoided. Her attentiveness and kindness meant the world to us. Thank you to everyone at VMC for laying such a strong foundation and making his transition to kindergarten such a smooth and successful one. We will always look back on these years with deep appreciation and gratitude!

We've been going to Guidepost for the last year, and it has been a wonderful experience for our…read morefamily. My daughter started just before she turned 3, and honestly, if we had known about this school sooner, we probably would have enrolled her earlier since they accept children starting at 18 months. The teachers and staff are incredibly kind, warm, and truly passionate about what they do. Since joining Guidepost, my daughter has developed so many independent life skills, gained confidence, and grown tremendously both socially and academically. We love seeing how much pride she takes in doing things on her own and how excited she is to learn new things every day.

Absolutely love this school. It was so worth our time spent there!!! I wish we didn't have to move…read moredue to uncontrollable circumstances. I will forever miss the staff & I know our daughter will as well. She really grew independently & collectively together with her class. She asked many times at home to see & play with all her teachers and classmates. The staff was a huge support system for my daughter & I during our time there and I will forever be indebted. We will stop by to all community open events & hope she can return one day if the opportunity arises. With lots of love, The Donlevys

A Truly Wonderful Montessori School -- Highly Recommended!…read more My daughter went to this Montessori school since she was an infant, progressing through the toddler and preschool classrooms, and we couldn't be more grateful for the experience she's had over the past three years. The growth we've seen in her socially, emotionally, and academically has been remarkable. The teachers, especially Ms. Shelby, Ms. Chloe, and Ms. Sal, have been nothing short of amazing. They create a warm, nurturing environment where the kids feel safe, encouraged, and excited to learn. My daughter absolutely adores them. One of the things we appreciate most is how the school follows a thoughtful Montessori curriculum that helps children learn independence, discipline, and responsibility through hands-on activities. They sing, explore new materials, and learn to manage things on their own all of which has supported our parenting at home, too. My daughter loves going to school every day and enjoys spending time with her friends and teachers. We truly miss this wonderful community created by Ms Richa and Ms Prerna and wholeheartedly recommend this Montessori school to any family with an infant or young child in Lake Forest. It has been such a positive and meaningful part of our daughter's early years.

Scholarshine Montessori is an exceptional school and we have absolutely loved our experience with…read morethe school. My son joined there for preschool and went through Pre K. Ms. Richa and Ms. Prerna are so caring, cool and accommodating, absolutely loved their vibe and patience. The teaching staff here is simply fabulous and truly dedicated to each child. During his preschool years, my son had the absolute best experience with Ms. Sal and Ms. Chloe. They provided such a warm, nurturing foundation that helped him love coming to school every day.When he moved up to Pre-K, Ms. Arti and Ms. Hasini were equally incredible. They worked so hard to ensure he excelled academically and socially, seamlessly blending genuine care with true Montessori-based activities. It is such a gift to drop your child off knowing they are in safe hands and coming home so happy.The facility is spotless, safe, and provides a wonderful, home-like atmosphere. I highly recommend Scholarshine to any parent looking for high-quality education paired with genuine emotional and social development.

I truly don't think there are enough words to describe how special Sunflower Montessori is to me. I…read morewas lucky enough to grow up there, starting in Ms. Lisa's preschool class and continuing into Ms. Angela's kindergarten class, and even at such a young age, I remember how incredibly warm, loving, and safe the environment felt. It wasn't just a school, it was a place where I felt deeply cared for, understood, and encouraged to be myself. The teachers at Sunflower Montessori are something truly rare. They lead with so much kindness, patience, and genuine love for every child. Looking back, I can confidently say I could not have been placed in better hands during those formative years of my life. What makes this place even more meaningful to me is that my relationship with Sunflower didn't end when I left as a student. I had the opportunity to come back and work there part-time, which only deepened my appreciation for everything they do. Seeing the environment from the other side, I was even more inspired by the dedication, thoughtfulness, and heart that goes into every single day. I went on to attend Chapman University, where I studied Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a themed inquiry in Law and Public Policy, and I truly believe the foundation I built at Sunflower helped shape who I am today. The confidence, curiosity, and sense of self I developed there has stayed with me throughout my life. To this day, Sunflower Montessori is still a huge part of my life. They have stayed connected with me through every stage, always checking in, always supporting me, and always celebrating my milestones. I make sure to keep them updated on all of my major accomplishments because their support means so much to me. They were even invested in my interview process as I worked toward landing my dream job, which speaks volumes about the kind of people they are. Sunflower Montessori is more than just a school, it has become family to me. These are people who I know will be there for me for the rest of my life. I could not have asked for a better start in life, and I will forever be grateful for the love, guidance, and foundation they gave me. If you're considering this school for your child, just know that you are placing them in the most caring, nurturing, and genuine environment possible.

My 3 children attended Sunflower for pre-k through 1st grade. The teachers and staff are amazing…read more The facilities are efficient, clean and have easy access for drop off and pick up. Highly recommended for a great non public school education.

My daughter has blossomed in the last two weeks since she's started attending preschool here!…read more We chose this school purely based on how my daughter's face lit up during the tours. We toured a few schools and she did not like any of them until we visited this school. Ms. Pei and Ms. Betty from the bilingual classroom were both so warm and welcoming, and made my daughter so excited about starting school from the first time we toured their class! Before starting school, she was so shy and timid and would often avoid playgrounds with too many people. She would hide when people say hi to her, and run away from kids who tried to play with her. Ever since she started school here, she suddenly became a social butterfly! And she would wake up every morning excited to go to school and play with her friends! We seriously are so happy and thankful for all the teachers here for caring for our daughter and helping her overcome her social anxiety!

We started sending our precious baby, M, here when she was 9 months old. She is now 14 months old…read more We chose LNMC because without exception, the staff are so warm, welcoming and thoroughly trained in authentic Montessori education. (Any school can use the Montessori name, so just because a school says they are "Montessori" does not mean they implement it correctly or to a quality standard.) if you want the true Montessori experience, you will definitely want to tour this school. Baby M lights up every morning when she sees her teachers, and even though she misses us when we leave, I always have *complete* confidence and peace of mind leaving her there because I know she is loved, and her physical, cognitive and emotional needs are more than met. Teachers are flexible and understanding and communicative about the many particular and constantly changing needs (feeding schedule, switching from bottle to cup, encouraging solids and naps, etc) of Baby M. In the infant room, they support and follow whatever daily schedule your child follows at home. M did have trouble napping in a classroom at first (because she just wants to keep playing with everyone) but she is napping well now. The school feels like a community. Even the teachers of the older kids know Baby M and always say hello to her (we typically have to stop a couple times on the way to her classroom in the morning because she is a very social baby and wants to give the other teachers morning hugs). The school also hosts various celebrations, such as "Muffins with Mom" for Mothers Day and "Donuts with Dad" for Fathers Day. For Muffins with Mom, I got to hang out one morning after drop off to eat muffins and fruit with M and the other mothers. It was lovely. They even set up a back drop for Mother's Day for us to take a picture together and regularly send kids home with product art on holidays. I am not the biggest fan of product art (vs process art) as a learning tool, but I admit I LOVE these keepsakes and will keep them forever. We also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Scholastic book fair and to purchase books for M's classroom. Ms. Athana and Ms. Danielle (administration) keep the school very secure, the children safe, help support teachers on the daily and in their professional growth, and are always approachable. They are so kind and patient with our "new parents sending our baby to preschool for the first time" and other ongoing questions/concerns. (We had raised concerns about M not napping, which they completely understood and helped us resolve.) Other notes: the classrooms are very clean, well-organized, full of cognitively stimulating materials (but not cluttered) and have beautiful natural light. There is a kindergarten classroom if you want the option for your child to go the Montessori kindergarten too. The front door can only be opened with your own personal code (love the security), and check in and check out are done using the Procare app (easy, convenient). You will get daily updates via the app about when your child is eating, sleeping, and when they've had diaper changes. Teachers will also occasionally send photos of what your child does during the day. It is a nice connection to have to them throughout my workday. Clearly, we (and Baby M!) love this school. I highly recommend a tour if any of these positives resonate with you. If you do so soon, Baby M will likely greet you at the door of the infant room .

If you want the real authentic Montessori experience in professional and caring environment that…read morefeels like family, this is the place for you. I have no reservations about recommending RHM, the teachers and the director Mrs Klymko who is special - passionate, talented and deeply experienced.

My family has been part of the Robin Hood Montessori community for 9 years (and counting) now, and…read moreit truly feels more like a loving home than a school. From the moment you walk in, the warmth, care, and genuine connection between the teachers, children, and families is palpable. The teachers are absolutely wonderful, just good people, patient, dedicated, creative, and deeply committed to each child's individual growth. They create a nurturing environment where curiosity, confidence, and kindness flourish naturally. My son and middle daughter thrived here, developing a real love for learning that has stayed with them. Watching them grow in such a supportive, Montessori-guided space was a gift. My youngest daughter is still happily attending, and I couldn't be more grateful that she gets to experience the same magic. Every day, she comes home excited to share what she's discovered, and we know it's because of the thoughtful guidance of her teachers. Robin Hood isn't just a school, it's a second home filled with people who truly care. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any family seeking a heartfelt, high-quality early education experience and to gain lifelong connections with a group of wonderful people, the teachers.