With two children and a few moves along the way, we've experienced several preschools, which made us think carefully about what really matters in early education. At Aria Montessori School, we found an environment that genuinely shifted our perspective. I used to think preschool should mainly be about love, play, and happiness. While that's still important, we came to see how these early years can also build strong habits, focus, and a real foundation for learning. With the right structure, young children are capable of much more than we expect. We especially appreciate the school's approach to communication. Rather than constant photo updates, teachers focus on being fully present with the children. At first that felt unfamiliar, but over time it made a lot of sense. Seeing our child's growth firsthand became far more meaningful. At the same time, when something needs attention, the response is quick and thoughtful. The director is very hands-on, which builds real trust. We also value how children of different ages naturally interact, helping them develop confidence, empathy, and social awareness. The parent community is equally supportive and engaged, which clearly carries over to the kids. Overall, it's a thoughtful, well-balanced environment. We've been very happy with our experience and would confidently recommend it. read more

Our son attends Aria Montessori, and it has truly been a happy place for him. Before Aria, he attended another private school starting at age three. That school had beautiful facilities, a large playground, and lots of fancy toys. However, despite all of that, our son cried almost every morning when we dropped him off. Over time, we noticed that our normally very happy and talkative boy became quieter and less excited about school. Everything changed after we transferred him to Aria Montessori during the summer. After about a 10-day break from the previous school, he started at Aria. From the very first days, he was excited and genuinely happy to go to school. Now he wakes up looking forward to his day. He has learned wonderful manners, greeting his teachers with a cheerful "Good morning" during drop-off and happily saying "Bye-bye Mommy." Many afternoons he even reminds me not to pick him up early because he doesn't want to miss activities like cooking on Tuesdays, science experiments, or popsicle day. What we appreciate most about Aria is that while the environment may be simpler than some larger private schools, the teachers truly care about the children. They create a warm, nurturing atmosphere where kids feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. The Montessori approach provides a more individualized style of learning that encourages independence and curiosity, which really helps children grow and develop qualities that many top private K-12 schools look for. For our family, that feeling is far more important than a fancy facilities. A school where children feel safe, loved, and excited to learn is priceless. Seeing our son happy, confident, and eager to go to school every morning means everything to us. As Elon is graduating from Aria, we can clearly see how much he has grown. He was recently admitted to one of the top private schools for kindergarten, and we truly believe the confidence, independence, and curiosity he developed at Aria played a big role in preparing him for this next step. We are also very grateful to the principal, Mrs. Schofield-Smith. She knows every child and family. The teachers also know each child by name and greet the children and families warmly every day, which creates a strong sense of community. An involved principal makes a big difference for a school because she understands the children, supports the teachers, and can make thoughtful improvements when needed. We truly appreciate the teachers and staff at Aria Montessori for creating such a warm and nurturing place for children to grow. read more

Aria Montessori School - Montessori Schools Near Me - Pasadena, California

Both of our children attend Aria Montessori, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. The school provides such a warm, nurturing, and supportive environment where children truly thrive. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield-Smith place a strong emphasis on character development, good behavior, and respectful manners, which we deeply appreciate as parents. Beyond academics, the children learn independence, responsibility, and kindness toward others -- values that stay with them far beyond the classroom. We have seen tremendous growth in both of our kids, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. The teachers genuinely care about each child, and the sense of community at the school is truly special. We are very grateful to be part of the Aria community and highly recommend this school to any family looking for a nurturing and well-rounded Montessori education. Definitely recommend this school! read more

Aria Montessori School - Montessori Schools Near Me - Pasadena, California

My daughter has attended Aria for three years now and to see how much she grows each year is amazing. They do a great job of taking care of both the children and families. The community is fantastic and we've made great friends throughout the years here. Cannot be happier as a parent. read more

We enrolled our son at Aria Montessori when he was a little over 2.5 years old and we are so grateful for our son's experience while he's attended preschool there. He has grown so much since he started there two and a half years ago. The school has helped him foster a genuine love of learning while creating a community of kindness and empathy towards others. Choosing Aria Montessori preschool has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family and the school will forever hold a special place in our hearts. read more

My then‑2‑year‑old son started preschool at a nearby co‑op in South Pasadena, and after a terrible experience there we were so relieved to find the gem that is Aria Montessori, highly recommended by several family friends and neighbors. At first we were a bit surprised by the cost, but after three years at Aria it has been well worth it and honestly priceless to give my son such a loving preschool experience. My son is genuinely happy to go to school, absolutely adores all the loving teachers and staff, and has grown so much both academically and in his confidence. Before he started at Aria, he was a shy 3‑year‑old who rarely spoke. The principals, Mrs. & Mr. Schofield‑Smith, took a lot of time and care to match him with a teacher and classmates who would help build his confidence. Within a few months, his personality really blossomed, he made several friends, and he now has the confidence to speak up and connect with others. Aria has a special ability to teach through fun, engaging activities. My son is constantly practicing his letters, numbers, sight words, and crafts at home with very little supervision from me. He genuinely takes pride in his work and in learning new things, and that is a testament to Aria's teaching staff and philosophy. Even with their strong focus on academics, they do an excellent job of providing a wholesome childhood experience. They celebrate monthly holidays that the kids love, and are always going above and beyond with fun surprises like visits from local firefighters, holiday parties, and special events. The community is wonderful, and every single teacher and staff member seems to know each child by name. It's clear this isn't just a job for them--they truly care about the kids. We'll be sad to leave Aria when he goes to kindergarten, but we are so thankful that he will be academically prepared and, even more importantly, will have the inner confidence and values to thrive. read more

We've had such a wonderful experience at Aria Montessori. Our two boys attend the school, and we've seen incredible growth in them, not just academically, but also in their confidence, independence, and respect for others. One of the things that really makes Aria special is the people. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield-Smith are incredibly helpful, responsive, and genuinely care about the students and families. The teachers are warm, patient, and nurturing, and they create a classroom environment where kids feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Aria also does a great job bringing families together. They host events and coffee socials for parents, which makes it easy to connect with other families and feel part of the community. They care about building relationships not just with the students, but with the parents as well. We highly recommend Aria to any family looking for a supportive, enriching school environment for their children. read more

We've had 2 kids go through aria and so thankful for the teachers and the aria community. My kids have thrived under the care of the teachers being equally nurturing but also making sure my kids grow in independence and confidence. I've had many a question navigating the grade school process and gill was always there to answer them. Truly grateful for this community! read more

My daughter has been attending Aria since the summer of 2022 and she absolutely loves it. I am definitely sending my second child there and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others. Aria has prepared my daughter well for kindergarten. Not only is she on top of her letters and numbers, she has already started reading and doing arithmetic (with zero help from me). All the learning happened without pressure or fuss. She has had fun the entire way. Don't be intimidated by the word Montessori (as I was initially). Academics aside (cause they are just kids after all), what was most important for me is that Aria instilled confidence and independence in my daughter. She is polite when speaking with strangers, takes initiative in helping out, waits her turn, and is unafraid to try new activities and make friends easily. The staff at Aria is incredibly nurturing and kind. They are so devoted to creating a safe and fun space for the kids. My daughter's teacher is a highly attuned with her needs - on any given day she could tell me how my daughter was feeling that day, how she reacted to something that happened, etc . She knows how best to motivate my daughter, when she needs a dance break, and when she needs a snack. My daughter looks forward to seeing her everyday. read more

Fantastic preschool, has exceeding all expectations. My second son started here in the 2023-24 year, we wish we had sent our first son. They are warm and welcoming and, in my opinion, have found the sweet spot by focusing on strong social development, but with a solid Montessori-based academic foundation to back that up. Staff and teachers are absolutely top notch and you can tell that they take pride staffing themselves with people that love working with young kids, it shows in what they do. Miss McAfee is an outstanding teacher. We look forward to spending many of our sons formative years here. read more

We love Aria. Our daughter has been attending school here since she was two and has now enjoyed almost three wonderful years. She looks forward to school every day and comes home with a bright smile. Whether it's the home-like school environment or the caring teachers and staff, she loves everything about it. Watching our daughter grow from a tiny toddler to a joyful and confident preschooler, we know her development is closely tied to the school. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield- Smith professionally leads the entire community, while Ms. Salazar welcomes each child with a smile every day, and every teacher is dedicated to both teaching and caring for the children. The big smile on our daughter's face every day from school is the source of our love for Aria. Graduation is approaching, and it's bittersweet to think about, but we know we will always be a part of the Aria community. read more

There are not enough words to describe this school, its community and its excellence. The teachers care deeply about students, their academic growth, social development and sense of autonomy and discovery. Gill and Gavin are leaders who know each family, personally, and are always ready to support families. They are present on campus and know every detail of the day to day. We love Aria so much and can't recommend it enough. Being at Aria is a gift. read more

Our daughter has been at Aria for a year and a half and she absolutely loves school. We thought we had lucked out with a uniquely wonderful teacher last year, Ms. Trusso, but then she got another exceptional teacher this year, Ms. Sandberg. Within weeks of being at Aria last year, our daughter knew her letters and numbers, and she's now reading with ease. Academics are definitely emphasized at Aria but it doesn't feel too rigorous. They have a ton of fun at holidays -- there's a very cute Halloween parade they do around the neighborhood, and the Christmas and spring concerts are adorable. Our daughter's main takeaway from school is that it is important to "help." She loves helping with 2 and 3-year-olds at recess in the yard, taking down the chairs from the tables in the morning to set up the classroom, and bringing notes to the main office. She is so excited to go to school every morning. So we are very happy parents! read more

Our daughter has been fortunate enough to attend Aria since she turned 2 years old. From the moment I stepped inside, I felt welcomed by the warm and inviting atmosphere. What sets Aria Montessori apart is their dedicated team of teachers, led by Gillian and Gavin, who truly care about the well-being and development of every student. Their passion for education shines through their teaching methods and personalized approach to learning. Aria Montessori is a gem in our community. If you're looking for a preschool that prioritizes holistic development and fosters a love for independent learning in your child, look no further than Aria Montessori. Highly recommended! read more

I have had my children attend Aria for the past 4years. One is now in kindergarten and the other in his first year of pre-school at Aria. Our experience has been outstanding, the teachers are excellent and Gavin and Gillian Schofield-Smith are exceptional leaders of the Pre-School. In addition to the great academic education they are always on hand to give advice and help out when there are challenges. I would also say that the team help the kids know what they should and shouldn't do and help them get into a great routine. They care about the whole child development. I am so happy that we chose to send our boys to Aria and would recommend it highly. read more

Aria is a wonderful preschool. They did an amazing job handling the pandemic (for our older child), both online and in person It is located in a very quiet and safe street in the Madison Heights area of Pasadena Our son, just finished 2 years in person. He progressed in so many ways:academically, socially, and maturing in general Academically Aria is wonderful. I feel they have the right amount of discipline as well The kids also learn about famous artists and musicians from Frida Kahlo to Raye Zaragoza. You should know that many parents send their kids here, since it feeds into many surrounding expensive private schools:). So private schools is often the subject of discussion when parents chat, but many kids do public elementary school as well (including ours:) Overall, I'm very happy with the experience both of our children had at Aria I highly recommend it! read more

We were looking for a preschool for our 2 yo and this one was recommended to us by an alumni friend who had sent both their children all the way thru. It turned out to be a fantastic fit for us. I had hesitations considering our little one had just turned 2 and it felt early. They have an edge with being a very established school and have had decades to work out everything out. They have wonderful outdoor places to play and academically focused. I was worried about a caveat to potty training before entry but our little one nailed it eventually with the help of the highly trained staff. We adored our preschool teacher and feel so lucky to have gotten her. I was able to leave our LO in their hands feeling 100 percent assured that he would be taken care of. I was so impressed with the amount of development and independence our little one achieved with only our first year here. If you're looking for a clean, reliable, and academically strong preschool with a great balance of play this is your place. You will not want to leave this school. The staff and facilities are more than you can hope for. And I can't forget to mention the adorable performances these littles are able to pull off throughout the year. It's amazing how they incorporate public speaking and performance at such a young age. Your child will be ready to move on to any school from here! read more

We feel so fortunate that our child has been attending Aria since the age of two. Aria is an incredibly nurturing environment full of caring teachers who want the best for their students from both an intellectual and emotional perspective. Aria's teachers encourage children of different ages and backgrounds to interact and learn from one another, and the culture fosters a real sense of camaraderie, self-confidence and character development amongst students. We wish that our child could stay with Aria through K-12 as it has become second home for him, but we are grateful that Aria has built a wonderful academic and social foundation as he transitions to kindergarten. Can't say enough good things about the school! read more

Our son has been in Aria for three year, we really love the school, the staff is incredibly caring, the curriculum is engaging, and the environment is safe. If you are going to attend a private school in the Pasadena area, Aria is the best choice for you. read more

We have had a wonderful experience with our two girls at Aria. Our older daughter started as a two-year-old during the pandemic, and we watched her absolutely blossom throughout her entire time there. She was almost always excited to go to school in the mornings and left school each day with a big smile on her face. All of her teachers at the school provided a fun, nurturing environment that fostered her creativity, curiosity, and self confidence. She had such a positive experience that we wanted to start our second child there as soon as she was old enough, and she has absolutely loved her first year there as well. Our older daughter had a seamless transition from preschool to kindergarten, which we attribute to her spending those formative years at Aria. It has been a great place for our preschoolers! read more

We are so very fortunate to have found the perfect place for my son. Words cannot describe the joy I have every morning when I drop my son off to school because he loves going there. From day one he has not shed a single tear and sometimes on the weekends asks us to be dropped off to school. As a parent this is the first big step in my experience. Mr.And Mrs.Schofield-Smith are truely invested in each and every child and that is so evident in how they greet the kids with the biggest smile and their words of encouragement in every step of the way to the parents and the children is why we love this school. Mrs.Schofield-Smith has helped us immensely in the application process for kindergarten and is available to answer our silly questions and her positive words of wisdom and charming smile has truly helped my son in this journey. We could not be more pleased.All the teachers in the school are so warm and welcoming and that is something extremely hard to find in any other school . Teachers are always engaged with the kids and make learning by fun. The attention to details, knowing what each child has for lunch and how much they are eating or not eating makes my jaw drop. That tells a lot about how much they care for the kids. We are beyond ecstatic and feel privileged to be a part of Aria Montessori school. My only regret is why did we not know about this school sooner. Thank you Aria for taking such good care of my son. read more

My son is completing his 1st year at Aria and we have been exceptionally pleased with our experience. We chose Aria not only for its Montessori philosophy, but also for their reputation for helping develop children who are well mannered, engaging, and well prepared to enter and succeed in primary school. Our son has grown considerably in his first year at Aria thanks to the love and dedication of everyone associated with the school. He asks to go to Aria just about every day and on days the school is closed or we have to miss a day because of an appointment, I can sense his disappointment, even if it's only for a short while. During our first year, we have benefited from loving and thoughtful teachers. Every day, they help guide and nurture our son to grow and develop in appropriate areas. They also challenge him to continue excelling in areas he is already advanced in. I have always felt welcome to inquire about my son's progress and they have taken any concerns I've had seriously and worked to fulfill any areas of concern I've identified, often above my level of expectation. My son was academically advanced before he started and even though I expected the Montessori method to be able to better accommodate him than other schooling philosophies, I honestly didn't expect too much. Aria has exceeded my expectations by continuing to challenge my son with new material, even with items above Kindergarten grade level. They have even gone so far as to purchase new materials and come up with additional learning assignments in order to keep him interested. Our son's teachers have demonstrated a high capacity to accommodate all kinds of abilities and styles of student learning using the Montessori method. Not that it's all academics either. One of the main reasons why we enrolled in Aria was because of the many children I met on my tour who were very charming, well spoken, and polite. It's clear that social affability is a cornerstone of their program. My son is not a big talker and often misses social cues. However, after his first year we feel his ability to politely engage with adults and children and express his feelings has grown by leaps and bounds. He is able to politely ask me to turn the music to Mozart because that's one of the composers they introduced in class, how excited he is for the upcoming class field trip to the Natural History Museum, that today was a fellow classmate's birthday and they had rainbow sprinkles set up, and he even politely orders when we're out at a restaurant. This is certainly thanks in large part to Aria's constant and positive support of my son throughout the year. Finally I have to mention the friendly community of families that we've been introduced to through Aria. The people we've met have been nothing short of amazing. I hear from our friends at other schools how isolated they feel from other families and there isn't much socialization. Aria encourages parents to form connections with each other by hosting monthly coffee socials and getting together outside of school. We've met many wonderful families in only our first year and have gotten together with them for many play dates, birthday parties, and other gatherings. While there isn't any obligation of parents to volunteer, many of the parents are involved in the school and I think it's great fun to be a reader to the class or help out with special days like May 1 Earth Day where we helped the kids beautify the school with new plants, seeds, etc. I know the struggle and worry parents go through choosing a preschool for their young children. We all want to find a perfect place as they take their first steps into a world where they need to learn to start standing on their own without you there for them constantly. I've come to realize that there isn't a perfect solution and there will always be flaws compared to my idealistic vision, but for us Aria comes pretty close. read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Aria Montessori School, its directors (Mr. and Mrs. Schofield-Smith) and teachers. As the pandemic hit, our previous pre-school shut down. We were so fortunate to hear about Aria and get a spot for our daughter. The beautiful residential street in Madison Heights, large craftsman building, and its grounds give the perfect, enchanted and sweet experience we could only dream of for her. The safety measures taken by the school against C-19 are simply remarkable. Never had an outbreak throughout the pandemic. We were also a little panicked when we realized that our daughter was going to have to start interviewing for Kindergarten... on Zoom! The whole school provided not only all the academics needed to excel during the child assessments but also coach our daughter to be comfortable on Zoom. She was admitted in pretty much all the best elementary schools we applied to in Pasadena and LA County. While parents were not allowed on campus, communication was constant (directors and teachers always took the time to answer any questions we had, address behavioral issues most 4-5 year old go through) pictures and videos emailed, and the faculty took it upon themselves to plan all the school events without the help of parents volunteering. Our daughter always looked forward to going to school. The nurturing , loving and caring experience our daughter had, on top of the excellent academic curriculum this school provides should make it your first choice when looking at a pre-school in the Pasadena area. The Best. read more

My younger son is a bit of a handful... So when he started in September, we were a little anxious how he'd manage the whole Montessori experience, and we were wondering if he'd become kindergarten ready in the short amount of time before school applications. And as we expected, he chose the fun easy stations, and told me he had a trick of milling around the water cooler to minimize his work time... The school schedules a parent conference very early on, and his teachers were very receptive to trying to understand what makes him tick, and we decided on a plan of encouragement, with some gentle reminders and help to encourage him in the stations that were more challenging, and some occasional mild bribery to enjoy certain privileges after completing jobs that pushed him out of his comfort zone. I really appreciated his teachers' willingness to work with me on keeping him excited about school but making sure he practiced and learned Montessori principles of polite greetings, ownership of your work, etc. And... It's been amazing... Surprisingly he aced his ILS and did great on his preschool interviews! But best of all, every morning he's excited to go to school, he hugs each of his teachers. He's excited for me to come read to his class and makes sure I check the volunteer calendar. And when I pick him up, he's excited to show me what new thing they're learning (Matisse likes drawing floating lilies!), he tells me which book report he's working on and what new math station with sticks he learned, and he does a round of hugs with the kids and his teachers as we leave. He is confident and happy, and I really thank Aria for such a great experience. I'm especially thankful to the headmistress Mrs. Schofield-Smith who always listens and addresses my concerns. Any time I call, she gives me her time and attention and lets me know that she cares about how my son is progressing. Randomly, a few weeks ago, my son forgot his lunch box in my car. I got a lovely phone message from Ms. Salazar the assistant principal- first off letting me know that my son was totally fine, if I got the message I could bring by his lunch, but if I got it too late, not to worry, they would provide him with a healthy, well-balanced lunch. of course, I got this message after work, as I was about to pick him up, but he came bouncing up, quite happy with leaving his lunch behind because they fed him dumplings, fruit, and a snack. :) Thank you for your care of my son! read more

Aria has been an absolute blessing to us before COVID and now during. My son had just turned 4 in June and was being bullied at his previous school last winter. We were in desperate need of a new school and heard great things about Aria so we immediately went to meet Gillian (the principal) who was miraculously able to find a spot for him within days. Beyond being able to see the transformation in our child's overall happiness level we were shocked at how much he had learned in the past 6 months at Aria compared to the previous school. Aria has handled the Covid mess very well so far where they had initially conducted Zoom classes during the shutdown but now they have reopened for summer camp with very strict protocols that make us feel safe for our child and for the teachers and staff. The fact that they were able to open and work so hard to make it happen has brought back a sense of normalcy to our child's life which has been so refreshing to see. Every day his temperature is checked when he comes in and leaves, hands sanitized and the mask wearing has really not been a problem for our son or the other kids in the school. To be honest I was concerned about it at first but the children and teachers and staff have really adapted to our new normal to the point that now our son can learn in class and play with his friends which has been so important. I am so grateful for finding Aria for our child and it's in hard times you learn about the true nature of people and this school is ran professionally with compassionate, competent and loving people. I cannot recommend this school enough... read more

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I cannot express how grateful I am to Gillian (the Principal) for bringing my son into her community at this pre-school. All the teachers genuinely care about their children and constantly show compassion for them. The children learn so much with regard to academics. We were shocked at how fast my son picked up reading and math with no help from us at home. I love the level of structure that is provided in the curriculum, which is an aspect that is very compatible with my highly disciplined personality. For example, table manners/etiquette is an important aspect: children precede each meal with an exclamation of "Bon appetit! Now you may eat!". Proteins are provided first, and desserts offered last so that the children's nutritional needs are always met. We've developed a deep friendship with a number of parents and teachers. The PTA community is great and it is even hard to get in as a room parent with the level of volunteerism. I had the privilege of coaching a t-ball team for one of the classes. I really believe this is the best school to prepare your child for any primary school, including the more "prestigious" private schools in the area. read more

Aria Montessori School - My son in his earliest days there. He really loved making artwork. - Montessori Schools Near Me - Pasadena, California

I absolutely love this little school. My son loves this school. He's been attending for nearly 2 years and literally has a smile plastered on his face everyday as he arrives. All the teachers and staff are so nurturing and their way of teaching and looking after the children is everything you could ever want from a school. His independence and confidence after being there even a few months was just extraordinary...I am just so happy that I found Aria! This is simply the best start to my sons education that I could of ever wished for. Absolutely worth every penny! read more

Having my daughter at Aria Montessori has been a wonderful experience. When my daughter first started, she was extremely shy and attached to myself and my husband. Fast forward a year and a half and you wouldn't even recognize her. With the support of the principals and teachers, she is now independent, self-motivated, well mannered, and confident. Because of their encouragement, she has found her voice and is not afraid to use it. To me, the school has provided a very safe and nurturing environment. My daughter is thriving and having the time of her life with her friends. I couldn't have asked for anything better! read more

Where do I even begin to sing Aria's praises? We joined the community last minute after moving across town, (right before school year started) and instantly felt connected to the team of caring teachers and the welcoming, child-centric parent community. Aria has the perfect mix of a progressive, child-led and conscious approach with a solid Montessori style "academic" program. It was just what my imaginative, curious, social, and strong little one needed. In addition to this, in an unprecedented year of the pandemic, Aria's faculty and administration went above and beyond to get the school open, keep it open, and keep everyone safe. It was truly a bright light in a very dark year. To the team at Aria, we love and miss you and are so grateful we found you!! read more

The staff is usually friendly and appears dedicated to a good education. But buyer beware. I've experienced rude behavior, more than once. Aria refuses to provide my son's lunch, even when they mis-place the lunch he brought from home. Mis-placed lunches will happen. I expect courtesy and common decency in that moment. When my son was smaller and still potty-training, the staff sent him home with feces in a plastic bag, along with urine-soaked clothing. It was disgusting. Potty accidents will happen at age 3 and needn't be made extra dirty and difficult for parents. They also sent my son home with his clothes and shoes on backwards. That seems un-professional to me. In my opinion, basic hygiene and courtesy should always be shown to parents and children. read more

While I was pregnant with my 3rd child, I did lots of research on schools by talking to private school kindergarten teachers in my area. Aria was the one every Kindergarten teacher I talked to recommended. Without a doubt, I put my daughter's name on the waiting list when she was very very young, maybe 6 months old? And I am so glad that i did! Within a few months after she started, she's grown from shy and soft-spoken into an independent, extremely well-mannered and confident little girl. She orders her own food at the restaurant, asks questions with great manner. We keep getting compliments on how well mannered she is. Aria has the most caring teachers I've ever seen. My daughter has never left the school without a hug and kiss from her teachers. The teaching method they use is very gentle yet persistent. Teachers pay great attention on developing manner and characters. We simply couldn't be happier. Most importantly, when my daughter's Independent School Kindergarten Screening result came back, she scored top in ALL areas and got positive feedbacks. Aria has made a world of difference for her. Highly recommended! read more

Sending our daughter to Aria was the best decision. She was very shy and did not know how to initiate with other kinds. Over the last year we saw her blossom and become a vivacious social little girls. She loves going to school and looks forward to going every day. Mrs. Schofield-Smith and her husband obviously love what they do and they have the best staff and teachers there. I could not say enough good things about them. They really inspire the kids to learn and to be well rounded citizens. When we first started going our daughter has some trouble separating and cried every time we dropped her off. One of the teachers was always there to assist with the hands off and within a couple of weeks our daughter was looking forward to going. They were also great doing the pandemic in opening and providing a safe environment for the kids to keep learning. At this age, it is very hard to get kids to participate in online classes so we were blessed to have Aria to take our daughter for in person education. Without Aria I believe she would have lost out on some of the most important developmental time of her life. They are aldo very helpful in preparing the children to go to some of the best schools in the Pasadena area. I now many of their kids went on to go to Poly, Chandler, Mayfield and High Point Academy. Mrs. Schofield-Smith and her staff make applying easy and help direct us to the best fit for our duaghter. read more

We were so lucky our daughter got a spot at Aria during the pandemic. The teachers are responsive and were able to adjust to COVID-19 protocols without compromising the quality of the education kids received. We saw significant growth in our daughter's learning while she attended the year before kindergarten. Kids do phonics and writing, and regularly create and engage in art activities to learn about international places and artists. All activities promote a child's independence. At the same time, student have the opportunity to play and have fun socializing with other kids. We could not be happier with the care, education, and preparation our daughter received at Aria. The principal has created an amazing community together with teachers - most who have been with the school for many years. read more

My children go to this school. My son is 5 years old loves his teachers. My daughter is 3 years old and has blossomed because of this school. The teachers, administration and parents make this school great. The price is on par with other child care/preschools in the area. The location is great and I'm grateful for the teachers at Aria- teaching my children and instilling positive behavior. I highly recommend this school. read more

We love this school. Our two children go there and our experience with the teachers and staff has been universally positive. We looked at several other Pasadena area preschools and Aria seemed head and shoulders above the rest. Our kids are thriving and learn so much from the program and all the fun activities. read more

Our grandchildren (ages four and two and a half) attend Aria Montessori. We have had the pleasure of picking them up from school on occasion and are always welcomed warmly by the staff. It is clear by observing the interaction between personnel and children that it is a caring and loving environment. Both children have thrived at the school. They are more confident, self-assured and independent. They bring home creative projects and learn not only about the world around them, but also about how to be good citizens in the world. We are very happy that our children selected Aria for THEIR children (and our grandchildren). Andrea and Paul. read more

My son has been at this school for 6 months and its been an all around amazing experience. Not only has his language excelled, he is independent, respectful and happy to go and come home. The parents are very actively involved and the student population is diverse (which was very important to me as a starting point for my son's education.) The school is in farmhouse on a residential street and has been operating for 100 years. Disclaimer: Montessori is very structure oriented so thats not right for you or your child, Montessori might not be your best option and you might want to look into waldorf, for example. Pre-school is so overwhelming but its not the end of the world. I recommend visiting several schools, getting on several waiting lists and ultimately following your instincts. For me, the moment I visited Aria, I knew thats where I wanted my son to spend his days. read more

I was so happy and excited for my child for this school the beginning. My child was attended summer camp by referring from my friend. She had great time with teacher, and she even more dreamed about the school with happy face. I decided yes this is right School for her. After summer camp, my child sent to different class with different teacher. It was not goes well anymore. She started scare of school, and I thought might maybe because it's all new friends,but after I saw not at all. Because the teacher has favorite student and un favorite student, she treated different. Understand , my child is not favorite student for her. Because my child is very active, and she cried a lot and very emotional. We had first time teacher and parents meeting, teacher said" your child has so many questions, but I can't only take care of her with all questions,if I did not take care of her questions, she will cry." I understand there is 10 students in the class, and you were only the one teacher for all. I believe you could find the way to help. That was not happy conversation for me the first time. In the middle term , I knew it was one dropped student already because he was same as my child emotional. I just felt the teacher she did not have patients for children who emotional or maybe little actively child or little trouble student.she only likes calm child who better just only sit there and listen to her anything.In the end of the school , I finally get out because family member passed way. Same as my child classmate wanted dropped too , but we signed contract with School that only end of year could drop with withdraw from school. My child classmate might drop own. Maybe there was more dropping student. I found there was three dropped from the school. But , there is very great teacher in the school , but not ours. For these of you are looking for great School, this is just my experience for this School, and how I felt about School why is different with different teacher. I will look for great teacher and school for my child for the beginning because I think the beginning for a child for early education is very important. read more