My daughter attended Beresford Montessori for over 3 years, and during that time she blossomed academically and socially, thanks to the care and dedication of the teachers there. The teachers guided my daughter in every aspect of her growth, including forming friendships, learning to read and write, math skills, learning to speak in front of a group, playing well with other kids, and much more. She developed from a quiet and reserved child, to a notably more confident and socially well-adjusted child. Her experience and growth at Beresford prepared her extremely well for the transition to elementary school. Also, my daughter attended the school during the years surrounding the COVID pandemic, and the dedication that Ms. Karina and all the teachers showed to continue teaching and nurturing the children was incredible. Thanks to the teachers' expertise, my daughter actually learned to start reading during the pandemic through remote teaching sessions, which is amazing! When she returned in person to the classroom, she was able to continue her education as if we had hardly lost any time during the pandemic. We also valued the community of families at the school, and have continued to maintain strong friendships with other families after graduating. Overall, we are extremely pleased with our experience at Beresford, and are deeply grateful for the wonderful teachers and families at the school. read more

A Truly Special Preschool Beresford Montessori Our family has had a long and wonderful history with Beresford Montessori, specifically the Gum Street location in San Mateo. Ms. Karina, the owner, is an incredible educator and highly trained, kind, and deeply dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for children. One of the most remarkable aspects of this school is its staff; many of the teachers have worked there for decades, which speaks volumes about the positive and supportive community Ms. Karina has built. The classrooms are beautifully maintained, warm, and inviting, making it a place where children feel at home. The staff is not only professional but also incredibly loving and it truly feels like family. My older niece and nephew attended Beresford Montessori years ago, and when my daughter started eight years later, she had the same wonderful teachers. That continuity and experience are invaluable. I can't recommend this school enough to family and friends. Even now, my daughter loves to visit whenever she can and often says she wishes she could still go there! The Montessori method gave her such a strong foundation, fostering independence, confidence, and a love for learning. We are forever grateful for the lasting impact Beresford Montessori has had on her education and development. If you are looking for a preschool that provides a loving, enriching, and stable environment, this is the place. read more

(Beresford Montessori Academy, Claremont) I'm a SAHM, so both my kids didn't start school until they were 3.5yo. They didn't have any daycare experience either. So I was definitely nervous when they each started school for the first time. The teachers at Beresford are so sweet and loving towards each child. They are warm and welcoming and make the kids feel safe and loved from the first moment they meet. Aside from the loving environment, your child will also learn so much! The teachers did such an impressive job teaching my children all subjects. Both my kids graduated and were ready academically and socially for kindergarten thanks to everything they were taught. Beresford has been such an amazing experience for us as a family and most importantly for both our kids. We will miss it so much! read more

We sent both our daughter and son to Beresford, one to their Gum street location and one to their newer Claremont location. The school is amazing! When my kids applied to elementary school, the school admissions official said they already knew they would be accepted because kids from Beresford Montesorri are so well prepared. My kids love to go to school. The teachers there are absolutely amazing. They are friendly but firm, fun but educational, and most important of all, care deeply about the kids. We couldn't be happier with the school at both the Claremont and Gum street locations! read more

Incredible school. Both of our girls went here and absolutely adored their teachers and Miss Karina. We have also found a wonderful community of parents and kiddos who we still keep in touch with even after having graduated. read more

It's a wonder why there are so few reviews about pre- schools in San Mateo, there are so many to choose from! I would know, since we tried 3 of them. Just like the 3 little bears, one was too strict, the other too unstructured, and Beresford Montessori just right. We've put our 2 little ones through Beresford and in the short formative years, Beresford was the perfect place to shape their development. (As an aside, I do like the Montessori program.) To add color, our children developed fine motor skills, math, writing, and social skills at the school, which is/was more than sufficient for kindergarten. All of the teachers are great and Ms. Regina, Ms. Ana, and Ms. Portia are exceptional. They are caring, patient, and giving. Ms. Karina, the director, is a quintessential professional. When considering a preschool for your child, please visit Beresford. read more

My cousin goes to school here and she loves. I have been a very close participant in the events the Montessori hosts. Her parents love it too! Being a very close family member, I have seen her grow and learn in a very graceful manner. This is an amazing place for any kid. I know the director and the teachers personally and they are so amazing that my cousin misses them so much during the holidays. What more would a parent want? To any parents who are considering/looking for preschools/after school for their kids, I would highly recommend considering this! read more

We had twin boys go through this school and when our daughter was born, we knew where she was going. First, the school facilities are great.. good sized and NICE outdoor play area. I don't know how many schools we visited with postage stamp sized outdoor facilities. The outdoors has room for shady (or rainy day) play and sunshine play. Second, we visited one other Montessori school and it was bizarrely quiet for a classroom of 2 and 3 year olds. This school the kids were having FUN.. socializing with both the other children as well as very happily and comfortably with the teachers. But the big draw were the teachers. They've all been together for over a decade which speaks volumes to me. They are loving and kind, calm but quick to smile and laugh. They know how to handle all types of children and handle them gently and well. We have 3 so very different children and yet all 3 love(d) their teachers there. I saw a comment that the director was 'more business minded' and while she does spend time running the school and less time in the classrooms than the teachers (imagine that!) she's just as loving and kind and the kids all love her. Our boys have long since graduated. They were, really, over prepared for kindergarten and even for first grade. They were reading and writing a bit before kindergarten, as is our daughter. In fact, we sent them to kindergarten at the local school (in the mornings, it only went until 12:00), but then brought them back where they ate lunch and actually got more academics (including their afternoon Spanish immersion) than at kindergarten. Plus they were then, per Montessori teaching, helping out the smaller kids which I just found awesome. So.. love the school, felt our kids loved the school and they came out more than ready for kindergarten. Plus.. they all tolerate my sense of humor. 6 stars for that. read more

This was the fourth preschool my eldest son attended (we moved twice and had one bad experience with the third preschool), and this school is hands-down the best preschool we have encountered. It is so comforting for us to have the security of knowing where all our (4!) children will attend. This is an excellent school; I can't say enough positive things about it. The student body is diverse, the teachers are patient, loving, nurturing and very professional. You can tell the teachers love what they do- they are smiling and happy every day; there is also little- to no- turnover of staff. Now our second child attends, and our third and fourth children will attend. When our first child graduated from Beresford, he was academically very advanced and socially confident and secure. I credit this to the school, the philosophy and most significantly, the teachers. The montessori method is utilized, but modernized to include some free-play and social activities. Just today, my eldest son (now entering 1st grade) BEGGED me to let him visit for a few hours and go as the 'mystery reader' to read to the children. He still speaks of Beresford fondly and will ask, on many occasion, if he can 'go back to that school'. Interestingly, he finds it more socially and academically fulfilling than kindergarten. read more

I too am disappointed in the first review. The school is wonderful. I'm so happy another mom at gymnastics raved about it. I have 2 kids at Beresford Montessori. The teachers are all very loving and patient. They are great with not only the kids but the parents. They communicate with the parents well and are always welcoming. They greet the kids when the come in and when they leave. My son has just turned 5 and is in his second year there. He also is advance for his age, he's starting to learn multiplication and is a good reader. He is learning so much at school. My son ask me questions like, "Why do we need to have blood in our body?" He's so interested in the human body and talks about how everything works inside. My 2 year old came home and was touching my back and kept saying "backbone". She loves tracing and doing "jobs". Remember the Sound of Music movie with Julie Andrews? Well I often feel like that when I am at the school. It's a great environment and also academic. If it wasn't a good school I wouldn't be paying the high price to put 2 kids there. read more

If I could give Beresford a million stars, I would. I'm very disappointed to see the first reviewer rate this school so low. I'll share my story of this wonderful place. I "graduated" Beresford Montessori a few years back. Class of 2001, I believe. I was nurtured, taught, and guided through the earlier years of my life. Not only was I taught about math and reading, but how to share and care for others, make new friends, clean up after myself, and respect teachers. I finished my preschool years at Beresford to attend Kindergarten at Kids Connection, a private Kinder-5th school, in Foster City. The teachers and principal were highly surprised with my advanced knowledge in various school subjects. I went on to St. Matthew Catholic School in San Mateo for 1st-8th grade and graduated last year with high honors. Now I currently attend St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco in honors classes. I really believe receiving a solid foundation and early learning at Beresford helped a great deal with achieving first honors and straight A's throughout junior high and allowing me to place in honors classes in a Catholic college prep. I must say, Beresford teachers taught me lessons I will use for the rest of my life. They supplied me with a caring environment, great academics, and fun preschool years. Ms. Karina will forever be my favorite teacher and I thank the school so much because I know I wouldn't be where I am today, without it. I could keep going on and on about the various things Beresford taught me, but in conclusion, to anyone and everyone, I highly, highly recommend Beresford Montessori! I can guarantee it won't be a decision you'll regret! :) P.S. Tell them "Rachel, the cellist" referred you! read more

I love this school! My daughter will be leaving in 4 days and we are going to miss Beresford. My daughter has been well nurtured and has thrived during her 3 years. Our daughter is always happy to go to school and wants to stay as long as she can every day. Academically, our daughter is leaving Beresford over-prepared for kindergarten. Our only concern is that she may be bored in her new school! The children at Beresford learn so much but also have a wonderful environment for social development. I have nothing but praise for this school. read more

I am extremely happy with the teachers, the program, the classmates, the parents, the whole thing! It couldn't be better and nicer. Also, my son has learned so much and is very advanced. I also love how unbelievable LOVING the teachers are... no word to describe them. The facility is great, they have an outside area. One thing I would improve is for them to hire a woman/company that cleans for them, I don't like getting there to pick up my son and seeing the teachers cleaning up. read more

I am so happy to see Beresford Montessori is still here, and that Karina is still the director. My son went to Beresford Montessori for two years, back in 1998-2000, when they were in a house next to Hillsdale Shopping Center. I could not have asked for a better preschool experience for my son. The teachers were loving and caring, and they instilled a love of learning in my son that he still carries with him, and he is a freshman in high school. To this day he remembers Ms. Karina and Ms. Terry and Ms. Debbie. It is wonderful to read that Karina is still offering such a nurturing and loving environment where our children can discover the world, a little independence, and develop a passion for knowledge and learning. read more

This is the first time I post a yelp review because tomorrow is my son's last day at Beresford and I feel compelled to share my wonderful experience. My son has attended 4 different preschools and I can say that Beresford by far is the best. My son cried in all the other schools and first day he attended Beresford, he told me " this is the best school ever", and he never cried at Beresford. The teachers are all very nurturing and they always welcome the kids by giving them a hug. Ms. Karina is always very approachable and helps me to solve many parenting issues. She definitely puts the children first, no doubt. Is Beresford for everyone? Probably not. Is Beresford a great school with high standards and loving principal and teachers? I guarantee it is. read more

Our daughter graduated from Beresford well over a year ago, and we're confident that she's excelled socially, emotionally and academically in kindergarten, in large part because of Beresford Montessori. We are forever grateful for the care and guidance she received from Ms. Karina and the loving, highly experienced teachers that work there (many of whom have worked there for years, which says a lot). If you're after a truly nurturing, Montessori-based school where your children will absolutely come first, I'd recommend Beresford with zero hesitation. read more

This is wonderful school and now my daughter is graduated and we miss this school very much. very academic yet in such loving environment. All the teachers are wonderful and Miss Karina is the best principle as well. I am recommending this school to everyone who asks. read more

I don't normally write reviews not because I don't want to but because I don't have a lot of free time. However, I have felt completed to write about Beresford Montessori. I think there has been considerable improvement at the Redwood City location after it's issues with one of the teacher's (who had been there many years) taping a child's mouth. Regarding San Mateo, the school is academically strong and helps children excel. The down side is that socially we found issues with girls constantly comparing and competing against each other - they can't seem to relax and be peaceful with each to their own accomplishments. Along the same lines, there is some bullying between children specially during playground time. I've also noticed possible favoritism toward kids who wear designer cloths, drive fancy cars, cuter, and so on - outward conscious and materialistic. I would have liked to see the teachers step up to help alleviate the issues between the children, guiding and teaching/modeling good friendly behavior. I have discussed this with director and teachers - the director seems too busy and not at San Mateo often to oversee. I do hope things change to best serve and suit the children. read more

As many parents in the area, we agonize over finding the best possible school for our children. We actually tried over 3 schools and were truly grateful to have find Beresford Montessori. It provides a remarkable combination of emotional training, academic focus and community. Through this school, I am impressed by how much the children know by the time they graduate, both in reading and math. The location itself is quite nice and the teachers do care about the kids. They regularly organize activities and even have info sessions with parental strategies for parents. Overall 100% recommended! read more

Beresford Montessori is amazing! My third child is attending there and I am so impressed in what he has learned. My other two kids went to a traditional nursery school and did not learn nearly as much as my son attending Beresford Montessori. He is only 4 years old and is reading! The teachers are patiend and kind. The program fosters peace, love and learning. Easy access, secure facility, and totally worth every penny. My son is like a sponge at this age and is soacking up everything they offer. I wish my other two children had went there! read more

This preschool is amazing! I mean really! It's a warm friendly environment, people know what they are doing, it's clean and I feel completely safe leaving my kids here! It's worth at least checking out! read more

We love this school, the teachers, the learning approach. We had two sons attend over a six year period and they had the same long-term teachers who were loving, nurturing, and patient. They both graduated from Beresford with reading, writing and math skills well beyond their age, but more importantly, an intense curiosity about the world around them. Our only regret is that the school doesn't continue into elementary school as my kids miss their teachers and the loving environment for learning and exploring. read more