My husband and I are so grateful for this School. We were not happy with last pre school but here…read more, you can feel the love , feel the patience and love the teachers have for the little ones . My son is 3 but not potty trained so I was worried about what they were going to tell me , I don't want to pressure him . Miss Medrano is the coolest, most amazing woman . " he will when he is ready " she said as she gave my son aka heart a hug after meeting him once . At pick up he never wants to leave . Thank you Hillcrest School, MIss Medrano , Miss Guy , Principal Mrs Berg

As a parent, I enrolled my child in this Christian school with the hope of finding a true…read morepartnership--one that would nurture both spiritual and academic development. Sadly, that hope has turned into deep disappointment and frustration. From the beginning, the administration frequently spoke about "partnering with families" and "supporting every child," but our experience revealed these to be nothing more than well-rehearsed talking points. When real concerns arise--particularly when it comes to your child's individual needs--you quickly find that your voice as a parent is dismissed. The Head of School and Principal may smile and nod, but in practice, they act as though they know your child better than you do and are unwilling to make any meaningful changes that could actually help. There is also a serious lack of consistency at this school. Teacher turnover is high, and it's hard for students to build any real stability with constantly changing staff. In fact, most families tend to leave after preschool or first grade, and that speaks volumes about the experience many have here. Rather than address these retention issues, the school seems more focused on maintaining strong ties with families who are heavy donors--families who often seem to get preferential treatment and can pay their way into getting what they want. To make matters worse, the school appears more concerned with building a new gym than fixing the areas that truly need attention. Classrooms, curriculum, and student resources are outdated or lacking, yet fundraising efforts are aggressively geared toward facilities and image. It's hard to watch tuition dollars and donations go toward expansion projects while core needs are neglected. What made this situation even more infuriating was the transition to a new school. Once we left, we realized just how far behind our child was academically. After being assured for years that this school offered a higher standard of education, we were devastated to find out that was far from the truth. It felt like everything we had invested--financially and emotionally--was for nothing. Many and I mean many families when leaving Hillcrest will home school or go to another school and the first thing they say is I should've done it sooner!! This school promotes a beautiful mission on paper, but in practice, it falls far short. Unless you're part of the "inner circle" or a major donor, true partnership and support are unlikely.

I have two children who have attended Carden since preschool, and our family has had an exceptional…read moreexperience. The academic program is outstanding, but what I appreciate most is the school's emphasis on character, manners, and strong moral values. It has provided my kids with a well-rounded education. I love that students practice public speaking every Friday, learn cursive, and participate in community service. The school does a wonderful job of honoring time-tested traditions while also embracing science and technology. We couldn't be happier with our decision to send our children to Carden and look forward to sending them to the middle school.

Our family has been at Carden Conejo for the last 5 years with our two kids having attended grades…read morepreschool through 4th grade so far. It is academically rigorous in all subjects, being one of the best in our area. Our specialists are also excellent: our kids have been able to do PE almost daily, the specialist classes (art, science, music, French, computers) all at least once or twice a week. Starting in kindergarten, the kids move with their classmates from their homeroom to the different dedicated specialist classes multiple times a day, which I think is a very mature thing to be able to do in kindergarten. They do public speaking at their weekly school assemblies multiple times a month, which I think is very special about this school. Best of all, they emphasize manners and morals which encourage human virtues, but also things like looking an adult in the eyes when saying good morning or when being spoken to, and holding the door open for an adult so that he/she can pass through first. Things that I feel our kids in the recent digital world do not really learn anymore, but will help them be successful in their workplaces (and families) in the future. Compared to other private schools in the area, tuition is more affordable, and yet the teachers offer academic support after school for kids to need it for free (although I think they should be paid extra for it). Although academically rigorous, our kids also have so much fun at school. Holidays are so fun. They have a huge fall festival at Halloween with carnival games, food trucks, trunk or treat. They also have a big festive winter holiday show, egg hunts for Easter, class parties, and a big family picnic on campus at the end of the year. They have tons of after school enrichment classes and Funtastic Friday nights where the kids can come and play in the evenings while parents get a night out. Summer camps are also very thoughtful and engaging. A favorite week is themed after the book Roxaboxen where they create their own shops and barter goods with "gems" as currency. We have loved every teacher we have had through the years. Everyone knows your child's name and each teacher invests in their students. One of my children had a little embarrassing accident at school and her 1st grade teacher handled it with such respect and tact - she treated her like she would want her own daughter treated. I think it would be hard to find a school with teachers and staff who are this invested in their students.

The cafeteria staff steals from the kitchen. Taking home gallons of milk, drinks, food and snacks…read more Even household cleaning supplies. Lysol, bleach wipes etc. the school does nothing about it. Kitchen staff just sits there as well on their phones stealing company time. Would not recommend this school. The manager on site flirts with his own employees and giving extra unnecessary hours to his favorite employees. Too much favortism going on.

Our family lost our home in the Palisades fire earlier this year. It was devastating in every…read moreway--our daughter lost not just her home, but her beloved school and community, the only life she had ever known. Starting over mid-year was something we dreaded, especially with our fourth grader, who was heartbroken and understandably a tough sell on any new school. But just a few days ago, as we drove to Oaks Christian, she turned to me and said, "Nothing has gone right this year... except for Oaks. I'm so excited to wake up and go to school every day." This wasn't because it was just "fun" or "new." She didn't want to like Oaks. She wanted to go home. And yet, nearly three months later, she is still just as excited every day to be there. I remember calling Oaks Christian, fully expecting them to say there was no space. I knew how in-demand the school is, and I thought we'd be gently turned away. But instead, they treated our situation with incredible grace and compassion. They didn't just squeeze us in--they took the time to really get to know us, even in the middle of their busiest admissions season. They created space for our daughter in every sense of the word. They managed to condense an in-depth admissions process--testing, touring, interviewing both her and us--into a single day. I know that was no small ask, and I'll never forget how lovingly and efficiently they made it happen. Katina, our admissions officer, is everything you could want in a human being--warm, grounded, centered in faith, and truly kind. Since enrolling, the school has only continued to exceed every expectation. The systems in place are exceptional, the administration is thoughtful and organized, and the teachers? Just unreal. We often find ourselves asking, "Is this school even real life?" I recently joined our daughter and her classmates on a two-day trip to Sacramento. It rained, hailed, and was absolutely freezing--everything that could go wrong, did. And yet, it was the perfect snapshot of Oaks. Brant Childers, head of the Lower School, along with the teachers and assistants, were right there with us, every step of the way. They are real humans--transparent, kind, joyful, and deeply devoted to their students. They are the kind of people you dream of raising your children alongside. The other parents blew me away too--funny, smart, down-to-earth. I immediately understood why our daughter loves her classmates so much. The warmth and kindness that radiate from this community is something special. Academically, the school is rigorous and moves quickly, but because the teaching is so strong, the students are thriving. You can feel the love in the classroom. You can feel the joy. We had considered moving to Orange County after the fire, but once our daughter got into Oaks, we knew: Westlake Village would be our new home. It was that simple. The school was enough to make that decision. We're so grateful for the years ahead here--for all three of our daughters. Oaks has been a very bright spot in an otherwise incredibly difficult year. We are endlessly thankful.

There are very few places in life that genuinely become part of your family. For the past five…read moreyears, Montessori of North Ranch has been exactly that for ours. As one child graduates and our youngest continues enrollment, we've had the opportunity to look back on every classroom, every teacher, and every season. What stands out most isn't just one exceptional teacher. It's that every single teacher has been exceptional. Looking back, it's remarkable how thoughtfully the leadership places each educator. Every time our children move into a new classroom (advance to the next age grouped class), we couldn't imagine having a better teacher than the one they were leaving. Then we'd meet the next teacher and think the exact same thing. Now, after experiencing the entire journey, we can clearly see the incredible gifts each teacher possesses and how intentionally they are matched with the age group they were created to teach. It's something truly special. The administration and teachers don't simply care for children. They partner with families. Every child is deeply known, genuinely loved, and celebrated as an individual. From the warm greetings every morning, to the thoughtful conversations at pickup, to the daily updates that make you feel like you were part of your child's day, you quickly realize your child is so much more than a name on a roster. What amazes me most is the consistency. These teachers serve families from early morning until evening with joy, patience, and genuine enthusiasm. Whether you're asking for parenting advice, sharing a concern, or simply picking up your child, you're met with kindness, wisdom, and people who truly care. Academically, the school is exceptional. Your child will absolutely be challenged, but never through pressure. Learning happens through curiosity, exploration, and purposeful play. Along the way, they'll develop independence, confidence, critical thinking, and practical life skills like table manners, sewing, laundry, fine and gross motor development, and so much more. Week after week, you'll be amazed by what your child is capable of. Equally special are the families this school attracts. I believe this is a testament to the school. There's a genuine sense of community that's hard to describe until you've experienced it yourself. Parents greet one another every morning, and friendships form naturally. It truly becomes your village. If you're considering Montessori of North Ranch, or simply stumbled upon its reviews, don't wait. Schedule a tour, ask questions, and even if there's a waitlist, get your name on it. Looking back, enrolling our family here is one of the very best decisions we've ever made, and we will be forever grateful for the people who helped shape our children into the young girl and boy they are today.

Five years ago, we enrolled our shy little girl here, and today she graduates as a confident,…read morejoyful kid who can't wait to tell her teachers about every new pair of shoes, trip, and milestone. It's been a phenomenal transformation thanks to Montessori of North Ranch. Everyone employed at this school is outstanding. You and your children are greeted with a smile every single day, and the staff are extremely calm and kind. Our daughter talks about her teachers and Ms. Joanna constantly -- they've genuinely become family to her. Even though she finished attending in May, she's still saving up things to share with them the next time she visits. The activities are wonderful too -- music, dance, yoga, and more. We couldn't have asked for a better place for these early years when both parents had work commitments and wanted to ensure our daughter thrived when we couldn't be there. This location far exceeded our expectations, and we are forever grateful.

We sent both of our children to Oak Park Montessori and have had a wonderful experience. They…read morenurture a safe and caring environment for the students to learn everything from counting and writing skills to folding laundry and watering plants. The school also instills life qualities like politeness, kindness, and patience that I don't always see in peers their age. Ms. Mary and the other teachers teach and discipline with kindness and instill a curiosity and love of learning that extends well beyond the school day. And FWIW, when I enrolled my son in elementary school, they said that they love it when kids come from OPM. They mentioned that they are some of the best-behaved and well-prepared children entering into TK and Kinder.

The teachers here are really good. My son has seen so much improvement when previous schools kinda…read moregave up on him. I would highly recommend this school. They have a big play area for active kids, and really accommodating teachers. I will be enrolling my next child into this school. Shout out to Ms Mary and her whole team.

Thousand Oaks, oak valley, Agoura hills or Old Agoura this is the best Montessori school for a…read morenumber of reasons. We were sooo hesitant to send our daughter, who always had a nanny to school. I am so happy and feel so safe with her at school. 1. Longevity - one of the teachers there attended this preschool herself! You don't see turnover here. The teachers are in it for the long haul. This business has been around 20+ years and is wonderful. 2. Passion - the teachers are sooo passionate and kind to the kids. Ask any of them what they like to do, they will go on and on about switching the activities / curriculum to the kids interests like if the kids are really liking space they will make their "work"the kids activities) space themed. You can feel the teachers genuinely love being around the kids and genuinely love teaching 3 - Engaging Each Friday they have a Mr. B come and play music for all the kids to dance and sing to. Each week my daughter seems to come home with a new craft. Daily she is able to draw a picture by taking out her own materials and putting them all back herself every day. 4 - Independence if you're interested in Montessori, you like teaching them independence and Yeung it's. It's been amazing to see my daughter progress with her independence. She will go and wash her hands after her meals. She is able to take out her snacks and put them back. It's been wonderful to cultivate her independence only two years old. She literally just got me a drink out of the fridge and grabbed herself one too. She is so sweet and independent. 5 Potty training - The school also offers potty training, which is really awesome for parents. Pictured is our class field trip. The kids got learned a lot and received live lady bugs and parents got a tote & coffee mug!

We've had such a great experience at Montessori School of Agoura Hills (MSA). Honestly, it feels…read moremore like dropping your kids off at a cozy little cottage where a loving grandma lives. It's warm, inviting, and just really genuine. The teachers are amazing. A lot of them have been there for decades, which says everything about how much they love what they do and where they are. Our kids have always been safe, clean, cared for, and truly seen. They've gotten to try so many things and participate in dance, athletics, art, and at the same time they're guided academically with patience and encouragement. Both of our kids went to MSA and really thrived. We've also made lifelong friends through the school, which has been an unexpected bonus. We're super grateful for our time there and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a loving, down-to-earth environment for their kids.

Amazing teachers! Small, quaint little school age ranges 2-6years! The teachers are caring,…read morepatient, and truly dedicated to helping the children learn and grow. The classroom environment is welcoming, fun, and engaging, with activities that support children's social, emotional, and academic development. I especially appreciate how the teachers make each child feel valued, supported, and cared for. It is clear that the staff genuinely love what they do. I would highly recommend this preschool to any family looking for a safe, nurturing, and positive learning environment for their child!

A wonderful school that prepares students very well, excellent staff and teachers who care a lot…read moreabout learning .

Very nice school - the grounds are open and a lot of natural flora and fauna. My daughter goes to…read morethe pre-school which requires tuition. My daughter loves going to school and has made great friends. The program is not academically focused but rather geared towards influencing/empowering the children with an interest in learning.

Oak Hills Elementary is one of the best schools around. They have the most wonderful office staff,…read morePrincipal and teachers ever. They love their job, they love the kids and nothing is more important to them than the well being of each and every child. My daughter is now a Senior at Oak Park High School but I credit the young woman she has turned out to be to the entire staff at Oak Hills Elementary! I am definitely one of their biggest fans!!!