My three children have had a very enriching, fulfilling experience at Black Mountain for more than 7 years. Mrs. Heather is simply exceptional and clearly was made to teach. She has been with my oldest for quite a while and knew his personality in-depth and tailored circiculum around his learning style. This is a smaller school, more close-knit, and more invested in individual children that I appreciate all the more after having transitioned to a much larger private school. Despite being much less in tuition, they have provided school supplies for my kids and have done some very impressive field trips and events that clearly show to me that their profit margin is very slim. There is good diversity, and they have good moral standards (which in today's climate may sadly turn people off). I would highly recommend it!! read more

The school is horrible and my kids don't feel safe there. There are way to many bully's that the school doesn't care about and mold everywhere on the walls. The school is so unsanitary I don't know how it's not shut down. The teachers are also incredibly rude to almost all the students which I found so sad. If you see this review please do not come to this nasty school read more

An absolute game changer for my 10 year old! Caring, attentive teachers and staff and an environment where my son feels encouraged and supported in both his learning and social-emotional growth!! i can't recommend it enough!!!! read more

We recently left mid-school year (2023) after almost 5 years with multiple children at Black Mountain. Things changed, in my opinion, academically and socially/emotionally for the worse over the last several years. Based on our personal experience, staff in elementary have limited patience, harsh punishments, and frequent absences. We began to worry and started to ask questions. The kids would say they were not getting daily lessons in core subjects (math, science, reading, etc). Teacher and director assured us the kids were getting daily lessons. Unfortunately by the time we confirmed that being false - we have two children who are very far behind academically. Even after hiring a private teacher to finish out the remainder of the school year (9 weeks) and seeing huge gains, they will need to repeat their respective grades. Disappointed, frustrated ... is an understatement. We loved the community, but most elementary families we personally know, do not plan on returning next year. This school works with a population of vulernable children who cannot always express their thoughts and feelings clearly in the moment (speaking of my children). This school has hid behind disabilities and done my children a huge disservice. Now that we're out the kids have shared numerous stories about raised voices in the class (yelling) by the teacher and punishments we never heard about. We feel there's a lack of transparency, and partnership with families in their child's education. My children were afraid of being yelled at in front of their peers and shared numerous accounts of it happening to their peers. The school use to say their students work a year or two ahead, we have no longer experienced this to be true. Our children are very far behind. For elementary, ask how many students are returning for the 2023-2024 school year? Ask for a copy of written curriculum. Ask for a copy of the daily schedule showing specific blocks of time dedicated to core subjects. Ask for recent testing scores. Ask if there's a written notification policy for disciplinary action? Ask for examples of consequences for students and get it in writing. I would hate for your family to be in the same position as ours. read more

Black Mountain Science Academy - Recent test score for my child showing very below average for reading and math and potentially needing to repeat a grade. - Preschools Near Me - Peoria, Arizona

Best school, and best decision we made! My son had difficulties at a church-based preschool. It got so bad that we had to abruptly remove him mid year with no notice. After a lot of research, we enrolled him at BMSA, hoping it would be a fit...but were honestly unsure. Without doubt, BMSA has turned out to be the best place ever for our son. The atmosphere is nurturing, patient, and understanding. My son has excelled in so many ways. He is 100% happy to go to school, has friendships, loves all the teachers, and is constantly learning. He is six, and is starting to read, understands math, is creative and listens to directions. All the teachers show him respect, listen to him, and help him grow. I mean all...because even the teachers outside his class contribute. It's a community. The school has an amazing playground, classrooms that are fun learning environments, there are class pets, outside gardens, and regular school events. I can go on and on about all the positives about this school. I'm a professor at ASU and by nature take education seriously! This place has exceeded all expectations in every way. Rebecca, Rita, Lena, Jamie, and everyone else - you all rock! read more

We were at BMSA for a few years. Things were good in the pre-school class, but changed dramatically in the elementary class. There was very little transparency and we didn't receive much feedback from our kids. However, once we started asking questions, we began to learn that there is quite a bit of yelling in the classroom. Not necessarily at my kids, but at other children. So much so, that my kids were afraid of the teacher. We also started asking questions about the daily curriculum (i.e. did you receive a math/reading lesson today) and the response was almost always "no". Once we heard about the lack of lessons and the habitual yelling, we really began to pay closer attention and realized our kids were severely behind in their academics. My kids in upper elementary had almost no ability to answer basic math facts. They could do single digit adding (i.e. 2+3) and that was about it. These are things kids should learn in 1st grade. We, working parents, were forced to pull them from the school mid-year, hire a tutor and implement an "emergency" home school situation. Because they are so far behind, the "homeschooling" has had to continue into the summer in hopes of getting them somewhat ready for grade-level studies at their new school. As working parents, you can only imagine how difficult it has been to, abruptly, balance homeschool and our professional lives. If you plan to look into BMSA, I would ask them about their current turnover. I can tell you, 25% of the class left mid-year 2023 and another Approx 25% will not be returning for 2023/2024 They will likely say it is because we "disagree with the Montessori Method". This is not the case at all, the Montessori Method is great! We left because my kids didn't receive lessons and were in a classroom with teachers who yelled frequently. I am additionally upset about how far behind my kids are academically and the disruption in our home/professional life that has ensued. In summary, if you decide to send your kids to BMSA: - Do not expect transparency o You will not know what, if anything, your kids are learning...and don't ask - Do not expect daily lessons in core subject - Expect an environment of fear amongst the kids - Follow up on your kids math knowledge often or you will eventually find out that they are far behind - There will be yelling in the classroom, maybe not at your kids but there will be yelling - If you start questioning any of this, they will start working to get you out. At that point, you may be in a similar position as we are: o two kids who are at least a year behind in their education. o Working parents who have been forced to pull their kids from BMSA with no other options but to home school/ hire tutors to hopefully get them caught up. As two working parents, you can imagine how inconvenient it is to, all of the sudden, lose your kids school and be forced to take over their education. If you choose to send your kids to BMSA....BE PREPARED! You may end up in the same situation we are in. read more

Black Mountain Science Academy has been instrumental in helping my son. Ms Heather is kind, patient, loving, and very helpful. She helped me get the resources I needed to help my son be successful in the classroom. He is now thriving and doing well. He loves school! read more

My daughter loves this school. She comes home happy, healthy, rested and clean. She is learning Spanish, which pleases me as a Hispanic mama. The staff and director seem to truly love my child, and that means the world to me. The location is removed from a high traffic area and I feel it's a safe place where my little can learn and grow. Excited to meet the other parents someday soon! read more

This school rocks!!!! I can't say how much we love it! My son was so scared to leave my side, after the first day I felt completely at ease! The director really knows what's shes doing. Shes patient, warm, and loving with every child. Hats off to BMCA for your superb work with my son! read more

We had a wonderful experience at this school. The teachers were amazing and very caring. Both my girls loved going ages 1 and 3. Highly recommended ! read more

My daughter absolutely loves this school, and we are so happy with it too. We switched from our daughters previous daycare/preschool when she turned 4 since she was getting bored. 10 months later she is reading, doing math, can write up to 100 and doing great science projects in between. Every month they learn about a different country and often cook food from that country. The teachers are very caring and my daughter adores them. I am so happy we found this place. read more

My son has been going to BMSA for 2 years now, he's in preschool; We all love this school. I just don't know why there are so few reviews of this school everywhere. All the teachers at BMSA are really good, patient and foster a secure atmosphere where children can truly develop as an overall individual and not just in academics. I am one of those mothers who think the success of education is measured by the ability of a child to think and expand his/her horizon of knowledge with an open mind. To me, it doesn't lie in the grades or test scores which is why I love this school. When my son started attending preschool here, he hardly spoke a few words, now, he's socializing in an astounding fashion. He started reading as early as four and his creativity has just grown so much that my husband and I are truly fascinated. Above all, the good manners and discipline comes naturally most of the time. read more