Last August 25th, after reflecting on the challenges my son faced at DMA in September and October…read moreof last year, I felt ready and shared a down-to-earth personal review.
Instead of receiving public feedback, I received a certified letter from a law firm, demanding for my review to be removed immediately, otherwise "we will sue you to obtain an order requiring you to remove it, and to recover significant monetary damages against you, including, but not limited to, punitive damages, and the attorneys' fees and costs Dynamite Montessori incurs in the case under A.R.S. 12-341.01 and A.R.S. 12-341".
They reminded me of a contract clause that restricts what families may share publicly about the school without prior written consent. This clause is part of the agreement that parents must sign when enrolling their children.
So, in the interest of focusing on providing for my son instead of defending myself against what I feel are insubstantial accusations, I am removing my previous review.
We were part of the DMA family for almost three years. 100% involved and devoted to all the school activities. Our son attended from June 21, 2022, until November 1, 2024.
In my personal opinion, DMA can be a good choice for any "non-Montessori" child to gain some exposure to a Montessori environment in their early years. The place looks pristine, with the right materials, strong infrastructure, and opportunities for children to learn--especially if they happen to be among the more "gifted" ones and can learn by themselves. I have been a Montessori mom since our son was born, and we initially thought this was the perfect place for him.
Last year, however, in his third year of primary, my son developed a behavior we felt unrecognizable to us and was told "not to be kindergarten ready" and "maybe not a good fit for a classroom at all".
My family, especially my son (5 years old at the time), went through a nightmare that took almost a year to recover from. Fortunately, today he attends a large Montessori school where he has adapted beautifully and is thriving as the amazing child he has always been.
In his new school he is considered a bright kid and so far, there is not a single incident regarding his behavior.
Looking back, we feel that his experience at DMA was heavily affected by a classroom dynamic that was challenging for his naturally calm demeanor.
Today, we are sharing our feelings, in case it helps other families who may be uncertain--whether you already have a child enrolled or are considering enrollment.
