Choosing a preschool for our child was very hard, especially coming from overseas. Today we are very happy with our choice of Full Circle Montessori School. The teachers and staff have consistently exceeded our expectations in making our child adjust to the new environment and making learning fun and engaging. Adjustment time was needed (very sensitive child)to fit into a new environment. But with a welcoming and comforting environment, our child adjusted to school very well. Also, with the thoughtfully designed curriculum that promotes both academic readiness and essential social-emotional skills, our child is very excited about going to school every day now. Communication with parents is superb; the scheduled updates and photos make us feel connected and informed about her activities. The facility itself is bright, clean, and safe, offering a wonderful space for the children to explore and play. We highly recommend Full Circle Montessori School for families seeking a positive, enriching, and high-quality early childhood education experience. read more

We started our son in public school for kindergarten, but halfway through the year, we became unhappy with the experience and began looking into other options. The lack of communication, heavy screen time, and the way our son was feeling about himself made it clear that we needed a change. He would often come home saying he was a "bad kid" because he kept getting in trouble at school, which was hard to hear as a parent. Switching to Full Circle Montessori has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family. The difference in our son was noticeable within a few weeks. He's much more regulated coming home from school, and we've seen a noticeable boost in his self-confidence. One of the first things he told us after starting at Full Circle was how nice the teachers are he said they actually talk to him instead of yelling. That shift alone was huge for him, and for us. Academically, he was at the top of his class in public school, but that often led to boredom. Since he wasn't being challenged, he would try to socialize, which would get him in trouble. At Full Circle, he learns at his own pace with a hands-on approach that keeps him curious and engaged. If you have a child who isn't thriving in a traditional school setting or struggles with the sit-still-all-day model, we can't recommend Full Circle Montessori enough. It's been a truly positive and empowering experience for our son and for us as parents. read more

we have had a wonderful experience with FCMS! they have welcomed us with open arms, assured our children feel comfortable and have gone above and beyond in building a beautiful community for the families that attend! every little detail is well thought out and they are loaded with information as to why they do things the way they do! highly recommend! read more

Unfriendly and forceful black box. Not a collaborative place. Expect bait and switch. They do not follow and deliver what they promise. Do as I say type of place. Not creative. Overpriced. read more

This is our son's fourth year at FCMS, and we've been extremely happy with all the support the school has provided for his emotional, social, intellectual and physical development. We're amazed by the quality of attention our son gets from the teachers, and we're grateful for their recommendations on preparing an effective learning environment at home. read more

I love this school and the community that comes with it. My daughter is learning so much and it makes me so happy to see her grow. The teachers are so sweet and attentive. They have gone above and beyond to ensure I'm comfortable and get the help I need as a first time parent. I can't recommend this place enough. I'm Learning so much and I'm so grateful it's close to my home. They made our family feel at home. When we first started, our teacher came to our home to ensure our daughter got to know her. Then we visited the classroom the next day where she met the teacher and the classroom without the kids. Then she went to school the next day. The teacher made me feel good dropping her off and that they have her. I can't thank the staff enough. They even have after school programs as well! They have classes for parents who need help in certain areas. It's truly a community. I would recommend this school to anyone. I hope my daughter gets to stay here till she finishes elementary school. read more

Full Circle Montessori School (FCMS) is a terrific opportunity for toddlers and adolescents! The methods and curriculum are very clear and reasonable. The child begins with 'Work of the Home' which provisions typical tasks found around the house. As the child matures, so does the complexity of tasks that are available. Gradually, this evolves into interesting approaches to math, language, and many other subjects. Exceptionally, all of this is self-guided by the child. My wife and I immediately reaped the benefits of this careful instructional style. The teachers were a tremendous help in potty-training, learning to clean-up after play, and many other tedious but important tasks that must be slowly learned. After years, our child has an incredible independence in his outlook on life. He gained confidence through the many tasks that the children learn to master, and he puts those same skills to use when helping with family chores. FCMS seems to stay pure to the Montessori values and methodology. Though I did not have any previous experience with Montessori, I am now in agreement with their philosophy. I firmly believe my child's strength of character, now 6 years old, is the result of FCMS's excellent organization and instruction. read more

This is the best early childhood education in Arlington! It is evident that ALL the staff are invested in ensuring each child meets their full potential. The holistic curriculum is tailored for each child and focuses on cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. A few things I love about FCMS: * Emphasis on community, respect, courtesy, and kindness * Several school sponsored events throughout the year (social and educational) * Other parents are wonderful, and a few have hosted fabulous birthday parties over the past year. * Impressive diversity (ethnic, social economic, and family type) * Administrative staff are on top of it and use great tools for communication (shared Google calendar, Seesaw app for updates and weekly photos, etc.) My experience: My son's former school didn't seem to be best fit for our family, so we transferred him to FCMS in late 2021 while my ex and I were in the middle of a divorce. I was a little concerned with the long-term deposit and the school hours, but the decision to enroll in FCMS has been a great one for our family. The teaching and admin staff have been nothing short of empathetic, kind, and respectful to our family's needs. I am amazed at how far my three-year-old has come over the past year! From understanding place values and counting out 9,999 with number beads and blocks, building a jaw dropping Roman arch, having enough kitchen and listening skills to make waffles from scratch at home, to exploring what it means to be a good friend. Finding supplemental care has been a bit of a struggle, but our family has been able to make it work and the extended program (ending at 2:45 on M-Th) helps. FCMS has a long explanation for their limited hours and are aware that it may not work for some families. When you compare the cost of full day programs to FCMS + supplemental care it balances out. I highly recommend this school! read more

FCMS parent classes are a gamechanger in the way we raise our kids! One key advantage of FCMS is that, as part of their curriculum, every month they offer a parent class on Montessori principles and how to implement them. This has helped us not only learn a lot but also to problem-solve issues that we've encountered with our toddler, for instance with toilet learning and power struggles during bath time. We've also taken advantage of the paid (low cost) parent classes that they offer, for example, we learned how to keep fostering bilingualism in our household, which is really important for us, how not to fear involving our toddler in cooking our meals, and doing yoga in a way that is fun for kids. Aside from creating community with these classes, FCMS has become our partner in parenting --we feel fully supported in our parenthood journey and that's what makes this school the best! read more

Not a fan! Chose not to send my youngest child there after a less than stellar experience!

After many years at FCMS we were sad to take our kids away, but our careers took us out of state to Chapel Hill, NC. After less than a year in our new location Covid 19 swept the continent, and schools across the country went virtual. At that time reality set in that in-person schooling was not returning anytime soon, so we reached back out to our friends at FCMS, and they welcomed our 10 year old back into their school virtually from North Carolina with open arms, because 'why not school in Virginia, since we are all virtual'. Well, as we suspected FCMS approached the virtual world just like they did those many years in the 'pre-pandemic times' - with great energy, enthusiasm, compassion, and thoughtfulness, creating the best environment possible for any child at any stage in life under any circumstances. We can't thank FCMS enough for making this year special for ALL of their students. Really something to behold, and we will forever look back fondly on these unprecedented times as a result. Thank you FCMS. read more

Full Circle Montessori School - Moment of total engagement in the virtual classroom. - Elementary Schools Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

See all

FCMS has been a wonderful school and community for our daughter. She started in the Young Children's Community and is now in Primary, and in each classroom she has benefited from caring, dedicated, and loving teachers and staff. Throughout our experience we have found our daughter's growth and development to be the result of a thoughtful, intentional, and deeply-researched process that always puts her best interests first. We're constantly amazed by the new skills and knowledge our daughter brings home. In addition to learning about things such as the continents and prominent individuals, our daughter has had the opportunity to learn practical life skills, such as cleaning and food preparation, which have nurtured her desire and ability to help with tasks at home. She has also learned softer skills, such as how to navigate disagreements and politely ask for help, which have helped tame her toddler impulses! FCMS constantly emphasizes just how capable little toddlers can be if you only learn to trust and empower them appropriately; we're happy to say that our experience thus far has really proven that to be true. Finally, one of the things we love most about FCMS is the administration's desire to find the right fit, for both the school and for families. The school's priorities, policies, and practices are clear from the start and support the children above all else. This really helps build a sense of common community and shared values. FCMS may not be the right place for all families but for those that choose to enroll their children there, it will become a trusted partner and home away from home. We are very thankful that FCMS is part of our lives and would highly recommend it to any families interested in a Montessori education. read more

I tell all my friends and family that I feel like we won the lottery when I think about FCMS. Our son started at their YCC when he was almost two years old and our lives were changed forever. The warm, loving, hard working, supportive, encouraging directness, Mariana, was the best first teacher we could ever ask for. She taught our son and our family so many valuable lessons. Our son's transition to primary was very smooth. The class Directress, Amy, was also an incredible teacher. She is gifted and passionate about educating young children. She understands who every child is and knows exactly how to approach, encourage and challenge them. Our son blossomed under her care. We could not be happier with our experience. We get so many complements about our son's social skills, behavior and kindness towards others. Our son just started FCMS's elementary program and we are thrilled to see how excited he is about learning new things. Thank you to the entire FCMS team for all your hard work, care, support and encouragement. Our son is lucky to be part of such an incredible community. read more

When we moved back to NoVA, we needed a preschool program for our oldest son who was 3 at the time. We toured plenty of preschools and none of them felt right -- we usually rely on our instincts :). We met Christie at Full Circle and we immediately felt it offered the right instruction, environment, and care for our son even though we were new to the Montessori philosophy. Fast forward 3 years, both of our boys are at Full Circle and it has been the best experience for them with their very different personalities and drivers. Full Circle has instilled in both our boys the love of learning, a sense of exploration, and a way of thinking and problem solving that has been amazing to watch, especially as it matures and strengthens every year. Furthermore, we attribute the boys' independence, self-motivation, and self-awareness to the wonderful directresses who are supportive, encouraging, and attentive to each boys' needs. Additionally, our boys are always mindful of their community and the people around them, which again is attributed to Full Circle's effort to educate children to be considerate and contribute as a member of the community. Not only has Full Circle been great for our boys, Full Circle has also taught us how to support the boys from home. Full Circle provides multiple opportunities for parents -- Inseimes and Studio -- to learn about the Montessori method/philosophy and the importance of equal support from parents and school to help children grow. Not only did we thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to learn, it also gave us time to ask questions to further solidify that Full Circle is the standard for Montessori Schools. read more

I was glad to find out about weekly classes they offer for infants, as well as toddlers. I took my eight month old son and really enjoyed it! He had a new place to explore, new people to meet, and as a parent I really appreciated the tips and information for this stage in his development. Would recommend these classes for new parents! read more

Both our children attend the Primary classroom at the Ballston campus and absolutely love it. They took to Montessori from day one and never looked back! My husband and I are so happy with the school and all the staff. FCMS and Montessori has made a massive positive impact in our family's life; we feel more confident in our parenting and we feel like the work we do at home is being supported and reinforced in school. read more

My daughter thrived at Full Circle Montessori for three years. Over the years, she became an incredibly independent, responsible, creative, and self-directed little girl. She developed a true love for learning, especially as she learned how to read towards the end of her schooling. Full Circle has a strong network of parents with sweet children whom we still keep in touch with even though our children are now at elementary school. Our teachers were amazing, following the Montessori method in its pure form, and were a loving and guiding influence on my daughter. I attribute my daughter's love for learning and positive outlook to her teachers, who were and are so very dedicated. I would send her to Full Circle again in an instant. read more

I'm so glad we chose Full Circle for our two children. My girls are very different from each other, yet each thrived at Full Circle academically, socially and emotionally. I believe the Montessori method of following each child as an individual, rather than steering all the kids as one big group from activity to activity, contributed to this. I've always noticed that very young kids can have very long attention spans when they are doing something they are interested in (something they choose for themselves), and the Montessori method is perfect for this. I don't like how other kids' programs constantly bounce kids to new activities every 15 minutes, fostering poor attention spans. Other adults often remark on how well my girls can concentrate and stay focused on a task all the way to completion, skills which their time in Montessori definitely helped develop. We kept both girls at FCMS through their "Kindergarten" years and it ended up being a great decision. Each girl was able to continue to learn at the level appropriate for her, not start over with things she already knew how to do. For my youngest daughter (with a late Spring birthday) in particular, being in the Final Year of the Montessori Primary Cycle in the mixed-age classroom has given her the opportunity to be in an older, leadership position...an opportunity she doesn't get at home as the youngest child or in many other areas of life so far. Not everything has been perfect, of course, over the 6.5 years (!) our family has been with Full Circle -- no school experience will be perfect -- but the teachers and leadership of the school have always responded to any concerns right away and gone out of their way to be available to talk or meet. We've been so impressed with all the staff at FCMS and with our daughters' directresses. Additionally, Full Circle has such a strong and warm network of wonderful parents, many of whom have become our permanent friends. read more

When we begin looking into public schools for first grade, we were not considering Montessori at all. Our son had spent pre-school and kindergarten at another Montessori and I just decided to go to the Full Circle open house on a whim. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised by how elementary class was conducted and the initiative shown by the kids. That's when our relationship with Full Circle began. After the observation day, the administration team and especially Christie Yang really spent a lot of time and effort answering our questions and addressing our concerns. She was following our thought process very closely and put us in touch with the parents to help clarify our values when it came to education for our son. This was close to the beginning of summer and with all the chaos, we were very impressed with how good the administration was in following-up and we thought that if this is the care and professionalism they show to kids' education, then chances are our son would be in the right place. Since our son has begun at Full Circle, we have been extremely happy. It's a unique environment where we also feel like we are going through our education again, but with a different perspective. It's very positive and while its pure Montessori, it's a very entrepreneurial environment where they try new things and adapt to kids' educations needs. Its definitely not traditional and we put a lot of trust in the teachers - but the entire group of elementary teachers is amazingly smart, positive and collaborative. Our son has been so happy here and loves learning what he does, because it usually stems from his own interests. He loves his teachers and also the group of kids and parents are very easy going and nice. Even the entire administration is wonderful to work with. Overall, Full Circle has made our son's elementary education a very pleasant, rewarding, and fun experience. read more

I stumbled upon the previous poster's comments earlier today and I must say I am shocked! Full Circle Montessori School is a wonderful, family-centered environment in which I am proud to say we have been a part of for 4 years (2 children). There has been somewhat of a teacher "turnover" recently, but that is simply due to the vibrant, young teachers getting married and having children. I would not classify this as a "crisis." Who are we to judge these teachers as that is what we, ourselves, have done? The individuals who have stepped in as "replacement" for the teachers during the time in which the teachers are on maternity leave have done a fantastic job and I have been none the wiser. I feel you are mistaken, stating that the school "scrambles" to find these "replacements." Haven't they always been in-house staff members? Never once did I question my young child's education due to this. Furthermore, the teachers who have permanently replaced those that started a family are highly educated and wonderful! We are thrilled to be in one of their rooms. The administrator and director of the school are passionate and direct - and sometimes this directness can be startling if one is unsure of herself to begin with. The school is striving to make children accountable, shouldn't we ourselves be so, too? Pardon the rhetorical questions, I am just utterly stunned as I have had nothing but incredibly positive experiences with this program. We will continue to stand up for schools who hope to make this world a better place, not simply "conform" to the "desires" of those who can afford it. The mantra of the school, as you quickly learn, is that they do what is in the best interest of the child. I have found that it may not always be convenient for me, but I understand they have my child's best at heart. Praise to this! Lastly, shame on you! read more

My husband and I have been very impressed with the entire staff at Full Circle. We even toured a few other schools and hadn't seen the emphasis that is placed on parent-child relationships and such thoughtfulness in a child-centered approach that we have seen at FCMS. The staff is also very up-to-date on the latest developments and research in early childhood education (one way you can tell is through their wonderful assortment of resources on their website), while staying true to the teachings of Maria Montessori. read more

FCMS is a wonderful school we've been there for three years, we were really terrified Just thinking about my oldest son going to school. We looked into couple of schools But from the moment We spoke to Tatjana and met with her and Christie, we knew we found the perfect school for our son, although our son got accepted in another montessori but we decided to go with Full Circle. This is my other son's second year and we'll definitely enroll our daughter when she's ready for school. We love the school teachers and staff. They are all so wonderful, the parents are great, we couldn't have wished for a better school. My kids are so happy and they love going to school each and every day. They love to learn and know new things. We would definitely recommend this school it's GREAT! read more

FCMS is truly wonderful. We had always wanted a Montessori school for our daughter but had no luck finding space at one in the area. Someone suggested I call FCMS - and from the very first phone conversation with the directress I knew we found the right school for our child. My daughter has thrived at Full Circle. We have had countless "Montessori Moments" where we have seen her words and actions truly reflect the lessons and message of the school. We are constantly being complimented on her behavior, vocabulary, maturity and generous spirit and while I would love to take credit for all of those attributes, I have to give credit to her school. My son will start this week and I did not cry when I saw my last "baby" off because I knew he was in fantastic hands and only headed towards good. read more

Years ago, as Full Circle was getting ready to open, I went to the open house to see what Montessori education was all about. To put it simply, I was floored. The way teachers lead children to find independence and their self-confidence is kind, thoughtful, and special. My oldest was in the same classroom, with the same teacher, from the time she was 2 1/2 until she completed her kindergarten year. Full Circle was the perfect fit for her and her young but forming worldview. As a toddler, she looked up to and learned from the bigger children in her class and as an older child she was a leader. The multi-age approach is such a huge reason that Montessori education is as powerful as it is. My youngest is also learning so much both academically and socially. My children are very different people but I have found that Montessori has been a beautiful fit for both of them. They have each learned to be kind, stewards of the Earth, they love to be outside (no matter the weather), and have manners that make me so proud to take them out in our community. The teachers at Full Circle are wonderful and respect children as they grow into themselves while guiding them to take on challenges. They are excited for their growth and encourage them to be who they are. As a parent I am so thankful that they are with my children helping them navigate learning and friendships. Before we enrolled my oldest child my husband and I looked around at other options and spoke with other parents. There is nothing around that compares, in my opinion, to the experience and feel of Full Circle. It has provided a wonderful foundation and love of learning in both of my children. read more

My son has attended Full Circle Montessori School for seven years. He started with PreK and we plan to keep him there through 6th grade. I have had a unique experience as I have been the school photographer for the past 4 years. Thus, I have visited several classrooms ranging in age from the Young Children's Community to Elementary. Every time I visit I am reminded of why I chose this school. It is just amazing seeing the children working. The YCC (around 1 - 3 years old) work independently on various lessons yet also work as a community in actives such as snack time. The PreK community is full of independent workers cradling over lessons ranging from reading to math. The Elementary community is full of children working in groups. All the children at FCMS are given practical instruction too. The younger ones are expected to clean up after themselves and the older ones plan field trips. I am always surprised at how orderly and quiet it is. I encourage all parents interested in FCMS to do a classroom visit. You will be hooked! read more

Fast fwd a couple yrs...we now have all three of our kids at FCMS. Our eldest is in the Lower Elementary program, our middle in his final year of primary and our youngest is in her first year of primary. Our youngest got the opportunity to start in the toddler pgm, Young Children's Community, last year and it was UNbelievable. Initially we enrolled her bc the teacher/Directress is one of "those" teachers. You're going to remember her forever and you want every child to be able to experience the love, passion, and joy she exudes, but soon we saw the puddin'. It's still hard to imagine how she corrals these little beings into creating this amazing little true Montessori environment....I haven't ruled out fairy dust. As for the other two, our eldest has become incredibly self driven, curious, considerate, and transitioned fluidly into this next plane of development. It's a little scary bc I'm already having to outsource information gathering to my little brother,"Thaaaat sounds like a question for Uncle Clay'bo". As for our boy, he was a veeeeeeeeery timid little 2.5 yo when he started and now he is a leader in his classroom. He stands up for what's right, he is incredibly thoughtful, confident, and there is nothing he enjoys more than when his Directress gives him a new lesson. I think that's my favorite part, instilling and nurturing the love to learn...nothing cooler than that. Full Circle has had an undeniable impact on our family. They have taught how to understand our children, how to treat them, how to talk *with* them, and how to fully enjoy them. We love this place. read more

FCMS is a wonderful Montessori school. We had to move out of the area but our daughter attended the toddler program, known as the Young Children's Community (YCC). The toddler program was an amazing experience for our daughter - she really blossomed during her time there. Sending our daughter to the YCC was one of the best investments we made. The directress is an absolutely amazing person and the impact that she has on the children is unbelievable. I am so glad that our daughter's first experience with a teacher was so incredibly positive. The directress and teachers do a great job of balancing the specific needs of each child. Furthermore, the directress goes above and beyond --- she was always available and accessible to assist us in finding creative ways to reach our daughter through some of the challenging times we experienced as parents. We will never forget the care and attention she provided! Our daughter has flourished within the Montessori environment and so we value our time at FCMS. Our family's experience with the teachers, administration and community was so positive -- that the school is one of the things we miss most about moving out of Arlington! read more

FCMS has made us better parents by cultivating our own interest in child development, parenting, teaching, and just plain improving ourselves! It was great to be able to attend all the parent workshops and discussions! We still think about them! And all of what we learned has helped us to help our daughter navigate the world this past year! read more

Full circle is a fantastic school and community. The environment is warm, caring, welcoming, and ignites independence and love of learning in children. My son was at Full Circle for three years and now attends public school. I know some parents worry about that transition between a Montessori environment and a traditional learning environment, but there were no issues for my son. He looks fondly back at his time at Full Circle and often recalls his teachers and friends as "the best ever." For kids who have a really short term memory-- this says a lot. The school made a lifelong impression on him. The culture and community have helped to foster empathy, sense of community and social responsibility in my 3 year old daughter that currently attends Full Circle. She is an introvert and the school and teachers have given her the type of attention, care and guidance to help her blossom. She has discovered a love for her natural environment while at Full Circle and even asked Santa for a composting station at home!!! The teachers my son and daughter have had at Full Circle are incredible. They are well trained, skilled and so detail oriented. It's amazing to me how much planning, care and strategic thinking they invest in even structuring the classroom environment. Every detail counts and translates into a lesson! read more

Why Full Circle It's hard to remember back seven years ago when we were touring schools for our first-born and when we chose Full Circle. But three children and countless school tours later, I can tell you why we would choose it all over again. There are tons of books and articles about why the Montessori philosophy is such an amazing way for children to learn, so I'll focus here on why Full Circle is so special in particular - three ways it's really in a league of its own. Authentic environment The founders of Full Circle have succeeded in creating an authentic environment. FCMS stays true to the Montessori philosophy - you won't find a watered down approach here - which gives a real clarity of purpose to the school, the teachers, and the students. The principles of a Montessori education guide every heart, head, and hand from strategic decisions all the way down to helping a classmate tie a shoe or clean up a spill. You'll find strong values interwoven into the Full Circle experience - some of my favorites are empathy, child-centeredness, cultural awareness, and environmental stewardship. An example of child-centeredness... When my youngest son was two-years-old in the Young Children's Community, the class needed some pantry items for snack that day. Instead of the teacher going to the store by herself during her planning time, she turned it into a learning experience for two of the toddlers (and we all know how much longer it takes to bring two toddlers to the store!) They changed into their outdoor shoes, zipped up their coats, and brought reusable bags and money with them. The teacher walked them hand-in-hand (with huge smiles!) down the block to the market. Once inside, she asked them questions to help find the popcorn kernels, eggs, and flour they needed. The children even handled the money and bags during checkout. There were so many lessons on this small adventure - walking down the sidewalk carefully, using observation skills, counting money... All because the teacher took the time to make it so. And my son still talks about buying popcorn kernels at the store! Inspirational staff As I mentioned Full Circle is pure Montessori. But that doesn't mean it's stuck in the past. The leadership and staff stay innovative by reading books, exploring research studies, or watching TED talks about how children learn and they bring those ideas to the classroom. And they even bring that knowledge to us - lucky parents! - during parent education nights or coffees. I remember leaving every parent education event, or discussion with the head of school, or parent/teacher conversation thinking, "Wow. Yes, of course, that's how children should learn." Unparalleled opportunities Because of the Montessori approach "follow the child" and because of the flexible work periods, my children had unparalleled opportunities for deep work on a subject. As an example, in the lower elementary program, my oldest son had been working on a research project on rocks and minerals. He began researching the topic with materials in the classroom, then he continued his studies at the local public library (which is walking distance from the school). In order to pursue this interest further, he and another classmate developed a plan for a field trip (or "going out" as Montessorians call it!) to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The two boys planned everything for the trip, from what questions they wanted to answer to which Metro stop would be best. The day of the trip, the two children along with their teacher traveled downtown via public transportation for a special opportunity to learn as much as they possibly could about their topic. And they returned with so many more lessons than would have been possible on a traditional field trip. There are so many more reasons we would choose Full Circle all over again. But these three set Full Circle apart from others, from traditional to Montessori. read more

I started my oldest son at a daycare/preschool near by that was recommended. My son cried and did not like to go to school. It was obvious my son was just another kid amongst many in the class. We wanted more for him and for about the same amount of money we found FCMS. My son loved it and it was obvious he was getting the attention that he needed. Now our two sons enjoy going to FCMS and have blossomed. We did not know much about the Montessori teaching method prior to my boys starting at FCMS but now we are big believers. Going to start my third son there in the fall. Never would have thought we would love it so much. I have recommended it to my closest friends. read more

Full Circle has been a terrific Montessori school for our daughter. The culture is one that puts the best interests of the child at the forefront and demonstrates that commitment in actions. The community environment has had a significant and positive impact on our daughter - we have observed changes in her attention span, social interactions and curiosity and we believe that Full Circle has played a strong role in each. The staff communicates well and strikes a good balance in not being overbearing while still providing ample opportunities to learn more about the school, the philosophy, and the practical experience of the children. Full Circle does a great job at drop-off and the staff exude calmness and patience while facilitating an expedient transition. From observation, stories from our daughter, stories from her classmates, we have gotten a good sense of the classroom environment; the teachers (called directresses) seem to do a great job in fostering independence and self-motivation in the children, and using good judgment about how to balance many fluidly-moving parts in a class day. We have not had any negative interactions with the staff nor have we had any concerns about our daughter's experience. The one minor challenge we did have - which we were fully aware of and accepted - was that unlike some other schools Full Circle does not permit on-site storage of over-the-counter allergy medication (e.g. Benadryl). While the policy does not create a hardship, it did mean one more thing that could be forgotten on the way out the door in the mornings, and some logistical juggling if that happened (i.e. determining how, given work responsibilities, it would be possible to get the medicine to school). That said, as previously noted, the staff was excellent about communicating and setting expectations. They also are very willing to discuss how to meet unique needs (such as an allergy issue) in an appropriate way that keeps the child's interests at the forefront of the discussion. The short of all of this is - whenever we are asked about how we like our daughter's school, we tell people that it is exceptional, we are so happy our daughter was accepted there, and it has been a great place for her first school experience. read more

My wife and I sent our two children to Full Circle and could not have been more pleased with the experience. They have created a warm, nurturing environment for the children that the kids love. It is fascinating to see the Montessori methods at work. Our kids benefitted greatly from their time at Full Circle. As parents, while it was gratifying to see our kids so engaged by their school experiences, it was also wonderful for us to experience the community that the school fosters. We will always have good things to say about the wonderful people, warm community, and Montessori experience that Full Circle provides. read more

Our two daughters (10 and 8) are currently in the Elementary program at Full Circle Montessori School (FCMS). We have been part of this incredible community for over three years now and our daughters have attended Montessori school since they started preschool at 2.5 years old. While we certainly struggled with the idea of paying for school while living in arguably one of the country's best school systems, I can tell you without a doubt we consider this the best gift to and investment in our daughters. Our girls are completely different in every way and yet they are both receiving SO much from their time in this environment. It is clear that this method works because it is so thoughtfully designed to meet each child where they are, it grabs the child's attention and continues to teach them a love of learning, a sense of exploration, a way of thinking and examining and problem solving, a self-motivated and self-driven method that uniquely balances academic and social skills. I really could go on and on and not begin to do justice to the Elementary program. My oldest is in the Upper Elementary program and my youngest is in the Lower Elementary program. FCMS builds upon what was established in the Primary Montessori program and then takes the children in so many incredible directions. The teaching methods are true to Montessori but the team/family spirit present and constantly fostered and nourished at FCMS makes that much more of a difference to the experience any child and family will have here. The entire staff from the Founder & Director to the Administrator to the Classroom Directresses, to the Classroom Assistants, to the Support Staff all exude such compassion, love, joy and care. They want to be where they are, doing what they are doing for the children each day. We have always felt supported and as though our daughters were in the best possible environment. Even when little bumps in the road have popped up, as will happen in life (especially when kids are involved), FCMS has handled everything with such incredible tact, skill, graciousness and timeliness that we always feel very good about where we are and lucky that we are there. We have seen our girls grow and develop in ways we never thought possible at the ages they are. They have been challenged with support in phenomenal environments and given opportunities they never would have had elsewhere. Again, I could go on for days. I encourage anyone even remotely interested to investigate further. This is something that will benefit your child forever. read more

Full Circle is a truly inspiring, wonderfully diverse and rich environment for both children and their parents. From the moment we went on the first tour, we knew it was a special place and embodied all the values we hoped to instill in our children. They are dedicated not just to the purest form of Montessori for the children but are also dedicated to providing incredible enrichment opportunities for parents. I am without a doubt a better parent bc my child is a student there! The staff at every level is dedicated and supportive of our child's and our family needs. Warning: It is not a place where "helicopter" parents are going to feel comfortable though. They believe that you prepare your child for the road and not the road for your child --that is a long term process, not something for which you receive a daily report. Their focus on building character and independance and allowing your child to do as much as they are ready for is a gift that will last our child a lifetime. read more

I discovered Full Circle while searching for a school for my kids after a stint overseas. They had been in Montessori schools overseas, but for my oldest child, who is of elementary age, I was willing to consider other educational philosphies. After cursorily reviewing over 20 schools, and thoroughly reviewing 5, my family chose Full Circle and haven't looked back. Not only did I love that the curriculum was already familiar to my children, which allowed them to focus on transitioning back to English and American culture, but also, the teachers care about the child's entire environment, are clearly excited to learn about the world with them, and can always provide the child a new challenge when ready. It is great to see my child develop a love for writing, which I attribute mostly to how he has learned to research and plan projects in school. When I do have a question or concern, I am able to make an appointment to see a teacher or administrator, and we always have constructive conversations about the next step to take. They also offer multiple, fun ways to learn about what your child is doing and the Montessori philosophy, so that you as a parent stay engaged. Overall, I'm so glad we found this school: it brings Montessori's vision to life in the 21st century. read more