First of all, who chooses schools from Yelp reviews? I mean, no disrespect to Yelp, but you may…read morewant to dig a little deeper than this site if you're concerned about the future of your child's education. That said, my wife and I are finishing up our fifth year (second child) with Elena, Nelida and the team at Montessori Shir Hashirim (Berendo campus). To say that we've enjoyed our experience there would be an understatement of unimaginable magnitude. What this school has done to enrich our children is simply beyond compare. Here's what you can expect if you enroll your child at Montessori Shir Hashirim: - Lest you fear Montessori is "all work and no play", you'd be terribly misled. They play. They play plenty. - Your child will learn various tasks and "jobs" meant to hone their fine motor skills and help in their ability to work in groups. This is manifested with the aforementioned "jobs" -- classic wooden Montessori projects -- but also with weekly baking, gardening and other stimulating activities. - Your child will learn about all manner of the arts -- not finger painting and PlayDoh, but the actual construction of thought-provoking crafts and artwork inspired by artists that the children get exposed to throughout the year -- the likes of Picasso, Klimt, Haring, Warhol, Renoir, etc. - Your child will perform in three plays a year. (And lest you think your child wouldn't possibly be able to learn lines or pay attention or sing complex songs, you are dead wrong. In the capable hands of the enrichment teachers, your child will absolutely astound you.) The plays are often based on Rudyard Kipling stories, and at least one play a year is Shakespeare. Yes, Shakespeare. A fun, witty, amusing rendition of a Shakespeare play. It's phenomenal. - Your child will also be exposed to math, reading, language arts (Mandarin, Spanish & French), dance, music, and a host of optional extracurricular activities (my daughter is currently taking ukulele). But as enriching as all this is, your child will most certainly make friends that he or she will likely keep for a long, long time. And you, as parents -- believe me -- you will meet new and interesting and fun parents that you too will want to hold on to for years to come. As much as it saddens me to leave Montessori Shir Hashirim, I will be most saddened to leave this incredible community of families. Know this: As a parent preparing for your child's first educational experience, this is a big deal. A really big deal. And admittedly, Montessori is not for every kid. You go and see if it's right for you and your child, and if you think it is, and if Elena agrees, you will be rewarded with a program that will change your life. As it has most certainly, unequivocally, changed ours. (Oh, and Elena doesn't do any fundraising. So there's that...)

We are so grateful to Shir Hashirim. Our daughter has had a very fulfilling preschool experience…read morethat is unlike any other in Los Angeles. She is graduating enriched by the impressive academic curriculum but also the terrific arts program. The school (led by the incomparable educational legend, Elena Cielak) nurtures them to be strong, independent thinkers and worldly global citizens. Children leave this school incredibly well prepared for the next stage of their education, and it's no accident elementary schools across this town all love Shir Hashirim graduates! It is truly the best preschool and a magical place.

If I could give Bright Montessori a thousand stars, I would. Our youngest (of three kids) started…read moreat Bright at barely age 2 when our full-time nanny unexpectedly had to take medical leave. When I arrived for my visit, the director, Sakina, was hoisting a palate of strawberries from her car that she had bought from the farmers market for the kids' snack. From day one, our family felt welcomed and supported by Sakina and her colleagues and the parents at the school. Our daughter is thriving and we see every day how this loving community has contributed to her growth and development. The school has two beautiful classrooms with large glass windows/doors and a serene courtyard. One parent on Yelp commented about uneven pavement and I'm not sure I understand that. The space is perfectly safe (as well as clean and beautiful) for children to run around--I certainly wouldn't have sent my 2-year-old daughter to the school if I had any concerns. The teachers are extremely engaged and loving and I've watched them on a daily basis help kids to learn how to communicate and resolve conflict. Overall, the school is an absolute gem and I am so glad that we became part of this wonderful community. Our family is forever grateful for the marvelous work by Sakina, Vanessa, Michelle, and Romaline.

If I could give Bright Montessori a thousand stars, I would. Our youngest (of three kids) started…read moreat Bright at barely age 2 when our full-time nanny unexpectedly had to take medical leave. When I arrived for my visit, the director, Sakina, was hoisting a palate of strawberries from her car that she had bought from the farmers market for the kids' snack. From day one, our family felt welcomed and supported by Sakina and her colleagues and the parents at the school. Our daughter is thriving and we see every day how this loving community has contributed to her growth and development. The school has two beautiful classrooms with large glass windows/doors and a serene courtyard. One parent on Yelp commented about uneven pavement and I'm not sure I understand that. The space is perfectly safe (as well as clean and beautiful) for children to run around--I certainly wouldn't have sent my 2-year-old daughter to the school if I had any concerns. The teachers are extremely engaged and loving and I've watched them on a daily basis help kids to learn how to communicate and resolve conflict. Overall, the school is an absolute gem and I am so glad that we became part of this wonderful community. Our family is forever grateful for the amazing work by Sakina, Vanessa, Michelle, and Romaline.

Where do I even begin with this amazing place? IMA is truly a gift to children, parents, families…read moreand the entire community. First and foremost, the teachers are stellar! They are incredibly talented, caring, and passionate about teaching children-not only foundational academic skills like reading and math, but important life skills such as cleaning up after themselves, problem solving, independence and responsibility. I truly feel like we found a treasure in IMA. Although I am sad my first child's time there is coming to an end, I am incredibly grateful for the educational foundation he has received. I know the skills, confidence and love of learning he has developed at IMA will have a lasting impact throughout his life. Thank you, Mrs. Sollito for such an exceptional job of creating an environment where children feel safe, loved, supported and excited to learn. IMA is such a special place and we cannot thank you enough for all you have done for our children!

Our family has been part of the IMA community for the past five years, and with our youngest now…read moregetting ready for TK, it's bittersweet to say goodbye. If you're looking for a school where the owners and staff are 120% dedicated to creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment for your children, you've found it. Their kindness, patience, and genuine passion for what they do are evident every single day, and those values naturally rub off on the children. We truly believe our kids are more kind, empathetic, and confident because of the environment IMA created. We feel incredibly fortunate that both of our children were able to attend IMA. The fact that they prioritize siblings during enrollment was also a huge blessing for our family. The teachers and staff are simply wonderful. They consistently go above and beyond, especially during the summer program. Every week is filled with exciting activities like petting zoos, magic shows, carnival days, pony rides, and so much more. You can tell how much effort goes into making each event special with all the decorations, treats, and thoughtful details for both the children and their families. As working parents, we also found tremendous value in their extended early drop-off and late pick-up hours. It gave us much-needed flexibility, and our kids genuinely enjoyed being there, even if it's past 8 hours. Having them in the same program year-round (with scheduled holidays) made life so much easier and helped keep our family's routine consistent. We also felt the tuition was an incredible value for everything the school provides. More importantly, every interaction with the staff was met with understanding, warmth, and genuine care. They always made us feel like part of the IMA family. We will truly miss IMA and everyone there. Our children were incredibly lucky to grow up in such a nurturing environment, and we will always be grateful for the love, support, and unforgettable memories they gave our family. We wholeheartedly recommend IMA to any family looking for an exceptional Montessori school. It has been one of the best decisions we've made for our children.

Our family has had such a wonderful experience at Montessori Academy of West Adams over the past…read moretwo years. From the very beginning, we were drawn to their individualized academic approach, which truly allows each child to grow at their own pace while building confidence and a genuine love of learning. It has been incredible to watch our daughter thrive in an environment that recognizes her unique strengths and encourages her curiosity every single day. The teachers are absolutely amazing--warm, attentive, and deeply committed to making every child feel supported and valued. We especially appreciate all the extra thought and creativity that goes into making her early school years so memorable, from engaging activities to special events that bring so much joy to my daughter. Thanks to this wonderful community, our daughter's first experiences with school has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are so grateful to be part of it.

We had a very good experience with MAWA. Great teachers and attentive staff. Our child was in…read moreseveral classrooms, but most recently in Pink Tower. Weekly lessons, visiting educational experiences, and optional activities like dance, yoga, and gymnastics. Would recommend!

Southern California Montessori School is truly a hidden gem, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be…read morepart of it. Under the wise and compassionate leadership of Ann Abellera and her exceptional teaching team, the school fosters a deep love of learning that radiates through everything they do. Ann brings a calm, thoughtful presence to the school, and her decades of Montessori experience are evident in the respectful, child-centered environment she and her staff have created. Rather than traditional classrooms, there is one beautiful, open learning space that allows children to move freely and engage deeply with their work. The materials are thoughtfully chosen, and the environment is designed to spark curiosity, independence, and joy in learning. I've noticed the pride my kid takes in his discoveries - it's so rewarding for a parent! Beyond academics, the school nurtures kindness, responsibility, and confidence. It's clear that every child is seen, respected, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. The outdoor space is also a huge plus--a well-maintained and cheerful playground that gives the kids a chance to run around and play. Southern California Montessori is more than a school--it's a community rooted in trust, care, and joyful learning. We can't recommend it highly enough.

27 years ago, I had the pleasure of going here as a pre-schooler! 27 years later I came back to…read morevisit with my life long friend that I met here! Wow I was brought back to relive some great memories. Most of the staff are still the same people who took good care of me! The staff even remembered an item I brought for show & tell. Talk about paying attention to details! Seeing all the kids in such a good flow, cleaning up after themselves and listening to all the instructions was so beautiful to see. If you're looking for a pre-school, look no further. The caring staff, strategic system that works to develop foundational skills & dedication to providing a nurturing, tailored space for kids is what makes this pre-school amazing!

Our daughter just graduated from Mrs. Rosa's class at Pacifica, and while her little sister will…read morecontinue there, we wanted to take a moment to share our experience. From day one, the entire Pacifica team has been incredibly kind, welcoming, and supportive. What we appreciate most is that Pacifica is a true Montessori school--rather than a school that uses Montessori materials. The teachers genuinely respect each child's individuality while encouraging independence, confidence, and a love of learning. We've watched our daughter grow so much over the past year, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. She looked forward to going to school every day, and that says a lot. Thank you to Mrs. Rosa and the entire Pacifica team for creating such a wonderful environment for children to learn and thrive. We are so grateful and can wholeheartedly recommend Pacifica to any family looking for an authentic Montessori education.

Pacifica Montessori was my daughter's very first school in the United States. We moved here from…read moreanother country, and she spent two wonderful years at Pacifica. Looking back, I truly feel proud and grateful that our family had the opportunity to be part of this community. First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Flores, Ms. Kumari, Ms. Concepcion, Ms. Cole, Mr. Cole, and all of the wonderful teachers and staff who supported and cared for my daughter over the years. Through the Montessori approach, my daughter developed so much more than academic skills. She became more independent, self-motivated, and confident, and I was especially happy to see her naturally develop leadership and kindness toward younger classmates. Academically, Pacifica also gave her a wonderful foundation. In addition to developing her English communication skills, she learned reading and writing, addition and subtraction, number rolls, and many other concepts that have given her a great head start as she moved on to kindergarten. She is now in kindergarten and has transitioned with confidence. I truly believe that much of that confidence comes from the foundation she built at Pacifica. What I appreciate most, however, is the way the teachers respect each child as an individual and care for them with such warmth, patience, and acceptance. My daughter never truly had a day when she did not want to go to school. Even on mornings when she was a little reluctant to leave home, as soon as she entered the classroom and saw her teachers, she would quickly become happy and comfortable. As a parent who moved here from abroad, knowing that my daughter was in a place where she felt safe, loved, respected, and encouraged meant more to me than I can express. I can wholeheartedly say that I am so glad Pacifica was my daughter's first school in the United States. It will always be a very special place for our family, and we will always be grateful for the two years she spent there.

We were first time parents looking for a preschool and so glad we found LHT. Our daughter went here…read morefor 3 years, and LOVED it. Now she asks to go back and visit the school and Ms Jackie. Any concerns we had with our daughter at home were also noticed by Ms Jackie and her fellow teachers, and they helped us get our daughter through the concerns. I personally was not looking forward to potty training. Ms Jackie took that anxiety away and essentially did the potty training for us while showing so much patience and love with our little one (and us parents too) Our daughter graduated from LHT (yes, there is a graduation ceremony) and was completely ready for TK, knowing how to act in a classroom setting, and being further along in her education than most of her peers. There was also a strong community among the families attending here which helped us as well.

Do your homework and ask around before enrolling. We initially loved it here (started ~18 mos old),…read morebut as our son grew, things shifted quickly. At just 2 yo, our child was "uncooperative" bc he wanted help putting on sneakers, putting on jacket, climbing on & off the big potty. Power struggles around these things at school corresponded with reports of acting out: yelling "go away" at teachers, not eating -- behavior we never saw at home. When we met about this, the director was not willing to look for causes or solutions within the context of the classroom. Her sole response was to instruct us to match the school's very high independence expectations at home, which we did. We had no difficulty teaching our son to consistently put on his own shoes, unassisted, at 2 yrs 3 mos old, when we did so with love and patience. Meanwhile, this apparently persisted as a big issue for the school. After our initial meeting, the only update we ever got was "no change" or "no improvement." In our final weeks here, conflict at school around the director's insistence that our young 2 yo use the adult-size potty instead of the training one corresponded with sudden potty anxiety & uncharacteristic signs of shame. Breakdowns in communication & trust caused us to abruptly leave just a week before our planned last day. Leaving on bad terms was hard on our child and sad for us. We went from being the school's biggest champions to feeling very concerned and mistrustful. There are so many lovely things about the school: thoughtful curriculum, field trips, homemade meals, etc. However, the extreme pressure placed on children to meet age-inappropriate independence standards really backfired for our son who is a super happy, easy, capable kid at home. We feel regretful about placing him in an environment where he was treated like a bad kid for being a normal toddler who wanted help from his caretakers. I'd strongly recommend asking parents who have recently left about their experience before enrolling, as there is a pattern of families leaving earlier than intended from this school.

Both of my children attended BWM, though in different circumstances (because of the timing of the…read morepandemic) and in different classes. Pros: - the academics are excellent, especially when it comes to learning to read. - cannot say enough good things about Ms. Gia! - they enjoyed coming to school and loved their teachers - there is a true commitment to the value of bilingualism Opportunities for growth which I don't think could be learned from a tour or handbook: - traditional binary gender stereotypes are reinforced with explanations or comments like "boys like to play more rough" - there is a missed opportunity to engage with parents as equal partners who can add value. - I wouldn't mind sacrificing the academics a bit for more time spent on social emotional content, such as how to navigate conflict on the playground or being inclusive of all classmates or celebrating growth and transitions Would I choose a different preschool if I had to do it all over again? I don't think so. We would still have chosen this school. It was a solid start to our children's school experiences.

I attended a tour this week and respectfully, this place is disappointing and leaves a lot to be…read moredesired. The biggest, loudest red flag is their snack menu: skinny POPCORN and RAISINS, two of the most commonly known choking hazards. The admin confirmed their snack schedule is up to date, and indicated "nothing has ever happened before" when questioned about the popcorn and raisins. Well, I'm glad none of the kids under your supervision have choked as a result, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Any decent preschool / day care would not endanger their littles. On top of that, the teachers looked tired and the playrooms underwhelming. I observed a couple of children practicing writing, yet they seemed dim and not as engaged or as happy as other kids I've observed at other schools. No, I would not recommend this place. I would stay far away.