Where do I even begin with this amazing place? IMA is truly a gift to children, parents, families and 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! read more

Our family has been part of the IMA community for the past five years, and with our youngest now getting 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. read more

We truly can't speak highly enough of International Montessori Academy (IMA). Our older daughter recently graduated after attending from age 2 1/2 to 5 1/2. As first-time parents sending our first child to school after being in a nanny share, we were understandably nervous. Looking back, we couldn't have chosen a better place for those precious early years. IMA gave our daughter a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where she absolutely thrived. She grew into a confident, kind, curious, and kindergarten-ready little girl. She made wonderful friends, developed a love of learning, and genuinely looked forward to going to school every single day. What makes IMA so special is its people. Many of the teachers and staff have been there for years, and it shows. There is a genuine sense that they love what they do and truly care about every child. We adored Ms. Merrill and Ms. Cassie, who had such a meaningful impact on our daughter, but the truth is that every member of the staff made us feel supported and welcomed. Ms. Solitto was a fantastic director, Ms. Ivy greeted our daughter every morning with such warmth, and she absolutely loved Ms. Ivy's music and Mandarin classes. She still sings songs in Mandarin at home! Ms. Susie was another friendly, familiar face who always made drop-off and pick-up feel welcoming. The entire team creates an environment where children feel safe, loved, and excited to learn. Beyond the classroom, IMA builds an incredible community. The parent community is welcoming, kind, and genuinely supportive. We formed friendships with other families and always felt like we were part of something special. The school also goes above and beyond to make childhood magical. Their holiday celebrations, summer fun days, and special events are thoughtfully planned, beautifully decorated, and filled with fun experiences the kids still talk about long afterward. One moment that will always stay with us happened when our daughter was unexpectedly hospitalized for a week and missed a significant amount of school. Without us even asking, IMA prorated our tuition for that month. That simple act of kindness spoke volumes about the compassion and integrity of the school's leadership. Like any school, no place is perfect, and I know some reviews mention communication concerns. That simply wasn't our experience. We always found the staff approachable, caring, and responsive. Whenever we had a question, they were available by phone, email, in person, or through classroom observations. We always felt informed and supported. The greatest compliment we can give IMA is this: we are absolutely thrilled that our younger daughter will be starting there next year. There is so much comfort in knowing she will be cared for by people we trust completely during such an important stage of her development. Thank you, IMA, for giving our daughter such a joyful beginning. We will always be grateful for the love, care, and foundation you gave our family. We recommend IMA wholeheartedly to any family looking for a preschool where children are truly known, nurtured, and celebrated. read more

International Montessori Academy - Montessori Schools Near Me - Pasadena, California

Our son just graduated from IMA and it's been the best decision we've made for him! He was initially at a larger daycare/preschool center, but the environment was too stimulating for him. That's when we knew we needed to try another philosophy, and Montessori worked out perfectly for him! We were also so fortunate to be a part of Ms. Kenia and Ms. Cittlally's class. They helped him with his self confidence and becoming more independent. Our son started his first day of Kindergarten yesterday and we felt he was prepared as he could be and we thank IMA and the teachers for it. My only wish is that IMA had an infant program because I would not hesitate to enroll our baby in an infant program in the future if one was offered! We trust the teachers and staff 100%. read more

Our daughter attended IMA as a 2-year-old for about five months. We left several months ago, and with some distance, I wanted to share our experience for other families. Our biggest issue was communication. The school moved her between classrooms more than once without discussing it with us first. Our repeated requests to move her back went unanswered, and updates on how she was doing were few and far between. Our daughter was struggling at IMA and it was clear that the school did not have the skills or staff to support her. Their approach was not a good fit for our daughter. If your child may need individualized support or a more communicative partnership with caregivers, I'd encourage you to ask detailed questions before enrolling. We wish we had, and we wish we'd trusted our daughter's unhappiness sooner. read more

We are so incredibly grateful for our daughter's experience at the International Montessori Academy (IMA) in Pasadena. We simply cannot recommend this school enough! Our daughter was in Ms. Kenia and Ms. Citlally's class, and the growth we've witnessed has been remarkable. She has learned so much while at IMA, from essential manners to grasping the basics of how to read. Key Highlights of IMA: Exceptional Teachers and Staff: Ms. Kenia and Ms. Citlally, along with the entire staff, are truly loving, warm, and caring. The environment they cultivate is exactly what we had hoped for. A special thank you to Ms. Susie and Ms. Ivy for their dedication and kindness. Enriching Afterschool Program: We were very impressed with the breadth of their afterschool offerings, which included wonderful exposure to Spanish, Mandarin, and Yoga. Outstanding Communication: One thing we truly appreciate is how great IMA is at communicating with parents. This clear and proactive communication made us feel connected and informed every step of the way. We are truly sad to be leaving IMA. It is a fantastic place for children to learn, grow, and thrive in a warm and nurturing setting. Thank you again to the wonderful teachers and staff! read more

My daughter had her last day at IMA this past week, a bittersweet finale to our IMA history. Both of our kids attended the school and we have been part of the family for 8 years. It has been a wonderful place for our kids to learn and develop, and we kept them at IMA through their kindergarten/"leadership" year. We're so happy we did, and both kids entered their first grade year with confidence when they moved to their elementary school. The teachers and administrators are wonderful, and there was very little (if any) turnover while we were there, which made our experience even better. Our son's teachers were also our daughter's when she attended. We speak highly of the school to all of our parent-friends in the area and always encourage a visit when they're looking to start their child's school journey. We loved our experience and feel our kids were well prepared going into their new schools. read more

We have had such a lovely experience at IMA. First of all, I didn't realize that schools needed to be certified Montessori -- this is one of the few schools in SoCal that is actually certified, and it definitely shows. Our children have been to other "montessori" preschools that weren't certified, and they were completely different. At IMA the staff are highly trained, knowledgeable, and responsive. The classroom environment is beautiful and quiet, and filled with activities for the kids. Our son has thrived here. He loves his teacher and friends. The IMA parents community is also wonderful, the staff shares parent's contact information so it's easy for us to have play dates with other families. 100% recommend with no reservations (as a parent whose children have been to a combined 8 daycares!). It's such a relief to drop my son off at school knowing he will be safe and well taken care of in an environment where he can grow and thrive. read more

We love IMA - everyone on staff is professional, thoughtful, and utterly devoted to the happiness and success of the children in their care. They have done so much to raise our three girls. We love the way they structure each day, each week, and the whole year. Their summer program is wonderful too. I highly recommend this school. They have always listened to us and been flexible, kind, and transparent. read more

We couldn't be more pleased with our experience at IMA! From the moment we walked through the doors, it was clear that this is a place where children are not only cared for but are also encouraged to thrive in their own unique ways. All the children here seemed so well behaved and polite. I knew right away this was the environment that I wanted my daughter to be in. The Montessori approach has truly brought out the best in our child. The environment is calm, nurturing, and thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and independence. We've seen tremendous growth in our daughter's ability to think critically, make decisions, and engage in activities that challenge them while still being enjoyable. All the teachers are exceptional--compassionate, patient, and deeply committed to each child's development. Specially shout out to Mrs. Martinez and Ms. Krystal for taking care and helping my daughter grow for the past 3 years. This school truly understands and respect the Montessori philosophy, providing guidance that helps the children explore and learn at their own pace. It's been wonderful to see how they foster a love for learning that I know will stay with our child for years to come. Their Communication with parents is also excellent. We feel informed about what our child is learning and how they are progressing, and the staff is always open to questions and discussions. If we could have our daughter be in this school forever, we would! Now she is going to first grade, I already know she will be the student that follows all the directions well. And plus her reading and math skills are already very advanced! Big thanks to IMA! Overall IMA has been an outstanding choice for our child's early education, and we would highly recommend it to any family looking for a Montessori program that truly embodies the philosophy in every way. read more

Our son truly loved IMA. He was at Kids Klub prior, which is a solid program as well, but we were surprised by how strongly he said he preferred IMA. Highly recommend. read more

Picking a pre-school feels like a lot of pressure. Especially when it's your first time/child. Our family had a great 2 years here. Our daughter had a rough transition at first. Nothing they did. If anything all the IMA staff were super understanding of the separation and tears. But within a week, our daughter was accustomed to the routine. And during those two years we saw our lil baby grow up and bloom into a kind lil girl. All thanks to the lessons (jobs) that foster independence and communal self-awareness. We are now leaving this place because our daughter has outgrown it. But both she and us, as parents, will have fond memories. We are super grateful to the teachers, the administration and overall the Montessori philosophy. read more

My daughter is currently enrolled here and my son just "graduated." I truly couldn't say enough good things about this school. Their pick up and drop off procedure is one of the best I've seen in the schools in the area; drop offs are allowed starting as early as 7:30am and they have after school care all the way to 6pm. This is extremely helpful for households where both parents work or have a number of commitments during normal work hours. Additionally, their summer programs are fantastic; special activities are planned and different from what's done during the regular school year. Both my children have thrived here and there has never been a fight to go to school. The school is kept very clean, which is particularly important given the pandemic. The Director and teachers are wonderful and have been excellent with communicating and updating the families with any important issues that have come up, whether it's a change in COVID protocols or addressing any issues personal to your child such as nap time, potty training or otherwise. read more

Out two sons are currently enrolled at IMA, and we are thrilled they are a part of such a special community. They are blossoming, and, we, as parents can feel rest assured that the boys are learning, growing and are safe at IMA. Big shout out to Mrs Martínez, Miss Krystal and Miss Melissa. If only IMA was also an elementary so that our boys can continue on! read more

My oldest just finished her third and final year at IMA. This is a truly wonderful school that takes a full Montessori approach to learning.  When we first toured the school, we were immediately drawn to how peaceful all the kids seemed to be and how freely they moved between activities.  It was magical (and very unlike the chaos in our home lol). Our kid started at 2 years old and although I'd like to think she is a bright kid, her development EXPLODED after starting at IMA.  She thrives with the freedom of the Montessori approach. The friendships she formed and the support of her teachers really just allowed her to flourish in these early years.  IMA is more diverse than many of the local schools and we found that our child was valued and affirmed. Anytime we've had concerns about anything, they have always been taken seriously. My kid is a kinder, smarter, stronger and more confident kid because of her experience at IMA.  Highly highly recommend you take a tour and see if it's the right fit. read more

We are a recent (June 2023) graduating family from IMA. What a wonderful experience it was! Our son started with IMA at 2 years old and stayed until he was 6, completing kindergarten at the school. Fast forward to the 1st day of first grade today in San Marino and the teacher pulled us aside at the end of the day to let us know what a great leader and listener our son is - saying his behavior and abilities are comparative to third graders. We credit our amazing IMA teachers Mrs Martinez and Mrs Krystal for setting him up for succ not just based on their teaching abilities but also by the way they truly nurtured and cared for our son- tailoring his lessons and encouraging him to grow. Although we miss our IMA family, we will forever be thankful for our time there. read more

I am a graduate of IMA, 1997. The foundation I received from my years at IMA granted me success in all of years of schooling beginning with access into the best private schools from 1st to 8th grade, AP IB studies in high school, concluding high school early and beginning college at the age of 15 yrs old, and skills I find useful today as a 32 yr old homeschooling mother of 3. Thank you to Ms Solito and Ms Jennifer for the unmatched educational support and lifelong memories. I didn't know as a 5yr old the impact of making the daily trip over to that little school house on Allen would ultimately shape for my world for a lifetime. Now I am currently looking forward to finding a Montessori expert to assist my kids with their education. I wanted to post to share with parents that this school is exponentially the best investment you could ever make for your child!! read more

We are very pleased with this school thus far! We enrolled our child who had spent a year at another Montessori. We can honestly say that our child has significantly improved in vocabulary and maths skills since being enrolled. There is so much excitement going to school each morning. The teachers here are so great! They seem to know what's going on with each child. We would like to thank Monika, Crystal, Susie and Melissa. The school has taken several steps to adapt during this pandemic. They definitely maintain a very clean environment. Each child has their temperature checked before exiting the car. We feel like our child is in a safe space and appreciate the fact that the kids and staff wear masks as well as offer hand sanitizer and touch less check in/check out for parents. We strongly recommend this school to anyone who may be hesitant to send their child because of the pandemic. We feel the precautions that have been taken are very appropriate and keep the staff and children safe. read more

Amazing staff and teachers. Great curriculum. Children are supported and thoughtfully challenged.

We switched our 2.5 YO from a daycare to International Montessori Academy towards end of 2020 and it was the best decision. It took 3 days for our daughter to acclimate to the new school, teacher and friends. By the weekend, she was asking about her new school and when she's going back. She lights up whenever she sees Ms. Krystal and Ms. Monika in the morning. Even during the pandemic, we feel safe with our little one attending this preschool. Facility is clean, children and teacher sanitize their shoes before entering the school, everyone wears a mask, weekly covid questionnaire for families and contactless check in and out. I'm grateful to have such patient and caring staff members looking after and teaching my daughter. Ms. Monika is always there to answer all your questions via phone or email. read more

If you are looking for a great preschool for your kids, do not hesitate, IMA is the ONE! My daughter had a great 2.5 years here. She loved everything in IMA, especially the teachers. They are super nice and patient! Big shout out to Mrs Martinez and Mrs Krystal. We love you! read more

International Montessori Academy is a more than just a school for us. Our children spent 3 years here and their experience and ours as parents was exceptional. We met smart, warm, kind, passionate, dedicated, enthusiastic teachers who encouraged them to explore the world with curiosity and confidence. At IMA, there is a strong emphasis on adhering to the Montessori philosophy through hands-on learning, cultivating independence, and at the same time collaborative play. Every day at home we saw the "IMA effect" in our children's behaviors and growth and we could not be happier. IMA focuses on the holistic development of the child from academics, practical life exercises, cognitive development to social emotional growth. Our children loved every single day at school. They developed a passion for mathematics and reading. They were looking forward to meeting their teachers and their friends. The entire community at IMA has been wonderful-playdates, birthday parties. We made lifelong friends. Communication between teachers and parents was also excellent. There were regular updates, parent-teacher conferences, and prompt reply to all our questions. IMA was also exceptionally supportive throughout the application for kindergarten. Mrs. Kenia and Mrs. Merrill spend a lot of time advising us, guiding us on how to choose the best school for our children. They both got excepted to their top choice school and we will always be grateful for IMA's support. IMA is not just a school; it is a transformative experience. read more

IMA has been A wonderful experience for us. My 2 1/2 year-old son has been attending since fall, and naturally he had separation anxiety to begin with. His teachers worked so well with him, were extremely patient and comforting. All of his needs are met while he's at school, he's made friends and talks about them excitedly at home! The director, Miss Monika, is absolutely Wonderful. She is extremely informative, attentive, and welcoming. The school is professional and I couldn't be happier with our decision to educate our son there. read more

Past student review: As a parent, I am very disappointed with this school. After researching the program and meeting with the faculty, this school seemed appropriate, but I was clearly mislead. While I believe the school as a whole is not a bad place, there are members of the faculty that was not transparent and lack a code of conduct. This school did not have a clearly defined policy and procedure in place when the issue involved the well being of their child. Bottom line here is my child was not cared for properly and when we probed the situation, the faculty did not properly deliver on its core competencies. I regret ever enrolling my child in this school and hope other parents do not experience my pain and memories. Feel free to PM me before you make a final decision. read more

I absolutely love Ms. Monika. She knows each of her students and their parents personally. Her love for children is apparent. She's patient, understanding, supportive of the parents, non-invasive and her staff is amazing. Mrs. Solito is a perfect new addition to the already solid crew. I noticed over time how each teacher and staff member takes the time to know my son even when he's not in their class. He's currently in Ms. Ivy and Ms. Kenia's class and he speaks so highly of them at home. I was iffy when I toured the first time. I didn't get the "lovey" vibes from the staff and the school setting itself that I was looking for. To be honest, I didn't really know what I was looking for. I could only compare it to what I knew. But this is proof you don't judge a book by its cover, or first impressions. It's also very difficult to see tangible results from just one visit. I chose this school over many other schools that offered a lot more options because: 1. Every parent who's sent their kids to this school has NEVER EVER regretted it. (Including myself now. Who my son has evolved to be during his time at IMA has blown my mind every day. From his vocabulary, to his mannerisms.) 2. To me, this school teaches inner happiness. I wanted my son to learn to generate joy and happiness from within. Not from external luxuries. I truly believe that if you cannot create happiness from yourself, no matter what outside stimuli is available to you, you won't be grateful for it or it won't bring you the joy and fulfillment you're searching for. This facility is simple and perfect for harvesting loving, happy children. read more

Our family has been with the school for years, and our third child recently enrolled at the school. We truly appreciate their stability, consistency, structure, impeccaple planning and communication, extremely low staff turnover, and superb quality of the teachers and leadership. We have also met so many wonderful families through the school community. They strongly adhere to montessori principles, and we feel that what happens behind the walls of this school is just short of magic. All of our children, who are quite different from each other, have blown us away with their social-emotional development, balance between play and learning, behavioral control, maturity, speaking and articulation, desire for independence, motivation in reading and math, and interest in the world around them. As two working parents with a busy household, we can assure you that the school is largely responsible for this, not us. We are grateful to have our children at this school during the most critical years of their development. We have recommended the school to many families over the years, and we continue to do so! read more

We can't express enough our gratitude to the IMA staff for the care they've provided for our 2 children the past couple years. Throughout the pandemic IMA was a much needed source of stability and safety for our kids. Their ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances while providing structure and support for the children was more than any parent could expect or want. We're so thankful we found this wonderful school and recommend them constantly to any parent who will listen. read more

I was very sensitive and had strict standards to choose a school for my daughter since it was her very first school and I had no idea which would be the best for her during this pandemic. So I went to alot of schools for the tour and I met IMA. The school facilities were neat, they were taking clear COVID precautions to keep the school safe and the teachers were all friendly and caring. I was worried if my daughter have hard time adjusting the school since English is not her first language. She cried alot in the first week but she slowly got used to it and after 2 weeks, she was happy being at school learning how to socialize with friends and how to behave. Many thanks to Ms.Monika and Mrs.Martinez who really cared and supported her to adjust the school. They even asked me the basic words in Korean so that they can communicate with my daughter when she is having difficulties with the language. They both were calm and always tried to relieve her whenever she got anxious during school. Also Ms.Monika always checks if I have any questions and gives quick and detailed feedback which was really appreciated. Choosing IMA was the best choice I made in 2020 and really looking forward to it in 2021 too! read more

We had a wonderful experience at IMA. Our son attended for two years and we loved all the teachers and staff. He was happy there and we love how calm and nurturing the teachers are. Would definitely recommend. read more

After much thought and consideration, we decided to enroll our 3 year old son to IMA last Fall and we could not have been happier! Our son always come home happy and we see such a big difference in his confidence level, language and social skills and overall growth in just the few months that he's been in school at IMA. Needless to say, we've been very happy with our experience. Our son is one to be cautious of new environment and this was his first experience with school. We were worried about his transition, especially with all the added COVID measures. The school director, Ms. Monika, was amazing in working with us to make sure that our son will successfully transition to school. She worked with us extensively to plan a gradual transition to school. She communicated with us frequently and she really put my mind at ease that they will slowly and gently introduce our son to school as according to his readiness. Amazingly enough, our son adjusted to his new routine within a week - no more tears and he even started napping again! And they were willing to work with us on potty training as my son was not fully trained at that point. All the teachers and staff we've met have also been amazing - they are caring, warm, and welcoming. Ms. Monika and Ms. Crystal are always there in the morning to greet him, they are always so calm and friendly. And my son simply loves his teachers, Ms. Kenia and Ms. Susie. I also had the opportunity to tour the school prior to the pandemic with Ms. Monika. I did not have any experience with a Montessori school as my older daughter attended a more traditional preschool program. I was impressed that Ms. Monika took the time to explain the Montessori methods at great length to me and how my son may transition into a more traditional school setting later on in Kindergarten. And they follow the Montessori method closely and is recognized by the Association Montessori International. We felt reassured that the school took COVID precautions very seriously: temperature check in the morning, contactless check-in/check-out, children and teachers sanitize their shoes before entering the school, everyone wears a mask including the children throughout the day, play areas are divided so that each class has their own space to play and not mingle with kids in other classes. The facility is clean and organized, even before the pandemic (from what I observed during prior tour of the school). We are fortunate to have found IMA - such a hidden treasure :) read more

We had a phenomenal experience at IMA. Our son enrolled when he was 4 years old and the entire process of enrollment all the way through his first day was smooth due to Ms Monika being a great communicator with us. On his first day, the entire staff was warm and welcoming to our family and our son thrived in the classroom after a long period of pandemic related social isolation. he became calmer, more engaged and would come home everyday having learned something new and interesting. Our son still speaks fondly of Ms Ivy and it is clear how much he respected her as his teacher. He came home often with new interests, curiosity and would even sing bob marley songs that he'd learned at school. we have now moved our son to his school district but we very much appreciate everything the school did for him. we got to know all the parents in the classroom as well and they also felt very positively about the program. would definitely do again with our younger son. thank you to Ms Monika, Ms Ivy, Ms suzy and all the staff for your hard work and investment in our son and all the other kids at IMA. read more

We feel so fortunate to be a part of the International Montessori Academy, especially during this very challenging time. When we moved to the area, we toured every preschool in a ten mile radius before giving up- nothing felt remotely adequate compared to the amazing school we left in the Bay Area. It was important to us to find a school that was taking covid seriously, that wouldn't require our 4.5 year old to nap for two hours (literally every other school we tried), a school that wasn't religious / had progressive values, and one that had a nice outdoor area for our nature loving child. After feeling like we would never find somewhere that felt safe and like a good fit for our multiracial /multicultural home, I posted on Nextdoor in the fall (2020) asking if anyone knew of alternatives, and a mother wrote a long response to us about IMA that was so passionate about what an amazing program it was that I decided to reach out even though it was a bit further than we had hoped to drive and a Montessori, which we thought might not be right for us. After a long conversation with Ms Monika, we felt confident that our son would be in good hands and even though the jump from play-based to Montessori seemed intimidating, IMA's approach has been so warm and respectful that it hasn't seemed like a challenge at all. Our son is happy, brings "work" that he's proud of home every day, is learning a ton, and most importantly for us, is engaging with other humans while still being as protected as possible (kids stay masked unless eating and all seem to be fine about it). He loves his teachers, loves his friends, and feels comfortable even though we weren't able to be there with him on his first days like we would have in a pre-covid world. I'm so grateful we were able to get into this program and can't wait to get our younger daughter in as soon as she's old enough to start. read more

My 3 year old daughter started attending IMA a year ago, after having attended a regular daycare for almost a year. I spent a good deal of time researching the various educational approaches and toured a few nearby schools, and am glad that I selected IMA. 1) Staff - The director Ms. Monika and the teachers are skilled practitioners and caretakers. There's always a sense of friendliness, warmth, and calm whenever I visit, and you can tell this rubs off on the kids. 2) Setting - The school itself is well-provisioned and well-maintained. Everything has a functional or creative intent for the student, contributing to IMA's applied learning philosophy. 3) Students - The deliberately diverse student mix and resulting interaction across ages, gender, and ethnicity is a joy to watch. Kids are at once students and teachers as they cultivate their identity, independence, and confidence. Although I can't speak to the experience at other schools, I can say that my experience has exceeded my initial expectations, from the insights I've captured as a parent to the balanced growth my daughter has enjoyed. Keep up the strong effort IMA..! read more

Our daughter came to IMA after previously attending a regular daycare. She was 2 and although she was used to being in a daycare environment, she would still have trouble articulating her needs and get shy when interacting with her teachers. She's now 3 and we're thrilled to see how she's developed! She is a very confident and independent little lady now and has no issues with making her opinions heard and letting her friends and teachers know how she feels! At IMA they gently push the children to learn on their own, but in a structured way and we can really see how our daughter has benefited from this. We can see how confident she is! I would recommend IMA to anyone looking for an authentic Montessori school with high integrity, they take such great care of the children and are so supportive to parents as well! read more

We can't say enough amazing things about IMA. Our daughter recently graduated and we watched her thrive here. The teachers and staff were incredibly communicative throughout the program especially during the pandemic. They challenge the kids while giving them enough space to grow at their own pace. I always felt like the teachers really saw who my daughter was and helped her grow into her own. Highly recommend! read more

All 3 of my children have attended this wonderful school. The school does an amazing job of both preparing the children academically and being a fun place that the kids liked to be at. Not all schools can do both. The teaching staff stayed near constant the entire 6 years I had children in attendance and the facilities were always clean. read more

We have searched and visited almost all the schools in southern California. IMA is the only authentic official Montessori school that lives up to its ratings, and if there is any space available do not hesitate and reserve a spot. Our child has matured and shown very quick progress in her verbal conversations, critical thinking and problem solving abilities to say the least. Enough progress to be ahead of the curve when our child enters kindergarten. There is a clear professionalism with the staff here and a well-thought out structured schedulefor the students. We could not say enough great things about this school... good luck! read more

This has been my favorite school in LA. Both my kids went here during their formative years from 2-5 and made excellent progress in their learning, behavior - reading, writing, math. They love doing jobs so much more than they enjoy playing. The teachers are very caring, even during aftercare - the experience has been inspiring for us and will hold this school as the standard for any future Montessori schools. Thanks to Ms Monika - who introduced us to Montessori methods and cared for both my kids especially for my little one she accommodated so many arrangements to deal with his allergies (medicines, periodically putting lotion, inhaler etc). All great teachers - Ms Martinez, Ms Ivy have been the kids class teachers and the kids love them. read more

Our son started here at age 4 coming from a different style preschool and nothing says more about how great a place is then that the reaction of a child. We started seeing great improvements in his confidence building up problem-solving skills and developing a deep enjoyment of learning to count and read alphabets in phonics. The teachers are attentive to each child's needs and Ms. Monika the director is warm and easy to communicate with. This is an amazing place that promotes values, positivity, learning, and growth for children. The previous school started out great developing well rounded social and emotional development but lacked in learning skills and structure since it was all day play-based environment. As we move up in age group one of the teachers seemed to care more about her pets than the children in her classroom, we felt it was time to find a new school for him and truly grateful to find IMA, thank you. read more

Our 4 year old just graduated from IMA (we had also sent our daughter there a couple years ago), and he loved the school and teachers as much as his big sister did. Years later, our sentiments remain the same - we love the teachers and staff there and appreciate the skills that our kids were able to acquire from attending this school. We've been gone less than a month and definitely miss everyone there! read more