We had a great experience at Keystone in our 3.5 years there and miss a lot of the engagement, education, and support. It felt like a real community. Our child was there from ~18mos old to 5 years old; from the thick of Covid in 2021 to August of 2025. She loved it and continues to talk about the teachers and staff. As she transitioned into Kindergarten, it's clear she and her keystone classmates are much further ahead academically and socially. We love the Montessori approach and Keystone seems to have a great facility and application of it. read more

Our family has been part of the Keystone community for nearly seven years, with both of our daughters attending from the time they were toddlers until moving on to Kindergarten. It's been such a positive experience for us. The teachers and staff are warm, supportive, and very thoughtful about meeting kids where they are. Both of our girls went through phases where drop-off was tough, and the staff worked closely with us to find approaches that made the transition smoother. Over time, they built such strong bonds with their teachers that school became a place they genuinely looked forward to. What we've especially appreciated is the calm, well-organized environment and the wide range of learning opportunities. Keystone offers a nice balance of Montessori learning, hands-on activities, and enrichment classes (Spanish, Mandarin, music, soccer, martial arts). Our daughters were able to try different things and discover what they enjoyed most. We've also seen them grow a lot socially, making friends, learning responsibility, and gaining confidence. Overall, Keystone has been a nurturing and engaging preschool that gave both of our children a strong foundation and a love for learning. We're grateful for the years we've spent there and highly recommend it to other families. read more

My daughter was here for a year in the snowy egret class as one of the bigger kids (aged 4-5). I am so fortunate to have found Keystone for my daughter during our transition from Southern California, and couldn't have asked for a better preschool for her. Her gain in confidence during the course of one year was visible with the credit going to the teachers and staff at Keystone as well as the friends (and their families) she made their. There definitely was a sense of community and I am so grateful to have them last year. Knowing my daughter is in a safe, happy, and nurturing environment made all the difference. We really miss Keystone and wish we could've had a longer journey with them. read more

My kids had such a great experiences at Keystone. Both my daughter and son went there from Sandpiper to Snowy Egret. My younger son is moving on to Kindergarten this fall and I had to come here and leave them a review since we had such a great experience. The staff is warm and loving and they really do plan a great curriculum for the kids. They plan different units with different themes and focuses and they do it in a way that the kids have so much fun learning and exploring. They also do a great job fostering independence through teaching the kids to set things up, clean up, taking care of the classroom and things of that nature which my kids loved doing. Both my kids felt safe, happy and loved throughout their whole time there. I also feel that my kids were very prepared for kindergarten both behaviorally and academically. I highly recommend, I think the admin and staff there really do an excellent job. read more

Keystone Montessori is an excellent preschool. Our son attended keystone for three years, and we could not have been happier with the experience. The staff and teachers are top notch and incredibly dedicated to the children. The curriculum strikes the perfect balance of learning and play. The family network is also superb. Both my son and I have gained lifelong friends from keystone. My son has now gone on to kindergarten, where he is excelling both academically and socially due to his experience at Keystone. I highly reccomend keystone. It was an excellent experience for my son and our family. read more

My son and daughter went to Keystone from age 2 all the way to Kindergarten and it was a wonderful experience. I felt that Keystone was all about deep engagement. The teachers knew my kids well, knew their strengths and where they struggled, and knew how to adjust to make the most of their days. There's a good amount of academic exposure but it's not forced or stressful, which was perfect. The teachers and owner are always thinking outside the box about what new games or activities the kids would like and it felt like every couple of weeks the classrooms were changed around a bit to keep things interesting. It was a great place for my children. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a preschool in the area! read more

My child attended Keystone for about 1.5 years. Our only regret is not starting him sooner. We recently transitioned to Kindergarten and we already miss the school very much. The feeling of trust in the care and teaching methods of the staff is priceless. We will always treasure our time at this school. read more

I want to share our wonderful experience at Keystone Montessori, where both our sons were fortunate to be in. Our older son spent his early years here (from 20 months to 4.5 years), and watching him flourish was amazing. Every day brought something new and exciting - from music classes to soccer, martial arts, and creative art projects. He absolutely loved zooming around the tricycle area! The way his face would light up when sharing what he learned each day just melted our hearts. Mrs. Cynthia is such a gem. Her warmth and dedication shine through in everything she does, making learning fun and natural for the kids. The way she teaches complex topics to little ones is truly magical - we were always amazed by the fascinating things our son would chat about at dinner! For our younger one (who was there from 20 months to 26 months), Mrs. Julie, who leads the younger group, is an exceptional educator whose experience and creativity shine through in every aspect of her teaching. From their twice-daily circle times to tending their little garden and growing vegetables, every day was an adventure. Her supportive approach helps children develop confidence and curiosity from an early age. What really touched us was how supportive everyone was during potty training - it wasn't the easiest journey for our little one, but the teachers' patience and encouragement made all the difference. They never made us feel rushed or pressured. The admin team - Rohini and Gokce - are just wonderful! They're always there with a smile, ready to help, and so in tune with what families need. The Halloween block party, which they organized together with the parents, was such a blast - seeing all the families come together made it feel like one big community celebration! The friendships our boys made at Keystone are priceless. We love how the school welcomes parents into the classroom, whether it's for special occasions or birthday celebrations. It really feels like being part of one big family. One of the things we absolutely loved was getting little glimpses into our children's day through the school's app. There's nothing better than receiving sweet photos of your little ones engaged in activities, playing with friends, or mastering new skills throughout the day. It really helps you feel connected to their daily adventures and brings such joy during busy workdays! Having to leave Keystone due to our relocation is honestly heartbreaking - our boys will miss their school family so much. To any parents looking for a preschool in the area: Keystone is a true gem. The love, learning, and laughter that fill these classrooms are simply amazing. We couldn't have wished for a better start to our children's education journey! read more

I had two children who had a great time at Keystone, with the last graduating in 2024. I always felt comfortable leaving the kids at the spacious facility with teachers who cared fully for their emotional well-being. The Montessori curriculum provided a breadth of learning which set them up for elementary school. The facilities include 3 classrooms (snow egrets, blue herons, and sandpipers which are defined by age/maturity). There is a great outdoor play area, including a crowd favorite trike area. As far as activities and logistics - there are extracurriculars parents can sign up for: language, sports, etc or you can opt to keep your kids in the standard daily schedule (you can inquire about these offerings when you sign up). There was also the option to buy school lunch if you did not want to pack lunch (selecting through the lunch vendor's app). The school also uses the Transparent Classroom app, and it was nice to see photos of your kids in action throughout the week! read more

We enrolled our son in the 2019. Shortly thereafter the longtime ownership changed- to the current director that runs it today. While there was an adjustment period, it wasn't long until the new staff hit their stride. He began kindergarten just a few weeks ago. He and we as a family could not be happier with the confidence and knowledge he's carried with him into the beginning of kindergarten. Now he has hit the ground running, with base level ability to write, read a little, and more than the former- count & do basic arithmetic with pride. Most importantly- he has a passion to learn and he loves to expound upon everything he soaks up. The staff clearly enjoy the children and their jobs. The kids have tons of fun. The staff have created some very cool projects and adventures that my son and his school friends would be over the moon about. Language learning programs, art projects, circle time, music class, guest's with cool presentations for the kids, sharing with one another, play time in a schoolyard the kiddos love, and using objects in their environment to make sense of the concepts they're learning. My son absolutely loved his time at Keystone and his teachers. He will keep and cherish these memories for a long time! read more

My child started at Keystone in the summer of 2021. For some context, we were still very much in the pandemic. The good: - The teachers were nice, if a little aloof. They were very responsive when my kiddo needed more challenging work and adjusted accordingly. - The campus is beautiful, the space is really nice, and the backyard is a dream - The other kids and parents I interacted with were generally pretty nice as well - The weekly Zoom calls to chat about what the kids were up to and talk to the director/teachers were awesome - I really liked the online portal where they would upload photos and snippets of what the kids did that day or week The bad: - The director/owner of the school. I think Rohini is a good teacher, but she really lacks in the administrative skillset. She and Luna did some sketchy things. For example, when we started, we were told that using the school's meal program was required. At some point during the year we found out it wasn't actually required, it was optional, and not enough parents were opting into it. Their solution was to ask parents to consider trying it and then two days later tell all parents it was mandatory. - Their Covid policies were a joke. Half the time the teachers didn't wear masks or wore those face shields that don't work. They did not have any requirement for the kids to wear masks, and Rohini it just wasn't possible to make 3-5 year olds mask all day. Spoiler alert: it is possible and nearly every other school managed it. - Again, the administrative skillset. Rohini was just not able to take a stance even when she clearly had an opinion. Her communication was abrasive and left a lot to be desired. - The cost. I understand the cost of childcare is very high in the area, but Keystone was at the upper limit WITHOUT any extracurriculars. Lunches, music, and language classes each cost extra. That added up quick. Ultimately the poor communication and lack of Covid policies made Keystone a bad fit for our family. We ended up leaving within the year. After we started at the new school, the difference was stark. I thought Keystone's teachers were fine, and they are, but kiddo's new teachers were much warmer and more interactive with the children. And they managed to wear masks and keep the school safe. They had far fewer closures than Keystone, even during the winter surges. They cost about the same but provided much more. read more

Our daughter started at Keystone when she was 18 months old and recently "graduated". The school changed owners in 2019 and went through some turnover, but stabilized right around when the pandemic shut everything down. The school maintained safe conditions and we are so grateful Keystone was able to re-open quickly. Our only complaint is that communications could be more proactive. That said, the owners are great and are committed to continuous improvement. In the Fall of 2020, when it was apparent the public schools were going to operate by remote learning, we kept our daughter at Keystone (rather than enroll in TK) and she thrived. The teachers prepared the kids to be ready academically for 1st grade (even though all but one were entering K) so that they could focus on the socio-emotional transition in K. Our daughter is reading well above grade level, as are many of her Keystone cohort. Her class is well mannered, empathetic, conscientious, and play so well together. The practical life component is such a bonus: our daughter sometimes sweeps, wipes down the table, or even the other day she spontaneously washed dishes! Granted this is pretty rare, but we'll take it when we can. read more

Keystone Montessori School has been GREAT for our 2-year-old! After Covid shut down our other daycare, we wanted to try Keystone because it was much closer to home. Our daughter was SO glad to go back to school after the long break. We worried that she would need time adjusting to the new place and the new kids. The staff at Montessori facilitated the transition and it went EVEN BETTER than we could have hoped. Since then she has learned MANY new songs and skills. She teaches us the continents and talks about the other kids in her class. Recently, she started holding a crayon correctly, which has helped her draw more precisely. We were so proud to see the smily face she drew, detailed with eyes, mouth, tongue, hair, plus legs and arms growing right out of the head! :D Keystone staff hold monthly updates and periodic parent-teacher conferences via Zoom, which has helped us feel more confident of our daughter's development and gave us the opportunity to follow up with questions. I can't recommend Keystone Montessori School enough. read more

Our daughter went to Keystone from 18 months - 3.5 years. Honestly, we would have stayed but ended up moving out of the area. We had an incredible experience. Our daughter grew so much and learned endless skills. They really teach the kids to be independent and we saw it reflected at home. Rohini and Luna were a wonderful team and answered any question or concern we had. We applaud them for navigating closures and re-opening amid the pandemic. I would recommend this school a million times over! read more

Our child has thrived at Keystone, and we owe this to the teachers, director and other staff at the school. Our child started shortly after the new ownership in Sep 2019. Keystone has 4 classrooms predominately age based. Each teacher is extremely caring and nurturing. In addition, the learning development has far exceeded my expectations. Our child just LOVES going to school. Overall, would highly recommend! read more

We love Keystone, and it's one of the things we'll miss most about leaving the area-not only is it a great place for your child to learn and grow, but the parent community really made us feel a connection to the area in a way that can sometimes be missing in urban areas. Our son started as soon as he was old enough, and while working parents with an 18 month old may just be looking for a safe place for their child to play all day, it was very evident that the Montessori method helped him learn everyday tasks while building his social skills. Fast forward two-and-a-half years, and we really feel as though he has a head start coming up on kindergarten in a year, and has become very well-rounded. We love the staff, we love the curriculum, and we love the school! read more

We're so grateful for Keystone. They were a great home for our son for two years. Sweet, caring teachers. A really cozy community of parents. We will miss it dearly. read more

Don't judge this place by its Montessori name, it has nothing Montessori to offer. Teachers are entry level with no Montessori training or certificate. Director is extremely aggressive and rude and struggles to keep it together. School doesn't have a nurturing environment and is poorly managed. Worst of all is the lack of communication between school and parents (almost every Parent agrees with that). read more

Attempted to do basic due diligence on the school. Administrative help was continuously slow to respond to simple requests and after a month of follow up we walked away. It is obvious that demand for services of this type allow for a laid back approach to initial parent interaction. read more

Our daughter started at Keystone 2 years ago, but her time there was interrupted by Covid. We returned this year and have been impressed with the amazing progress she made. She is slow to warm up to people and gets easily overwhelmed by busy/loud classrooms. Initially she struggled... but over time, she has made incredible improvements. This past month, at 4 1/2 years old, she was able to sing songs and recite lines in front of a gathering of parents. We were amazed. She likes all her teachers, has learned her letter and numbers and has made great social progress. read more

Our son was at Keystone for over two years and thrived. There was a noticeable improvement in August 2019 when the new owners took over. The teachers and staff are genuinely caring and attentive to their students. They are conscientious of Covid and take necessary precautions which we were thankful for. All in all, our son is better prepared than most of his peers at a well regarded elementary school he started this year. read more

I wish I could give them more than 5 star. I have my 2.5 year son there only for few months and I regret that we had to move from Bay area!. Teachers are awesome, Don, Ernestina and Vana, they care for the children like their mother. The principle (Sheri) is also very nice and responsive, they update you about the situations frequently and reply to your emails as fast as possible. I could see my son's improvement when he went there. He became more disciplined. If I have to say one negative point for this place I would say, after sending your child to this place you cannot send him/her somewhere else! read more

I love Keystone Montessori! My child attended Keystone from the age of 2.9 to 5.5. He graduated in June 2009 Linda - I found her to be very open to my ideas and my needs. Several times she accommodated a schedule change to work with our family. She always returns my calls promptly. I love the mailbox system, the coded entry for safety, the cards to write quick notes to the teacher on, the accident reports... what happened, where he got hurt and what they did to help him. She runs a well-oiled machine! And, she handles problems immediately. I am very impressed. I really felt like I could talk softly and be heard here. The school - there are no hidden things... like an auction you need to signup for, or parent work days. You do what you can do and that is fine. They have a sign up sheet and if you can do laundry, you sign up for it. If you can bring flowers, you sign up for it. It was so easy. I could be as involved as I wanted. No ridiculous slippers to buy. No putting together my own emergency kit... they do it for you and ask for a check. And, were also accommodating when the teachers had babies. I loved it when 2 of the teacher brought their newborns to school. One day I came to pick my child up and there was my child holding a tiny baby. How is that for a practical life activity! So, Montessori! The academics - awesome! Upon graduation, my child was doing 1st and 2nd grade math AND at his review the teacher told me he was average in his class. I'm impressed. They also had workbooks that teach reading that the children do on their own. How empowering is that! He had such a good foundation with his letters and the sound they make that he is actually teaching himself to read. I loved these workbooks so much, I purchased two more and he has finished one over the summer and started the next level before his first day of Kindergarten. The Teachers - loving, caring, smart, great negotiators. Joe and Dawn have been with the school since it started. Joe is a great male role model for the children. Dawn is so sweet, but firm with the "babies". Nori is a language expert and probably the reason, my child is teaching himself to read. Nori, even gave me advice for my youngest child, who was not attending Keystone and she ended up receiving early intervention services for speech... talk about right on! Keystone also offers language classes - Mandarin and Spanish. And, they have great ideas for separation anxiety, but also let the parents work it out with their child. It is a wonderful school and it was the best decision I could have ever made for my son. Best of luck to you in your search, but, I don't think you can go wrong with this school! read more

Our son started at Keystone about a year ago in the middle of covid at just 2 years old. Keystone has been a great place for our son to grow. He started in the youngest classroom and is now in the Middle Ages room. The teachers are so patient and lovely and many have been at Keystone for a very long time. The kids love them and my son has learned so much about plants, animals, numbers and letters. Music class is his favorite. Staff is extremely well-organized and on top of everything. They navigated the covid pandemic by being cautious and communicative. Our son is excited every day to go to school and see his friends and we feel safe and happy having him there! read more

Love the school but it loses a star for 9 weeks of breaks/ teacher vacation per year that leave you scrambling to find other care for your kids. Also a bizarre policy banning superhero clothing is because it might incite violence or aggression. My 3 and 5 year old boys ONLY want to wear t-shirts with super man or batman which is a constant struggle. read more

I had some people reach out to me on my opinion of this school. I forgot to mention that I put a large deposit down and when my daughter was not accepted I never received reimbursement. read more

We have been part of the Keystone family since my oldest son started in the toddler room in 2005. Now my younger son just moved to the Snowy Egrets classroom, a move he had been dreaming of and anxiously awaiting. While both of my kids had sort of a rough transition, the loving, caring, nurturing teachers helped them both get through the separation anxiety, get involved in the classroom and ultimately develop friendships that we hope will last beyond their preschool years. My boys have very different personalities and while I believe no school is perfect for every child, Keystone has come through for both my very outgoing son as well as my very reserved one. They have both grown in their social and academic skills, blossomed into confident children and generally have become avid learners. While the number of vacation days is very challenging, I honestly believe that the teachers deserve to get time off and refuel. Over the 4 years that we have been at Keystone, I have seen Linda, the director, try to engage the parent community more and more, whether it be trying to setup a babysitting co-op over spring break to take some of the burden off of working parents or organize social activites such as a schoolwide pool party at the end of summer, because she recognizes that more and more families want to feel a greater sense of community. It's hard for working families to find the time to get to know other school families but if everybody puts in the effort, I know the community will continue to grow stronger. Our closest friends now are families we met when my older son was at Keystone. While no school is perfect, we feel very lucky to have found Keystone and would recommend it to anybody looking for an academically challenging, socially engaging and generally fun school with flexible hours, great teachers and amazing families. read more

Keystone is a wonderful school with an enthusiastic and well-trained staff. My daughter has attended for over a year now. She loves the school and we love how much she has learned. Not only has she learned social skills but foundations for reading, writing and math. She is a pretty shy person and had a rather difficult time at first with separation anxiety but the staff made sure to help her feel safe and were very understanding and patient throughout her transition period. This is a great school and I would recommend it! read more

Both my boys love Keystone. The Sand Piper room is a warm and friendly place for them to explore. When they are ready the Fledglings in a smaller group to help them transition into the more structured setting in the Blue Herons. My oldest us always challenged in the last group while also getting to work at his own pace. All of the staff are friendly and clearly love their work. The boys have taken music, theater, Spanish and Mandarin classes. I love the Montessori philosophy and they are true to those ideals at Keystone read more

I can't say enough good things about the high quality of this school! My daughter (now in kindergarten) went there for 2 years and my son (soon to be 4) has been attending since he was 2.5 years. Linda, the director, is great at resolving any problem you have from scheduling to specific academic and social issues your child is having. She genuinely cares about every child - every family that walks through those doors. She seems to treat the teachers fairly, with respect, good pay and enough vacation time so they don't get burned out - a major issue at many preschools. This sense of respect definitely filters down to the kids too. It's a good vibe in the classroom. I agree with everything Elizabeth B said about the organization and communication strengths of this school. They also do a great job of preparing kids for kindergarten. My daughter hit the ground running this year and has developed into a joyful learner with a wide circle of friends. She loves school and approaches work as fun. I credit Keystone and the Montessori curriculum for helping establish this foundation. read more

This school is awesome. I wish I can give it more than 5 stars. The teachers are caring and patient. it's so sad we have to leave as we are moving. read more

We started our oldest daughter, who is now going into the 2nd grade, at Keystone Montessori 4 years ago. We also have a younger daughter who has been at the school for 2 years. I feel very fortunate to have found a school with a staff that truly cares about the total development of our children. Keystone focuses on the whole child to help to develop our children socially, culturally, academically and emotionally. 4 years ago when my oldest daughter was 2 years old I noticed that the daycare she'd been attending since she was 10 months old was not cutting it anymore. I went on a mission to find a school that would keep my daughter engaged and her thirst for knowledge quenched. After looking over every school I could find in the area I'd narrowed it down to two schools. I almost picked the other school because it was a little cheaper but my husband went to look at the two finalists and although he is very dollar conscientious both he and I decided Keystone was worth the extra investment. It didn't make sense to try and save the extra few dollars a day it would cost to send our child to a better school - we'd rather cut out our daily coffee or eat out a less. Looking back on our decision I really feel like it was one of the best choices we could have made. Our older daughter started Kindergarten really well prepared and confident - which has made learning a continued joy for her rather than a struggle. The curriculum at Keystone is Montessori based but also does a very good job of incorporating some traditional educational methods. Now that I've experienced it I really am a big supporter of this educational style for younger children. There are three age based classrooms at Keystone. Each room has "stations" where different activities are set up that allow the children to explore/play/learn which is the way that children learn best - by doing and touching. I think all the teachers at the school are great but I have to mention the teacher for the toddler room, Dawn. She is the perfect person to care for younger children. Dawn is so nurturing, a true angel (I'm still looking for her wings!). In addition to all the learning opportunities the children have at the school they also do a lot of great art projects, go on trips to the Berkeley ballet, get to work in the schools vegetable garden, and they love the play area complete with a big wooden play structure. The children are well supervised at all times. The teachers have amazing patience and help the children "use their words" to work through any conflicts they have. The class ratios also help maintain the teachers ability to properly work with and provide guidance to the children. The toddler's classroom 1:4 ratio, the transition class a 1:6 ratio, and a 1:8 ratio in the "big Kids" class. The teachers and the head of the school are wonderful. Linda and her husband built the school 20+ years ago. Linda puts a lot of heart and soul into making sure the educational experience at the school is built around nurturing and developing happy, healthy children. All the head teachers have University degrees + 2 years teachers training. It feels good knowing that you are leaving your child with people that have dedicated their careers to educating children. The school also provides really good retirement and health benefits, which explains one of the reasons why many of the teachers have been at the school so long. The school seems to attract a really nice diverse group of educationally focused families and although you are not required to help in the classroom families want to participate. The school allows the families to come and share information in the classroom with the children. The children have been fortunate to learn first hand about events such what a dentist does, a missionary trip to Africa, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, the presidential election, Black history month, and for Chinese new year the school even had a real Chinese New Year parade dragon that the children carried down the street in celebration. We also have school sponsored pizza parties and potluck pool parties so the families can all get together. We have a great time watching our kids perform songs together at the Holiday Celebration for which each family contributes $25 and we have a pizza party and can invite as many of our friends and family to come watch a professional marionette show. I also have to mention the graduation ceremony is a camcorder must! The children really make us all proud. They sing songs in multiple languages and about different countries (the school offers Spanish, Mandarin and music classes) and all the kids look so proud as they get their graduation certificates. It's a fitting end to the great beginning our children have been given at Keystone. I encourage everyone to look at all the choices out there like we did and compare what you get for your money. If Keystone fits your budget and your schedule I recommend it without reservation. read more

I am a mother of three - two boys and one girl. My daughter did not attend Keystone, but we enrolled our boys at Keystone (both at 18 months old) - so we have been at Keystone about 3 1/2 years now. Keystone offers long hours and takes children from18 months to 6 years. As a mother, my biggest concerns are with the welfare and happiness of my children. I would pay any price to ensure their happiness and welfare. That I can say is something I have experienced at Keystone. My children feel safe and loved and the teachers are very caring. Second I want a school where my children will flourish, learn and have the ability to be creative. I am pleased and impressed by their progress and often surprised at the availability of activities. Besides all of the projects and art that come home, there are various events throughout the year such as: the Oakland Zoo (Zoo Mobile), the El Cerrito Fire Department, a Nature Company that brings various insects, holiday parades and activities, pizza parties, a holiday party, a summer swim party for all Keystone families and for the older class summer swimming lessons. These are some of the things that keep my children learning and excited about school. Our past experiences with other schools were not this fulfilling and had very few, if any, additional activities outside the regular schedule. There were complaints of children becoming bored and reluctant to attend school. By comparison, we were involved with another Montessori school in Berkeley for many years, as well. Although Keystone is at the top of the tuition bar and charges for extra curricular activities, such as music, dance and Chinese, other schools include these classes. It is difficult maintaining the tuition (with 3 kids) in addition to the extra charges and deposits required throughout the year. However, Keystone does not require that parents provide volunteer time annually (which in most schools is approximately 20 hours annually or the flip side is you are charged $10 per hour for any un-worked hour). Keystone is not run by the parents, which for me is a HUGE bonus, as it was always a disaster to watch the parents fight about control and the way in which all holidays and various facets of life will be taught or celebrated within the school. Instead all ethnic events/groups seem to be taught and celebrated so the children really do have a well rounded picture and are exposed to diversity starting at a young age. Lastly the schools/daycares my kids previously attended were rarely closed and only closed on major holidays, which allowed our family to take a vacation when we wanted and use our 2 or 3 weeks max of annual vacation time allotted in a way that was fun rather than spending it on childcare. Now we scramble to find care and/or split up our vacation days to provide care for our children, as Keystone is closed approximately 7 weeks of every year. If we find care, we still need to rack up the additional money to pay for it. It gets very challenging and limits our ability to take a meaningful vacation at a more appropriate time. Of course with the economy, companies are cutting unproductive workers; therefore it is a juggle between missing too much work and/or finding extra money to pay for additional childcare, if it is available. Of course every school has its positive and negatives and at the end of the day we find ways to deal with the things that don't fit well into our life. However we are most concerned about the happiness and well being of our children, as they spend so much of their time outside the home and what we want most is for them to be happy and nurtured. read more

My two sons have been going to Keystone Montessori for the last 2 years, and we have nothing but the best to say regarding this school. When my eldest son arrived two years ago, he was quite shy and could not recognized all of the alphabets. Keystone Montessori teachers taught him to read, write and do amazing math within the last two years that it is mind boggling to me and my husband. We were pleasantly surprised that my son learns so much within the last two years in a fun, nurturing environment. Now he is well equipped to go into first grade. If you have a more academic setting in mind for your children that teaches them good work ethics and study habits, then Keystone should be a good school for you to consider. read more

I have one daughter who started Keystone when she was 18 months old and continued until kindergarten and a daughter who currently attends. My oldest daughter was very prepared for kindergarten and my daughter who currently attends loves it there! The teachers there are great! The teacher who runs the youngest class has been there for almost twenty years and the teacher in the next class has been there for almost twenty years as well. They truely understand how difficult it can be for children who are attending a pre school for the first time and really allow for a great transition period. The teachers really help the children feel comfortable and really provide a ton of nuruturing. They understand that they are still young and allow for playtime, music, reading, circle time etc... all allow for the full development of the child. They also focus on a progression of learing so that each class builds upon the previous one. I feel very fortunate to have found this preschool. Not only was my daughter fully prepared academically for kindergarten she was fully prepared socially as well. I understand that all Montessoris are run differently, but at Keystone the child is not told that they can only work on certain activities or have to use a certain color etc... they are free to explore various sensorial stations and really are allowed to explore. The facility is very clean and clean which are two very important aspects of a school for us. Each family is given a code to enter the facility. I also love the fact that the school offers other activities for the children. They can opt to take music, dance, spanish, mandarin and swimming and walks to the library in the summer. The playground is very large and really offers the children of things to play with. There is a playstructure, bikes, a sand area, swings and even a vegetable garden. The school only serves healthy snacks to the children. The school does take time off during holidays and summer. Parents have to schedule vacation accordingly, but I think it is really worth it. I visited MANY similar schools in the area and found the price to be comparable and not clean and organized as Keystone. They have a wonderful email system which allows the parents to be in constant communication with the staff and administrators. They also put out a monthly calendar so that parents know what is going on day to day. I also like that they allow parents to come in and celebrate their childs birthday or help with special evensts such as Chinese New Years parade, African American month etc... Overall we are very pleased with the school. I highly would recommend it! read more

My daughter just "graduated" from Keystone after finishing her second year. My wife and I couldn't be happier with her development. Keystone is the best of everything we were looking for from a pre-K school. The facilities are clean and well maintained, they have an excellent and educated staff of professionals and they really care about our daughter and our family. The school hours are extremely friendly for working families. I don't think you could do much better than Keystone! read more