I am extremely disappointed in the way Khalsa Montessori School has handled my daughter's presence in the classroom. Instead of working collaboratively with us as parents, she is constantly being singled out in ways that other students are not. This has made her feel excluded and different, which is heartbreaking and unacceptable in an environment that claims to support children's development. As a parent, I am actively doing the work needed to support my child and address any areas that need growth. However, it feels like there is a constant problem being created rather than solutions being offered. The lack of consistency, understanding, and inclusivity has left me frustrated and angry. No child should feel targeted or left out while others are treated differently. I expected a school that values compassion, communication, and partnership with families. Unfortunately, that has not been our experience. I sincerely hope the school reflects on how they approach and support children who may need extra understanding, because the current approach is damaging--not only to the child, but to the trust parents place in the school. My daughter is now in a school where they prioritize all of the needs, but where they focus on the academics and she is thriving which validated all of the concerns I had. Switching my child out of Khalsa was the best choice I ever made! read more

My name is Anand Khalsa, and I attended Khalsa Montessori School from preschool through 4th grade. While my experiences at Khalsa Primary School were nurturing and positive, my three years in elementary school were marked by emotional abuse and neglect from my lead teacher, Carie Modeer. I saw this behavior directed towards a number of students, including myself. My primary school teacher, Judith, created a safe and supportive environment for all students, using Maria Montessori's methods to encourage a vibrant classroom community. When I left primary school, I was a happy, upbeat kid. Judith reported that I was a "fair-minded, natural leader", who would "be an asset to any elementary classroom." Yet, as soon as I entered Carie's classroom, I was singled out for mistreatment and exclusion. Throughout most of my first grade year, I was locked in a bathroom hallway, isolated from my peers, who I later learned had been instructed to ignore me. Later on in elementary school, I was more often shamed in front of my peers than isolated. Isolation, shunning, and shaming were all weaponized as tools of punishment by Carie for anything she deemed as "bad choices", which included (as per my report cards) "gets distracted easily", "has trouble staying organized", "frequently daydreams" or "asks too many questions of adults". I must thank my teacher for, at the very least, accurately recording my early struggles with executive functioning, as her reports were instrumental in getting a diagnosis of ADHD-PI later in life and receiving treatment. Yet unfortunately, in the classroom, Carie treated my neurodevelopmental struggles as serious moral failings warranting punishment, and repeatedly told me I was making "bad choices" and therefore couldn't remain in the classroom environment with my peers. I remember being emotionally crushed by my isolation. My pleas for help with my struggles, and my insistence that I was doing my best, were met with either silence or quiet derision. Maria Montessori strongly discouraged the use of isolation or shunning as a punishment in schools, saying "it behooves us to think of what may happen to the spirit of the child who is condemned to grow in conditions so artificial that his very bones may become deformed." If this is the case, why were these techniques being used at an ostensibly Montessori School? The answer lies in the school's foundations. Yogi Bhajan, as he was known, was a cult leader who taught his own version of Sikhism he called Sikh Dharma or 3HO. The Khalsa School was founded by followers of Bhajan, who has since been disgraced as a serial abuser of women and children, as confirmed by an independent report by The Olive Branch. Bhajan's followers were encouraged to send their children to Indian boarding schools. These schools were run in an intensely disciplinarian, and often highly abusive manner, with children subjected to everything from malnourishment to confinement. While the scale of abuse differs in magnitude, the parallels to the Khalsa School are difficult to ignore. Across these very different educational settings, the underlying educational principles that Bhajan commanded his followers adhere to remain eerily similar. Rather than following the Montessori Method in good faith, the school cynically deploys "Montessori" language and aesthetics in order to conceal their underlying teaching philosophy, which is much closer to that of a strict Christian day school, with some features of an early college preparatory academy. In fact, Khalsa School's principles run in direct opposition to many of Maria Montessori's teachings, which include: accommodating each individual child's unique needs, interests and pace of development, creating a vibrant classroom environment that encourages frequent interaction and collaboration between students, and strongly discourages the use of punishments and rewards, particularly social isolation. Instead, Khalsa School's core principles, include: enforcing strict disciplinarianism with little tolerance for individuality or difference, creating a cold, sterile environment where children are told to sit still and shut their mouths, and creating a culture that encourages faculty and students to shun and bully any children who are different and don't fit in to the "Khalsa mold". These unspoken tenants are all, directly or indirectly, influenced by the teachings of Bhajan. A former assistant teacher who was present during my time in Carie's classroom called it a "prison of silence". That phrase sums up my experience quite well. For those three years, I felt like I was suffocating, drowning, with no escape in sight. I wish I could go back in time and warn my parents to not send me to Khalsa. Instead, it has taken me nearly 20 years of my life to unravel this very traumatic period of my childhood. Now, I hope sharing my story can help others to avoid what I went through. read more

Khalsa Montessori School - Me at around 6 years old, when I would have entered elementary school. - Montessori Schools Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

We have two children at Khalsa, both started in toddler and are now in primary. Our experience has been wonderful and we consider the teachers and staff to be some of the best: dedicated, kind, helpful, and nurturing. They have worked with us with grace and patience as we hit developmental challenges, and our children are progressing academically in a way we are very pleased with. Like any school, it is not going to be for everyone, but if you are looking for an authentic Montessori environment, Khalsa is worth looking into. read more

My family has been at Khalsa since 2017. I currently have a child at all three levels (primary, Lower El, and Upper El) and all started in toddler. My family has loved the care and attention given to each child, especially during Covid and in the immediate aftermath of Covid. The school poured immense resources into the children to overcome Covid learning loss. One child also receives special education and we have had a great experience. My family looks forward to completing each of the cycles and will be sad to move on from the school at the end of sixth grade. read more

I am the mother of a former student at Khalsa Montessori (Anand Khalsa). He attended this school from Primary through the 4th grade. In Primary he had a positive experience that was due to the nurturing Montessori classroom environment. His teacher embraced and nurtured Anand's qualities as an engaged and bright student and she highly recommended him to enter any of the lower Elementary classes. She stated that she assessed he would be an asset to any of the classrooms he was placed in. The classroom lead teacher he was originally assigned to for 1st-3rd grade had a reputation for utilizing strategies including locking students out of the classroom and punitive tactics if the student didn't fit into a certain model student box. We requested that Anand be placed in an alternative classroom based on concerns about the first teacher's approach to her students. Unfortunately for 1st-3rd grade he was placed into the classroom of a lead teacher (who was trained by the initial teacher--at the time we weren't aware of this background for Carie Modeer and her training). Because Miss Carie hadn't chosen Anand to be in her classroom, she in my opinion started off with a negative view of Anand and us as parents. My husband and I now regret requesting the change in classrooms and instead wish we had made the decision to remove him from the school altogether. We kept him at the school based on his experience at the Primary School and Miss Judith. We also were members of the 3HO community, some of whom founded and ran this school. Anand entered Carie's classroom as a first grader with enthusiasm and excitement and this quickly turned into high peak anxiety and emotional distress when it was time to go to school. This had never occurred before this transition. We concluded that this was due to the transition from the primary campus to the elementary campus. When my husband and I attended an open house parent night midway through the year when Anand was in 1st grade we were shocked to find out that Anand was forced to sit outside his classroom next to the restroom isolated from his peers for the majority of his school day. Upon later reflection, it became clear that Anand had internalized that it was his fault he was there and was afraid that if he told us we would reject him in the same way his teacher had. We approached the school and expressed how we didn't consent to Anand being placed out in the hallway. The mistreatment and isolation didn't end though. Anand continued to struggle in key areas at school and Caries interactions with him continued to deliver the message that it was all Anand's responsibility and bad choices he was making, even though he continued to attempt to demonstrate and express to her how hard he was trying. We later found out that Carie also directed his peers to not interact with him and her co teachers to not help students she had identified as "bad choice making students". Anand's "bad choices" were all symptoms of inattentive ADHD that hadn't been diagnosed. Limited to no help or support or assessment was ever done to address these clear symptoms of ADHD. Instead Caries treatment of Anand was all about shaming, rejecting, shunning him. At the time he internalized this as him being "Bad". Hence the extreme anxiety related to school. From 1st to 3rd grade were pivotal school years for him. Here we had this incredibly bright and sensitive boy whose light started to go out in front of our eyes. I have a memory of dropping him off late (the school blamed us when we were having a hard time getting him to school on time) and both of us being in tears. Those days happened often. When Anand transitioned to Upper Elementary we witnessed Anand being supported with his writing and expressive strengths highlighted by his new teacher. For the first time in over three years a teacher was noticing his strengths. This made a big difference for him that year. This was his final year at Khalsa. I want to clarify that Anand struggled with inattentive ADHD and presented like a little absent minded professor or daydreamer type. Never was there a single discipline problem with him. Upon further reflection and examination of so much that occurred at this school (I can't go into all of it here) we as a family now recognize the school trauma that Anand sustained and how it deeply impacted him. If you have a child who is Neurodivergent please reconsider sending him or her to this school. Anand is twice exceptional because he has ADHD and is very intelligent. If your child falls into this category I would recommend another school option as well. This school doesn't adhere to Maria Montessori's theories or approach to teaching in many key areas. We regret keeping Anand at this school as long as he was. I am hoping that Anand and I leaving these reviews will be a help to parents in their search for a school for their children. Har Kaur Khalsa read more

Rasha is extremely off putting. This is not a standard Montessori school. It seems they're cutting corners in odd ways.

My child went here for two years, he was in the toddler program. All the bad reviews are right. They narrow down their pool of students to the brightest most compliant ones by using the excuse that they do not fit the "Montessori mold" in order to achieve the highest test scores. They do this by telling you you have to leave. My child was expelled at 3 years old for a developmental disability. If you have a child with the slightest neurodivergence they will make you feel so bad about your kid not fitting into their Montessori Mold and that something is wrong with them and you as a parent. In reality it's just this school. Just take your kids to Montessori Children's House on Bethany. read more

I really thought we were having a great conversation with these folks Karen and Rasha. My child went back with another teacher while us parents stayed and were given the typical speech, my other child had already attended another Montessori, Quality Interactive. We received the attached email. You can read for yourself. I fully understand a child should be able to show some detachment from a parent in a healthy manner but to state that they'd love do another evaluation but next time only with the other parent. We were both there. Our child as you state is bright and attentive. Yet their eagerness to return to their parent is your reason for initially not accepting or passing the evaluation. In a later email you do come clean that there was no availability based on the age of 4 and that even with a good evaluation we'd be on a wait list. I'm glad you found us unacceptable. You don't deserve our praise in the way we foster our child's development. read more

See all

My granddaughters attend Khalsa Montessori School and they are thriving. The teachers are exceptional, organized and dedicated. I am particularly impressed with their soft-spoken instructions and redirection of students, when needed. The administration is supportive, transparent and proactive in providing an education based in Montessori theory. I volunteer in the classrooms on a regular basis. As a former teacher, I am amazed at the classroom set up, where the children direct themselves, with guidance as needed, through a curriculum that is material based. The children are taught the important skills of self-reflection, independence, cooperative learning and personal responsibility, all as they learn the skills that is expected in an elementary learning environment. I am grateful we found this gem of a school. With that said, I totally understand that the path of Montessori education may not be for all children. It is one path, but not the only one. However, it works for my granddaughters and I am grateful!! read more

Amazing school!!! Since starting at Khalsa last year my daughters have learned so much. This is an incredible program and amazing Montessori education. My girls have learned a lot while having fun and love going to school. We love their teachers and the staff, and are so grateful we found this place thanks to Rasha :) We wish they could go here through high school! I highly recommend. read more

I absolutely recommend this school for your child if you have a bright and curious one! This school is a true Montessori school, fostering independence and curiosity for the whole child. The curriculum is not just differentiated, it's individualized. They teach social responsibility too. My 3 year old gardens, takes care of her environment and does yoga, just some examples. read more

I used to work at this school. I would never send my children here. If they try to talk you into holding your child back, they are asking you to leave the school. They use ANYTHING as a reason to hold a child back. Unless your child is their concept of an ideal child, they don't want your child at the school. read more

Called Khalsa Montessori School several times a day for a couple days in a row in an attempt to have some questions answered about enrolling my daughter in school here. Additionally, I sent in an email to the administrator with the list of questions I had about the school and never received a reply. Finally, was able to get a human on the phone but it was an utter disappointment as the person who answered the phone was completely incompetent and knew nothing regarding the school, the wait list, or programs offered. Better to happen before we got enrolled then after! read more

Both of my children went to Khalsa Montessori School for their elementary years. We absolutely loved the teachers, staff and families at Khalsa. My kids made so many great friends there, as did I. My children were extremely well prepared for middle school and high school. Both are now at Arizona School for the Arts and doing extremely well. My eldest will be entering Barrett Honors College at ASU next fall with a full tuition scholarship. Khalsa provided the building blocks that made this all possible. I will always be grateful to Khalsa for the great education my children received. read more

My daughter began attending at the kindergarten level this year at Khalsa Primary. She loves the environment and her teachers. I can tell she is learning a lot, and she is always excited to tell me about something. I love that they teach respectful communication skills, conflict resolution skills, and life skills along with the amazing hands-on and concrete academics. I love that kids of various ages are in the same class, because I don't like the social prejudice that age segregation can cause. Also, the staff and teachers and have been very willing to listen and resolve any issues or concerns that I or my daughter have had, as issues will come up at any school. I like feeling confident that my daughter is safe, happy, and thriving at school each day! read more

My grandson is 9 years old and now in second grade at this school. He is by no means lacking in intelligence. This school brags that they are way ahead of the public schools - REALLY? His five and a half year old brother, same school, cannot name one single letter of the alphabet or recognize a single word. Come next school year, I suspect he will be held back too! Just because a school is private and expensive does not mean it is better than public school. read more

My son enjoys this school and currently attends. He likes his teachers and there is no doubt that he is getting an excellent education. Unfortunately, the overall culture among teachers, staff and administration is extremely uptight. Be prepared to be talked down to or snapped at. Rude and pretentious are the best adjectives I can use to describe this administration. They are also rigid and lack the warmth and flexibility you would hope to see in a school. I was warned about this before I enrolled my son, but my options were limited in central phoenix. We are trying for ASA once he finishes 4th grade. read more

I agree with the other poster's comments about the admissions department. I found the director of admissions to be quite rude and pretentious. Especially in her emails. read more

This review is for the Montessori school for primary aged children on Coronado. I cannot speak for the curriculum or the school program itself, however my experience in the admissions process wasn't pleasant and decided that this wasn't the type of environment I wanted my child to experience daily. The staff seemed pretentious, with a chip on their shoulder that their program was better than all other Montessori programs. Also, they were less than empathetic with three year old that was unfamiliar to their methods. I felt like I was the one being interviewed for a job, and felt very "mommy shamed" after I left. I decided this wasn't a place I'd want to take my child if I-myself-felt this way after only a short period in the facility. read more

We considered this school when my daughter was entering kindergarten. She was home with my husband prior to starting school and never attended preschool. She has been bilingual since she started talking. We met with administration for an interview while a kindergarten teacher met with my daughter. The teacher came back after a 10 minute visit with my daughter asked us in front of my daughter if she had a learning disability. The administration was "preparing us" for her to be held back as that was the main discussion during our session with them. We declined the spot they offered and my daughter entered public kindergarten at a STEM school. She is in first grade now and scored 99th percentile verbal, 97th percentile non-verbal, and 91st percentile quantitative on gifted testing. Not only do they not know what they are doing at this school, but they have no idea how to handle discussions with parents and kids. This was not just one teacher. One teacher and two top administrators. Another older review on greatschools indicated the same exact situation--she was asked if her child had a disability during the interview. Shameful!!! read more