Our oldest son Thomas has been enrolled at Maha for almost 2 years and we've had a wonderful experience so far! He's almost 3 now, but despite being the youngest in the crew when he started at 14 months, he was immediately at home. The staff all clearly care deeply for the children--Tommy is especially fond of Ms Hasmik, who is so nurturing and sweet with him. He's really benefited from the influence of the older children as well. Since becoming a part of the Maha community, he's grown so much--emotionally (in his confidence & independence), cognitively (in his verbal abilities and passion for developing new skills--coloring, matching, counting) and physically (from barely toddling about when he first started to running with the other kids within just a couple of weeks) . The idea of a Montessori approach, smaller class size and all the outdoor time he would get there are what initially drew us to Maha. Everything, from the outdoor/indoor space to the curriculum/activities that the teachers put together feels so thoughtfully designed and organized. The balance between play and learning feels perfect for his age and the immersive activities like weekly yoga & music sessions are his particular favorites. read more

Our son started at Maha Montessori when he was around 2 years old, and today is his last day of daycare. Looking back on the past three years, we feel truly grateful that he had the opportunity to grow, learn, and be cared for in such a warm and nurturing environment. When he first started, we were a little worried about whether he would adjust well to a new school setting. To our surprise, he adapted very quickly and soon became comfortable with the daily routines, activities, teachers, and friends. This would not have been possible without the patience, kindness, and thoughtful guidance of the teachers. Over the past three years, we have seen him grow in so many ways. Academically, he has learned many English words, started writing his name, developed early math skills, and enjoyed books, puzzles, spelling games, art activities, music, and storytelling. Through the school app, we were able to see his daily activities and happy moments, which gave us great comfort as parents. We also truly appreciate how much Maha Montessori values outdoor activities and physical development. The children have many opportunities to play outside, release their energy, and develop healthy habits. Activities such as yoga, basketball, field trips, holiday events, and outdoor games helped our son grow from a little toddler into a confident and active big boy. One of the things that impressed us the most is how the Montessori environment helped him become more responsible, caring, and emotionally mature. He learned to be gentle with younger children, help others, and act as a positive role model. It was very meaningful for us to see him become a warm, thoughtful, and caring older child. As parents, communication with the school has always been smooth and timely. The teachers kept us updated through the app, and whenever there was anything important, they communicated with us right away. We also appreciated that the school was willing to schedule meetings, discuss children's progress, and work together with parents to find solutions when needed. The director and teachers have always been responsive, thoughtful, and professional. We also want to recognize the school's effort in creating a safe environment. Like many active children, our son had a few accidents while playing, but the teachers always handled the situations carefully and communicated with us promptly. We appreciated that the school took safety seriously and made improvements whenever needed to better protect the children. The school community is also wonderful. The parents are friendly and supportive, and families often work together with the teachers to celebrate holidays and special events. Birthday celebrations, school events, and the graduation ceremony all gave the children a beautiful sense of belonging, joy, and growth. Because of our positive experience, we have recommended Maha Montessori to several close friends, and their children also had wonderful experiences there. Some of them were very young when they started, but the teachers cared for them with great patience and love, which gave their parents tremendous peace of mind. We would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Alali and all the wonderful teachers and staff, including Ms. Yi, Ms. Awdish, Ms. Feri, Ms. Hasmik, Ms. Jamila, Ms. Arwa, Ms. Anzhela, and Ms. Kiana. Thank you for your patience, care, guidance, and love. Maha Montessori is a well-organized, loving, and supportive school where children feel seen, cared for, and encouraged to grow. We are deeply thankful for everything Maha Montessori has done for our family. Our son is leaving daycare as a happy, confident, caring, and well-rounded child, and we will always cherish these memories. read more

Maha Montessori has been a core part of our family the last 7 years, as we have had all 3 of our kids attend there over the course of that time. The amazing director of the school, Mrs. Alali, has created an intentional vision for the school, with amazing teachers and staff that truly make the learning and growing experience unique for each child. We have loved all the teachers, and so have our kids: Ms. Feri, Ms. Hasmik, Ms. Awdish, Ms. Abgaryan, Ms. Yi, Ms. Arwa, Ms. J, Ms. Sohani, Ms. Kiana, and Ms. Anzhela are all incredible in every way. Our children have learned so much including geography, math, reading, music, yoga, responsibility and so much more! The school is always safe and clean. The staff is always professional and kind. It will be a sad day when our last child has graduated from Maha Montessori, as the entire team at the school has been a critical extension of us raising our kids in a safe and loving place that inspires the kids to learn and grow. We are deeply grateful to the school and highly recommend. read more

My son started at Maha Montessori when he was only 18 months old. At that time, I was going through a difficult situation and needed daycare temporarily while I finished an important exam. Honestly, I never planned to keep him there for more than a month. He was so young, and as a mother, I felt very worried and emotional. I didn't think anyone could care for him the way I do. But Maha Montessori completely changed my perspective. Now my son will be turning 3 this August, and I can honestly say this experience has been one of the biggest blessings for our family. Every morning, my son wakes up happy, excited, and ready to go to school. As a mother, that feeling alone gives me so much comfort and peace. When my son first started at Maha, he could only say a few simple words like "mama" and "baba." After only a few months, I noticed an incredible difference in his speech and communication. He became able to express himself clearly, explain what happened during his day, talk about his teachers and friends, and communicate in ways that truly surprised me. The improvement in the way he talks, thinks, and interacts with others has been amazing. I have also seen incredible growth in his personality, confidence, independence, and interest in learning. He especially enjoys thinking games and problem-solving activities, and I love seeing how curious and independent he has become at such a young I was especially impressed by the special events and celebrations they organize for the children. The Halloween trip created beautiful memories for my son that he still talks about today. I also loved the Easter and New Year celebrations because they make the children feel joyful, included, and excited. You can truly see the effort, creativity, and love the team puts into making every child's experience special. Big thanks to Ms. Al Ali for all the effort she made in the school to make Maha so unique, She is very responsible, caring, and always willing to listen to parents. She truly cares about the children and makes parents feel comfortable and supported. You can feel how much attention and love she puts into creating a positive environment for the kids. The teachers are truly amazing and made me feel comfortable from the very beginning. A special thank you to Ms. Hasmik, who gave me such a positive first impression with her kindness, patience, and understanding. Special thanks to Ms.Jamila Ms.Arwa those who always behind my son smile. I'm also thankful to all the wonderful teachers:Ms. Awdish, Ms. Feri, Ms. Yi, Ms. Kiana, Ms. Mozhgani, Ms. Sohani, and Ms.Angela Because of them, my son feels safe, happy, loved, and excited to learn every day. Maha Montessori truly became a second home for our family, and I highly recommend it to any parent looking for a caring, supportive, and high-quality daycare. read more

Maha Montessori - Preschools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Wonderful experience for my child! Maha Montessori has been such a blessing for our family. My child absolutely loves going there every day -- the teachers are so kind, patient, and genuinely care about each child's growth. I've noticed such positive changes: more confidence, independence, and excitement to learn new things. The environment feels safe, clean, and full of love. It gives me so much peace of mind knowing my child is in such great hands. Thank you to all the amazing staff at Maha Montessori for everything you do! read more

Maha has been a wonderful place for our children to begin their educational journey in a fun, loving, and nurturing environment. We first joined the Maha community in 2022, when our daughter (still in diapers) started at Maha 2 just before she turned two. In 2024, we enrolled our son as well--and both of our children absolutely love being at Maha. The teachers feel like family to them, and every time I drop them off, I have complete peace of mind knowing they are in a safe, caring, and supportive space. One of the things that stands out most about Maha is the exceptional quality of the staff. Mrs. Alali has built a team of dedicated, compassionate, and truly wonderful teachers who have a genuine love for children and a deep commitment to their well-being and development. It shows in the way they interact with the kids with warmth, patience, and joy. Beyond the day to day care and academics, Maha goes above and beyond to create a magical experience for the children. From Friday yoga days to a summer camp filled with fun activities like water play and cooking, there's always something exciting happening. Every holiday is celebrated with so much thought and creativity from Winter Wonderland to the Halloween Spectacular and Easter festivities each event is designed to make the children feel extra special and filled with joy. We've been genuinely happy with our experience, not only because of the education and care our children receive, but also because of the sense of community we've found. We've built friendships with other families, and our children have formed bonds we hope will last a lifetime. I can't say enough positive things about Maha and Mrs. Alali. She has always been incredibly accommodating, kind, and thoughtful. It's clear she genuinely cares about the relationships she builds with families and is deeply committed to making each day feel special and enriching for the children. The school is also exceptionally well organized and communicative. Through Brightwheel, we receive daily updates and photos whether our kids are napping, playing, or doing something creative which helps us feel connected to their day and brings so much peace of mind. I'm so grateful we chose Maha. It's been one of the best decisions we've made for our family. read more

We have had a truly wonderful experience at Maha Montessori (Sherman Oaks location). The school came highly recommended to us by a neighbor whose daughter absolutely thrived there, and after experiencing it firsthand, we completely understand why. Maha Montessori does have a waiting list, so we felt incredibly fortunate when a spot opened up for our son. From the very beginning, it was clear how deeply the teachers and staff care about each child as an individual. Our son, Ronan, has sensory sensitivities, and we were initially cautious about finding the right environment for him. The level of attentiveness, patience, and genuine warmth he received at Maha made all the difference. Thanks to the meticulous care and loving guidance of the teachers, Ronan trul thrived. The environment is calm, nurturing, and thoughtfully structured, with a strong Montessori foundation that encourages independence, confidence, and curiosity. Communication with parents is excellent, and we always felt supported and included in Ronan's growth and development. He learned so much in the time he spent there. We also loved the brightwheel app that they use and the regular updates during the day with photos and videos. We still cherish these photos and videos. We commuted 45 minutes each way for Ronan to attend Maha Montessori, and it was absolutely worth it. That alone speaks volumes about the quality of care and education provided here. What truly sets Maha Montessori apart is the sense of community. This is a place where children are seen, understood, and deeply valued. We are incredibly grateful for the impact Maha Montessori has had on our family and would wholeheartedly recommend it to any parent looking for a high-quality, compassionate preschool in the Sherman Oaks area. We highly recommend Maha Montessori and cannot thank Mrs. Alali and her team enough. read more

My son started here when he was 2y3m old, and he is almost 4y old now. We've had such a great experience! The teachers are so caring and truly make the kids feel safe and supported. One of the things I was most nervous about was diaper training, but they helped so much, and my son made amazing progress in a short time. Since he's bilingual, I was also worried about how he'd communicate, but the teachers have been so patient, helping him learn to express himself. We've seen such a big improvement in his language skills! The curriculum is super organized, introducing new things at just the right pace for him. I can see him learning new words and concepts every day. One thing I really appreciate is how well the teachers handle little conflicts between the kids. They guide them through it in such a thoughtful way, teaching them how to express their feelings and solve problems. Plus, I love seeing how the older kids naturally step into leadership roles and learn to care for the younger ones--it's such a warm and supportive environment. My son absolutely loves the music, yoga, and basketball classes. He's always excited to tell me about what he did that day! Honestly, we couldn't be happier with this preschool. Mrs. Alali is an amazing director, and we're so grateful for Ms. Yi, Ms. Feri, Ms. Awdish, Ms. Alongi, and Ms. Gomez. If you're looking for a loving, structured, and fun place for your child, this is it! read more

Maha Montessori has truly been a blessing and we are extremely satisfied with the quality and structure of the education and the loving attention of the teachers. Our son has been at Maha Sherman Oaks location since he was 14 months old and now over 3 years old, and we have absolutely noticed his growth and development over that time. He has gone from 2 naps per day in diapers to quickly to 1 nap and then potty trained fully at 2 years old. In terms of the montessori education, this has been great and we can tell how much he is learning and taking the education leaps thanks to the care and attention from the teachers. At almost 3.5 years old, he appears comfortable with math (identifying numbers and counting) and reading (matching letters and even spelling parts of words with pictures) which we can see him improving every week. We know he will be reading soon and that this will happen before he gets to kindergarten. We are so pleased with his progress and development that we are looking to skip the T-K year to continue his education at Maha. Another thing we have loved are the daily updates we get over the Brightwheel app where everything from bathroom breaks to naps to the activities during the day with picture and video updates shared in the app just for our son. This has been amazing both for us as parents to track what he is learning and stay close to his day to day but also to share this with his grandparents (one set of who lives in Canada) so they can see these same progress updates. The teachers have all been fantastic and we can tell that our son has made his own special bond with each of them. There is a mix of group lessons and individual learning 1on1 with a teacher and we find this mix to be effective and great for his development. We truly feel part of the Maha community and as our son becomes one of the oldest students at the school, we are proud to see how far he has come and we look forward to more growth as he finishes his time at Maha. We are confident he will be overprepared for elementary school thanks to the strong learned preschool base gained at Maha. read more

"It's been the best thing for him" is something my partner and I often say when telling people about our son's school, Maha Montessori. He's been there for nearly 1.5 years, but his growth was immediate. Within the first three months of attending Maha, our son's communication skills improved, and he became more outgoing. The teachers are genuinely wonderful, and our son looks forward to seeing them every day. Ms. Hasmik will surely put a smile on your child's face with her warmth, enthusiasm, and love. Plus, she's an awesome yoga teacher! Our son loves Yoga Fridays and likes to show off the new moves he's learned. Ms. Angela adds to the Friday fun with her weekly music classes teaching the kids how to use different instruments. Ms. Feri and Ms. Jamaly are extremely patient with the kids and help nurture their desire to learn with empathy and positive reinforcement. Ms. Gamez makes learning a new language fun and easy with her weekly Spanish lessons. The school itself is clean with a traditional Montessori color palette that makes it feel welcoming and provides just the right amount of stimulation. The best part, though, is the outdoor play area! It's so much fun for the kids with things to climb on, swings, a seesaw, a mini basketball court, a mini track, and a garden. Plus, there's plenty of shade for those hot Valley summer days. One last thing I want to mention is the community at Maha. We've connected with all of the parents, and they're some of the kindest people we've ever met. We feel grateful to know our son is having fun learning while in trustful, loving hands at Maha! read more

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Maha Montessori has been such a positive experience for our family. The school also plans so many special experiences for both children and parents, which really builds a sense of community. The teachers are warm and attentive, and the Montessori approach really shines! All the students are encouraged to explore, learn at their own pace, and build confidence. Both of my children (ages 2 and 4) come home happy and excited to share what they're learning. I've seen real growth not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. The teachers work hard to create a thoughtful space for mentorship and collaboration, and it's been lovely to watch. Mrs. Alali and her incredible team pour so much care and intention into everything they do. I drop my kids off each day knowing they are genuinely cared for and loved. I would absolutely recommend it to any family looking for a meaningful early education experience. Maha Montessori is it! read more

We have had both our kids attend Maha since 2022 and have nothing but good things to say. The teachers (Ms Yi, Ms Hasmik, Ms Fairy, Ms Awdish, Ms Kienna, and Ms Arwa) have all treated our kids with warmth, love, and patience. Our kids have learned social skills, emotional skills, as well as academic skills to prepare them for their next steps. The student to teacher ratio is exceptional. We have recommended to multiple people and are grateful for the wonderful experience. read more

I was looking for a school/daycare that would take my 19 month old daughter coming out of Covid, when I needed to return back to work in the office. I had specific hours that I needed covered, and instantly found Maha Montessori and all of the great reviews. But we were put on a waiting list, and my return to work was imminent. I had found a back-up that was going to take her even though they didn't usually do kids under 2, when Maha Montessori reached out and said a spot had opened up. It was as if the stars had aligned. We jumped on it right away, brought our daughter in after a school day so she could see the environment and we could meet all of the teachers. Having worked from home with her for 19 months, it was going to be difficult to leave my daughter under anyone else's care, but I could instantly tell she would be in great hands. She started maybe 2 weeks later, and now she's been there for 2 1/2 years. I can't express the sadness I already have knowing that she'll be moving on to kindergarten next fall. She has thrived at Maha. She absolutely adores all of her teachers. She is reading books, learning math, they've taught Spanish and Basketball, she has weekly yoga and music class. We get daily updates to see what she's learning and how she's progressing, as well as quarterly reports. The teachers apply the Montessori methods so well, and we really saw her grow into a very independent toddler. All of the teachers are so attentive, caring, and so patient with all of the kids. I also love that they encourage the older kids to help the little ones. Our daughter was the youngest for a while, and she was surrounded by older kids that helped her with her shoes and showed her where to put her lunch supplies. Now, she gets to be that kid for the little ones. I can't recommend Maha Montessori enough, Ms Alali is just the best when it comes to her school and her staff. Just hope there will be a spot open for my son when he's ready to start! read more

We are so grateful for our time at Maha Montessori - if I could give them 10 stars I would! It brings me to tears writing this review because of how positive an impact this school had on our son who started at Maha Montessori when he was just 2 years old. We were referred to Maha Montessori by our neighbor whose two children attend and have had a wonderful experience as well. From day one Mrs. Alali the school Director welcomed our son and family with open arms. MMS has the most incredible and talented teachers. They are compassionate, kind, patient and lead by example. The school is always well maintained, organized and offers amazing Montessori learning and activities for the children. My son loved music classes, yoga, basketball and art. His learning, development, independence and overall happiness improved significantly. After school he is always talking about how much he loves his teachers, friends and what he did that day. Any child and family will be lucky to attend this school. Special thank you to Mrs. Alali and all of your wonderful teachers (Ms. Yi, Mrs. Kiana, Mrs. Angela, Ms. Feri, Mrs. Awdish - We have so much love for all of you and miss you dearly!). read more

This review below was originally posted in 2023, and it is now being updated. My daughter just graduated from Maha today after 2.5 years and I cannot thank the teachers enough for their love, generosity and care. She will miss everyone very much, and we are so grateful for her time at Maha during these foundational years. Thank you to Mrs. Alali and her entire team for everything. Original Post (2023): Our daughter started going to Maha just over a year ago, since she was 2 years old, and it has been the most enriching experience for her. The curriculum and teachers are amazing. The teachers are extremely attentive to each individual child's needs, as the student teacher ratio is 4 to 1. The kids are grouped based on similar development. The curriculum is well rounded, there is a good balance of "academic" learning, art, yoga, music, Spanish, and play. They even helped potty train our daughter! With the Brightwheel app you get a peek into your child's day in real-time, from what they are eating, to their daily nap, to when they are playing, and doing their assigned activities. Mrs. Alali has been so wonderful to us, and to our daughter, all the teachers are so caring and welcoming, and the community of parents have become our friends. We especially love that Mrs. Alali is now able to have parents at the school (post-COVID) for "Mommy the teacher day", where a mom comes to be a teacher and volunteer for part of the day, and to participate for the Halloween & Christmas parties. We've seen the tremendous growth in our daughter's development since she's been there and we love how they teach the kids about all the holidays, the world, and the importance of history. We are thankful for this school & community and can't wait to put our son in the same school once he's of age. read more

We feel very fortunate to have found Maha Montessori. We did lots of research and took lots of tours before deciding on where to enroll our young child. Some places seemed ok. Some seemed pretty scary... Honestly, Maha clearly stood out from the rest. The space is clean and organized, and the teachers and school director are very hardworking and passionate about what they do, which really helps us sleep at night as parents. We feel like our child is in safe hands, and that he's truly learning from the curriculum despite still being so young. We love that the school keeps us posted with any and all relevant updates throughout the day (including with photos and videos), and we love the programs and events that the school periodically hosts to make parents feel welcome. I will say this: If you're looking for a hands-off, more traditional style of daycare, then Maha probably isn't the right place for your family. But if you like the idea of a more school-oriented daycare where there's both free-play and structured learning, then I strongly recommend Maha. It's exactly what we wanted for our family. read more

Our son has been at this wonderful school for the past three years and we absolutely love the school and the teacher's who have been part of our son's growth over these years. A testament of the school is when your child is always excited to go to school every single day - to learn, be with his friends and do the school projects with his teachers. Ms. Alali has been a wonderful and caring director who has also involved the parents to be part of the activities making this an extension of your home. The curriculum and the activities are customized to the child's age. We started when our son was 20 months old and the focus then was more everyday lifestyle habits - eating your own meals, cleaning up, communications, motor skills development, eventually by year 3 we saw this evolve to more of every day learning coupled with reading, numbers/counting and cultural understanding. Now at age 4 - we can see him read words on his own, increased level of his number/counting skills and continuing to help around both at school and at home. The approach to learning also is noteworthy as my son loves his lessons. We could not have asked for a better early education center for our son and a staff that has helped him thrive and be ready for the journey ahead. read more

My son and daughter both go to this school and absolutely love it. They absolutely adore Mrs. Hasmik, they talk about her all the time at home. She works so carefully and lovingly with the children. She always has a huge smile on her face and the kids always rush off to hug her in the morning. My kids are excited to go to school in the morning. Since they started going to Maha Montessori they have both excelled in practical life exercises, language and vocabulary, and their social and emotional development. They've made so many wonderful friendships at the school, and I've made wonderful friendships with the parents. Mrs. Alali and her staff put a lot of time and effort in to hosting wonderful holiday parties for the children, with games, activities, and food. We have so much fun every holiday celebrating at the school with everyone. Her and her staff have done a wonderful job setting up an environment that is both academically rich and welcoming. read more

As an update, we got accepted into Mirman!!! My daughter is super prepared, emotionally and academically, all thanks to Maha.

I'm very happy to have found this place. My daughter loves coming to this place. They dance, sing, make art, learn letters, and tell fantastic stories! I usually don't write my reviews until I really see and feel its a good choice. After a few months I really see my child's progress, she is obviously more verbally and gains a lot confidence to express herself. The director Ms. Alali always keeps close touch to our parents via zoom meeting since the pandemic. I am so grateful to feel confident that I have a safe and loving space for my child. If you are looking for a beautiful preschool with a personal learning experience in an atmosphere of love and care, this is the best place. They work hard. The teachers are very lovely. Thank you Maha Montessori! read more

Maha Montessori - Preschools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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If you are looking for a preschool with a director & team of educators that GENUINELY care and consistently go above and beyond to meet the individual, academic and socio-emotional needs of each individual child, a space that is loving, nurturing and supportive of your little one- one that provides parents and caregivers with a sense of confidence and absolute security during morning drop-offs, then please, look no further than Maha Montessori! Before finding this gem of a preschool, my husband and I spent 3 years navigating through a series of highly stressful and discouraging experiences associated with childcare; all we ever wanted was a safe environment and a happy child- allowing us to focus on our daily responsibilities without that uneasy and worrisome feeling we got so accustomed to. For anyone who has been in our shoes can attest to this being one of the worst feelings for a parent/caregiver... Well, all I can say is that since his first day at Maha Montessori, we have never felt more content about the environment our son is in, the people he is surrounded by and the activities he engages in during his time there. Maha Montessori has truly been a blessing for our family- a blessing we only wish we found sooner... There are so many factors that make this preschool so special, one of my favorites being the open line of communication between parents and staff. In particular, it is their employment of the "Brightwheel" app, which allows parents consistent and direct access to what our little ones are up to on a daily basis (activities, naps/feeding schedules, etc...) via pictures, videos and written messages. We are beyond words grateful for the teachers and the considerable amount of time that they dedicate each day to ensure we stay updated- from the time our child is dropped off all the way to the time he is picked up. Academically speaking, Maha employs an authentic Montessori approach to learning: a curriculum focusing on the five key areas of study with information progressing from concrete to abstract, a mixed-age classroom, Montessori teaching materials, lots of hands-on activities (chosen/tailored to the interest of each child), etc... The preschool provides each child with a binder to store all completed hands-on work which is then periodically sent home, allowing families and children a special opportunity to review and discuss all of the wonderful work our little ones have completed- its wonderful way to nurture a sense of pride in our little people :) I can seriously write a book about all of the reasons why choosing Maha Montessori for your child is a no-brainer, but Ill end here by strongly encouraging you to see this magical place for yourself! read more

My family and I have been incredibly blessed having Maha Montessori in our lives. We love everything about Maha Montessori. I started out my 4 year old and 2 year old (now 3 years old) together at the school. From the beginning, they welcomed us with open arms. The staff is so inviting, patient, caring, and sweet not just with the students--but the parents as well. My husband and I felt comfortable being able to leave our children there which was an important factor for us as well because it is so hard for my kids to adjust anywhere. They treat us all with such grace and make you feel like your part of the Maha Montessori family. My kids have adjusted great to school thanks to Maha Montessori. It was always my worry from the beginning, but Maha Montessori brought that to rest. My daughter would come home and tell me how much she loves school. She loves everything about it from the staff to her friends, they made it such an easy adjustment. The teachers really make the kids feel so comfortable and happy which as a parent you can't ask for more. My son would run into the school from how much he loves it. My son definitely loves going to school every day because he knows its a warm and friendly environment where he can thrive and have a good time while exploring new things. The teachers care for them like they are their own children. They love to see the progress in them and get excited for them when they accomplish their goals. It is very heart warming. The staff is attentive, genuinely care about my daughter and my son, and fully transparent - I have full confidence that I would be made aware of any issues if there were any. The classrooms are small so all children receive ample attention and the teachers are amazing. We receive pictures and videos pretty much daily. I know my children will be safe and cared for at this school. Also, I have seen so many changes in my children academically and behavior wise as well. Maha Montessori has a great curriculum. They help the children academically and also how to apply things in everyday life. It's the best of both worlds. Both my children have shown tremendous progress just within the year that they been going there. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Maha Montessori. They provide all the love and nurturing our children need, along with the right amount of structure, academics, one on ones, and boundaries. I would and have recommend this school to my own family members and friends from how much we love it so much at Maha! read more

My son started at Maha Montessori when he was 3 years old. On the day of our tour we had the best experience and let me tell you why. I called Ms Alali and she inquired about my son area of interest and his favorite activities , and the end of the call I asked her if it's ok to bring a little gift so they can gift my son on the first day so he will have good memory from them and start liking maha. Ms Alali strictly said "no, don't worry he will like our school"I was kind of surprised when she said that however we went for our tour and it turned out amazing! As soon as we entered into Maha , their wonderful teachers Ms Arwa and Ms Yin and Ms Alali greeted us warmly. The room was supper clean and prepared based on my son areas of interests which I found very thoughtful. My son immediately vibed with the teachers who were present and loved the back yard. To make the story short my son did not want to leave the school after our tour time. Which made my heart melt, because we did not have the same experience with another school (Sage Academy )that he went to prior. Yes ! My son has strong likes and dislikes. My son started the school right after the tour and he loves going to school everyday. Their whole system is complete Montessori and my son and I are loving it. He is almost 4 , he is completely independent with potty training including washing hands, undressing and redressing himself. Completely independent with basic tasks that I see other kids are having difficulties with. On top of all of this , they are great at teaching kids basic knowledge of science. my son accurately is able to name continents , days of the week, months of the year and so many other basic essential topics that will help them now and in future to be more aware of their surroundings. The teachers are absolutely kind and caring. My son is a bilingual and the teachers were so kind and helpful to encourage him to speak English and I did not spoke a English word to him and he is now communicating well in both languages. Every week I have at least one wonderful experience with these teachers and I send messages and thank them for everything they do for my son. I'm thankful this thanksgiving for Ms Yi, Ms. Arwa, Ms awdish , Ms Gomez and of course Ms Alali who I can not thank enough. read more

My child has been at Maha Montessori since 2021, right after things started opening up after COVID. I was concerned about sending my 2 year old baby girl to a school during a pandemic but loved this place when I toured it back in 2019. I waited a YEAR for an opening at the school, and just couldn't pass it up because of my fear with COVID. I took the chance and can assure you it was worth the wait! There have been past reviews that speak to COVID precautions (which also sealed the deal for me at that point and time) so I won't get into that but will list out everything I love about this school. - The teachers: They truly care about the kids development and individualized enrichment. They provide binders with everything your child has been doing in class, it's a great way to connect with your child regarding all they do in class. Ms. Alali - the school director is wonderful! She is caring but firm which is a great balance for kids. The big perk for me is the teacher student ratio - 4 to 1 which allows the teachers to truly get to know all of the children. - Currículum: it is well rounded and love everything they offer. Yoga, music, art, life skills, geography, botany, Spanish (NEW), numbers, alphabet - phonetic learning first and so much more. - Bright wheel app: You get real time updates on your child's day, which is so great for any parent/caregiver to get throughout the day. The communication on the app is seamless. The teachers answer quickly which helps any parents with questions or concerns. - School community: I truly enjoy the kids and parents at this school. On a personal level, my daughter has truly had an evolution since her first day at Maha. She is now confident, outspoken and social. These were things that were lacking especially since she was a true COVID baby. I am thankful for Maha Montessori for helping, teaching and caring for my daughter for the past two years! My 2 year old son is now attending Maha with his big sister! I love this school, it is truly a gem in Sherman Oaks/Encino area. If you have read through this - I know you are truly looking for a gem of a place as well, you have found it! read more

Maha Montessori is a hidden little gem in the Encino/Sherman Oaks area. The Director, Mrs. Alali is the fundamental building block of this great school. She is so thorough with her process and extremely organized. Surely, a great example for the children. The school is focused on all aspects of the child- learning, helping them be independent, responsible and kind little people. They do have a lot of fun with the music classes, art work, outdoor play as well. We are so lucky to have found this school for our little one. This school opened a few years too late in my opinion. I would have loved for my older child to have been here too. read more

Maha Montessori - Preschools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The environment is filled with rich-engaging materials for young children to develop crucial skills and thrive.

I would be very wary of this school and the energy its director has with children. The intense posturing of the school, as it claims to be so wildly impressive, the hyper focus on bullet-point-based accomplishment (when we know this doesn't set kids up for academic success later at all), and the way the director blatantly lies (I encountered this twice) are all true warning signs. Beyond those, though, the energy is just. not. right. It is eerie and cold and weird. Not a healthy place. read more

My daughter Isabel has been a student at Maha Montessori for almost a year now. My wife and I can't say enough good things about Ms. Alali the owner as well as all the teachers at Maha. Isabel started there at 2.5 years old and came off being an isolated covid toddler only interacting with us and her nanny. After a transition period she absolutely began to explode with language, learning, personality, and more. Maha Montessori gives her a wealth of opportunity to play, interact with the other students, learn her sounds/phonetics, discover her inner artist, and so much more. The teachers are so kind and caring and all truly seem to care about Isabel's development as well as her as a person. The school is clean and cute with just the sort of toys/activities that you'd hope for at a montessori school. The parents are all super cool and we've developed some friendships just from pickup and dropoff which is nice to have the kids interact outside of school. MM uses a great intuitive app and its so fun to receive pictures and videos of Isabel's activities, play, learning throughout the day. Ms Alali has also been super diligent about Covid. I've felt as safe as I possibly could with Ms. Alali's covid policies and school cleanliness. All in all, I am overjoyed with Isabel's development at Maha and if you have the opportunity to get a slot at this school, don't hesitate - say yes and give your child an amazing preschool experience. read more

I absolutely highly recommend this preschool to other parents. I enrolled my son at about 25 months old and he is loved and cared for as if he is one of their family. The facility is run out of a beautiful home with an impressive classroom, play space, and back yard that I can assured is safe and clean for my son and the many other children to play and learn in. My kid specially like it's beautiful and vivid front yard. The director Ms Alali always makes sure all her "children" (that's what she called her students) are well taken care of. My son has shown his progress after two week enrollment at this school. I can tell he is learning so much and is so happy after every day there. read more

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We've had an amazing experience at Maha Montessori with our daughter. She started right before she turned two and quickly acclimated to the school, the teachers, and her new friends. The curriculum at Maha is unmatched with individualized language and math learning sessions, practical life exercises, yoga, music classes, basketball lessons, cooking, gardening, spanish classes, and so much more. Our daughter has developed a strong love of learning and incredible foundation thanks to MMS. The teachers are all so nurturing, caring, and patient with the children--- truly, I don't know how they manage to do it all so gracefully! Our daughter looks forward to going to school every single day and has built close friendships with her all classmates. We continue to be impressed by her independence, confidence, and intellectual/emotional skills, which we know are in huge thanks to MMS. While we are sad to close our journey at Maha, we know that she is more than equipped to handle big kid school this Fall. We would highly recommend MMS to other families and we look forward to being back with our son as soon as he is old enough! Thank you Ms. Alali, Ms. Feri, Ms. Yi, Ms. Angela, Ms. Alongi, Ms. Hasmik, Ms. Gamez, Ms. Awdish, Ms. Abgaryan, Ms. Arwa and all the absolutely amazing teachers who have shaped our daughter over the past few years. We are forever grateful to Maha! read more

I've enrolled my 18-month-old on May 2022. Before enrolling, I'd done an intense amount of research about Maria Montessori and was always fascinated by the educational approach that emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and individualized It's designed to foster a child's natural curiosity and encourage them to explore and learn at their own pace. The first couple of months were fine; the director was always engaged and told me my son was doing a great job. Sadly, this didn't last. I received a message from Mrs. Alali asking to speak about my son's progress report. She told me she's concerned about my two-year-old's behavior issues, that he is delayed compared to other children his age, and that I should talk with his pediatrician for any advice. As a first-time mom, I was worried. I took her advice and took my son to the pediatrician. I asked the doctor about his behavior issues and if he needed any special care. The doctor told me he is fine. He is going through his terrible twos, and every child learns at their own pace. I followed up with Mrs. Alali, and she replied, "I disagree with the doctor's opinion." That rubbed me the wrong way. A couple of months ago, Mrs. Alali called me again, wanting to go over my two-year progress report for the following quarter. He is not progressing; he doesn't want to learn, and this school isn't the right fit for him. I'm wasting my money taking him there. She didn't use the words "kicked out of school," but the way she was wording it, I didn't feel my son was welcomed anymore. Within a week after my conversation with her, I told her it would be the last month my son would stay. I was extremely disappointed with Mrs. Alali's lack of professionalism. She seemed disinterested in my child's well-being, and communication was practically nonexistent. I witnessed multiple instances of neglect and disorganization, leaving me concerned for the safety of the kids. It's clear that the daycare lacks the necessary standards and values to provide a secure and nurturing environment for children. I strongly advise parents to look elsewhere for a more reliable and responsible daycare option. read more

We started Maha Montessori in May of 2022. We were very impressed by the curriculum. We quickly noticed our daughter's language skills develop. She learned numbers, shapes, continents, and practical life skills at Maha Montessori. The teachers there are incredibly attentive and dedicated to the children. I'm especially grateful for my daughter's primary teacher, who greeted her every morning. However, we started to notice red flags shortly after we enrolled. In her contract, Mrs. Alali (the director) states that parents cannot enter or visit the school at any time. This is in direct contrast to California's parent's rights laws, which include visitations and classroom drop-ins. She also doesn't want her teachers to show affection to the children or build relationships with the parents. And unfortunately, she often badmouthed other parents. But while we sometimes disagreed with Mrs. Alali, there were no serious issues to work through. In April, Mrs. Alali accused us of writing a negative Yelp review (the one-star review posted) and TERMINATED my daughter because of the review she said we wrote. Her exact words were, "Upon our investigation, it looks like you or someone from your family wrote this fake review." My husband and I were both shocked at the accusations. It was a direct insult to our parenting. She accused us of speaking poorly and publicly about her business and still giving her our child to care for. It made no sense at all. Based on our reactions, she did not terminate our daughter immediately but wanted to meet with me the following week. In that meeting, Mrs. Alali (and another teacher) explained that since the negative review was written around the same time that I deleted my Yelp account (coincidentally deleting a positive review I had written about the school months prior), she felt it was appropriate to accuse us of writing it and terminating our daughter for it. To highlight her delusion even more, she read out loud every single address I've ever lived in SINCE I WAS A CHILD. She ran a background check on me and wanted me to know it. I was disgusted realizing that a woman who works with children daily and has so much impact on a child's well-being could function in this manner -- lacking reasoning and self-analysis. I reassured Mrs. Alali that we did not write a negative review and continue to use her business. This would jeopardize our child's well-being. I emphasized that if she genuinely believed we wrote that negative Yelp review, we would have to leave the school because we wouldn't feel our daughter would be safe and welcomed there. Ultimately, she said, "I believe you," and then she said, "HOW DO WE FIX THIS," She told me that to "fix" the "mistake," my husband would have to write a positive Yelp review for her business. This made me realize how unhinged and calculated Mrs. Alali is. She strategically targeted, bullied, and attempted to intimidate us into writing a positive Yelp review. Her accusations came from her panic over having one bad review and her fixation on appearing as "the best." Due to her severe lack of judgment, there was no way I would allow my daughter to stay at the school much longer. That same day, we applied to another school. We had plans to leave Maha Montessori in September. We accelerated those plans and left end of June because we learned that the school had implemented a TIME-OUT chair. Our daughter used the word "time-out chair" a few times at home, which we found very odd since we don't use time-outs for behavior correction. We asked our toddler about it, and she looked down, disheartened, describing where the time-out chair was in the school and naming the children who had to sit on it for "not listening during circle time." Eventually, there was confirmation from a few parents that a time out chair was being used without their knowledge.This obviously left us feeling defeated, and we decided to pull our daughter out immediately. Unfortunately, we only experienced lies and manipulation from Mrs. Alali, and knowing she was around our daughter was nerve-wracking. Our daughter is in a new school now and is so happy. She hugs her teachers and friends goodbye every day. Seeing her this happy made me realize she was never happy at Maha Montessori. Looking back, it's apparent that our daughter's true personality couldn't shine in a school like Maha Montessori. The obsession with academia and the image of success forced on children at such a young age is harmful. There is no consideration for or effort to support a child's social development and emotional intelligence. There is no celebration of creativity, uniqueness, and individuality. Instead, there is a hyper-focus on ensuring children are disciplined, quiet, and orderly. In retrospect, it all felt very cultish. The best decision we ever made was to leave Maha Montessori. Please reach out if you'd like to hear more about our experience. The intention here is to help parents avoid what we went through. read more

My daughter has been going to Maha since last September and in that time we have seen incredible growth in her academic and emotional life. The teachers are amazing and genuinely seem to care about her well being. So far we are very happy with her experience there and would recommend it to other families. We will update this review again in September once she's been enrolled a full calendar year. read more

Maha Montessori is an excellent school.  The family oriented environment, along with the love and care of the staff is very comforting.  When I drop off my children, i have peace of mind they will be looked after diligently, lovingly and taught not only academics but how to become well-rounded independent individuals.  My child (now 9 years old) flourished in the few months she attended Maha Montessori.  The Montessori method is truly amazing, particularly in the early years.  Also The most important thing is director "Ms.Alali" who is a loving and dedicated educator.I will continue recommending this school to anyone.  It truly is a one of a kind gem in the valley! read more

Maha Montessori - Preschools Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Our daughter was at Maha Montessori for a year before we decided to pull her out. While we were very impressed by the curriculum, the kindness of the teachers, and the presentation of the school, there were so many red flags we chose to ignore including not letting parents in the school, sharing personal information about other children and parents, and prohibiting contact between teacher and parent (outside of drop off/pick up). Mrs. Alali, the director, boasts about the school's curriculum being top tier. And while my daughter learned a lot at Maha, it was apparent to us that her social and emotional characteristics were not being acknowledged or celebrated. For example, Mrs. Alali does not want her students hugging each other or hugging the teachers. She told us often that she did not want the children forming connections with the teachers and that she avoided this kind of bond by rotating teachers often. While we understood her dedication to her curriculum, having a toddler focus solely on academic work and prioritizing academia over emotional and social development at this age have been proven to be harmful. Parents have very little communication with the teachers. We are redirected to talk to Mrs. Alali about everything, although she's not the one that's always at the school. She is a difficult person to talk to. Every time we needed to inquire about our daughter's progress (which was a reasonable amount of times) she made it seem like she was doing us a favor by creating time to talk to us. In one instance, where we inquired about my daughter's potty training process (because we were getting mixed brief updates from numerous teachers) she said "you don't ask the questions. we do". That was extremely offensive. We are parents concerned and curious about our daughter's behaviors. So this response was extremely insulting and it's not something you want to hear from a school director when you are paying $2100 a month. The behavioral patterns of this director are unpredictable and manipulative. Because we were in good standing with her, she believed we wouldn't challenge her so she felt comfortable enough to accuse us of writing a negative review and threatening us with terminating my daughter's enrollment. She went as far as telling my wife that to prevent her from terminating my daughter, I'd have to write a positive review for her business. She went as far as telling me that before I write the review I should add multiple friends to my account, I should review other places first, and I should make the review I leave her long and descriptive so "Yelp knows it's real and it doesn't get taken down". I was so shocked that the director of a preschool could behave in this manner! Ultimately, we decided to leave Maha Montessori. Mrs. Alali's obsessive and controlling behavior made me nervous to send my daughter to her school. While I always believed my daughter was safe, I did not want her growing up with this kind of personality around her. From our experience, it's apparent Mrs. Alali does not care about the kids as much as she cares about her reputation, her money, and her Yelp reviews. While the traditional teaching tactics may work for some parents, and while Mrs. Alali's personality may not be an issue for many, it's obvious Mrs. Alali is not well-versed in today's understanding of childhood development. Oh, and she also has a problem dealing with human beings that don't agree with her. I write this to inform parents because had we had this information beforehand, we would've never put ourselves or our daughter through this. read more

I'm very pleased with the development of our daughter at Maha Montessori. The teachers at Maha are very loving and caring of all the kids, while at the same time helping them learn a wide variety of subjects. In particular, Ms. Hasmik and Ms. Feri have had a strong positive impact on our daughter. I highly recommend Maha for anyone looking for a safe, loving, and forward thinking educationally focused environment for their children (while not losing sight of fun weekly activities like Yoga and Music class). read more

Our son started Maha Montessori when he was 19 months old (the youngest she accepts is 18 mos.) and we have seen a tremendous difference in the 3 months he has been there. We transferred him from a structureless home daycare and it has taken him some time to adjust, but the level of independence we have seen from him in such a short period of time has been impressive. All of the teachers work so well with the students and Ms. Alali is a force to be reckoned with. She is a true professional with a passion for education (and a lot of patience). Her own children are a perfect example. I recommend Maha Montessori for anyone looking to improve their child's life skills, independence, creativity and of course overall education. read more

This preschool is amazing. We had our 2.5yo here for about 6 months and honestly, if we didn't have to move, I would have kept here there as long as possible. Our daughter woke up beaming and always excited to go to preschool. Maha always had her doing very creative and educational activities. She even learned the continents at 2.5 years old. C'mon. The teachers were all great and it was obvious our daughter liked them very much. Communication was top notch through their app as well. Maha set a pretty high bar for us as far as preschools go and I would highly highly recommend enrolling. read more

My daughter started at Maha's in February when she was 2 years old. Prior to that she had been home with us for a full year given the pandemic but there was a spot and we jumped on it. At first we were a bit concerned about how it would be given that she had been home with us for so long and pandemic was still a serious concern for us. Maha Montessori set our minds at ease from the start given all of the precautions put in place to keep the kids and staff safe. They have parents take daily wellness screenings, all staff wear masks throughout the day, all children have to wear masks (2 yr olds and older), the teachers clean the soles of the kids shoes before entering the school, take their temperature and much more. Great protocols in place that have provided peace of mind and I am not listing everything they do! As far a the actual program goes, top notch and a perfect combination of learning, fun, engaging play and everyday life skills. I have seen great progress in my daughter's confidence level and she is truly happy going to school. She is currently learning about the continents, solar system, anatomy and so much more. My daughter's loves all of the teachers and speaks very positively about them, she does have a special place for Ms. Yu and Ms. Irina . Ms. Alali, school director, takes her role very seriously and wants to cultivate each child as if they were her own. She herself is a parent and started this place because she couldn't find a place that met her expectation, I am glad she did! If I could, I would leave a 10 star review of this place, it is truly setting up my daughter for the best possible start, thank you to the wonderful teachers and Ms. Alali! Additional comments about the place: 1. Bright wheel app provides you updates of what your child is eating, doing etc - pictures are a bonus! 2. Every month they provide a monthly newsletter so you can see what the kids are learning and achieving. 3. Attention to detail on special occasions like Mother's Day - sent the kids home with a cute card to give. 4. Incredible space for outdoor play, free play space and learning area - all very well kept. 5. There is a 3 month check in with the school director where she provides one on one feedback of your child's progress and opportunities. Great insight! 6. The teachers are so respectful and attentive with each of the kids, it's wonderful to see. 7. Full day program is great especially for working parents! This school is awesome and so happy to have found it! read more

We just want to let you all know how pleased we are with this school. After prospecting many schools, this one seemed, and has proven to be, the best fit for us. A few highlights... 1) Their use of the brightwheel app. It's the closest we've found to being able to check in on our child whenever we're inclined. 2) Our baby's communication skills have improved dramatically. This includes articulation, storytelling, and even listening. 3) Our child's knowledge and imagination have expanded thanks to the matching and concentration projects the school offers. They stretch her mind by utilizing subjects such as the solar sysystem, countries of the world, and even anatomy! Yeah! 4) Her personal independence has grown. The school encourages her to do things on her own and this translates into her insistence on putting on her own clothes and shoes as well as...wait for it...cleaning up after herself WHAT?!...well at least on occasion...she certainly is more willing to help out around the house in whatever capacity she can. And though i could go on, the final, and most important, component is that our daughter actuall enjoys going to school! And one additional disclosure...our little girl is 2 1/2 We really appreciate Ms Alali and her highly skilled and caring staff. read more