Amazing care and learning environment for children. The teachers are wonderful. Our kid is thriving here! The camaraderie and the way of teaching is true Montessori style. We love it! We are at such peace that our little one is truly looked after here and cared for. read more

My husband and I visited five different Montessori schools before choosing MCDC and we couldn't be happier with our choice. When making our preschool decision for our sons, we wanted a place that would be fun, spark friendships and teach them their numbers and letters. But more importantly, we wanted a place that would foster the development of their character and reinforce the virtues we were teaching at home. The staff and teachers at MCDC not only teach patience, community, love, discernment, mindfulness, confidence and discipline; they embody it. They provide the perfect mix of love with discipline, patience with order, independence with guidance. You can see the level of sacrifice each staff member exudes to ensure the best outcome for the students. All of their dedication is apparent in way our sons are developing. Both of my sons attended the school and by the time they turned 5, they were reading and writing beyond our expectations. They were exposed to a wide variety of subjects and not just memorizing facts, they were learning how these subjects worked through tactically application. They also had several opportunities to develop their speaking and leadership skills through performances, speeches and mentoring other students. In addition to the strong academics and leadership MCDC helped to foster was the peace of mind and confidence we felt in the morning dropping them off knowing they are in the best possible hands. As a parent, you make so many sacrifices for your children and it's nice to know for the hours they are at school, the teachers and staff share that same level of love and dedication. Fast forward seven years - my sons are currently in seventh and fifth grade and both continue to thrive. Both tested into GATE SEMINAR and have continued to be in accelerated classes throughout their schooling. We attribute a lot of their success to the great foundation they received at MCDC. We were very nervous about how they would transition from a Montessori school to a traditional public school. However, they excelled academically and socially and made the transition smoothly. As with any Montessori school, it was an investment for our family. But, we feel the skills our sons learned combined with the independence and character they developed made our investment worth it. We would offer our highest recommendation to MCDC! read more

I have had 4 children go through MCDC over the years. As a parent, I can tell you there is nowhere that rivals the care and love that these teachers pour into the children in their care. I have had the privilege of being on both sides of the looking glass, having the opportunity to work there and being a parent. This school stives to be the most authentic Montessori experience, from care of environment, gardens and farm animals, swimming lessons in the summer, summer camps, special events, after-school enrichment classes, celebrations of all cultures and amazing traditions like the pumpkin patch feildtrip, holiday and spring sing, annual sleepover, I could go on and on! This school is really a gem in the Poway community. If you're looking for a deeply rich foundation for your childs education, this is the place to be! read more

I'll start off by saying as parents of two children who have both attended MCDC, it gives us comfort knowing this school has been around for more than 40 years. It was and has been an exceptional learning experience since starting our kids at the age of 2. The school provides a well-rounded, nurturing learning environment with all the necessary in-class tools and "extras" (farm animals and garden) to setup the kids for success. The staff and teachers have been amazing and we are very happy with our decision to enroll our kids in this school. read more

Our 3.5 yo daughter has been attending MCDC and Little Hands (it's little kids program) since she was 19 months old. She is developing many skills, surrounded by good staff, friends and animals! read more

I feel so fortunate to have found this truly authentic Montessori school for my 2 girls who have both started with Montessori since they were 18 mo's old. The teachers are all very loving, kind & patient & all have so much to offer! The girls love going to school & the tuition is responsible especially compared with other true Montessori schools, which is hard to find btw. Do your homework:-) read more

We enrolled our son in MCDC after a traumatic introduction into the public school TK program (a horrible experience that included lots of punitive punishment and public shaming). Our experience with MCSC has been marvelous and our son is flourishing. He is excelling beyond our expectations in programs that interest him, and coming along perfectly well in areas in which he has less aptitude or interest. There is far more room to explore advanced ideas, and the way problem-solving is approached seems much more intuitive and natural than the public education system. The teachers have exceeded our hopes in every way, and our son adores them. The staff are fantastic and turnover is low. Their joy and enthusiasm is abundantly evident and totally unforced - they really care for the kids. And they will always go the extra mile when needs arise. Another feature we love is the after-school enrichment program. The school offers art, cooking, and other classes. Prices for classes are reasonable, and it saves families the stress of schlepping from venue to venue for extra-curricular activities. We love the community of highly diverse families. We love and appreciate the outside natural areas for kids to spend time in outdoor creative play. Our son loves the garden, the animals, the tree stumps, the hills, and green grass to romp around in. Highly recommend this school for any parent seeking a safe, diverse, loving Montessori education for their child! read more

We absolutely adore MCDC !! Both of our kids have been raised at this school and we couldn't be happier! Such a nurturing environment, not to mention the amazing education! Check this place out I can't say enough about the huge impact this school has had on my children. If you are looking for unmatched education with a home, nurturing feel, MCDC is for you! read more

What a wonderful gift this school is to give to your young child in their early learning and development. My child has been there for the past year and she is learning in so many ways - practical skills, gardening, swimming, manners, in addition to what you might expect related to early writing, reading and math. The setting of the school is bucolic at its best, boasting a wide open backyard with a garden and farm animals which the children tend to, as well as an expansive lawn and free play area. The staff is stellar - from the owner, to the administrator and all the teachers, aides, and after school caregivers. Their passion for the program and care for the children is evident in everything they do - from frequent email updates, monthly newsletters with lots of pictures, thematic learning programs, special parent teaching nights, twice yearly sing alongs performed by the children, and a school sleepover as part of the summer program! It's all carefully planned and enthusiastically received by the kids (and parents)! There is a reason this school has been a mainstay of the Poway community for 30+ years. It's a special place and we feel very fortunate to have our child attending the 3 year program, which evolves each year based on the child's age as they grow from student to teacher, gaining independence and confidence as they learn skills that will carry them throughout their school careers and beyond. read more

My son has gone to MCDC for a few years and I can say nothing but wonderful things about the facility and teachers. The school is located off of Espola road and very easy to get to. The class sizes are small and the children get lots of individual attention. They do an excellent job at teaching the children grace, courtesy, manners and culture. They also have an organic garden, & a few farm animals (chickens, ducks and a goat.) The afterschool programs (Spanish, Art, Brain Gym, and Music appreciation) are fantastic as well. The "summer camp" is geared towards arts and science, and for fun they bring in a professional swim instructor to give them lessons everyday! Overall the school is a perfect blend of kinesthetic, and conceptual learning. The children are very well rounded and learn everything from math, penmanship, geography, art, & science . My son graduated this year from kindergarten and he's leaps and bounds above the neighborhood children who go to public school. Dr. Marsh read more

MCDC is a hidden gem . I've witnessed my child truly grow and become a confident boy under their guidance .The teachers here are very loving and give the kids room to grow at their own pace without forcing them .They also understand and acknowledge that evey kid is different and are willing to give them individual attention.We are so glad that we found MCDC .My son has graduated and will be moving on.I wish they had elementary. Ms Vanit is an awesome teacher .I am not a person who writes a lot of reviews but I really am thankful for what they have done ! read more

One of a kind school with passionate and genuine teachers who have a sincere interest in the child's learning and development. You can feel and see the joy in the teachers when they discuss how the children are learning, exploring and growing. We couldn't be happier with their focus on the child as a unique individual. Incredible opportunities to get involved with the school and your child's development. read more

Every child deserves a nurturing environment to learn and specially in the early formative years! MCDC and LHM provide just that and more. The teachers at both LHM and MCDC are dedicated to the wholesome growth and development of the kids. The focus is on helping the kids become self reliant, curious, confident and happy individuals. The environment is enriching with beautiful shaded trees, HUGE play area, veggie garden that kids tend to, farm animals and a pool!! Yes, every kid will graduate knowing their math and reading (that seems to be the mass concern unfortunately!). What they will carry on for the rest of their lives is much much more and beyond academical distinctions. We are watching both our kids grow and thrive with these wonderful teachers and a fantastic school. So fortunate to be a part of the MCDC/LHM family!! read more

We went to this school with our child based on all the hype about the school. Unfortunately, we were less than impressed with the ladies in the front. The teachers at the school were sort of nice (thankfully at least they were). The school did not seem interested enough to admit our child for some reason and fortunately we found a better montessori that welcomed our child and has changed our lives for the better. A tip to new seekers for this school- Be dressed very elite to get a good reception and flaunt your money to make it obvious. read more

Our son has been going to MCDC for 3 years. He started at 18 months in their Little Hands program. He absolutely loves going to school! He comes home talking about everything from what "work" he did for the day to how he worked in the garden with friends and pet the chicken. The education and life experience he has received from this school is amazing. We are looking forward to starting our second child at Little Hands this fall! read more

My child attended MCDC for three years (Preschool through Kindergarten). I feel like she has had the absolute best experience and preparation she could possibly get. My wife and I knew the instant that we arrived at the school that we were going to like it. It's an idyllic setting with large grassy areas and almost no asphalt or concrete. There is a beautiful garden that the children tend and even goats, chickens and a bossy duck named Charles that likes to herd the children. Everything in the environment has been engineered to create a safe, nurturing space for children to learn and explore. The classrooms have a similar feel. There are none of the creepy institutional elements that dominate most schools. No primary colored plastic junk. No off-the-rack bulletin boards with row upon row of identical "art" projects. The school is a converted home and it feels homey and comfortable. Yet, upon closer inspection you begin to see how everything has been designed to create learning opportunities for the children to discover on their own. Everything is designed to empower the children to become more responsible for themselves and to master important life skills. What really sold us on the school was the very first experience we had visiting with a teacher there. In most schools, when a teacher becomes preoccupied with other adults, the children take it as license to get off task and goof around. We spent nearly 20 minutes talking with the teacher and I was stunned to observe the children continue to quietly work on their own. At one point, a child spilled a jar of beans on the ground and without any direction just got up to get a broom and dust pan to clean it up. This is the essence of the Montessori method. So many schools are Montessori in name only. Here, the children learn to be responsible for themselves and to be a good part of a community. Even the way new children are brought into the classroom is designed to foster the amazing culture of this school. Returning students begin the year a week earlier to reestablish the norms of behavior and then each new child is introduced one at a time. Each new child has their own special day to meet the class and become acculturated so that the peaceful learning environment is always maintained. I could go on and on with specific examples of how this school gets it right but, of course, the real measure is how well the children are educated. My daughter has acquired amazing skills in math and reading for a six year old. She constantly surprises me with the information she has gathered and with her ability to reason and problem solve. Most importantly, she absolutely loves learning. She reads street signs and makes me drill her in math while driving around. She takes it upon herself to set up little lessons and experiments which her teachers then work right into her classwork. (For example, having her do a little report on the Philippines when she discovered a coin and brought it in) So often, schools convince children that learning is difficult or that it is work and so it isn't fun. MCDC fosters a love of learning in children that will pay dividends for years to come. You may balk at the cost. We certainly did. It's not the cheapest option in town, but I'm here to tell you that it's absolutely worth it. If they taught children all the way through grade school I'd be prepared to pay for another six years. read more

Our children have been going to MCDC for the past 3 years and our experience has been nothing but wonderful. We see our kids thriving in so many ways; from social interactions, manners, self-esteem, math, writing, reading, art and science. Our children look forward to going to such a caring and loving environment every morning. MCDC is a true Montessori school with great staff and facilities. The head teachers in both MCDC classrooms and Little Hands are top notch and communication with teachers and staff is very easy. They offer after day programs and a summer camp with swim lessons as well; both are excellent. In addition, they have many other events throughout the year - a holiday and a spring sing, father's and a mother's nights, which are our favorite since we get to see our kids work with the Montessori material. They also host parent educational nights where you can meet other parents and learn more about the Montessori method. There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer, which gives the school a great feel of community. All the families that we have met here have been so nice. We really hope we can keep friendships made here for years to come. We believe having our kids at MCDC has been a great investment. I would suggest checking their website and graduation videos. read more

My daughter has been attending MCDC for the past couple of years and we all love it. The teachers are all wonderful and completely supportive of the students. My daughter has grown and learned so much in the past couple of years. I love that she gets to be an environment that has a garden, farm animals, and plenty of outdoor time. read more

We recently moved to AZ but in the time we spend with MCDC and LHM, our family had an amazing experience. Our son, two years old, thrived at LHM. He looked forward to "work" time each morning and had a big smile on his face when I picked him up each day. The staff is friendly but more importantly they are passionate about our children's growth and education. They CARE....it shows they care. Our son's teachers were outstanding but Ms. Nuccia stood out as a complete blessing to have in our son's life. She really took and invested interest in our son's development. She loves what she does and it showed every day when working with our son. I would highly recommend this school to any family as a exceptional learning and development environment for your child(ren). read more

My daughter and son go there for preschool and kindergarten. They learned so much. We are very happy to see they enjoy going to school every day. We always believe in Montessori method, and the huge yard and farm animals are a plus. Tuition is not expensive compare to others in the area. It is a wonderful school. Highly recommended! read more

Loving environment in a home-like setting. My son loves "the yard" where he gets to garden and tend to farm animals.

We enrolled our daughter in LHM just because we both really loved this place after our first tour. very impressive! The teachers, staff and the playground. It proves this has been one of most brilliant decisions we have ever made. My daughter enjoyed her time in the school. Ms. Racheal and Miss Nuccia are really nice, caring and educating. My daughter learned all the works there, all the good habits and good routines. When we have to move on with another Montessori (as we live in Carmel Valley, and the drive takes more than 1 hour for just one round trip-two round trips for me), the new head teacher sent me email and called me, saying something like, "Oh, Mia is doing such a great job that I realized I have to appreciate the school staff from her previous school. They really did a great job! "I totally agree. I will always appreciate the teachers and staff there. This is a very important step in my daughter's life! read more

When my wife and I first started searching for a preschool for our son we were nervous but after our visit with MCDC we knew we had found the right school. It's been almost 3 yrs since and I can honestly say MCDC has been a blessing for my son and family. This is a great, great place with fantastic teacher's and staff. Our son will attend MCDC for kindergarten and our 2 yr old daughter will be attending as well. Great job MCDC! read more

As a former MCDC student myself, I had no hesitation about placing my 2 children in this school. Both of my children went to Little Hands Montessori next door and I feel this enabled them to grow even more at MCDC. I love how they focus on manners and courtesy. The children can learn at their own pace. There is no "forced" learning if the child isn't ready. The teachers are compassionate and the children can learn at their own pace. Marijane is great. After having the school for more than 30 years, I know she is doing a great thing and you can see it by the growth of my own children. read more

A++++. MCDC has been an amazing experience for my 2 kids. My wife and I explored all the different options in Poway, and when we walked into MCDC for the first time it was a no-brainer. Marijane and her staff have really developed a wonderful program which provides the kids an opportunity to thrive. My son is innately curious and the hands-on style that the Montessori system provides has catered to his style. During his kindergarten year, he was doing presentations, reading books, excelling in math, and even giving a speech during his graduation. It's amazing to see a 5yr old get in front of 50+ plus people and give a 4-5 minute speech. My daughter is a hard worker and very ambitious. The amazing teachers at MCDC have done a wonderful job of giving her the freedom to blossom and have nourished her individual development. She continues to build confidence and leadership through her daily work at MCDC. As a parent, I'm excited to see how this experience at MCDC will help prepare them for the rest of their lives. I highly recommend MCDC. In my opinion it is the elite Montessori program in San Diego. Go check it out!! read more

MCDC is a fantastic school. When searching for a preschool for my oldest child, MCDC made the very top of my list. Their teachers and staff are consistently caring and supportive and the environment is warm and nurturing. In addition to a 5 star Montessori classroom environment, they also have a beautiful garden and animals that the children help tend to. My daughter completed all of her preschool years and kindergarten at MCDC and my son attends preschool there. It has been wonderful to witness my children blossom in their care and I am grateful that MCDC is giving them such a great first start. I often tell friends to just take a look at MCDC, to pay them a visit and check them out! read more

As parents of two boys, my wife and I wanted to get them into a good educational program. Not just any school however, so we searched for quite a while and interviewed many a class/teacher/curriculum. What we saw at MCDC made us come back for a 2nd visit and after having compared we felt this would be a good fit. We liked the open classrooms and the structured but free form lessons. We liked that the kids were encouraged to interact under the watchful eyes of their teachers, learn about their classmates cultures and customs and even conduct presentations in front of their classmates. This is great for a 3 year old. What we saw of his changes in behaviour and manners we liked even more. Don't get me wrong, he's still a wild and rambunctious child, but we're seeing the effects of educational instruction, on his counting, alphabet, and curiousity. They have been patient with his headstrong manner and have managed to get through without breaking his spirit. Ms. Vanit, his primary teacher has a great joy for teaching that comes through when she talks about the lesson plans. They encourage what seems to be a well rounded learning method that conveys lectures through activity and movement. Our son has allergies and they have been outstanding with working with us for his dietary needs. Ms. Katie, Ms. Rachael, and Ms. Maureen have all been very accommodating. We plan on sending our 2nd boy there as well. read more