Our Experience - Our…read moreson was in a classroom of 36 children--an environment that quickly proved overstimulating. At first, we worried there might be a developmental issue, but after evaluation by both an ENT and psychologist, it was clear the problem was environmental, not developmental. The noise and chaos made it difficult for him to adjust. While he initially had some behavioral challenges, he improved significantly over time. Unfortunately, the final incident that led to his removal was not handled appropriately. Our son bit a child out of frustration--at which point staff intervened. However, their response and follow-up reflected a lack of attention and bias; they implied our son was lying because the other child "never does anything." This made it clear they weren't observing closely and were making assumptions rather than investigating. A few weeks prior to this incident, we received a call from CPS--not because of our son's actions, but because the school failed to report an injury he sustained there, even though staff documented it internally. We took him to the hospital and discovered he had a fractured finger, requiring a cast from his hand to his bicep for three weeks. CPS confirmed the school's reporting failure as negligence and contacted us within 48 hours. That alone speaks volumes about the school's accountability and oversight. Lack of Follow-Through on Agreed Behavior Plan My wife and I are proactive, involved parents. She's a behavior analyst who designs behavior intervention plans for special education, so we know what works and came prepared to collaborate. We met with the administration--including the owner--and created a clear, simple behavior plan that everyone agreed to. Yet, it was never implemented. Staff routinely told us they were "too busy" or that "it's hard with so many kids." They even filled out behavior logs after the fact, undermining the purpose entirely. The agreed plan only required a brief hourly check-in with three questions and a sticker. That's not excessive--it's the bare minimum for consistent behavioral reinforcement. We were told repeatedly that they wanted to "partner with us" and that our son was "wonderful," but words don't equal action. The follow-through and professionalism simply weren't there. Concerns About the Learning Environment Frankly, this didn't feel like a true Montessori school. Instead of fostering independence and self-guided learning, children were often forced to complete the same tasks and play with the same toys. Structure is necessary, but Montessori principles are about exploration, curiosity, and individualized pacing. That freedom was absent here. When his first teacher left, staff told the children she was "on vacation." For weeks, our son was confused and asking about her. Instead of using it as a gentle teaching moment about change and transitions, they chose dishonesty, which sends the wrong message about trust and emotional resilience. What We Learned After Leaving Our son is now at a different Montessori school, and the contrast is astonishing. He wakes up excited for school, runs to get ready, and sometimes even asks to go on weekends. He's thriving--no behavior issues, no complaints, and a radiant enthusiasm for learning. His new environment offers freedom within structure, smaller class sizes, and genuine care. He chooses his own activities and feels empowered, not overwhelmed. Final Thoughts We entered this school with optimism and the desire to partner with educators who understood child development. Unfortunately, what we encountered was a disorganized, overcrowded, and inattentive environment. Staff seemed well-intentioned but overextended, and the administration overpromised and underdelivered. We appreciate the time and effort of individual teachers who cared, but the overall leadership failed to maintain communication, consistency, and honesty. The failure to execute a mutually agreed plan, combined with the lack of supervision and the serious reporting lapse that led to CPS involvement, left us with deep disappointment and concern for other families who might face similar issues. We hope this feedback encourages reflection and reform. Every child deserves a safe, attentive, and developmentally supportive environment--one that not only manages behavior but nurtures curiosity, confidence, and joy in learning.

I have to tell you that this small academy for the kids is beyond reality. My kids have not…read moreattended there in about three years taking them out of it was the worst thing I ever did for their education. The classes are small personal attention is extremely high, and it seems as though they were learning about three grades up from their current level. Kids were happy. They loved their teachers and they loved learning. If by chance you get Mrs Radka to instruct your kids, you would just have hit the gold mine. She spent so much time with my daughter getting over her obstacles with learning it was insane. I financially had to take the kids out of the school and I regret it every single day. My kids are now in public school and it is such a waste of time. They have lost the fun of learning and have basically given up. Mrs Radika if you see this I am so sorry that I pulled Allie out after you spent soooo much time working with her. I truly apologize and I'm suffering the consequences for it. But thank you Miss Radtka for your love for my kids and attention you gave them.

My son started a few months ago and I see so much change in his personality and overall mood. He…read moresings and dances randomly and talks about his dance parties at school. He loves the yoga they do and the songs he hears on the piano during music class. He is happy to go to "school" and asks to come! I'm so happy I made the change and found this gem. Ms. Leo and Ms. Tanya are great and super attentive to my son's needs. If you are looking for a place where your child can thrive, this is it!

We couldn't have asked for a better preschool experience. From the very first day, the teachers…read morewelcomed our child with open arms and open hearts. They are not only incredibly knowledgeable and nurturing, but they treat each child as if they were their own -- with so much love, patience, and genuine care. Every morning, our child was excited to go to school, and always came home eager to share something new they learned. That joy and comfort came from the environment the teachers created -- one where every child is seen, valued, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. The communication with families was always thoughtful and consistent, and it was clear the entire staff was deeply invested in each child's development -- socially, emotionally, and academically. We are forever grateful for the strong foundation this preschool gave our child. Although, our child only spent around 10 months there. The memories made here will stay with us for a lifetime, and the love and guidance from the teachers will always hold a special place in our hearts. We thank the teachers for cheering on and for loving our child like one of your own. You made school a place they were excited to run into each morning -- and that's a gift we'll never forget. Highly, highly recommend to any family looking for a warm, exceptional start to their child's learning journey.

We LOVE this awesome preschool. Our daughter has been going here for about 6 months and absolutely…read moreloves all her teachers and classmates. She has been thriving socially and academically. We checked out a few other preschools in the area before coming to Woodcrest Montessori. We knew immediately when we had our walk-thru that this would be the right school for her. We love the cozy, homey-feel of this place and the curriculum they offer. Other preschools felt like facilities and lacked the warmth that we felt here. The teachers are all so sweet and engaged with the kids. We noticed right away how content, well mannered and happy all the children were when we visited. We love the flexibility of their schedule and their prices are totally fair and manageable. I dreaded the day I would need to send my baby off to be cared for by strangers. The peace of mind I have sending her here, knowing the kind of care she is recieving, is invaluable. I am eternally grateful we found this place and appreciate the staff with all of my heart. We are so excited for our second child to be old enough to attend when the time comes.

My daughter has been coming here for a little over a year now and today is her last day since shes…read moreleaving to kindergarten. It's so sad to see her leave. They are very dedicated to ensuring each child feels comfortable and supported to learn the best they can. My daughter is 5 and she's already reading and writing. I highly recommend this school. Thank you so much for giving my daughter the opportunity to grow, make new friends, and advance in her education with some of the most loving and inspiring teachers. Your school is a real gem and we're so honored to be a part of it.

We love this schools, they are very kind ,they have a curriculum and teach our little ones numbers,…read morecolors letters etc . My little one always happy to go to school and play with her friends and kind teachers . This school is highly recommended

The two women who run this school are amazing. I was apprehensive when we started looking for…read moredaycares in the area honestly. We went place after place after place, this was our last stop before I became a stay at home mom. Most places the price was extremely high for little interaction on the teachers part and others you could see the lack of care at the daycare. When we came to little stars, we immediately knew that this was the fit for us. They were accommodating, kind, and understanding. But most importantly, you can tell they love their kids. They're family owned which was a huge deal for me. There are years and years of care in this place. My son has been here for a little over 6 months and he's grown so much mentally and socially. The teachers create an organized, fun curriculum for the kids too. Im grateful for this daycare as I feel I can truly trust my sons safety & best interest is coming from staff.

I just want to take a moment to say that this is an amazing school to bring your child to. My son…read moreattended for about 2-3 years, and he absolutely loved it. All of the teachers are wonderful -- they taught him so much and really prepared him for TK. It was bittersweet leaving because we loved it here, but we knew it was time for him to move on to a new school. I highly recommend this Montessori. We truly appreciate all of the teachers and everything they have done for my son. Love/ Kathy Elijah's mom

My daughter started going here when she was 2. She used to be shy. I have truly seen her blossom…read morewhile at this school. There's a small crew working at this Montessori but I honestly trust them with my girl. I know they love her and this is not just work for them. A lot of other schools in the area are pricey and they this location has always been very competitive with their pricing. My now four year old is bold, has developed amazing social skills, and always wants to try to do things herself instead of constantly needing others for help. She's getting close to Kindergarten age and I'm not ready to say goodbye to her amazing teachers.

Selecting right school for your kids is always the most difficult decision. As a parent you want to…read moremake sure your kid is safe, loved & protected. We felt it right when we spoke with MsEmily for the first time way back in 2018. We were on the waitlist for a very longtime but the moment they called me to confirm there is an open slot, I didn't think twice registering my then 4 yr old son to this beautiful school! Fast forward 2026- I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you and St. Mary's as an institution for shaping my son's academic journey. This Thursday, he will be receiving the Honor Roll, and while I'm not sure how big of a milestone it is officially, I am extremely proud and excited because he scored 3.74 out of 4, earning A or A+ in all subjects. The strong foundation provided by your school has made a world of difference. Honestly, when we first enrolled my son, I was concerned about how he would adjust to a new environment and a traditional 8-3 schedule, especially since this was not a Montessori setting. I worried about his performance in math, science, and social studies. However, my concerns quickly faded when I saw how easily he adapted--finishing homework in just 5-10 minutes during the early months. It was clear that the teaching approach and support he received made learning feel effortless for him. Thank you for your dedication and for creating an environment where students can thrive. We truly appreciate everything you've done for our kids. I miss stmarys! And great job MsNel List is long on why StMarys is a great school and worth each penny! I truly appreciate you and your teachings! Looking back, I remember how scared and unsure I was when we continued with St. Mary's in 2nd and 3rd grade. Today, my list of gratitude for Ms. Nel, Ms. Nancy, and the entire St. Mary's institution is too long to express fully. The way St. Mary's teaches core concepts--multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, science, and language--has given my child an incredibly strong foundation. Two-digit multiplication and division are now a piece of cake for him! To our surprise, transitioning to another traditional private or public school has not been as challenging as we feared, and that speaks volumes about the quality of education at St. Mary's. Honestly, St. Mary's level of education is much higher than UCA. We deeply miss so many things: the organic food, the innovative tools, the no-screen rule, teachers who truly teach rather than relying on YouTube, the humane approach to breaks, creative playtime, and the productive after-school care. The list goes on, and it shows how much we value and miss St. Mary's. You are absolutely shaping future leaders, adaptive thinkers, and high achievers. Thank you for everything you do.

My daughter is 8 years old and just starting 3rd grade. She has been attending St. Mary's since she…read morewas 3 years old. We love everything about her school! The Teachers and staff are all so amazing and truly love our children. I have never had to worry about her while in their care. That is a big deal to us. They have done so much to help improve her behavior and are always available for advice and help. She is also excelling academically. What else could we ask for! Highly recommend this amazing school.

My son has been at St. Mary's Montessori since he was just 5 months old in the Nido class. He's now…read more1 year and 5 months and in IC1, and I can honestly say we've had such a great experience so far. He gets excited when we pull into the parking lot, which already tells me he feels safe and happy there. The teachers have been amazing from the very beginning. They pay attention to him, they encourage him, and they treat him with so much care. We've noticed how independent he's becoming, especially with little things around the house. He actually loves cleaning and helping, which I never expected at this age! I also really appreciate the communication. I always know what he's doing during the day, what he's learning, and how he's growing socially. The school feels clean, warm, and well organized, and you can tell the staff takes pride in what they do. It's not easy leaving your baby with someone else, but St. Mary's has given us a lot of peace of mind. I really feel like they care about him. We're happy we chose this school and look forward to seeing him continue to grow there.

This was the first time we had put our 2.5 yr old in a daycare. To be honest I think I'M the one…read morewho was more anxious about it than she was. We had to be put on the wait list for about 6-9 months. But it was definitely worth the wait. Ms. Stephanie was amazing getting her settled into her school day routine. Then she transitioned to the primary class with Ms. Charity and Ms. Gizem, and she loves it. So much so that even on her off days she asks if she has school that day. Makes my heart happy and puts me at ease knowing that she is in a safe, nurturing place where she actually looks forward to going to. All the staff is great, from the Director, front desk, kitchen, etc. The food I've tried that they cook onsite is delicious as well. My daughter even says she eats her vegetables there!! Thank you St Mary's Montessori for doing such an amazing job in caring for our littles ones.

We have had such a wonderful experience at Little Steps Montessori. Finding a team you trust is…read moreeverything, and Mrs. Ashley and Mrs. Jennifer are truly the dream team. They strike the perfect balance between structured Montessori learning and genuine, heartfelt care. My kids are not only hitting new developmental milestones, but they are also genuinely excited to walk through the door every morning. We couldn't ask for better mentors for our children!

I don't know where to start to let you know how appreciate I am of this school. My son started…read morehere when he was 2 1/2, he had a speech delay and was very shy. I explained my concerns to Ms. Jennifer, and she assured me that she would help him. I was not disappointed with there work he now leaves this school a very talkative outgoing little boy I will be for ever grateful with all the teachers. Would definitely recommend!!!!