Parent Review - Please Read Carefully Spanish versión in images. Update: This review has been updated to include additional factual details for clarity and completeness. I am sharing this experience so other parents can make informed decisions before enrolling their child. I wish I had seen a review like this beforehand. My intent is transparency, especially for families who rely on childcare subsidies and may have limited options. My daughter attended this school briefly. During that time, we experienced ongoing issues with communication and transparency. The most concerning situation involved my daughter being injured on more than one occasion--twice by the same child within a matter of weeks. When I asked why my child was hurt more than once in such a short period of time, the Director became defensive rather than responsive. On both occasions, I was not notified immediately. After the first incident, a vague incident report was placed in my daughter's backpack for me to discover after arriving home. The report was written on Mt. Tahoma letterhead, which was confusing and concerning, as my child does not attend that school. During the second incident, I arrived for pickup while my daughter was still crying and visibly distressed after being struck on the side of the head by the same child. The teacher who brought her to the gate did not know what had happened, and the Director also appeared unaware. My daughter was initially handed to me as if nothing had occurred. Only after it became clear that I was upset and would not leave while my child was crying, red in the face, and hurt did a staff member offer an ice pack. When the Director arrived, she was unable to explain what had happened. When my daughter identified who hit her, the Director stated, "No, it wasn't him," without clarifying who was responsible. Although my daughter clearly stated she was hit, the school insisted she had been "pushed onto bark." Bark would not cause a bruise on her ear or the contusion later diagnosed by urgent care. The conversation with the Director and owner was brief and uninformative. Neither acknowledged who hurt my child or clearly explained what occurred. Instead, the incident was repeatedly described as "normal child behavior," and it was implied that my daughter's actions caused her injury. Some children at the school are as old as six; my daughter is only four. No apology was offered, and no prevention plan was discussed unless I specifically asked. An incident report was not offered. I requested one and was told it would be provided, but it never arrived. After following up, I eventually received a report that lacked key details, including staff names and a clear explanation of how the injury occurred. Most concerning, the report focused heavily on my daughter's behavior in a way that implied she was responsible for being hurt, while also stating that a teacher witnessed the incident and did not intervene to prevent injury. In a follow-up email--after I continued requesting a corrected incident report and additional details--the Director suggested that I consider withdrawing my daughter and placing her in a private in-home daycare, stating that my concerns reflected "very specific needs," rather than addressing how the school would ensure my child's safety. Beyond the physical injuries, my daughter showed signs of emotional distress while attending this program, including difficulty playing with peers and fear associated with school staff. Since leaving the school, these reactions have continued. I have not been able to return to work since November, as attempts to transition her into other childcare settings have been unsuccessful due to her extreme distress and refusal to enter facilities. The emotional impact on our family has been substantial. What troubled me most was not just the incidents themselves, but a pattern of delayed communication, limited transparency around supervision, and dismissal of legitimate safety concerns. I have since withdrawn my daughter and am sharing this to encourage other parents to ask detailed questions about supervision, injury reporting, communication practices, and how children are supported emotionally. This review reflects my personal experience as a parent. read more

My oldest son has been enrolled here for nearly two years, and the growth we've seen academically, socially, and emotionally, has been extraordinary. He came in shy and hesitant, and he has blossomed into a confident, curious child who loves learning and communicating with others. He now problem-solves on his own, initiates conversations, and brings home life skills he proudly teaches his younger brother. Because of the trust we've built, I recently enrolled my youngest son as well. One of the most meaningful parts of our experience has been the genuine care the staff has shown our family. When my father passed away unexpectedly about a year and a half ago, the teachers and administrators surrounded us with warmth and compassion. They checked in daily, supported my son through his big emotions, and made sure he felt safe and loved during an incredibly difficult time. That type of care comes from people who truly value the children they work with. Communication has always been clear, consistent, and responsive. The staff is proactive in sharing updates, answering questions, and making sure parents feel informed and included. Over nearly two years, any small hiccups that naturally happen in childcare have been handled with transparency, thoughtfulness, and professionalism. My son has developed strong, trusting relationships with his teachers, both under the previous ownership and the current leadership. He talks about them with so much affection, and it's evident that they genuinely know and appreciate him as an individual. They celebrate who he is, encourage his interests, and guide him with patience and respect. The sense of belonging and stability he feels at school has been a major factor in his growth. Every family and child is unique, but I can confidently share that this school has been a nurturing, communicative, and supportive environment for both of my children. We are grateful every day for the foundation it has provided, and I am thankful for the teachers who care for my boys as if they were their own. read more

The staff is very welcoming and accepting of all children and families. Since my daughter has been attending, I have noticed a tremendous improvement with her social skills and speech. Im very grateful for the staff that is there to help shape our little ones. read more

My daughter went here from 2.5 years old to 5 years old. She truly blossomed and flourished at this Montessori school. We loved the teachers, curriculum, cleanliness, kindness/care for kids, and the outdoor environment. It was an amazing school and if I lived near the area I would send our son here as well. Ms. Nicole, Mrs. Victoria, and Mrs. Ashley were such wonderful teachers that my daughter still remembers and adores. I highly recommend Mt. Tahoma Montessori! It is a haven for growing and curious children. read more

I don't have enough words to express how amazing this school is! Every single teacher is so caring and they all know exactly what they are doing. They approach each child individually and work at the child's pace. When my kids started this school both of them did not speak any English. I was so worried, but from day one is was clear that it wasn't going to be an issue. I do not have a single negative thing to say about this school, absolutely none. My kids are thriving and are so happy to go to school every day. They have a huge space for the kids to play outside, they teach the kids how to plant veggies, explain things about nature while outside and so many more things. Mrs Concannon is my kids' teacher and she is a breath of fresh air when it comes to teaching and also communicating with us parents. Ms Ashley at the office is so amazing, understanding and caring as well. And of course Mrs Adams, the school owner is an absolute pro at what she does. Another wonderful thing about this school is there is zero drama, never any unnecessary issues at all. We are moving out of state and I can already feel the tears coming because my kids won't attend Mt Tahoma anymore. If you are looking for an awesome preschool for your kids you've just found it! read more

My daughter attended Mt. Tahoma Montessori (back before they changed the name from St. Nicholas Montessori to Mt. Tahoma) for both preschool and kindergarten before transitioning to a public school in first grade. We were very happy with the education she received (she was well ahead of the curve going into first grade), and we're so happy we kept her there for kindergarten academically! We also have a huge appreciation for how much she loved it there! I was confident each morning when I dropped her off, that she would be loved and nurtured by her teachers. We met some wonderful families that we still stay connected to and she still talks about her time there fondly. Our youngest just started there this past fall in the half-day morning program and, once again, we are so happy with this school! He has grown so much in just the last six months, I know we've made the right decision by sticking with Mt. Tahoma. read more

My daughter was enrolled at St. Nicholas last year. She grew mentally, socially, and physically so much in that time! This was my first experience with Montessori so I have no basis for comparison. However, based on the development of my daughter I am extremely satisfied with St. Nicholas. There wasn't a single holiday where my daughter didn't bring home some sort of craft she made as a gift, and she always told me something she learned. I was most impressed when she tugged on my shirt and without hesitation listed off all seven continents and said, "Australia is my favorite because I like Kangaroos." I have no problem highly recommending this school to anyone, including my friends and family. read more