I have a very special connection to this school -- I attended here myself in the late 1980s, and it was truly my happy place as a child. Decades later, my own son attended preschool and kindergarten here (2023-2025), and seeing him experience the same warmth and joy meant so much to me. This school is genuinely one of a kind. The farm setting creates such a peaceful, nurturing environment that you just don't find at traditional schools. Children get to learn while surrounded by nature, animals, and open space, which makes learning feel natural and exciting. One thing that really stands out is the classroom environment. Many preschool and kindergarten classrooms can feel chaotic, with bins of random toys everywhere, but that's not the case here. The classroom is bright, calm, and inviting, filled with carefully curated and beautifully organized Montessori materials that encourage focus, independence, and purposeful learning. The Montessori approach really works. By the time my son graduated kindergarten, he was already reading confidently -- but even more importantly, he developed independence, curiosity, and a real love of learning. The teachers and staff create a caring, respectful community where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow at their own pace. It's rare to find a school that stays in your heart for decades, but this one truly does. I feel incredibly grateful that both my son and I were able to be part of such a special place. read more

My older daughter went to Myrtle Farms Montessori and my younger one currently does. It's an amazing school and experience that we are blessed to have so close for our kids to attend. The teacher to student ratio is much lower than public schools so students receive much more individual focus, plus the lessons are curated to each individuals needs. This really set our older daughter to be advanced when she moved on to public school. Our younger one is a bit more of a handful but is also excelling in this environment and learning program. It's a huge bonus having the farm aspect where they learn to garden, feed animals, and get a more balanced indoor/outdoor learning experience. Get your name in early if you want to enroll your kiddos! read more

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I was a student at Myrtle Farms back in the early 90s and I really loved it. I'm glad to see that the program has continued and still involves farm animals in the Montessori style of education. I have fond memories of caring for chickens, rabbits, and ponies, as well as learning my letters, play acting stories like the Three Billy Goats Gruff, and playing with my friends outside on the playground. I'm sure Krista and Ellen have since retired, but they really helped me establish a good foundation that focused on curiosity, compassion, and emotional regulation. If my family still lived in the area I would be happy to send my own children here. read more

The owner is very nice and my grand baby loved it. It was a really nice experience. It is perfect for toddlers

Both of our children attended Myrtle Farm for 3 years and being part of the Myrtle Farm family for a total of 6 years was a true blessing. Both of our kids loved going to school every day and still talk about it fondly. Maria and all of the teachers taught them so many incredible skills, from counting and reading to tying their shoes and feeding a goat. When we enrolled our son as a 3 year old, we didn't know much about the Montessori method, but rather chose the school for the incredible outdoor curriculum. Over the next 6 years, we learned so much. This school didn't just teach our children to develop a love of learning and curiosity, but it actually made my husband and me better parents. We learned about giving each of our children space to try new skills, and how to best support them when they stumble or "fail". We learned how to support each of our children individually in a way that took into account their personalities and strengths. We started to utilize some of the daily life skills at home and our kids developed so much confidence. They were eager to have more personal responsibility. This isn't just a school that will watch your children while you work. They will nurture a spirit of confidence, curiosity, and team work you probably don't know is possible with a four year old. I think that any parent worries about entrusting the care of their children to others for any significant period of time. Of all the choices we've made over the years, sending our kids to Myrtle Farm remains one of our proudest decisions. read more

We'll always be grateful to Myrtle Farm and the dedicated teachers for providing a nurturing environment where our child could grow and thrive over these last 3 years. We've loved being a part of the school community and will greatly miss it! The farm environment offers a unique experience that helps to foster a love of animals and nature, and it's what initially drew us to the school. From brushing the goats to feeding the horse to planting vegetables in the garden--life on the farm teaches so many lessons about the Earth, the seasons, and connectedness to the larger community. We found the Montessori methods in the classroom to be a wonderful fit for our curious young learner, and she's become a confident reader during her time here. The mathematic methods and materials make math concepts "stick" in a visual and tactile way that go beyond just pencil to paper. Not to mention all of the exploration in science, art, and social studies. Most importantly, this close-knit environment provided a safe place for developing early social skills and creating lasting friendships. In the words of our graduating kindergartener, "Myrtle Farm is a special place." read more

Both of my sons have came to Myrtle Farm we love the school and the staff. The animals and farm have taught my children so much. You can see the time and effort that is put into the school and I couldn't recommend it enough. read more

We love Myrtle Farm! It is such a special community and we feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it. Maria and the entire team of teachers consistently demonstrate patience, kindness, and dedication to creating a safe, fun, and loving environment for our kids. While Myrtle Farm's curriculum is rooted in the Montessori method, what truly sets it apart is the emphasis placed on values such as empathy, kindness, and respect. We love how they celebrate each child's individuality and go above and beyond to consider their unique needs and overall well-being and happiness. The integration of the farm with the classroom creates such a special and engaging environment. We are so appreciative of the investments Myrtle Farm makes that contribute to our son's appreciation for the world around us. We are especially grateful for Maria's accessibility and dedication. Her willingness to go the extra mile reflects her passion for education and the genuine care she has for our children's future. We wish that Myrtle Farm could extend beyond kindergarten! read more

Some of my family members including myself have attended here. Maria and all of the teachers were a true blessing and helped teach them many skills. School is elegant and clean and the animals are well-trained everything was extremely amazing and a great school if you're considering a Montessori school. read more

Our daughter attended Myrtle Farm from age 4 to age 6, and it was the best thing we could have done for her. There's so much to love about the school! She loved selecting her own work from among the carefully-designed and thoughtfully-curated Montessori learning jobs in the classroom. We loved that the teachers and staff presented jobs to her in a carefully-planned progression that helped her master the prerequisite skills necessary for her to begin reading, writing, and doing arithmetic in preschool. She loved spending time outside in the garden and caring for the school's animals (chickens, rabbits, and a pony) and snacking on fruits and vegetables from the garden with her classmates. We loved that Myrtle Farm's Montessori curriculum includes peacemaking, kindness, inclusion, and an appreciation for the natural world. She loved going to school everyday. We loved that under the patient, nurturing guidance of the teachers and staff, she blossomed into an independent little learner. Our only regret is not enrolling our daughter earlier! read more

Our son went to Myrtle farm for one year of preschool before starting kindergarten. We had a great experience here. It is truly a unique and amazing place! All the teachers were kind, supportive and caring and the curriculum they teach is awesome and changes throughout the year to correspond to the module they are teaching. It is a very hands on environment for the kids and our son loved doing various jobs that he still talks about today. The kids also get the opportunity to help with the animals on the farm and in the garden which was a highlight for our son. I would highly recommend Myrtle Farm to anyone, it was the best decision for us and we feel like it was a great value for all the unique learning experiences you get here and wouldn't get anywhere else. read more

Amazing preschool with an amazing staff. Both my kids went to Myrtle Farm Montessori and absolutely loved it. They thrived with the Montessori approach to learning and it helped them to become independent and confident. Our favorite part is the farm and the animals. They loved working with the animals and looked forward to their outside days. If you're looking for a preschool I highly recommend this school. My kids loved going to school everyday and looked forward to seeing their teachers and friends. The staff is kind and patient and their communication with parents is great. Take a tour you won't be disappointed. read more

I cannot say enough about Myrtle Farm Montessori. My now 23 year old daughter attended Myrtle Farm and her experience here set an absolutely amazing foundation for the rest of her education. She graduated last year from UC Davis and was awarded The 2022 University Medal. What an honor as a parent to raise a UC University Medalist, which goes to the top graduating senior at the university. I truly believe that her foundation was set here at Myrtle Farm. For the rest of her education beyond Myrtle Farm she stood out in an exceptional way and her teachers always asked about the school. Not only did she excel in school but also in sports and leadership. While at Myrtle Farm, Krista and the other teachers were so wonderful. We have very fond memories of our time with the school. My daughter loved the indoor/outdoor farm aspect of the school, and the small class size made it easy to get the most out of her education. Thank you Myrtle Farm Montessori. read more

Myrtle Farm has been the best thing for our 5 year old. Covid caused some anxiety around being social and playing with new children or even being left with any other caregiver. He would cry if I wasn't home in the evening during my work hours. There was resistance to leaving the house or going to a playground with other children. Now we see a thriving, happy child. So much excitement to go to school everyday. I am so amazed by the things we may naturally take for granted. He remembers to push his chair in and bring his plate to the sink. He asks what kind of recycling an item is and which bin it goes to. Such basic functions but we forget it's a big job for a child to remember! I feel such relief because I am not the best at always being a reminder of mundane tasks. Our son has learned things that we may take for granted. We love Myrtle Farm and highly recommend it. The farm, the school and staff are amazing. We will always cherish the memories. read more

I wish I could give this place zero stars. Here are some stories to help you understand their inner culture. Kids have to plate their lunches. This means that they transfer their boxed lunch to a plate and then eat it in the allowed lunch time. For a preschooler, that's a lot to coordinate. My kid regularly came home hungry because they didn't have enough time to eat. It would make sense to let go of the plating, which parents gave feedback on, but they didn't and the kids continued to not have enough time to eat. Additionally, I would put fruit or crackers I know my kid liked and assumed would eat first. They kept coming home uneaten and I finally asked why. The teachers control what the kids eat first! They instruct them to eat their protein first. I honestly believe this has caused a strange fixation on what food is appropriate to eat that is the start of an unhealthy relationship with food. I pack my kids lunch with healthy things, let them eat it however they want! Then there's recess. The teachers policed their play. If they wanted to play superheroes, sharks, or games based on tv shows, the teachers would tell them to stop. They can only play family. They can only play reality based games. Wait, isn't is recess? Isn't that the place they can be free and explore? Nope. They control recess too. Let's talk about the parent side. They used very outdated means of communication. They aren't technologically up to date. They cannot handle change in the least. When an event allows the parents 2 tickets and a parent doesn't want to use both, the extra ticket isn't given to a lottery for folks who maybe want to bring a grandparent, no! Why? That would be too much WORK to coordinate. It would make the parents too happy. So the ticket goes unused. They claim they want feedback. Not true. If you ask them why or question the way they do something - whether it's making your child pick which parent comes to their birthday celebration (are you kidding me? asking a 3 year old to pick a parent is beyond messed up, if one adult is going to "disrupt" the classroom, what difference does 2 make?), to asking them why we can't enter the preschool, they will never allow flexibility. They use Montessori as their excuse but they follow it like a religion, not a teaching philosophy. Let's talk about the two way spy mirror. It's so creepy, no? They monitor and police each other and the kids. My kid, many years later, still asks permission to go to the bathroom at home. They are trained to ask permission for everything - using a pencil, going potty, breathing. It's truly a place where creativity and freedom go to die. Rachel, one of the head teachers, is not nice. My kid says so, other kids say so, every parent slowly learns this. Send your kid to this school to learn how to be scared of someone. Maria, is nice in the beginning until you have a request or question anything. An Rhonda is a nice woman but clearly not the brightest person. If control is your goal, go to this school. If not, don't be fooled by their long waitlist and cute animals (which your kid will only interact with once a week, for one hour)... this place is not kid friendly. It's built on rigidity and a false sense of what kids need. They need love, play and support. Not unyielding structure and discipline. read more

Myrtle Farm Montessori is incredible and I highly recommend it! The teachers are so sweet and compassionate with the children. They make a big effort to greet each child every morning so that everyone feels welcomed and seen. The teachers are very knowledgeable in the Montessori philosophy. They work so hard to create new and interesting materials every month. It's amazing the amount of topics that are covered over the course of the school year! Not only will your child learn academics but they also learn life skills to build their independence, and learn how to communicate and express themselves to others! The animals on the farm are not only cute but also help children learn respect, empathy, and love for the world around them. They gain independence; boost their confidence, and self-esteem, by learning life skills to care for their environment. The facility is always clean and inviting. The outside area encourages such natural exploration. The classroom is set up for the child and supports the child's natural curiosity. I love that they have a 2-way mirror and have seen that in many schools. The 2-way mirror allows for parents to be able to come and observe their child in the classroom and watch them be independent and successful on their own!I love getting to see how independent, respectful, and interested children are during their work time. I have experience with many Montessori schools in the area and Myrtle Farm Montessori is by far one of the best! I trust Myrtle Farm Montessori staff with my daughter and recommend them to all my family and friends! read more

I cannot say enough good things about this school. My 2 oldest daughters attended Myrtle farm when we lived in the East bay. Not only is it a super cute school and such a huge perk that it's on a farm but the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and caring. We loved it so much that my husband commuted to the South Bay for an extra year in order for the girls to stay one more year. I so wish my youngest could attend but we have moved back to the South Bay and that would be a crazy commute lol. We have so many fond memories of Myrtle farm and every time we are in the area we drive by so the girls can take a peak at the goats read more

my thoughts on this place has changed a bit in the past three years or so. it's taken a downfall or so with the added pressure to raise more and more money to the school. for what? who knows! their tuition increased by a lot in the past two years. They garnered money from tuition fee, materials fee, and on top of it they ask parents to pay extra for small school events or field trips and fundraise for them! I get that the living wage has increased and teacher needs to be paid. The director drives a nice bmv and one other teacher recently also bought a car. Now what they do with their salary isn't for us to decide but when they make us fundraise we also take time out of our work schedules, our family schedule, and ourselves to try and raise money for the school. I'd assume this would go to materials, supplies, furniture/equipment and the like. last year there was a lot of money raised and most of it was garnered from current and past families. My hope was that they would buy new furniture or at least update the carpeting but alas they did not. From afar everything looks good but when you get to seeing stuff up close it's outdated and old. I wished they had used the money families raised to update their interior. I think they just bought llamas with all the money and called it a day. Very disappointing. Expect to budget More than the tuition fee because they will ask you for it whether it's for a field trip on site, school event or fundraiser expect to pay more out of pocket. you might say well just don't pay and that's fine but if it's for example a school field trip happening at school and if you don't pay your child can't come to school that day because it's a field trip day at school. Meaning they have someone come that day to showcase some critters at school and if you don't pay your child can't come to school. But didnt They just ask for monthly tuition?? So now you have to take the day off work so you can watch your kid that day. Say it's okay for you to take time off work well then your child is left out of an experience the majority partakes. They're all about inclusion but then they create spaces and events where perhaps they can't participate due to parent work schedule or funds. For example, pizza days they buy pizza for the children whose parents are able to pay the added fee. so let's say you don't pay that pizza fee well your child sits in a room with other children eating pizza and smelling the pizza while they have to eat their home made lunch. Wouldn't that child be excluded and feel left out. Of course They will and they will tell you about! There are plenty examples like this and it truly makes exclusion apparent in the school community. I All that aside the school also lacks organization. There is no admin so sometimes it takes a while to get a reply from emails. If you have a question about your child and their progress you have to ask all the teachers, which is hard because there is not time where you can directly talk to all the teachers. If you ask one teacher the usual response is I don't know let me ask the other teacher so they know. If theres an incident there's real no communication about what happened or anything. If you ask a teacher about it they'll say I don't know about that you can ask Maria or another teacher. It's kinda hard to know what's going on on a day to day basis because they don't tell you anything. So aside from spending a lot more than the tuition fee expect to also not know what's going on with your child in a day to day basis. read more

My older son attended Myrtle farm and now my younger son is attending and they both absolutely love the school. The teachers are really wonderful and the quality of the teaching as well as the Montessori method is authentic. My son looks forward to going to school everyday. He loves feeding the animals ( they have a horse, goats, chickens, & bunnies)! I feel grateful that we found such a beautiful school to be a part of! read more

My now 26 year old and 23 year old went there. When I turned 40 I adopted a little girl from China. She went there also. All 3 could read, add, and subtract before Kindergarten. What an incredible foundation. read more

I moved to concord when my eldest daughter was 2 yo. I enrolled her in a coop preschool by our house. I enjoyed our time there but was looking for a preschool that was more structured and organized. MFMS encourages new families to observe the class in session to make sure the school is the right fit for the child and family. Needless to say, when I observed the classroom in 2016, I was surprised that all the children were focused on their jobs and conversing with each other quietly. During that observation, I was equally impressed with the quality of materials and how impeccably clean the classroom was. Fast forward to 2021, the school has only gotten better! The magical farm, the sweet animals, the cleanliness, and the beautiful high quality jobs that the school has are the obvious reasons that draw a parent to inquire about this school. But I want this review to highlight all the aspects of MFMS that a parent won't get by simply observing the class or perusing the website. Both of my daughters have gone to this school and absolutely love it! We have been a MF family since 2016 and this school has only gotten better. The owner/director/teacher, Maria, constantly improves the grounds, the classroom, the materials, and the curriculum. Both of my daughters have learned Spanish. Recently, MF began to study the country of Japan, it's culture, and the language more in depth. All the teachers pay close attention to the children and provide them feedback and "guided freedom" so that the child doesn't only stick to simple or comfortable jobs and areas of the classroom. The Montessori philosophy of teaching the fundamentals of reading, writing, and math solidifies concepts of these subjects vs merely memorizing them. With that said, the environment the teachers provide for the students is deeply rooted in respect and in fostering the curiosity of learning. It is because this school emphasizes the process, the journey, and the love of learning that I highly recommend it. Our family loves Myrtle Farm! read more

My daughter has been going to Myrtle Farm for several months now and we love it! She went to a big chain day care before Myrtle Farm and cried her eyes out every single day. It was KILLING me. I couldn't take it, so I pulled her out and kept looking. Am I glad I did! Her first day at Myrtle Farm I was a nervous wreck! Is she going to cry? Is she going to like it? Well guess what... she loved it the first day, and she still loves it. The teachers are amazing. That classroom is organized, children are busy, and calm, but clearly happy. They get to play in a big, beautiful garden and they get to take care of the animals too. I've never seen anything like it. It's a happy, peaceful place. We are forever grateful to Maria, Krista, Heather and the other people who make Myrtle Farm the wonderful place it is. Thanks. read more

My daughter joined Myrtle Farm this year and loves it! The classroom is extremely clean and organized, especially compared to other schools we looked at. Our favorite part is that the kids get to work outside feeding animals and gardening. All the teachers are amazing and do a great job at keeping a fun, engaging curriculum. read more

This is my daughter's first year at Myrtle Farm Montessori and she is thriving. My husband and I have been so impressed with the amazing teachers and the beautiful environment. The staff works incredibly hard to create an excellent educational experience, while also giving the children opportunities to work outside and be caretakers of the earth. Our daughter loves to go to school everyday and adores her teachers. We are so grateful to have found Mytrle Farm and we would highly recommend it to other families. read more

We are so excited to have been a part of this school! The balance they have between learning about outside and working through their jobs inside is amazing! Even better as they get older, they're able to help teach the younger ones. Such a unique experience. Thanks to the teachers, our son has such a love of the school, learning and his teachers. He has grown so much there and is very sad to have to leave in the Fall - he can't understand why he just can't stay there forever! We are so grateful for Maria, Hadas, Krista and Heather! and we can't wait to see Jennifer again! :) read more