I'm really surprised by the review about the Seedlings Classroom below. My son just started in the…read moreSeedlings Classroom this year and so far our experience has been wonderful. There was a simple miscommunication when it came to his diapers (super minor) and the teacher rectified it right away and contacted me to clarify/discuss. The teacher and/or school are always reaching out, even for something simple, to keep me and my husband apprised and informed. We appreciate this so much and truly find it to be a reflection of those they hire to nurture and educate the children. We find their COVID protocols very well followed, and we're not nervous sending our son here a few days a week. The staff, teachers and administration always greet us at pick up/drop off and make us feel like our sons going to a special place and loved. In reference to the other comment on curriculum, they're under 2 years. They are just getting acclimated to going to school, let alone the ability to do a true art masterpiece. I think that's a bit unrealistic when it comes to an expectation of artistic ability at that age. Our son has come home with some really great art projects and we're really happy with his progress being he's not even 18 months old. He's learning so much already and we're grateful. Overall, we're very happy with Ridgewood Montessori and will continue to send our son for years to come (as long as everything stays as great as it's been!). In addition, once our daughter is age appropriate we would love to continue the legacy with her attendance as well. Thanks RW for a great experience and for showing our son love, attention, and teaching him every week. We're proud to be part of this school!

My son has been at Ridgewood Montessori School since 2018. He began in 3rd grade and is now in 6th…read moreand I can't say enough positive things about the personalized education he is receiving. From the incredible teacher to student ratio, personal education plan for each child, and all students in the elementary school even learn a real instrument (mine is learning guitar) ... the list goes on and on. I have even been impressed by the amazing handling of the past 2 years of Covid protocol.... All impressive!! I personally feel that these children have had the most "normal" school experience possible during the past two years giving them support and consistency that children need. Teachers are very responsive to emails and always make themselves available both before and after school for any concerns both in person and via zoom. Administration knows all the children by name and engages with them regularly. We came from another private school where our experience was disheartening and are so happy to have found our Ridgewood Montessori School Family!

My two daughters attended this school from 2005 to 2010. I agree that the school is better suited…read morefor children with a sense of structure, or this organized becaus they will not spoil the children, and it does require a certain amount of structure in the day and a child who is willing to work on it . However, the amount of care and personal attention that's my daughters got here was amazing, all of that in a very clean, perfectly organized environment that prepared both of my daughters to continue and excel in excellent private schools. We As parents were very happy and I am planning to put my third daughter in when she comes of age. I think the best testimony to the greatness of the school is my oldest daughter memory. Even today, she claims that the real difference in her education was her kindergarten years and she still remembers all teachers dearly.

Is your child is an active explorer? Curious, kind and always in motion? This school is not for…read morethis type for sure. We started out with great hopes but the underlying problem of this school surfaced pretty fast. This is a one-person show and the rest of the teachers and aids are changing very fast. The Montessori method is great but keeping children sitting on the line for an ​extended period​ of time is simply unacceptable. Also,​ each time when they line up for any activity they have to stand motionless otherwise they won't participate in any activity. Her solution - sit back on the line. So what are they doing all day?! Nothing! Young children should never experience such harsh treatment. This woman shows​ no genuine emotions towards the children. Her only way to manage the classroom is by ​screaming and yelling. Harsh verbal discipline (HVD) is scientifically proven to be harmful therefore it is a wrong choice to keep the children under control. The last drop before we pulled out when we realized the water bottle was almost full in the lunch box after a whole day in school. Imagine your child was neglected without drinking for more than 6 hours. Extremely​ disappointing experience! No trust what so ever! Oh,​ and your children's​ vocabulary will pick up a few new expressions such as: "I am overwhelmed with you"; "Shut your mouth!"; "Be quiet" and "It is your​ fault". Isn't that great​!? I am very happy that I could save my child from this bad energy and harmful environment.

My kids went there several years ago and although initially we were very happy with the nursery and…read morepre-k, we later discovered the major neglect taking place at all levels. Examples include - 15 kids in a class left uncared for by aides, daily fights and bullying between kids that is left unaddressed (leaving our kids with constant bruises and cuts) and getting excuses like "boys will be boys", teachers handling children roughly, administrators lying about things that happened or didn't - thank goodness for the videos that caught them in major lies, baby crying for hours in nursery without response from caregivers, caregivers badmouthing babies. I watched my kid being shoved to the ground from behind by another kid in the playground, who was a head taller than him, right in front of the teacher and the teacher did nothing. I watched a kid hit my son 3 feet away from the teacher who ignored them and then when he came to her bleeding, she sent him back to his table. I saw a teacher grabbing my child at the age of 2 and roughly pushing him into a chair because he got up when he wasn't supposed to. I heard a baby cry for hours with no one consoling them. We took our kids out when we realized that all our concerns were true and not our imagination. When you feel like things aren't adding up and your kid goes from a sweet calm child to an aggressive and anxious kid, but you are being gaslit by the school and you can't quite put your finger on what is causing it - question their environment and go with your gut! We are still dealing with the aftermath of our childs' formative experience at Rainbow Montessori. Remember, it is at a young age that many of their behavioral traits are formed. So if your kid has a daily experience of physical abuse, caregiver neglect and an overall need to be in flight or flight mode, it will shape their future behavior and experiences in life. This was a few years ago and things may have changed, but I wouldn't count on it as long as the admins haven't changed. If you are considering the school, it would be advisable to review videos of a typical day before enrolling.

Incredible staff, excellent teaching methods. I have had the pleasure of seeing first hand, just…read morehow loving the teachers are, both here, and at the Bloomfield location. Highly recommend.

Our daughter has been there for 6 months and we LOVE it! The staff is incredible, the facilities…read moreare really nice and clean. They are incredibly accommodating. We do their summer camp as well.

We have our 2 sons in this school. They are both very different personalities and are both thriving…read morewonderfully. Our first started part time and is now turning 4 in the pre-k program. He's shy and has come out of shell greatly with the education and the additional enrichment program. The staff is warm, caring, and has taken the time to get to know each kid personally giving a comforting and safe feeling. I can't recommend them enough.

I enrolled my child at Children's Home Montessori School after being presented with a vision that…read moreappeared consistent with traditional Montessori principles. However, our experience did not align with those expectations. One concern was the school's limited parent access. Parents are not permitted in classrooms or the building during the school day, making it difficult to observe the learning environment or interact directly with teachers and staff. During our child's enrollment, communication with the school was primarily through email, and it was often difficult to speak directly with staff regarding concerns. Over several months, our child consistently expressed reluctance to attend school. She reported that teachers and students were hitting her, that teachers frequently raised their voices, and that she felt uncomfortable during nap time. When we brought these concerns to the school's attention, we did not feel the responses adequately addressed them. On another occasion, our child came home with visible marks on her neck and shoulders. We reported the incident and sought clarification, but the explanation provided did not fully resolve our concerns. As time went on, we noticed increased anxiety related to school, including crying when discussing attendance and visible distress in school photos. Ultimately, we decided to withdraw our child. Every family's experience may be different, but based on our experience, the school did not provide the level of transparency, communication, or environment we were expecting. Prospective parents may want to ask detailed questions about parent access, communication policies, and incident-reporting procedures before enrolling.

With utmost gratitude I write this!…read more I am a beyond proud alumnus of this kind and loving school! I graduated from MIT last spring 2025 and I couldn't have aspired so high if it wasn't for my extraordinary teachers who pushed me to excel when I thought I couldn't. I remember most their words of encouragement and how special I felt day after day. I hold you all forever preciously in my heart.

We are so happy to be back at Grace Lutheran with our youngest two after the amazing two years my…read moreson attended. He was there for the 3s and 4s and was beyond prepared for kindergarten. We are lucky enough to be able to give our twins the same experience, and we are so confident in the decision to be a part of the Grace Lutheran family-- again!

Grace is an amazing school. It's a small school with a big heart! All the teachers and staff are…read moretruly dedicated and care about their students. My girls are honestly excited to go to school each day. They work to optimize my children's learning and it shows in all they do. My 4th grader wrote an essay in cursive and makes presentations! Her math skills have grown significantly as well. My 1st grader loves the hands on approach to science and is doing very well. They offer many opportunities for extracurricular activities and I can't express how much I love this school. I pray for more enrollment it's worth it!!!

My son spent about 6 months here the majority of the time in the Infant Room. Mary Ann is AMAZING…read morewith children. Mary is also good. My issue was in the transitional area (the area for the too big for infant room and too small for prek)...not super organized...and we always left the place thinking...do they even know where his food is stored? Not a good feeling. They seriously need to update...wood paneling makes it look dark. And cleaning WHILE kids are still there...not healthy. Other than that...I mean...our kid was safe...not super babied...but safe. Every day care has its faults. I will say the pre-k program seemed very impressive. I may put my kid back with them for that.

My son went to the Montessori in Teaneck for almost two years. All of the ladies were amazing and…read morea pleasure to see on a daily basis. I wish he could stay with his teachers forever as he thrived and learned so much with them. Ms. Sam Ms. Yamile and Ms. Rosa you are all awesome I don't think people tell you that enough. It was a comfort leaving my son everyday knowing he would be well taken care of... I think it's great that you guys have a summer camp and my son will definately be back!!!

The Harlem Children's Zone has very good programs that help children from Pre-K to High School…read more The people that work there are committed to working with children and love being there. They offer after school, Saturday and Summer Day Camp Programs. My children have attended their Summer Camp for years. All their programs are free. There is a good mix of families from low income to middle income levels. I do recommend their programs but advise that if your child is going to high school that you look elsewhere for summer day camp. For high school students they only accept kids that attend their after school programs during the year.