Not a real Montessori school, demonstrates blatant disregard for student well-being. Your money…read morewon't go towards your child's education here. We withdrew after 7 weeks. Where to start... When my older son was so riddled with anxiety one day he refused to get out of the car at drop-off I knew I had to spend some time in the classrooms to see first-hand what was going on. Up until this point we had heard stories from the kids, were suspicious of the lack of work being done, and had already had a meeting with the headmaster over a separate safety issue that was going on at school. What I found when I visited the classrooms was virtually no academic work being done, the core components of a Montessori program not being delivered, and a hazardously frigid cold building. HAZARDOUS SCHOOL BUILDING. At $17k+ tuition, you'd think a school would have basic necessities like heat. I've attached a photo of the thermostat from inside my 2nd graders classroom on the day we pulled him out of this place. 52 degrees in the 3rd week of October. I was told it was "too early" to turn on the heat. See attached violation from the City of Pontiac building department for no heat and not maintaining a temperature of 68 degrees. This citation was a week after we left. Let that sink in that another week went by before they corrected the issue of freezing cold classrooms. FALSE CLAIMS TO BE A MONTESSORI PROGRAM. This school claims to be "fully accredited" and we were told (in writing) that they were a member of AMS (The American Montessori Society), yet when I verified their membership status (see attached letter from AMS) I found out they haven't even been members since 2020. NO INDIVIDUALIZED OR CHILD LED LEARNING (i.e. not Montessori). Kids had same lessons assigned. The Upper Elementary and Middle School are grouped together under the same lead teacher (we were not told this when we signed up). Montessori should have a 3 year age range, not 5. I observed my 4th grader and my 7th grader working on the same materials, and that work was way below even the 4th grade level. The teacher (Ms. Carey) admitted to giving my 7th grader the wrong math and science work for the previous 7 weeks. Ms. Carey admitted that our kids at 7 weeks into the program did not have the materials or the adult support to work on anything beyond what was setup for the classroom for the start of the school year. CHAOTIC STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT. A Montessori learning environment is supposed to provide a peaceful and quiet environment where students can work uninterrupted for long periods of time. This environment was so chaotic and full of constant interruptions (including flying sharp objects being thrown across the room and other safety issues) that my kids were nervous wrecks. My older son's friend was hit in the face with a pair of scissors that someone threw. DOCUMENTED LEARNING LOSS. In the 7 weeks we attended this school, my kids went from having great grades and high scores on their academic testing from the end of the previous school year in Math, to failing the math placement tests for the school they attended last year. We now are paying for weekly private tutoring to get caught up. This is all well documented.

No academic for earlier years , treated as a daycare , huge waste of time and money!!!! every…read moretime I asked my son what he learnt that day , he would say nothing I was just allowed to play with dolls!!!!!!!!

Excellent school! Great facility. Both of my sons went here with very positive experiences. They…read morehave now graduated and one is at U of M Ann Arbor and the other one is headed there. This Montessori school provides an excellent base for young children. You can only attend until 5th grade. Teachers are all good, front office staff is as well. My daughter currently goes here (4th grade) and has learned so much. The academics are on point and really challenges children. But your child is not pushed, if teachers see they are not doing well, they try to help and place your child where it is the best fit. The extracurricular activities are good - Art, Spanish, Computers, and Gym are important and done well here. It's a very diverse school. Tuition is about 15K per year but worth it!

Even though our son doesn't qualify for Montessori due to some developmental delays, Karen was so…read morekind to still spend time with us showing us the place and then help us research for a more fitted place for our son. She is very kind and caring and this shows because it wasn't in her interest to help us. We are very grateful for you Karen!!

I remember the first day where Karen Lumsden invited us over after school to see if the per-scool…read morewould be a good fit for our daughter. We were searching around and weren't sure where to enroll her. She walked us around various classrooms/activity areas/yard etc. while one of the instructors interacted with our daughter. We really loved it and we got the feeling they really cared and knew what they were talking about. Lot of places may say they do Montessori, but do they? It was a plus to be super close to the school. I also think for the quality education and life skills our daughter gets, price is more than fair. We already see positive changes in our daughter. She is more curious and she loves going to school. She has also less reliant on her teddy than before. I give them 10/10 as we are very satisfied with them. Recommending them to another parent is not hard for me.

I am so excited about my son starting school here this September! Me and my family went to the…read moreopen house and were able to meet all the teachers and the Administrator (Carol Miller). It is a Montessori School and one of the only ones in Michigan who offers a infant and toddler program everyone I spoken with had a passion for teaching and a strong belief of the Montessori way. And all the proof I needed to see why this approach is supported by so many successful individuals. I would recommend this to anyone who wants there child to have a head start on learning in a non pressure loving environment. This hidden gem is something that more people need to experience for themselves call Carol and find out its well worth it.

Northville Montessori Center is a second family to us. The kids are taught crucial skills in…read moreaddition to the expected math, reading, etc. - leadership, self-motivation, care for the environment. Great teachers, excellent program. A place to help develop anybody into the best person they were meant to be.

On August 7th around 12:45 PM, our son fell near the slide at school. Staff noted it wasn't serious…read moreand let him continue his day. That evening, he was in severe pain, and we took him to the ER. Thankfully no fracture, but he is still in pain days later. What's most disappointing is the lack of empathy and compassion shown afterward. Instead of proactive care and follow-up, the response felt dismissive and indifferent. Parents trust schools to not only ensure safety, but also to treat children with genuine concern when accidents happen. Sadly, that trust was broken in this case.

The MMC is a special place with caring people. I am so blessed to have went there my whole…read morechildhood up through the sixth grade.

When we were looking for a safe, engaging place for our oldest to go a few years ago, reading…read morereviews from other parents currently enrolled helped so much. Hoping this review will help someone in the same position feel confident in their choice to have their child (children) attend Montessori Academy of Farmington Hills. Our oldest has been attending Montessori Academy of Farmington Hills for three years and counting. Ms. Suman and the entire staff work tirelessly each and every day to make sure the students and their families have a good experience. They are helpful, supportive, caring and sensitive to the needs of each child. As a parent, I've watched my child grow (emotionally and physically) in his abilities and been able to witness his confidence soar. The transition (as any significant routine change can be) was tough at first (probably more on me than him :) ) as it was the first daycare/school he attended outside our home and Ms. Suman and his teachers worked closely with him (and helped me as a parent, which I'll always be grateful for) to build trust, understanding and make sure he felt secure. Now, he looks forward to drop off each morning and can't wait to see his teachers and play and learn with all of his friends, classmates and peers. The Montessori Academy of Farmington Hills has a wonderful playground for outdoor time (one of the first things you'll notice as you drive up and enter the parking lot), Ms. Suman and her staff keep it well maintained, along with the interior/exterior of the building and are always updating with the latest equipment and enhancements. They offer fieldtrips for students and lots of fun activities for holidays and special occasions, including an end of the school year program for each class. One note that's worth mentioning is that they follow the Montessori method of learning with the freedom to make choices and progress at the child's own comfort level. It's a true school environment starting at 3 years, not a daycare or childcare center (Ms. Suman and the teachers are happy to give updates and send pictures, you'll just need to ask if there's something specific you'd like to see or know more about during the day to day routine). You'll be more than pleasantly surprised with how much your child (children) will learn. If you have a child under three, they will still learn at an exceptional rate (Montessori Academy take babies 3 months and up) as well, just in a separate building with separate infant/baby/young toddler staff. My youngest is in the infant/baby room and we feel at ease knowing he is surrounded by such a wonderful, patient support system and receiving nurturing, dependable care. The teachers and staff truly are wonderful, many have been with the school for years and years. Their experience shines through (and helped accelerate our potty training journey, among many, many other milestones) and so many of them feel like an extension of our family. The tuition costs are more than fair for everything they offer, I can't imagine you can find anywhere else with such an expansive offering. Choose Montessori Academy of Farmington Hills and you'll choose really, really well!

I toured several Montessori schools and daycares for my two year-old to attend. Montessori Academy…read moreof Farmington won both my Husband and I over. My son has learned so much since attending, his teacher Qamar ABBASI is so professional, passionate, patient and a great communicator. All the staff are so amazing. I'm very happy knowing that my son is in great hands and learning in a safe environment. I highly recommend this school. From Mrs. Cato

Daycroft is a school unlike any other…read more The Montessori philosophy is the foundation of what makes Daycroft so amazing. The kids that attend Daycroft are genuinely some of the nicest kids I've ever met. There is a huge emphasis placed on the "culture of kindness" and it shows every day. Children are treated with respect, and therefore respect one another. When behavior issues arise, children are counseled through it by their teachers, not simply punished. There is an emphasis on understanding and empathy rather than control. A HUGE reason this is possible is the faculty to student ratio. Every grade-level classroom has two full-time, certified teachers. The class sizes are nearly always 20 kids or less, so that's a 10-to-1 ratio max most of the time. When they go to specials (music, art, gym, Spanish, library, and technology), each class is split in half (half go to music and half to art, for example, then they switch) to preserve that ratio- unless the class makes more sense to have more kids (such as gym or orchestra). Daycroft is a school where everyone knows everyone by name- students know and are friends with other students at other grade levels, teachers know students' names in grades other than just the ones they teach, and specials teachers get to teach the same kids for up to nine years. The bond that is created with such a close-knit community is special. Daycroft is a family.

Our family has been at Daycroft Montessori for four years and are starting our fifth year. We…read morehighly recommend the school. We annually renew our decision to enroll at Daycroft due to the following: 1. The Montessori philosophy: mixed-age classrooms, children work uninterrupted on learning activities that they freely choose from a teacher-created set of options, children primarily learn by working hands-on with a myriad of subject-appropriate materials rather than verbal instructions from an instructor, and work plans designed for each individual child to the point that, depending upon the needs of the child, work plans can range from daily to weekly in duration. 2. Two teachers in each Daycroft classroom. This translates into a ratio of approximately one teacher for every 10 students. 3. The extraordinary religious, racial, and ethnic diversity of the children enrolled at Daycroft. For those of you reading this review who are new to the Montessori philosophy, let me explain that Montessori means disciplined choice. There is zero chaos in a Daycroft Montessori classroom. There may be a quiet hum, or happy chatter, but no chaos. From their workplan, children choose which item to address when. They are taught how to effectively focus and not interrupt other children's work. Because workplans are individualized to best fit their learning style, the children become deeply engaged. Before they move on to a new activity, the children must clean up their current activity. So, classrooms are tidy, calm, and, at the end of the day, everything is back in its place. We particularly love the diversity of the Daycroft families. Because it's so diverse, children learn experientially about the many skin tones, religions, & ethnicities. The teachers invite families in to share their rituals, foods, and experiences. Parents have the opportunity to become as involved as desired. I've volunteered in the classroom and my husband has volunteered in after-school. (There are quite a number of after-school activities for the children.) Daycroft has two locations. The Zeeb campus is K-6. Our family's experience has been at the Zeeb campus, which is where I will focus my review. The building is in excellent condition; bright, clean, and well-designed. It includes the K-6 classrooms, a robust library, media center, well-appointed art room, music room with risers and instruments, multi-purpose room (used for lunch, spanish, and after-care), kitchen, gym/auditorium, science room, sickroom, and administrative offices. All classrooms have smartboards and other types of technology (computers, etc). All children at Daycroft have Spanish twice a week and upper grades learn additional languages, and the etymology of language. Musical instruments are introduced at an early age, and increasingly sophisticated instruments are added as the children progress through the grades. There is an orchestra, choir, and band, and the children perform a concert semi-annually. Annually, in the spring, there is an all-school musical that is amazing. Every child is involved - creating the sets, singing in the chorus, and/or being on-stage. At Daycroft, children have choices appropriate to their age and abilities. All subjects are taught extensively and deeply throughout the children's time at Daycroft. For example, geometry and algebra are introduced in pre-school; each year, a child's learning of such subjects advances in sophistication. Because the children have individual workplans and uninterrupted worktime, they progress at their pace (with the teacher's encouragement and guidance, of course). What the children learn at Daycroft is far advanced from what my husband and I were taught at the same ages in our own school experiences. The administrative and teaching staff are always available to the parents. Two years ago, our daughter hit a personal "bump in the road". We spent time with her teachers and the head of school to work through this and found the experience to be very gratifying. All of us worked collaboratively to help our daughter traverse the situation successfully. From a distance, I've noted this scenario repeated successfully with other children at Daycroft. All children, at some point, will need some extra attention and the Daycroft staff has the time and commitment to provide it. From a physical perspective, children have gym three or four times per week. Plus, of course, recess. At the Zeeb campus, there are two playgrounds with age-appropriate equipment - one for lower elementary and a second for upper elementary. Zeeb has a garden, pond, and wetlands for the children to use in their curriculum. Some classrooms also include yoga daily for the children which has been a wonderful thing. Check out Daycroft Montessori - you'll be glad you did.

I, not sure why I'm listed in CaliforniaThis is the best Montessori around! I am a retired teacher…read moreinterested in the best preschool experience possible for my grandsons. After visiting several Montessori schools in various cities around, this proved to be the best! The staff is wonderful: caring, kind, knowledgeable. Every teacher knows every child. The school environment is welcoming, loving and inspires exploration in the children. Our 5 year old grandson attended before Kindergarten and now our 3 year old grandson attends. The 2 year old will begin the Fall. The boys love it there. The school also welcomes observation at any time! I am shocked at the negative review! Behavior issues are dealt with in a knowledgeable, caring, firm way. Also, it behooves the teachers to inform the parents of any concerns. If the parents can't deal with it, that's their issue. I'm not sure why this site is listing me in California. I live in Farmington Hills, Mi. Tried to edit it, but it wouldn't allow it. I love this school and everyone in it!

I would give them 0 stars if that was an option! This is the worst possible environment to begin…read moreyour child's education. To give you a little background about us. My husband and I are both engineers and we both emigrated from India more than 15 years ago and are settled in US. We don't have any family in Michigan and are both working professionals in high stress jobs. Our only son started at Bloomfield Maples Montessori in January and was out of there by end of May. In March, the school scheduled a parent-teacher conference and told us that our son is having behavioral issues (totally laughable because they consider my son, who is a toddler, walking away from another toddler when he took his toy, a behavioral issue - I guess they would have a problem with Gandhi too for being a pacifist. I think it is great that my toddler has the common sense to walk away from a potentially dangerous situation of fighting another toddler over a toy). They also made a suggestion that we take our son to speech therapy but offered no data or evidence (they sent blank notes home everyday)and basically hid behind vague statements like "I cant put my finger on what the problem is" and "I am not an expert so I cant say". Well, are working parents of an only child and we expect the teacher to be more of an expert than us and be able to pin point what the issue is before we take him to expensive, time consuming and unnecessary (I say activities like speech therapy. My husband and I talked about it and decided that a healthy (his pediatrician didn't find any issues with his speech) 2.5 year old doesn't need speech therapy and that he will be fine in a few months, as studies indicate that boys (especially first born and multi-lingual) don't really start their speech until 3 years old, When we didn't take him to speech therapy, the teacher pulled me aside and told me that they will expel him out of school for non-compliance. REALLY EXPEL HIM! We were completely blindsided as we were never told that this was a requirement for re-enrollment, as they already accepted our re-enrollment fee. I was asking for meeting minutes from our parent teacher conference which they sent almost 6 weeks later. GUESS WHAT! Those meeting minutes were so poorly written they had multiple typos including both the words in "Speech Therapy" (spelled as "speach thearpy"). Other typos include the words "motor" (spelled as "moter") and "opinion" (spelled as "oppinion"). This is the quality of their teachers. I wish there was a way to post the picture of that note here on yelp. I graded it with red pen and gave them an "F" and returned a color copy of it to them so they know exactly how I feel about their sub-standard teachers. I was so livid that I told them that all their teachers need to get "spelling therapy" and if they were to kick a kid out for non-compliance of something, at least get that something spelled correctly. I do agree with them on one thing - that school is not for my son. In conclusion, the school believes in their hypocrisy of "we'll kick your child out for poor performance, even though we are poor performers ourselves"! They are quick to get paid and are definitely don't tell you they are sub-par when they position themselves during admissions. In addition to the above, there were multiple documented instances of neglect during the time that leads to me to believe that they categorically discriminated against my son. I thought about not writing anything on yelp for a couple of months now, but for some reason, I always come back to my philosophy that "if parents are bad, only their children will be affected. However, if teachers (or schools) are bad, it would affect generations of children". I could not bring myself to walk away from this without taking action that informs future parents. If you have standards for education for your children, just avoid them completely.

Our experience with Brighton Montessori has been incredible…read more My son started shortly after he turned 2. We wanted more than a daycare. We wanted Montessori practices and principles. And it was immediately apparent that Brighton Montessori offered this. We looked at a few different options before choosing BMS and there was a startling difference. In the other daycare centers, the children were running around yelling, a few crying, one kid was climbing up a bookshelf, etc. When we came and looked at BMS, the kids were playing quietly in groups with their "work." Within a few weeks of my son attending BMS he was picking up his toys, pushing in his chair and saying "thank you." All that said, this is not to imply that BMS is strict and quiet! The children are allowed to be children! They run around outside. They sing songs loudly! Everyday my son comes home and proudly show me his artwork. They play play play! The teachers are also fantastic. They are some of the most gentle, kind and compassionate people I've met. My son adores them. He gives them hugs when he leaves for the day. He arrives at school and feels comfortable telling them all the things he did that weekend. He respects his teachers but sees them as allies, not a threat. This is entirely due to their respectful interactions with our children. I could go on and on. There are halloween parades. Christmas cookie parties. They help you with potty training (if desired). They have communal lunch and snack time. It's just a wonderful, caring, family-oriented environment. Please go visit and see for yourself!

We looked at a couple places for our pre-schooler, and this was by far the best. The staff is very…read morededicated and nurturing to the children. Our child enjoys her learning experience and seems to thrive in their setting. Highly recommend if you can afford to do it!