I wanted to take a moment to say what an incredible experience we've had with the staff and faulty at Oneonta Montessori. We put our kiddos there in April 2021 during the pandemic which was a tough decision given the times. However, the staff and Ms. Fiona made us feel at ease and assured us of their safety. They attended Oneonta for three years ending their time their more than ready for first grade. As a result, our kids are more than prepared for first grade. Anytime we had a concern all of the faculty addressed them with care, empathy and concern. I truly felt we had a partnership with everyone there at our school. While every child is different, I know that our kiddos thrived there and are looking forward to coming back for summer camp in 2025! Thank you to everyone for giving our children a strong foundation to start on their academic journey! read more

We moved from the valley to Alhambra, and this school was the first school I inquired about when enrolling my kids starting preschool and kindergarten. My kids came from a Montessori school and I wanted to continue the same curriculum. My kids had such an incredible experience at Oneonta and are still there! As a mother of 3 kiddos, I loved that all the teachers knew the kiddos names right away and would communicate frequently via the dojo app, whether they were photos of their activities, classes, and even events when my husband and I couldn't make it to an event at school. From Ms. Theresa to Ms. Vangie, Ms. Carol, and Ms. Maryann, plus Ms. Fiona and Ms. Christina, it's been easy to communicate with them throughout my kids' education. They offer the STEM program and knowing that my kids are being taught these subjects will help them prepare for middle school and up. Coming from a catholic school and public school background, I was impressed by what the school had to offer with the activities/field trips/science fairs/math and spelling bees, plus a fun summer program! It's sad to know that my daughter will be leaving as soon as she finishes 5th grade, but I'm glad my kids have that foundation from Oneonta. :) read more

I did extensive research before signing up my two girls. Oneonta offers the best balance between play and academic learning. We have had so many teachers between the two of them and they were ALL caring, compassionate and excellent teachers. Highly recommend. All staff really care and the school is so well run read more

My 4 year old son goes to this school and he is loving it! The teachers are great and very caring. He's learning so much with Ms. Melinda and Ms. Emily (and Ms. Christina and Ms.Crystal last year)! The teachers are accessible and they also post updates, pictures and videos through ClassDojo. The school also do music classes on Fridays with Mr. Mario, and offer other extracurricular activities for a small fee after school, so no need to be driving back and forth to lessons . My 12 year old daughter also went to this school from age 2 through TK, and she was quite advanced when she started Kindergarten, which I attribute to OMS. She even learned and practiced public speaking/presentation skills when she was in TK! The school also organizes science fairs, Holiday Shows, Thanksgiving potluck, book fairs, Culture day, in addition to Back-to-School night. Their Summer Program is also a fun experience for the kids. Both my son and daughter enjoyed all the different daily fun activities and shows, especially the animal shows (sea creatures, reptiles, etc.). Such a great well-rounded experience for them! read more

My son started preschool at Oneonta when he was just 3 years old. He had Ms. Theresa's class. He learned how to be more independent at such a young age there (putting on his shoes, buttoning up his own shirts, etc.) He also learned to read, write and use a lap top in preschool! It impressed us so much that we decided to check out the back building for grade school. We weren't planning to have him stay past preschool, but seeing how much he was excelling at Oneonta made us consider keeping him there. Not only was Ms. Theresa the best (so patient, kind, attentive, and my son's favorite), she took the time to really know each student. Not just education wise, but also their personalities, what they liked and what they didn't like, what they were good at, what they needed more help with, etc. Then the pandemic hit during the last year of preschool, but the school made it work. They made the transition from preschool to kindergarten work. Classes were on zoom until it was safe enough for the kids to physically go back to school wearing masks and keeping safe. The school put in the effort and time to keep cleaning the classrooms and playgrounds more than once a day! We decided to have our son continue his education at Oneonta and until this day, he is still there. Currently in 4th Grade with Ms. MaryAnn, who is, according to my son, one of the main person that keeps the school running smoothly. She's also the reason he loves math! She also takes the time to really know each student. It amazes me how attentive she is with each student of hers. My son says he loves when she reads parts of their chapter books to them because she makes the funniest voices that keep them engaged! Everyday I am so grateful that my son has had the best teachers all his life, thanks to Oneonta. Even her aide, Ms. Zelma is the best. She is the sweetest and my son always feels comfortable going to her for questions and help with anything at all! I can always see how she genuinely cares for her students. My son also had Ms. Vangie for 1st-3rd grade. Ms. Ning and Ms. Carol were assisting her. Truthfully, all his teachers were like family to us. Ms. Vangie and Ms. MaryAnn know how to be strict, yet still be so kind to the students. They had high expectations for their students, were very inclusive and supportive and focused on student achievement. These teachers have definitely helped shape my son and his friends to be the amazing kids they are now. Our kids are so well rounded and happy there. Oneonta provided effective classroom management, collaborative development, parental involvement and community engagement. Oneonta has had a very safe and positive school climate. It's one of the best decisions I've made as a parent, to keep him there. read more

I originally gave this school 5 stars because we had a great experience in kinder but things changed in 2 and 3rd grade for us. Although the teacher tried working with us and we were in frequent communication with her, we decided it was best to leave at the end of 3rd grade. My son is a very sensitive kid (more so than most boys) and we ultimately felt his needs could not be met in a school with such high expectations. The work load is much higher than public schools and even some other private schools. It became too much for my son and myself (I am a public middle school teacher and the parent of a daughter labeled gifted). Although my son worked hard to keep up, he was kept in during recess at times in order to catch up (this is not allowed in public schools). He loved his friends so we kept him at the school but in retrospect, we should have left during 2nd grade when we noticed things were off. He would cry in the mornings and showed signs of increased anxiety. Not only is the curriculum above grade level but the teacher's expectations are high as well. He finally told me he will not go back there for 4th grade. My son was absent for more than 30 days his last year there. For my son the rules seemed too harsh, the above grade level curriculum was too demanding and the classroom environment too restrictive. I do know parents who are happy and satisfied with the school. My son's friends are still there and thriving. I also know of another parent who felt like I did and left the year before we did. This school just wasn't a good fit for a kid like mine. We have moved to another private school and my son is doing well and happy. He is anxiety free and easily attends school daily. read more

My daughter has been attending Oneonta Montessori School for 7 years now. We are very happy there, their academic level is very advanced and the teachers always care about their students. The Principal Ms. Fiona is very kind and caring. We love the staff, their rules and how everyone is treated with respect. They have friendly pets on each classroom and the playground is safe for children. Teachers are always watching them. This is our last year there and we are truly going to miss this school and everyone there. We 100% recommend this school to new families. read more

Oneonta Montessori School - Beautiful and big fish tank that is always clean. Board is decorated very cute to give kids a welcoming environment. - Preschools Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Ms. Christina has been incredible with our son. She embraces his entire wild, crazy self and shows up each day ready to care for him and support him, while holding him accountable and creating solid routines at school. We have noticed a lot of growth in him, verbally and socially, and am grateful for the love Ms. Christina gives him on a daily! My daughter was there for three years and both Ms. Theresa and Ms. Vanessa were warm and communicative with her progress and growth. They took opportunities to support her in her personal goals, outside of academics, and we appreciated their care for her! read more

As a former student at Oneonta many, many years ago, I was excited to enroll my daughter at this school when we moved back to the area nearly a year ago. The teachers are kind, communicative, and patient. They foster an environment of independence, compassion, and personal/educational growth, all while recognizing each child's individuality. My daughter loves her teachers, the curriculum, and the balance of work/play that is so important for kids at her age (3.5yrs old). We've found the teachers to be incredibly supportive and responsive, and we're lucky to have created a bond with other parents at the school, which is icing on the cake! I'm so pleased that my daughter will have the same amazing experience at Oneonta, which has played such an important role in my life. read more

My child was called "big head" by the volunteers a couple years back. Till this day, my child still mentions this day to me. While picking up my child I overheard "Miss MaryAnn" the teacher shaming students. I only wrote this review to save the principal from feeling embarrassment. Just don't waste your time here read more

Both may daughter(5yo) and son (3yo) were fortunate to attend Oneonta Montessori until we moved recently. Their teachers Ms. Jessica, Ms. Theresa, Ms. Karen and the supporting staff were very patient and supportive allowing them to easily adjust to preschool and flourish. read more

Went here for four years! Small school, but this place shaped me. My friends and I from here still communicate. Mr. Mario, the music teacher is the reason I'm in music now. I'm a freshman in highschool now!! read more

We have been very happy at OMS. Our kids are thriving academically, and love attending school every day. Teachers are very responsive to questions or concerns. Elementary school classes are small, and each child gets the attention they need to learn. Lots of fun events to keep parents engaged with things happening in school. My kids especially love Cultural Day, where they create passports and learn about different cultures from OMS families- it's a big deal and much care and attention is put into this and all the other learning events at our school. I feel my children are cared for and nurtured here. read more

I had sent my 6yo child to their summer school and they came home bawling everyday. The teachers would shame him for making simple mistakes and slight noises. They were even aware that my son has ADHD. I believe that my son has developed trauma from the shaming actions dealt by teachers. I could see that the teachers would do nothing when other kids were making fun of my son. read more

I'm a former student who attended Oneonta Montessori School from pre-school until 6th grade. I'm now 27 years old, and after many years of reflecting on my experiences and processing them in therapy, have I realized that many of my fears later throughout my life in school (e.g., speaking up in class, asking questions, etc.) came from my early childhood experiences and trauma at Oneonta Montessori. I distinctly remember Ms. Mary Ann as a teacher I deeply feared and loathed. She publicly shamed me (and many other students) in front of the class many times whenever we made mistakes on homework assignments, did not do well on exams, etc. I remember I once asked her a math-related question (a subject I often struggled with) and not only did she not answer my question, but she asked my question to the entire class, had another student answer it, and told me I should have known the answer. I felt deeply embarrassed and stupid for not knowing, and feeling the rest of my class now thought I was stupid. Another time, I had read a post it note that was on a different teacher's desk that I didn't know was private and that I wasn't supposed to read (it was just lying on her table), she told the entire class, shamed me, and made an example out of me. I can list many other traumatic examples and stories. Even to this day, I still fear speaking up in group settings in class or group settings having intellectual discussions because of a deep fear of looking stupid and being shamed for it. Please please do not send your child to this school. As a current 27 year old PhD student, I am still affected by these experiences in my classes. read more

If you are living in the San Gabriel Valley this is by far one of the best if not the best private intuitions for your child to attend. With a strong emphasis on education as well a nice collective group of community members who genuinely care about their children. After touring many other private & public neighboring schools, I decided on Oneonta Montessori School. I know while my children are in school they are safe, nurtured and becoming enriched with the many programs that this school offers. A few other bonuses about this school are that it offers early care for those of us who have to work and after care. The after care is wonderful as they offer additional extra curricular activities such as Tennis, Dance, Hapkido and other programs. My daughter loves coming to school and requests that she can stay after to enjoy the programs. I feel that my children are ahead in their studies in comparison to other children their age. From a parent who has experienced public and private school education, I feel that my child is getting the highest education at this school. The teachers really strive to achieve a lot with kids even at such a small age. If you are on the fence about which school your child should attend, you won't regret selecting Oneonta Montessori School. read more

I did not have a good experience with this daycare. From the start, there was a noticeable lack of support and kindness from both Ms. Christina and Ms Fiona. I never felt good about dropping my child off, as the teacher seemed extremely stern and lacked warmth, which is especially concerning in a class of toddlers. We were only there for a short time, but it was more than enough to know this wasn't the right place for my child. read more

I came here as a student from pre k - first. I distinctly remember it being very challenging. From there I moved onto a catholic school and was miles ahead of class mates. Me and a classmate ended up at Alhambra high together. Long story short, we were best buds in the same friend group and the only 2 that went to 4 year universities in our group. Don't let these soft parents scare you away from Oneonta Montessori schools. They instill discipline and a good work ethic. read more

I took my daughter to the school in person tour when she was 3,by that time my daughter still using diapers, I don't remember the teacher's name, but what she said was really terrible. She told us if my daughter can't get rid of diapers at three years old, my daughter is going to use diapers rest of her life. I don't think this kind of teacher and school would be good choice. read more

Great place to have your child to start their education. They are very open on your child's progress meaning if your child is advanced they will accommodate that child and move them up in learning groups to match their needs. Teachers are great and always open to you. The campus is good. They alstroemerias have a great summer program that will have your kids learning and having fun. read more

Oneonta is a very nurturing environment and my boys have excelled both academically and socially during their time at this school. Both of my sons attended preschool and my oldest attended TK in the back building. They each had Ms. Audrey in the Butterfly class and she has been wonderful in adapting to each of their different personalities. We have also had the pleasure of meeting several of the other teachers during summer camp and have been very impressed with all of them. The teachers here truly care that your child is learning and will make every effort to challenge them with additional Montessori materials if they are working at a faster pace. We are very happy with the curriculum. They teach basic math, reading/ writing, art, history/culture as well as a daily Mandarin class and Spanish. My oldest now goes to Kindergarten at our local public school and I don't feel that he is challenged as much as he was during his time at Oneonta. read more

My two brothers and I all went here when we were younger. Safe environment, amazing teachers who care, and good curriculum. All the teachers and staff work so hard to give the students the best opportunity to grow as a person in school and in the real world. read more

You know this is a place you don't want to send your kids to when you pull up for a tour and you hear staff yelling and berating the kids. The director was rude, unprofessional and seemingly unprepared to give a tour despite the fact we had scheduled appointment that was booked 2 weeks in advance. read more

We had a great experience here!!! Very highly recommended. We were blown away with the academic level. Our daughter learned so much with Miss Jessica, she is amazing.... Only positive things to say about this school. Incredible communication with teacher and their dojo app. You will not regret it!!!!! read more

My child went here for a few years and only towards the end did I realize that their discipline method is very strict - shaming and fear based. I caution everyone to ask about their discipline process and the background of teachers (ask what they did prior to teaching there) before deciding on this school since it does differ from teacher to teacher. read more

We have had two children attend Oneonta from 2 years to 5 years of age and we loved it!! All of the teachers in the early school are amazing - warm, thoughtful, and creative educators who care for the children as family and also inspire curiosity, learning, and kindness. Ms. Audrey, the Assistant Director, is the creative energy behind the curriculum and programming. Each year the overarching themes are different but they always focus on connection with others and empathy. The kids are engaged in service learning. One year, my daughter's class (with Ms. Audrey) adopted a cotton-top tamarin at the LA Zoo. Each child was responsible for figuring out how to raise money to contribute to the class adoption. The kids were so engaged that they learned about the Titi (cotton-top tamarin) Festival in Colombia and performed a class dance just like the kids in Colombia do during the festival. This year, my other daughter's class (again with Ms. Audrey) adopted goats for a family through Heifer International. As part of their learning, the kids had a goat milk day when they got to taste test various goat milk products. They also made goat-milk soaps. In addition to service learning, they also learn language - Spanish and Mandarin, which my younger daughter loved! She would come home and teach us new words and new songs in Mandarin. My daughters have also had Ms. Vanessa, Ms. Esther, and Ms. Melinda... all equally warm and loving and inspiring as educators. When my older daughter struggled with transitioning at the beginning of the year, Ms. Vanessa took her under her wing. Every day, my daughter would seek out Ms. Vanessa and was able to smoothly transition into class with her extra care. And I would be remiss not to give due credit to Ms. Fiona, the school director. She is open, understanding, and always willing to help. I strongly believe that a school culture is dictated by the director... Ms. Fiona has fostered a wonderful community of learning and warmth, exactly what we desired in a school. Honestly, we would have continued into the older grades at Oneonta except that we had already committed ourselves to a Dual Language Immersion Catholic education because of our bilingual/bicultural home. Our family has benefitted and so enjoyed being a part of the Oneonta learning community! Our teachers have been so special to us and we will have the finest memories of early learning with Oneonta! We highly recommend Oneonta to anyone seeking an excellent early learning environment and/or a Montessori-based education for any age. read more

I had both of my children attended OMS since 2.5 years old. My oldest just graduated from 6th grade. We loved this school so much. The teachers are awesome and patience with the kids. The Montessori learning style gives the children a strong foundation in academic and personal grow. The before and after school day care provides activities and a safe environment. I am so proud to be part of the OMS family. read more

My twin boys are in the preschool here. All the staff are very kind and friendly. My boys are well behaved and I noted they improved significantly in their speech and expression since they got into the school. Staff are also very supportive when there was family issue in my household and they really care about the development and the emotion of my kids during family crisis. There is constant communication between teachers and parents which I like. read more

The teachers and principal are fantastic. I love knowing that my son attends a school that both challenges him academically and also enriches his life. read more

This is my son's third year at Oneonta. His teachers have been wonderful and warm, and we've been amazed at how much he's learning. He's not yet 5 and knows how to read. He can do addition and subtraction. And we've always appreciated most of all how safe and supportive the environment is. It's a well-run school with professionally trained and caring teachers, solid administrators, and well-kept grounds. Teachers use ClassDojo to update parents as a group and individually, and have always been responsive to concerns or inquiries. As much as we miss him during the day, it's some comfort to know he's well taken care of here, and learning more--socially and otherwise--than we could teach him on our own! read more

I have two sons who attend Oneonta Montessori. They are so happy and have learned so much from their caring teachers and peers. My oldest son is in Kindergarten, there is no other school in the area (public or private) that will offer the same curriculum, philosophy and special subjects that he gets here at Oneonta. My youngest is in preschool and under his teachers guidance has blossomed into a confident and well adjusted 3.5 year old. If you are looking for a school that has a good curriculum with exceptional teachers and a strong philosophy (not to mention an NAEYC accreditation), look no further than OMS. read more

So far so good. My daughter loves coming to school here. They song songs and practice performances. Wish we could enter nut due to covid we are not allowed. It would also be great of they could facilitate us meeting other parents to build a greater sense of community. For now, as long as my daughter is happy then I am as well. read more

Some teachers are not too enriching and lack of basic knowledge. Front office staffs (Christian) was very rude. My older son attended school for two years and I will not send my younger daughter there. read more

I now have two children at Oneonta. Still love it. I am thrilled with the care and concern the teachers and administrators have for the children, their learning and well being, and shaping them into caring, well adjusted kids. Love it! read more

After having a horrible experience at Children's Montessori we sent my daughter here for preschool and she loved it. The teachers are catering loving, welcoming and nurturing. Great school for preschool. read more

Love love love this school! We've had our daughter in the school for a year. We love Ms Terri and Ms Cindy in the Ladybug class. We've seen our daughter blossom both intellectually and socially. read more

My daughter started at OMS right after she turned 2. BOTH of us were a little nervous at first, but our teachers, Miss Esther, Miss Cindy and Miss Vanessa, helped us through the transition. Now, she is all smiles and high-fives when I drop her off, and that puts me at ease. During those first couple of weeks, I got daily updates from Miss Esther on Class Dojo (an app that connects parents with teachers), and she always answered my questions no matter how late it was, and helped not only my daughter, but also myself, adjust to preschool. :) After the summer session ended, my daughter's class got a new teacher, Miss Vanessa, who is also wonderful, and has continued the warm, compassionate and thoughtful care of my daughter and her friends/classmates. My daughter still has occasional difficult mornings, but Miss Vanessa and Miss Cindy always have a good attitude about it and give her lots of hugs and reassurance. Miss Vanessa now updates me weekly with photos and with my daughter's progress on Class Dojo. I love being able to directly communicate with her through this tool. My daughter has definitely blossomed since she started at OMS. She went from saying a few words to now speaking full sentences and even being able to recite the Pledge of Allegiance by memory, However, it is not all about memorizing. She now knows how to sound out letters and words, and has gained communication skills that help her navigate typical playground politics. I am a big fan of the Montessori philosophy and love seeing her develop self confidence and abilities through self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. The school also provides access to extra-curricular activities such as dance and My Gym, which is extremely convenient for a working parent like myself. Basically, the classes come to the school, and for an extra fee, your child can participate during the school day. That means no additional drop-off or pick-up at another location after school. I love walking though the classroom each morning to find a gallery of work created by my daughter and her classmates. Our teachers put so much effort and time into not only doing activities with the children, but also decorating the class with the students' work. I am always impressed. I feel having the work presented in such a way makes my daughter feel proud of what she is learning and creating, and also proud of her class environment. OMS also celebrates cultural diversity and holidays with lots of special activities and even shows. Thanks to Miss Cindy and Miss Vanessa for potty training my daughter. I give them full credit for getting her out of diapers just after the age of 2. On one busy morning, my daughter had an accident on the way to school (because I forgot to take her to the bathroom before we left for school. Ugh! My fault.) My daughter needed a full change of clothes, and when we finally arrived in the classroom, Miss Cindy volunteered to take care of her. She is the best! Finally, Miss Fiona, the school's director, is a great leader and sets the tone for the rest of the school. She knows each student by name, and although I have not had much one-on-one interaction with her, I know she is a good role model for the teachers and the students. read more

Oneonta Montessori is a phenomenal school. I have had both of my kids attend here. My son attended when he was 2 in 2010 and now my daughter is 4 and has been attending for 2 years. Both of my kids have been extremely happy to attend. My daughter gets up eager every morning to go to school and see Ms. Audrey and the staff. I looked into many other schools prior to choosing Oneonta. While the rates at others fit my budget better, I could not put a price on my children's happiness and education. In addition, Ms. Fiona and Ms. Christina are exceptional and work really well and really hard for the kids. Ms. Fiona has been extremely helpful to families and their financial needs. She is always willing to work with parents by offering us alternatives in order to compensate for certain things. Not many other schools will offer that to parents in need. A few of my friends have brought their kids to Oneonta and have thanked me endlessly for recommending such a perfect school and it makes me happy to know I am not the only one that thinks this place is great. If you're looking for a great school to enrich your toddler and prepare them for the future, and a place in which your child will be safe, taught many things and cared for in a way you believe only parents can do - look no further, Oneonta is the place for you!! read more

I just made a phone call to the school, the lady who picks up my call was so impatient, I just want to get some basic info like tuition, half/full day, etc. Even I think she is very rude, but I still ended the call with 'thank you very much for the information' and I did not even finish she just hang up on me. I meant if you do not even have patient on answer my questions, how am I going to believe you people will have patient on my kid!!! I will not send my kid to this place. And also, be helpful to the yelp reviewer: their full day is from 9-3,$725; to 6 extra $100, half day 9-12, $680, and you have to pay $5 for lunch everyday, no breakfast. read more

The school gets mixed reviews from me. My daughter enjoys coming to class and seeing her friends and teachers. Her teachers are nurturing and generally friendly. However, they aren't the most educated and have little to no college education. I am sometimes nonplussed by the grammar and language skills some of the teachers possess. Most of the preschool teachers only receive the Montessori training/certification giving them the ability to teach the young children. I think all teachers and aides should at the very least have some formal ECE coursework as a prerequisite to work at the school. Given how expensive tuition is, you would think that the teachers would be college educated. You don't necessarily get what you pay for. My daughter comes home with dried up mucus on her nose and face, yet I am told that she needs to learn how to do it herself--she's 2! The school requires you pay extra for everything, so between extra daycare hours, regular hours, and diaper changing, parents can expect to pay close to $1000 a month. Oh, did I mention they don't provide lunch. As expensive as it is, one would think that they would be accommodating and flexible. However, it has been my experience that Ms. Fiona and her rude little minion, Ms. Christina, act like they do not owe you any gratitude or respect. The message I have received feels more like we should be grateful and accept whatever they dictate. If you don't like it, too bad--take your kid elsewhere. I haven't felt like they consider the parents feelings or opinions whatsoever. It is purely a business, with some pedagogical features. Compared to some of the other preschools in the area, Oneonta presents better. It was our final choice. Not because it was a premier school but because it was a big fish in a small pond. I wish that there were more quality schools available but alas the pickings are slim. Yes, the classrooms are bright and dynamic and the teachers are young and fairly attentive. But I shouldn't have to pay more to get what should be a fundamental part of any good preschool. read more