We have now been at RMS going on 2 years with a second child entering next year and we are so happy and grateful to have found it. We looked into every Montessori w/in a 25 mile radius (Wilton, Ridgefield, Danbury, Newtown, Washington) and the Toddler/Primary programs here are second to none. The school is not too big, so you feel you're part of a family. There is something so special here and you feel it as a parent the moment you walk in, but your child experiences it, too. We saw this during observations and we're experiencing it now as parents. It's important to know several things about Montessori schools. 1. Not all are created equal and each is independently owned/run. This means some adhere more or less to Montessori values/principles. RMS is a beautiful balance, adhering to the principles while making room for modern needs and allowing each child to grow but also, to be. 2. As in any school setting, the teachers make or break it. The Teachers in every room/program here are beyond plugged in, nurturing, warm and caring. AND, they work very collaboratively while still minding their individual programs. This means a holistic approach for your child as they grow through the years. My daughter embraces each of them and speaks so highly of them outside of school. She looks up to them but doesn't view them as simply 'adults' or teachers. These are her guides and she is so thankful for her relationships with each one of them. I did see a review from several years ago mentioning 25 students to a class/teacher. Not only is that not the Montessori method, but it has never been the ratio at this school (nor do I believe it's allowed by the state in these settings, but I could be wrong). For interested parents: In each Toddler room (2), you're looking at about 10-12 kids with 2-3 teachers/class (depending on enrollment each year) so usually a 1:4ish ratio and the Primary room (used to be 2, is now 1 large room broken up into 2 sections to follow core Montessori method) you're looking at about 30-36 kids total with 4 Teachers and the class is somewhat split into 3s/4s Section and then 5s Section w/2 teachers focused on each at any time. You're still at a 1:8 ratio roughly, so not sure where the 1:25 ratio came from. In any case, we're active and present and have seen this school from all angles and truly, couldn't be happier. The physical space itself is also beautiful, pristine and built for kids (bathrooms in the Toddler room, bathrooms right outside the Primary class). The biggest issue we're facing is what comes after RMS as we've yet to find anything in the area that is suited to follow. We hope others will take the time to come see for themselves what makes this school, the teachers, the program and the students so [truly] magical. These years should be spent exploring through play, not rigid curriculum, and RMS has made good on that every step of the way while still exposing these littles to the world around them in a way that engages them and lays a foundation for a true love of learning. Thanks you, RMS read more

I was recommended Ridgefield Montessori School by a friend when my son was just a baby. I am so happy she did! My son went to the school from when he was 1 years old when they used to have an infant room all the way until Kindergarten. My son is now in public school and misses RMS very much. It was like a family to him and the relationships he made there were wonderful. We loved how independent and creative he became all due to the Montessori way of teaching. He is currently thriving now in public school because of the foundation he was taught. They also have very flexible hours for working parents which was very useful. He loved the after school activities like cooking and science. He would beg to stay late. The staff and teachers are the best! You won't regret your decision to send your children here! read more

RMS is a wonderful school! The teachers are warm, caring, and supportive. Overall it is a nurturing environment for young children to reach their full potential at their own pace. They were very patient with my son adjusting to school. He is very happy and looks forward to going everyday. He enjoyed the summer camp as well. The flexible after care program is convenient as well. Whenever we mention RMS my son beams with pride. I know many other families with similar positive experiences. read more

After having moved to Connecticut I was fortunate enough to have found the Ridgefield Montessori School. During my children's most developmental years it was imperative to me they be in an environment that nurtured their creativity and curiosity, while maintaining an emphasis on education. I thought that might be an impossible find until I found the Ridgefield Montessori School. The staff of talented teachers are incredibly well adept and strike a harmonious balance of being appropriately delicate while remaining a high level of respect. The director and assistant director proved to be helpful in creating a payment plan that best suited my family's needs, and even offered a significant discount for having enrolled my two children simultaneously. Their activities and curriculum has proven to be a favorite of dinner table discussions among my family and friends - the children nonchalantly sharing French phrases or singing us a song in full Portuguese has been incredible to watch and share. If I had it my way, I'd never be without my children and they would be in my care. However, for my family and my full time job that's an unrealistic want. That being said, the Ridgefield Montessori School is the second best option for me - they are so close to family, it leaves my heart at ease dropping them off daily knowing they will be loved, cared for and encouraged for their potential just the same as they would if they were home with me. You are doing your child a disservice if you don't explore the option of the Ridgefield Montessori School for their early childhood education. read more

Although I have friends who swear by Montessori (and I'm sure some schools are better than others), this particular location was the source of great stress and anxiety for my child, and created a lingering, negative impression. This is my personal experience and perspective, and doesn't necessarily mean that others will have a similar experience. My biggest issues with this school were 1) the emotional climate, 2) disciplinary methods, 3) teacher inability to handle normal behavioral issues and 4) poor communication. I didn't get the sense that this school created a loving, nurturing environment, which is something we really wanted for our child. Coming from a two-year experience at a preschool where the teachers were very kind and affectionate, to Montessori's unapproachable, "no touching" policy, created quite a bit of emotional confusion. We started out with a very happy, gregarious, independent kid and walked away six months later with a kid who had no self esteem, wet her pants and mumbled incoherently when stressed. As new parents, this was extremely distressing. Negative discipline is used here (as opposed to positive reinforcement). Discipline for our child meant stretches of time spent alone in a hallway as well as missed recesses and sitting apart from the rest of the class. Although my child is fully capable of using her legs for walking, there was also an incident involving dragging/carrying her to the main office to be sent home (I was admonished for this by the secretary who made the poor choice to drag and strained her back doing so). Unlike other preschools, the bathrooms here are not in the classrooms but instead located in the hallway. For very young children, this creates a big challenge and the frequent setbacks can be demoralizing. My child had been fully potty trained for nine months but started wetting her pants within a few weeks of attending this school. As parents we weren't sure how to overcome the frequent accidents and started using pull ups on our daughter so that there wouldn't be so many clothing changes during the day. We were told by the school that we had to use regular underwear instead. To be blunt, a school shouldn't get to decide what sort of underwear my child wears. I began making note of my child's moods, happy at drop off in the morning and crying and stressed in the afternoon. When I expressed surprise to the school secretary after a day with a particularly dramatic mood swing (she left the house in a fantastic mood), I in turn received a formal letter from the head of the school, stating that my surprise was a concern to her since my daughter had been having difficulty at school for so long. To take a 30-second, relayed conversation from the drive-through line and turn it into a formal missive without any meaningful dialogue beforehand was completely tone deaf and unprofessional. Of course I was aware of the issues at school, my sense of surprise was over the sudden realization of the correlation between arrival at school and the radical change in behavior. This fact was completely lost on the school, apparently no time was even spent considering what might be going wrong in the classroom to cause such a change in behavior. Instead, the head of the school decided that the best way for us as parents to better manage our child's behavior was to reinforce at home the highly-ineffective discipline being used by the teachers. Once again, this felt like the school overstepping it's authority and telling us that they were better qualified to raise our child then we were. It was then that I realized no one at the school had ever taken the time to ask my child what was upsetting her, or to take any positive steps toward better behavior. With 25 students per class, the teachers don't have time to work on behavioral issues. Negative discipline is a convenient way of dealing with those who don't understand, or who won't comply with the rigid Montessori approach. It is a one-size-fits-all mentality that certainly didn't create a positive outcome for my child. Overall, this was a very negative experience, and I would never recommend this school for a child who thrives in a loving, social, creative environment. On the other hand, this school might work out just fine for a child who needs to be told exactly how to complete tasks and likes to spend time alone. After moving on to a different local school our child quickly returned to her usual, happy self and is once again flourishing in school. read more

Ridgefield Montessori School is such an incredible treasure and a true pillar of academic foundation. My children went through their wonderful program and it has paid dividends big time in regards to their academic success, independent thinking, and social development. It has been the best investment we have made to date! Hands down! The teachers are so incredibly gifted, dedicated, and caring. Everyone is looking for the best head start for their children in Ridgefield. RMS truly set that bar! We are so grateful and fortunate for that opportunity and privilege. read more

I moved to town 5 years ago when my oldest was 3. He started in the primary classroom. My second child started when she turned 2 in the toddler program and my youngest started at 18 months. Ridgefield Montessori provides a safe environment where my children have learned self-assurance and independence. They are self starters, all dressing themselves by the time they were 3 years old. Although, they are very different children, each of them as individuals, has a "can do" attitude. I value the sense of self that the Montessori school provides them and am very grateful that my children look forward to going to school each day. read more

As most parents may expect, the process of selecting the right school for your child is overwhelming. It was no different for us. Knowing the importance of building a strong academic and social foundation for a child early in their development is essential, we spent an incredible amount of time researching and measuring the many options available for our child today. It wasn't until we read that the Prince and Princess of Cambridge enrolled their son, Prince George, into Montessori did we explore this educational model. Soon after we learned Steph Curry and his wife enrolled their child as well. When we learned Bill Gates, Mark Zuckenberg, Jeff Bezos, and scores of other of our world's most gifted leaders began their learning in the Montessori environment, we were clearly intrigued and wanted to learn more. We visited Ridgefield Montessori School, and immediately saw the passion, commitment to excellence and dedication of the faculty and staff for the children. For our family, the decision was easy, and today, we know we made the right decision. read more