We love love LOVE River. Our oldest went there from K to 5th and the only reason we didn't let her finish 6th grade there was because River doesn't have a Jr. High/middle school program and I prefer smaller middle schools for our kids so when she got into the middle school program at this other school, we moved her. It was a hard decision that I still sometimes regret. Just like any education programs, give it some time and have faith in the system, good results will show before too long. Montessori schools assigns lots of works to their students during school time (4-6 assignments completed each day plus research projects/teamwork projects) so some students might have a harder time in the beginning but there's also no homework which allows quality family time and the time for extra activities after school. No gradings which allows kids to like learning and wants to learn. Montessori education also provides the freedom to choose how much time students want to spend with each subject but yet still comply with the CA curriculum standards. The idea is for the students to challenge themselves to want to do better each time and they have just the right tools there to help the kids to do so. Doesn't that sound more like the real world/jobs after schools? Need I say more? Learning is just more fun and practical at River! Oh did I mentioned about their Science Fair and the International Family Fair and the Sustainable Creator's Fair that's all open to the public??? Today at the parent teacher conference with my kid's new teacher at the middle school, I was told she's kind, and she is doing well in all subjects. Top 20 percent of her age group in reading thanks to River's excellence Montessori education that positively reinforced their students to want to do harder and better. I am not the only parent from River that have this "after River experience" in fact, many have mentioned the similar experiences with their kids after River so if anyone ever questioned how the students are doing after River Montessori... they are doing great! If you are interested in learning about non traditional / alternative educations for your little one but still has your hesitations, schedule a tour with them and see the River magics with your own eyes! read more

A free public Montessori school! We love the school, especially after paying for private Montessori preschool for both our kiddos in another area. Our kids both love their guides and their friends. The staff has done a great job making the best of the available space. We're so happy we made the choice to go here. read more

I went to school here from 1st - 6th grade and i gotta say it's not all that, just go to like MCCV it's so much better.

I love River! Kelly and her staff are ah-mazing educators! Between the River Foundation, to the Parent-Classroom liaisons, The Creator Faire, Dine&Donate, and various other events within the school the parents and children all always engaged and learning together. They are the only tuition free accreddited Montessori school on the West coast that teaches children from TK-6th grade. The children here are taught to be self-motivated, they are encouraged to ask questions, and with guidance they are able to learn at their own pace. My family is also so very thankful for Alex and the River Crew team (afterschool program)! These are some of the most amazing young people I've met in Petaluma and are actively engaged in playing with your children and seeing that they are loved! Unfortunately we had to relocate for work purposes but if we ever have the opportunity to move back to the bay, we would seek out River immediately. :) #riverrocks #mytribe read more

I can no longer recommend RMCS U.E. program. Difficulties with staffing issues. Difficulties with exposure to a proper education on the California standards. This school is still seeking to find it's happy place. read more

River Montessori Charter School is a tuition-free Montessori grade school from TK through sixth grade. If Montessori preschool worked for your child, you will be thrilled to know this school is tuition-free! If your child didn't attend Montessori preschool, you'll be thrilled to know it doesn't matter. This school uses the Montessori method to teach to the individual child while encouraging teamwork. Older kids teach younger kids, and they work together on projects and lessons. Homework is not assigned. My kids would love to have homework, but it's only sometimes allowed if work isn't finished during school hours. It teaches them responsibility and time management! The PTA is FUN. Seriously. I've never met a more dedicated, creative, passionate and fun group of parents. The events are FUN --there's freedom to devote your time toward whatever project you want. Volunteer in the classroom? Yes please! Start a Creator Faire? Why not? Want to have an intergalactic planetary steamboat casino themed gala? Sounds exciting! There's no weird clique that poo-poos ideas like I've heard about from other schools. The school is semi-year round --there's seven weeks for summer break, two weeks in the fall, two weeks for winter break and two weeks for spring break. It's the perfect balance for my work schedule (we can take our family vacations in the off-season) and it works better for my kids who would be bored to death if summer vacation lasted any longer. School lets out early on Fridays (instead of Wednesdays) which is awesome when we want to leave town early for weekend trips. Located next to Shollenberger Park and Ellis Creek, the school not only has the most beautiful view, it also incorporates environmentalism into the classrooms. With an emphasis on world peace, students are taught from an early age about the politics of deforestation and conservation. While it's kind of strange having your small child worry about saving tigers, you can't help but feel proud. But despite all of that... I have two kids: one in kindergarten (also in TK last year) and the other in fifth grade (her fifth year at the school). My kids wake up every day wanting to go to school. I don't have to fight them over it. They get dressed by themselves. I don't have to argue about my daughter wanting to wear make up or high heels. She's ten. She acts ten. Jr. High can wait. I love this school. And to address the staffing issues --both my children have loved every single teacher they have had. The staffing changes have only increased their love of learning. And as an added bonus, they have learned that different teachers offer different gifts in their different styles. This is not a detriment. In fact, most schools have different teachers for every grade, so I'm not sure why having different teachers would offend anyone. Different is not bad. It's just different. Some people don't like change. I think change is an important lesson that I encourage my kids to embrace. read more

I was the first to review this school, and after doing so, I had not returned to read the other reviews people have written. We left the school at the end of the year right before the proverbial fit hit the shan. Reading the reviews that others wrote is beyond heart breaking, but corroborates what my conversations were with families right after the firings and mass exodus. On a personal note, both my kids came out relatively ok (youngest got through 3 years of LE with a teacher that worked well for him [but not for others and who was subsequently fired]). After RMCS, we enrolled him in Cinnabar for 4th and 5th (great 4th grade experience, HORRIFIC 5th grade experience). For 6th we sent him to SGA at PJHS and it's been an amazing experience. All that is to say, his experience at RMCS -- I believe-- served him well. My older child attended RMCS from 3rd through 5th (great experience in 3rd--but that teacher left, AWFUL experience in 4th & 5th), 6th & 7th at Cinnabar (great experience for her both years), and 8th at PJHS (also a great year for her). She is now at PHS. Our experience in hindsight at RMCS was frustrating. She had transferred in wiht an IEP that was not acknowledged for an entire year (so she received no services for a whole year). RMCS dropped the ball. For the next 2 years, the services she received did not adequately address her core issues and the RSP teacher at the time seemed unwilling to explore what was really going on. When we moved her to Cinnabar, the RSP teacher there was so warm, so compassionate, and so eager to get to the core issue that I didn't realize until then, what we SHOULD have been receiving in terms of services. I felt responsible and like I had failed my child for not pushing harder on RMCS to address her needs sooner. Fortunately, she is also a very bright child, so she did not falter in terms of academic achievement, and even today is achieving all As (and one B in Spanish). I credit her inherent abilities rather than any foundation she may have received at RMCS though. The main--and very important-- benefit she got from RMCS was on the social level, which is where she is/was severely lacking. In summary, it's really disappointing to read all these reviews. I know so many of us had high hopes that RMCS would be the "answer" to all that is wrong with public education, but sadly it appears subject to all the same mishaps. Bummer. :( read more

I love this school and their community. It's like a little family, everyone is involved to help and support the kiddos. My son love the school as much as I do. read more

Lets keep it succinct...River was great at first. As time went on the school went downhill. Our boys started in 1st grade. Year by year the school became more problematic. By 4th grade we were done. Crazy people running it who DON'T take any feedback, (even from the founding families whose passion and love helped open the school and continued to raise money) Teachers who did not agree with the director were ALL fired under the guise of not being MACTE certified. A plan that the President of River individually benefits from. Any CEO would be fired for this conflict of interest by the shareholders. Such a disappointing experience. Our boys are thriving at their new school. They still comment that River gave them PTSD. :( It was quite dramatic. Other issues: Filthy kitchen with old food caked on the dishes and cock roaches. Really gross. Recess is on pavement not grass so there were a lot of bruises and cuts. Huge potential lost... read more

I love River. First off it is a public Montessori school, which in itself is a feat. All children should have the opportunity to learn and grow in a respectful environment which allows them to explore concepts not just be told about them. They have assistants in every classroom. Kelly (the director) is very knowledgeable and wonderful with the kids. All of my interactions with her (which are many) have been considerate, friendly, and supportive (I am a parent active in the PTA-type organization). Highlighting their main school functions might give you a sense of the place: 1) The International Family Festival- where families make food and bring cultural items from their culture to share with the other families. There was even a dance show by some of the students wearing traditional dresses. Each child gets a passport and can go around getting it stamped by each "country" they visit. 2) The Touch-A-Truck event in which community members bring cool vehicles and the kids are allowed to explore them and ask questions- all proceeds from this event go towards Alex's Lemonade Stand. 3) The Creator Faire- a hands on exploration of the arts and sciences-- think maker faire except 100% hands-on experiences. The cost of this function, put on by the parent body with some support of community organizations like Kiwanis, ToyBVille, the Petaluma Library and others, is a donation basis so that ANYONE can go, not just people who can shell out $60 plus parking at the Exploratorium. 4) The Gala- which is something every school has around here as far as I can tell. And which this year and last year has a casino and amazing food and is full of fun people who love their kids and want to support the school. Nextly, I will say I have a child in TK and a child in 1st grade. There are three Lower El (grade 1-2-3) classes and I honestly had no preference which teacher I would get because I think they are all so wonderful. My daughter (1st) loves school and her peers and is comfortable being herself and working cooperatively. My son (TK) also loves school and his teacher and my aunt commented on what a difference she sees in him from last year to this and I can only credit River (and Ms. Grace) for it. He has become more self aware and self controlled, but he is also learning cursive and asking me to talk to him about fractions! Lastly, I have read some of the negative reviews below, so I will comment on the current state of the Upper Elementary classroom which has had some trouble in the past two years. Currently, from all accounts, it is running very well. The students had a tough transition period because their teacher left after only 3 month of school (who does that? Even that first year teacher mentioned below-who really did have a tougher-than-usual first year, stuck it out until the school year ended) but I have not seen or heard any evidence that it was the admin's fault. That was a particular individual who for personal reasons felt she didn't have to fulfill a commitment she made to those kids. And honestly the kids are better off now for it! I wouldn't want my kid in a class with a teacher who didn't want to be there! The new teacher is a long term credentialed sub who recently retired from her second career and has said to me she "fell in love with the kids the second day". She has a Montessori trained assistant teacher, a professional Montessori consultant, and another assistant who comes in to work with kids as needed. She is very familiar with the Montessori philosophy (and is a Montessori parent) and the school has somehow managed to have two other part-time aides in that class to make sure the kids are caught up on the State Standards and whatever other projects they are doing. The students are getting caught up. A little birdie told me she was enjoying it so much she might consider staying for next year! The other Upper Elementary classroom (there are only two) has a wonderful teacher who has been doing this job for decades and is really just a gem of a guide. I just hope she doesn't retire before my daughter or son gets the benefit of such a calm, kind, knowledgable, respectful, and experienced teacher. I haven't heard any parents or students speak anything but praise about her abilities. One reason I liked River so much when researching schools is that in my prospective parent information session there was a particularly prosecutory parent who kept asking "gotcha"type questions and Kelly responded calmly and matter of factly to all of them. She was kind and informative. Not trying to sell anything or defend anything, but meerly there to inform people of the facts and then trusting them to make the best decision for their family, whatever that might be. So I love River. I could go on and on about all the many reasons, but instead, I would recommend coming for a visit and using your senses and your gut and your brain to decide if it makes sense for your family. read more

I am a River parent and my child eagerly jumps out of our car in the morning, leaping and bounding towards new horizons and new discoveries. As I arrive for pick-up he returns, usually skipping, smiling and sharing stories of that day's exploration. And once again my heart is renewed - by his creativity and confidence as well as by my hope for his future. My child is kind of unique. I know every parent likes to to see their child as "one of a kind" but mine is different - the kind of "different" that fascinates researchers but can frustrate family and friends. So the quest to find a harmonious home for his education was particularly daunting. However, after finding the outstanding curriculum and crew at River, I'm thrilled and grateful. I've watched the staff and teachers celebrate and cultivate his individual strengths. Then they balance those assets with a proactive plan where he can apply his strengths towards tackling his challenges. Put simply, River bravely trusts the inherent wisdom within all children. They compassionately teach with open hearts and open minds. They gently lead towards creating a truly synergistic community, with everyone - staff, students and families - teaching and learning and teaching and learning and teaching and learning... read more

As a founding parent of River Montessori Charter School, a parent of 2 children who spent a total of 5 years at the school and one who also served on the fundraising board (RMF) of the school, I am both dismayed and appalled at the state of River Montessori today. It had so much promise and so many amazing parents supporting its success... After the school dismissed half, yes, 4 of the 8 teachers 1 day after the 2014-15 school year ended - providing no explanation or closure for their students - we remained on for the 2015-16 school year in good faith and with the hope that there was a logical explanation for this unexpected action. Only to find out that these proven and beloved teachers were dismissed only because they had chosen not to obtain a specific, additional Montessori credential, the MACTE. Parents later found out that the president of the school's board, had extremely close ties to this Montessori credentialing program. In my and many families opinions, this was a massive self-serving, conflict of interest as, again, these blind-sided teachers were proven, well-qualified, much loved guides. Our experiences during the 2015-16 school year were horrendous. My child, in his 3rd year of lower elementary - who had already experienced a classroom move - now had his 3rd teacher/guide in 3 years. This teacher, and the school's director had no compassion/patience/respect for what that these children were facing another year of upheaval from a program and methodology that promises to provide a consistent, safe, nurturing 3-year experience 'in which a child can grow to their fullest potential'. He and classmates consistently complained about their teacher yelling at them. Social issues that had never existed in previous years, were allowed to fester to the point of getting physical before they were addressed. My child came away from his year's experiences with a fear and lack-of-trust in his teachers that has haunted him. My older child, in her 5th year - also faced a multitude of teachers in her years at River - now was faced with a teacher who was fresh out of school. This inexperienced teacher seemed to be given the complete freedom to re-create proven, well integrated Montessori/State Standards curriculum as well as the task of teaching multiple subjects to 3 different grades levels without any oversight or guidance. My child came home with a multitude of horrific stories that this teacher had related to her and classmates - from party experiences in college, to a terrifying account of the San Bernadino and Paris attacks, to the extra-marital affairs of our past president!! After going through standard protocol to address these issues my husband and I met with two members of the school's Board and the Director who flat out told us that they weren't concerned about the lack of a realistic history curriculum because "students will get all the lessons again in Jr High". They did not take any of our (or other parents) issues of inappropriate conversations many children had experienced with any concern -- which was unfathomable...At year's end, this teacher's exit from the school was blamed solely on the parents, who 'made her time at River so difficult'. I hear this school year's latest hire for this classroom left abruptly before the holidays - this can not be labeled anymore as 'bad luck' this should directly reflect on the poor decisions being made by the administration and the boards unwillingness to affectively do its job. My kids are now flourishing at their new school even though my younger child struggled with trust in his peers initially and my elder child is working through large deficits in her math. They now know, and appreciate a well run, well organized, reliable education. We whole-heartedly believe(d) in and wanted a Montessori education for our children. However, all of these issues directly affecting my children along with the lack of the experiential learning in the form of field trips, art and music - that I feel are core aspects of a true Montessori education - had us not returning this year. In the end it became clear that the best interests of the children were not at the forefront of this school any longer. If you are considering River, please keep a close eye on your child's educational and emotional experiences there. If you are considering leaving the school, there is life after River and it's not as frightening as you might be imagining. read more

We have been at River for three years now and could not be happier. My eldest is reading wonderfully and loves math, and I have seen the teachers be sensitive to my youngest daughter's social difficulties with friends. There are many wonderful learning opportunities daily which are hands on and the parents are passionate to volunteer and help the school. My daughters speech therapist and the special education staff have done an amazing job! I am grateful for this school and the opportunity to send them to River. read more