My 4- and 2-year-olds both attend this school and we love it! It is truly an atmosphere of love and respect and has cultivated an excitement about learning in both of my kids. It also fosters independence and my kids are capable of so many things that I never thought they would be at their ages. The teachers are kind and patient, but firm, and they really get to know you children and appreciate who they are as individuals. The fresh, healthy snacks from a local co-op are just a bonus. My only problem with the school is that it doesn't go past age 6. We'll be so sad to leave! read more

I have a 2 year old and 5 year old at SMS. My 5 year old has been attending since he was 3 and the school opened. We were planning on homeschooling but I still wanted our kids to start with some school environment experience. Smyrna Montessori School was everything we were looking for. My children get lots of individual attention, are encouraged to explore and learn as much as they want and have had some wonderful friendships develop. There is a strong sense of respect modeled through kindness towards the teachers, classmates, learning materials and the world (cultures, the environment). The teachers love my children like they were their own and are passionate about the Montessori style of learning. Both of my children have gained a lot of confidence and independence since they began there. If I ever have a question I can set up a time to talk with any teacher. I'm always impressed with how aware they are of everything my child deals with on a daily basis, what their strengths are, how much progress they have made in areas of behavior, character and learning. I do wish they extended beyond the Primary program (3-6 years). I don't think there is any problem with illness any different than any other school environment. I don't love that the lead toddler teacher spot has changed hands a few times, but I understand that when a teacher has a baby she will want to take time to be with her new baby. This has been the only reason for teachers leaving that I am aware of. Those teachers have stayed in contact with the school and return for visits when possible. We feel very fortunate to be at Smyrna Montessori School and are so happy it opened at the perfect time for our kids. And as far as safety goes, our children are referred to as precious gifts, children are not allowed out of the classroom unless a teacher or parent is with them and the school and yard are secured during the day. I have no concern for my children's safety at all. Montessori is a different approach to learning than what a lot of people are used to, but for us it has been perfect. Oh, and I LOVE that I get an email and photos every week from each of my kids teachers touching on what the kids are working on and enjoying and some explanation about the Montessori process. read more

I absolutly agree with the review by Allison S., and we could not be happier at SMS. I have a 2 year old there, and we are so lucky to be a part of such a great asset to our community. My son has had the same teachers all year and I cannot say enough about either of them...they are amazing. They have such a wonderfully balanced approach in their teaching methods and work so dilligently at developing well rounded life skills in all of the children......and there is nothing easy about doing that with toddlers. My son gets individual attention throughout the day. All of the staff love him as if he were there own and he loves them the same. He is developing friendships as well and I have seen, and am continuing to see, my son blossom into such a caring and helpful little guy....that I know is a direct reflection of the things he is learning at SMS. I agree, that there is definitely a strong sense of respect modeled through kindness and it is absolutely displayed toward the teachers, classmates, and the environment. I am able to keep close contact with his teachers and the staff through email and they are always efficient with communicating. They have frequent parent nights where the parents are invited to come and learn more about the Montessori approach and ask questions and get feedback. They provided parent teacher conferences this year which was a great time to have individualized discussions about the growth and development of our son with his teacher. The teacher sends out a weekly update at the end of each week to communicate what the kids have been working on and accomplishing thoughout the week along with photos of them during work and play time. This was such a comforting touch when we first started and it really put me at ease to know that he was engaged, and comfortable throughout the day. I have no concerns with safety at all and illnesses are no more of a problem than at any other schools. Infact, they are so aware of everything about my child that if there is any of the slightest out of the ordinary concern, they are very efficient in communicating and encouraging of proper care in order to protect themselves and any other children from spreading illnesses. I would love it if they would eventually extend beyond the Primary program(3-6) because we would definitley continue our Montessori journey with them!! read more

Horrendous staff turnover in it's first year. Every teacher in this country is underpaid, so what's the real issue? They are trying hard and I commend them for that. The house was converted to a lovely little school and it's clean, tidy and orderly. We didn't feel welcome to tour prior to applications during class times and weren't welcome to observe after my child was enrolled. It was said it would be disruptive to class. No progress reports are issued - you meet with a teacher only once a year unless you specifically request a meeting. Even if there is a problem, the teacher could have only been with your child a few weeks or months, so how well do they know your child and how well can they really evaluate progress? Upon turning in my application, I got the strangest vibe from the director and her mother, who also works there. Unsure what it was all about. The contract is fair and reasonable, as are the terms of the parent handbook. Sadly, parents bring their kids to school sick all the time and this isn't the only place this happens. With such a small school, every illness runs through the place quickly despite their efforts to sanitize and wipe surfaces often. One teacher's husband worked in a drs office and contracted hand/food/mouth severely...it then circulated via his kids to the school among students. I love the natural aspect of the playground area, but it's mostly dirt with a tiny bit of mulch. Grass somewhere would be nice. The kids are often rather dirty from being outside, which is just how kids are, but grass is natural and nice and soft and would be nice to explore clover and such. The homes and area surrounding the school are a bit sketchy with odd characters nearby, though the area is improving. A fence surrounds the school and I pray that is sufficient for their privacy and safety. My rating is based on our own experience with turnover and communication, along with feeling like nothing we did was good enough or the right thing to them. They were upset my child wasn't drinking from a cup all the time, dressing themself, potty trained, and washing dishes at 2. So sorry. Kids have their whole lives to be grown up! I wasn't doing those things as a 2 yr old and I'm a very happy, satisfied adult. Perhaps it's Montessori or perhaps it's just the personalities. read more