We are going in to our 5th year and 3rd child at Sundance this year. We have had kids in the preschool through first grade programs. Our children have always been treated respectfully and kindly while receiving an exceptional education. Their education extends beyond the standard curriculum to art, music, grace and courtesy. Calling a school "Montessori" doesn't assure quality or traditional Montessori education. Sundance has give us that, plus a sense of community. If you're considering Montessori schools, look in to what a true Montessori classroom should look like before you start touring. You wont be disappointed with Sundance! read more

This preschool's website has misspellings and incorrect grammar on almost every page and some paragraphs failing to make any sense at all. I implore the site mgr to correct this above all things - this is a school for heaven's sake. I have info packets from four local Montessori programs laid out in front of me and not one mirror such strict and dare I say prestigious policies. Sundance has mandatory "volunteer" hours or you must pay an "opt out" fee. A very unfriendly withdrawal policy (Note a 30 day notification necessary - not including weekends and holidays, holidays which are not counted although you pay for might I add. This is just one among a very long, twisting list of roadblocks to getting your money back). Also the most expensive registration, materials and app fees of any Montessori in the area as best as my research can tell. The absolute clincher for me is the application process. I'm afraid with no other Montessori do they project such a prestigious attitude about "invitation" requirements to register after teacher/director/parent/child interviews and nonrefundable fees, of which it's stated constantly "is not a guarantee of acceptance." What could possibly be on a toddlers application that would constitute refusal? I can only conclude they are judging in other areas of which I do not dare to guess. After researching this school I come away with an impression of a historic university including their policies and prices. This is PRESCHOOL after all. Ever so sorry about the negative review. I would like it known my review does not impose opinion upon this institution's teachers, their abilities in their profession and/or dedication to it. My issues rely on the business sector of this preschool only. I invite members of staff here to contact me and correct any of my misconceptions. read more

Let me tell you, my fist son went to this school from Preschool all the way through the 4th grade My second son has been going since preschool and is currently in the 1st grade and will most likely be there until he ages out. Our youngest son (who is only 9 months old) will most likely also attend. This place is family. Hands down. They have helped us out tremendously with our children and the staff is so gentle and so hands on. You know, I've always caught myself saying things like, "I wish I had a twin me, that way I would have someone I trust to be with my children." The women here are ALL just that! I hold them all so high. My children thrive in their care and the morals that we work so hard on teaching them in our home are continued when they are at Sundance. How amazing is that?! The only reason we have yet to move out of Sacramento is purely based on the high standards and quality of education that comes out of this school. The foundation that is layed out for my sons is impeccable and can't be beat. You have big choices to make when it comes time to choose your child's education, I wouldn't think twice if the opportunity arises and Sundance is available for you. It's a community all on it's own flowing with diversity and creativity that you just won't find in a public school. I urge you to check this diamond out. There is also elementary grades. The structure is beautiful and it's an environment in which your children will thrive and amaze you to levels you only thought happened in fairy tales. Equality, kindness, gardens, picket fences, art, standards, hands-on, and most of all, a feeling of raising your child together as apposed to just dropping them off for the day and hoping someone else is getting it right for you. I'm pro Sundance! read more

I was a parent who researched every preschool option in the greater Folsom and El Dorado Hills area. I wanted THE BEST for my son and later my daughter. I am an educator myself and have two secondary teaching credentials so I was well-versed in the educational arena. My husband and I quickly settled on the Montessori philosophy as the path we wanted to take with our children. We toured every Montessori school, met with every Director, and visited every classroom and attended every orientation we could. At the time we were looking, one of the Sundance Montessori teachers (Ms. Laura) had just been voted Teacher of the Year for Sacramento - which of course had us focus on this school. We fell in love with the school, the grounds, it's location, and the faculty. Ms. Dina, Ms. Linda and Ms. Laura & Ms. Molly all taught our son. He excelled in mathematics - we feel strongly this was due to his Montessori foundation. He was allowed to excel at his own pace which is a wonderful benefit of a Montessori classroom. He is now entering 4th grade and is advanced proficient in all subjects and our challenge is to keep him interested and challenged in public school. Our daughter is current in her second year at Sundance. She loves it. Her reading has vastly improved. And she is so proud that she can tie her shoes! She accomplished this task a whole year before her brother mastered it. We love that the Montessori philosophy teaches the whole child so while academics are important, they are not the only thing and the social responsibilities are taught as well. The children also learn how to plant and tend a garden and how to interact and behave socially. I know we take care of this at home - but it's nice to have it reinforced at school too. We love the family atmosphere of the school and love being able to participate in our child's education. i would be worried if a school didn't ask for parental involvement!! They have many family activities - truly an extended family. We have 5 years of involvement with this school and we love it. There are several ways to earn your parent participation hours - even if you work. This is an academic institution - not a daycare center - and this is the number one reason why we enrolled our children here. There are many places you can take your kids to if you are just looking for a place to socialize them with other children but at Sundance they will learn academics as well as everything else. With that said, they also have very flexible and affordable before and after school care programs which make it VERY easy for working parents which my husband and I are. This was a HUGE benefit for us. I could go on and on..... this is a great school with a great staff. We enjoyed our time here and are sad to see it coming to an end. read more

Okay, well, I had trouble rating this school since I respect and appreciate the education my child recieved there. I was just sorely disapointed by the administration. Here's our story: My now 5 year old (was 4 when we started) is a handful. I really didn't know how much until I got broadsided with the information at a teacher conference three months into the school year. The teacher, her assistant and the director call me in and start delving out a barrage of negative comments about my little guy. Of course, I took it all very hard but accepted their directives to seek outside help. Everyone considered the possiblity that my son could have a sleep disorder, as his father is aflicted by this disorder and my son always appears tired. The thought was that he has been acting out due to being tired and crabby. We immediately scheduled an appointment with his primary care provider, who then scheduled an appointment with the ear, nose and throat doc, who in turn scheduled a sleep study, which has yet to happen. While we were waiting on all of this, the school kicks us out. We requested meetings with the director at least three times, who just flat-out said "no, we're not going to change our minds, and we will not meet with you about it". So, here's my problem. I don't want to minimize my child's behaviors, which are admittedly challenging. He hits and trows some good tantrums. I wouldn't want to deal with him either. HOWEVER....this is supposed to be an institution that cares about a child's best interest, right? They kicked us out two months prior to the end of the school year. And, incidently, my son's behaviors had gotten much better. Things were improving. We were working on the problem. We were devistated by the news and by the thought of having to tell our son that he had to leave his friends with no good explanation. I am honestly disgusted by the behavior of this director, who flatly refused to speak with myself or my husband about this matter. Incidently, we are not irrational people. All we wanted was to discuss an exit plan, so it would be easier for my son (if not negotiate to stay a little longer). I am just so unbelievably frustrated by the lack of professionalism and apparent lack of caring about my child. It really seemed like the school simply didn't like us (which I guess they have a right to act on, since they are a private school), but it seems that they would have considered the feelings of a child above all else. I have never, NEVER written a review about anything in my life. Now I'm posting my opinion anywhere I can, as I am so disapointed with this school's unprofessional behavior. read more

With every school, you are going to have parents who praise its virtues to the heavens and parents who feel like it was the worst experience of their lives. Circumstances arise in the best of schools that can make both things true. All I can do is tell you MY experience, what I saw with MY eyes, how I felt, and what Sundance did for MY child. This is not intended to discount anybody else's thoughts or feelings, merely to share my own. My daughter began at Sundance when she was 2 1/2 years old and stayed until she graduated from 5th grade in 2011. Her teachers were nurturing, respectful, kind, approachable. She was exposed to an incredibly broad, rich and diverse curriculum, offered amazing opportunities for growth, learning, and independence, including in areas often ignored, but so vitally important: grace and courtesy! She LOVED going to school every day. She felt loved, supported, respected, understood. She felt KNOWN. She was not a number, or even just a name...she was a whole PERSON. The quality of her learning was outstanding, but that was only the beginning. The development of her character and her independence took her to another level. She left Sundance to begin middle school last school year and the skills she gained during her years there made the transition seamless. She proved to be a hard worker, who knew how to organize her own work, find the information she needed to complete the work, independent enough to do it all without me having to micro-manage the process, confident in her skills and abilities, and thoughtful, kind and helpful to her fellow students and teachers. What more could you ask for? Straight A's? Ok. Got 'em! She was third in her class and made the high honor roll. No school is perfect, but this one came pretty close. read more

Picking a school for your child can be one of the most intimidating choices we can make as parents. I know it was for my husband and I. But the choice was easy with Sundance Montessori. Coming from a family with strong ties to Montessori, I made sure to do my homework. I toured schools, I researched, read reviews, and when I came upon Sundance I was beyond excited. It's nestled under giant Redwoods, tucked back off the street, has the most inviting yard, a beautiful garden and the classrooms give the feel of being in a home. Beyond the appearance there is Miss Doreen. She was the first teacher we met and instantly knew we wanted our child to learn under her. There is something so special about Miss Doreen and the way she balances being soft, yet firm with the children. Her dedication to the growth and development of my child was incredible. She genuinely loves her job and it shows in the way she cares for the children. Then there is Miss Cherie. She not only helped in my childs class but runs the after school care. Miss Cherie is all heart. Such a gift to all the children and parents as well! All of the teachers at Sundance are absolutely wonderful and treated my child with so much care, love and respect because at Sundance Montessori, it's not just a school, it's a community. During our time there, Miss Doreen and her husband Mr Steve, took over the school and managed to make Sundance even more amazing. It is absolutely beautiful! They have put in so much time and care making the environment just as special as the learning that takes place there. My child, having since left and moving toward the end of her first year of school, just completed state testing. She reads at a mid 3rd grade level and ranked at the top of all categories tested. Miss Doreen and Sundance played a crucial role in this! Even this morning my daughter said that she missed Sundance, this is not a rare occurance. As I said, picking a school can be hard, but if you have ever thought of Montessori please look to Sundance, it's such an amazing school where Montessori education and community develop together. My daughter was not the only one who cried on her last day. It's just that special of a school. read more

Wow! What a wonderful learning experience for young children to grow in a warm and loving environment. Get going and let your child have the best possible place to grow in excellence and responsibility. read more

I am amazed at the standard of care and level of training in all the Sundance teachers. I've had the opportunity to observe and see both campuses. We chose due to proximity to join the lake hills campus and cannot be happier. You feel like you are part of a community and there was tremendous amount of development and academic growth that I have noticed even within a period of two months. My children were attending Montessori preschool for about 1.5 years before starting sundance so I can say without a doubt not all Montessori schools are the same and Sundance has excellent well trained teachers and a low student to teacher ratio, which I believe is key to their success! read more

The new El Dorado Hills campus for toddlers is amazing! My son from the very beginning has been welcomed, and loved. There are many great Montessori schools in this area but this was the right fit for my son. They do many great hands on projects, they involve parents and there is a low student/teacher ratio. As a parent and a montessorian, I would highly recommend this program to anybody who is looking for a great school for their toddler. My son will definitely continue on to the Pre-K and K program at this school. Great job teachers and administration for an amazing school! read more