I didn't know anything about Montessori before enrolling my kids at Sunstone. I am now a full-fledged convert to the Montessori method. This school has been fantastic for our children--not only are they learning but, more importantly, they are developing a love of learning. They have gone from feeling indifferent to school to doing long division at home for fun, or begging us to sign them up for after school classes. read more

We didn't know much about Montessori before enrolling our son at Sunstone Montessori four years ago. We've appreciated the wealth of parent education nights that have informed us about the absolute brilliance that is Montessori education. Wow, Maria Montessori. Each time we're at the school for parent education or some sweet gathering for families, we feel starry eyed and grateful to be able to have our kids at a Montessori school. On top of that, Sunstone is a great community of compassionate people. The year is full of sweet community events and seasonal gatherings. My kids look forward to school the great majority of their days and come home proud of the research/math/knitting or other awesome things they've done. The guides are all excellent, committed and caring, and clearly like family with each other. Truly my only complaint is that I wish we could walk there! And I wish they'd start a high school! read more

Sunstone has been a phenomenal school for my son (4) who is in his second year in the Children's House. We toured and researched many schools before deciding on Sunstone. We chose Sunstone because their experience matches their kindness. It is a warm school where the staff quickly know you by name. I have found everyone to be professional, authentic, and committed to making meaningful educational experiences for all Sunstonians. My daughter (15 months) will join my son there later this month. We are delighted to have them in the same school and at ease with her starting given our trust in the quality guides and the consistent attention they pay to the needs of each child. read more

Sunstone is a whole family experience, not just a terrific way of learning how to learn and be self motivated. My grandson attended public school for three years which caused him to "hate" school. He became very anxious due to timed tests, too much homework and being bullied (despite talking with the teacher about it). Besides enticing my two grandsons (Mr. Kindergarten also attends) to love learning, we all enjoy the sense of community and kindness. What a difference in attitude and personality ... they come home singing or talking about their day! Our third grader now loves math! read more

Our 2 sons have attended Sunstone for a total of 11 years between the 2 of them. We decided on Sunstone after watching how supportive the teachers were with the students during an observation. Our experience at Sunstone has continued to be positive. We were new to Montessori and impressed how it's created a love of learning with our children. They will do math exercises at home and talk about what they learned at school. Sometimes, our children teach us new things that they have learned. During time off from school, they longingly ask if it's a school day and if they can go to school. There is peace of mind that when we leave our children at school, we know that they are in a positive learning environment both socially and educationally. We can concentrate on our jobs and not worry. From the administrative staff to the teachers to the head of the school, they are dedicated to the work that they do with the children and it shows. read more

I brought my son to Sunstone after he had issues with bullying in the public school he was attending. From the day of the interview on, he has felt valued and safe in this environment. He is thriving in the format of the teaching as his creativity has blossomed. I am so grateful for the privilege of having my child attend this school. read more

My son has attended Sunstone for two years now attending both Butterfly (Children's House) and Trillium (Lower Elementary) classrooms, the equivalent of Kindergarten and First Grade in a traditional school formats. I can honestly say that he LOVES going to Sunstone each day, and his wonderful guides have supported his natural curiosity and passion for learning. One aspect that separates Sunstone from other schools is that it is a very warm and loving environment. The administration is very approachable and always open to listening to whatever comments or concerns I may have. My son's guides (and assistant guides) are not only highly experienced and phenomenal at their jobs, they're also very sincere and authentic people who care about the well-being of my son. The cost of tuition can be an obstacle for some families, but the school has been very generous with it's financial aid to families. My family has had to make some sacrifices in order to allow my son to attend Sunstone, but I have no doubt in my mind that it has been well worth it for this opportunity. Within this environment he is becoming a confident and capable person, but also a compassionate one as well. read more

My family is so happy with the experience and education that our daughters are receiving at Sunstone Montessori. The staff and guides' respectful approach, their open communication, and attention to the whole child is unparalleled in our experience. read more

If you are looking for a school where your children will be around children, teachers, and staff who are compassionate, kind, and who support one another, look no further than Sunstone Montessori School. We have been at Sunstone for several years, and I can say that this is a serious school where everyone is highly committed to giving their students the best instruction. My son Joshua, who will be five in the summer and who has been at Sunstone since he was eighteen months, makes a sad face when it is the weekend and there is no school. This is a wonderful, calm, and peaceful place for children to learn with materials they can manipulate at their own pace. Ana Vitale, mom to Joshua in Butterfly read more

My daughter loves coming to school every day and wants to arrive as soon as the doors open! Her teachers are phenomenal and they're exactly what she needed to help her grow socially and academically. read more

Our six-year-old son is happy and thriving at Sunstone Montessori. There's not a single day he wakes up and doesn't want to go to school. He loves his friends, teachers, classroom, and school. There's so much our family loves about Sunstone Montessori. In no particular order, here are just some of our favorite things: 1. The intentional, devoted, highly-trained, loving, kind, intelligent AMI-certified teachers and their wonderful and energetic assistants 2. The competent, committed, consistent, responsive administrative staff and board 3. The warm, open, involved, authentic family community 4. The simply beautiful and spacious campus and the lovely, well-kept classrooms 5. The commitment to being a certified green school and to a health-filled, safe environment for the children Our family believes strongly in the Montessori approach to education. Here are just a few things we love about Montessori: 1. Children are respected as individuals and given the power (and fun!) of choosing their own work. 2. Children learn how to live and work peacefully and respectfully with others. These practical skills are an intentional component of a Montessori education. 3. Children are given freedom - within a beautiful and organized environment - to do meaningful, hands-on, independent and communal work. 4. Children become truly immersed in the excitement and joy of their work. 5. Children take pride in and care of their environment and are given age-appropriate responsibilities. 6. Teachers do not grade, judge, or criticize. Instead, the lessons and materials give children the ability to assess the value of their own work. 7. Teachers also do not praise or reward. Instead, they recognize that children's intrinsic pride and motivations are vital to lifelong learning, success and happiness. read more

We have been at the school for 3 years and couldn't be happier. We have had excellent experiences in the toddler room and two of the children's house classrooms, but we have friends who are equally happy with the elementary communities. The staff are all Montessori trained and are truly devoted to their students and to the Sunstone community. The grounds are beautiful and it's rare to have so much outdoor space being so close to downtown. read more

Folks... here is the bottom line... Sunstone is too busy to respond to your emails, phone calls, etc. during the enrollment process. Are they also too busy to adequately care for your child? Perhaps! Our experience with Sunstone involved researching perfect school-- we thought we had it. We took two tours, observed classrooms, completed paperwork, were told there were openings, submitted all the school asked us to and even wrote them a check (which they gladly cashed.) After all of this, we inquired to Brenda several times about our status only to hear nothing-- all emails went unanswered and we sent many. We called the school and were told that YES they and everything they needed and our son would be starting school after Labor Day. However, and here's the real ZINGER!, two weeks into AUG, we called again bc we'd not heard anything from the school despite more email requests. This time we were told NO that our child was not enrolled. Brenda blamed us for not completing a teacher questionnaire even though she told us that we should not complete it-- in the one email she actually did write to us. Keep in mind, this is a school you will have to hound to even find out if you are even accepted... You will have to make all the effort. Even when we showed all of our documentation, we were told that "yes we messed up by never returning your emails and by letting your questions go unanswered, but sorry, we don't have any more room." PLEEEASE, parents, there are other options! This was so disappointing, but I am reminded that when life hurls something this big at you, you should always step back and take a deep breath-- surely something good will come from it.... and it did. :) We came into contact with another Montessori school in Portland that we toured yesterday-- we loved it. We completed our application and guess what, even though there was limited space, they were on vacation and they were busy cleaning the carpets at the school, (all of Sunstone's excuses for non-response), they responded within the day that our child was in! They gave us a professionally written letter with the name of his teacher, her contact info and all the info we'd need to start the year off successfully. We are so happy. For those of you who want a good customer care experience, I would recommend bypassing Sunstone and going straight to Children's Montessori School on the waterfront in SW Portland. And if any of you would like to see our email documentation for yourselves (believe me, I would not be posting such a negative review if I didn't have documentation), I will gladly forward to you. Email me kerrinorthstar@gmail.com read more

We had a very mixed experience at Sunstone. To us, it seems that the founder/head of school is not capable of managing a program of this size. (For most of the school's history, early education and elementary grades were separate programs at separate locations, they have now been combined in one campus). High staff turnover. Drama between administration and faculty, and between administration and parents, distracts from the focus on education. It's a shame. Really should be a great place for kids but it misses the mark in far too many ways. read more

Our daughter has been going to sunstone for 3 years and just graduated kindergarten. We have enrolled her here for the 1st grade and plan on her staying through elementary school. She is so supported emotionally, socially, and academically. The Guides are wonderful. We couldn't ask for a more nurturing environment. And I love that she is learning fractions in kindergarten! read more

Parents often struggle to figure out the most appropriate approach when it comes to working with their child especially in an age when we raise kids without the support of extended families/grandparents and an age when we are having kids later in life. Sunstone Montessori not only provides children a warm, inclusive, exploratory environment to become life-long learners and global citizens but it also happens to be a place for parents to have many opportunities to attend lectures, workshops and conferences on parenting/screen time to work with the school. This approach helps to bridge any huge gaps between home life and school life and gives the child more stability in general. Students in this school learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts calmly and take charge of their own learning. Learning is a journey, not just a destination, though Sunstone students do really well on standardized tests and transitioning to other types of schools. What more can a parent ask for? This is my child's home away from home. Teachers are monstrously well-informed on the most effective teaching practices, approachable, insightful and patient. Non-teaching staff is friendly, warm and inclusive. read more