My first experience with Montessori was 10 years ago, with my son, at a Montessori school in a…read moredifferent state. I was quite disappointed with what was touted as Montessori and the results I saw with my son. The freedom that comes with the Montessori method didn't suit him, as he would take advantage of it by reading books all day instead of participating in lessons. At the time, my priority was simply having someone take care of him since both parents worked. As long as he was safe, that was enough. I didn't think much more about it until it was time to put my daughter into daycare, as our parental leave was coming to an end. From the options available, enrolling her in a "private school" seemed like the best choice, hoping she would learn something and not just play all day. I first placed her at the Brushy Creek campus, because they have classrooms for babies. The price seemed steep for just feeding and changing diapers, but again, I figured you pay for quality. Well... I was surprised by how quickly she was developing. She started walking at 10 months old, communicated her needs through sounds and sign language, and got along well with other kids. The benefits of socializing her early were obvious. I started thinking there might be more to Montessori than I originally thought. It wasn't until we transferred her to the Cypress Creek campus, closer to home, that I truly realized how wrong I had been about Montessori. At Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek, I saw just how incredible the Montessori method can be when done right. The school has provided an exceptional learning environment for my daughter, with a strong focus on individualized education and fostering independence. The Montessori philosophy is clearly evident in every aspect of the school's approach, from the thoughtfully prepared classrooms to the well-structured activities that promote creativity, critical thinking, and self-discipline. Her teachers, Mrs. Ebelia and her assistant Alex, have been amazing. They are both professional, caring, and highly qualified, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere for the students. I have seen remarkable growth in my child's confidence and ability to tackle challenges on her own, and I attribute a lot of that progress to the nurturing environment they've created. One of the standout aspects of the school is the abundance of activities they offer to bring the community together. Whether it's events for families, parent workshops, or school celebrations, Guidepost Montessori does an incredible job of fostering a strong sense of connection and engagement between parents, teachers, and students. Additionally, the diversity of my daughter's classmates is remarkable. She is surrounded by children from various backgrounds, which enriches her learning experience and broadens her understanding of the world around her. The communication between the school and parents is outstanding--I'm always kept informed about my child's progress and any updates regarding the school. The leadership at Guidepost Montessori is also worth noting. They are approachable, proactive, and genuinely care about the development and well-being of the students. It's clear that they are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in education. Overall, I couldn't be happier with our choice to enroll at Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. It has truly been a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend it to any parents looking for a nurturing, innovative, and effective learning environment for their child.

I need to begin this review by clarifying a misunderstanding I had when enrolling my kid at this…read moreschool. It is NOT named after a dinosaur. In fact, there are no dinosaurs named Montessori, Montessorous, Montessori Rex, Montessoridon, or even Montessoridactyl. I think Montessori is Italian, actually. Next obvious question: Were all dinosaurs Italian? This is hotly debated amongst anthropologists even today. My theory is that yes, and that what actually killed the dinosaurs was not a meteor from space, but rather a meteor-sized meatball. All evidence is forthcoming once I can find a scientific journal that will publish my thesis. Anyway, back to the review of the school. Hold on to your butts... My kid has been attending Guidepost at Cypress Creek for about a year and a half. He started in the toddler classroom and is now in Children's House. (They call it a house, but it's actually a classroom. I don't know why. When you reach out to admissions, you can use that as an icebreaker. You're welcome). My partner, my kid, and I have all been very pleased with both classrooms. Montessori schools treat their students as fully capable people with their own agency. This sounds like a recipe for disaster, but somehow they make it work. When you watch a classroom in full swing, it's like a well-oiled machine. The students are working either independently or cooperatively. They are cleaning up after themselves, being respectful towards others, and are highly attentive towards their classwork. They are very clever girls and boys. This is a testament to the excellent guides (their term for teachers, there's your second icebreaker). It sounds impossible but, uh, the guides find a way. The administration is also wonderful. They are pro-active with their communications, and we always feel in the loop. Almost every day there are optional extra-curricular activity options on the school grounds, which is super convenient. Things like art, gym, and soccer. The school is a great size. It's small enough that it feels like a real community. I think all of the guides know our kids' name, even if they aren't in his class, and they know both my partner and me. There are frequent classroom-wide and school-wide events, both in person and remote. There's an outdoor playground, of course, and a garden area that gets frequent use. All of the children participate in maintaining it, which is cool. Tuition is reasonable, even though it seems like they've spared no expense, so that's nice. Well, readers, after careful consideration, I've decided to endorse Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek. We like it enough that we will be enrolling our second kid when he's old enough. The question wasn't so much whether we could but whether we should, and even that was silly because the answer was obviously yes. The lack of actual dinosaurs is disappointing, of course, but I'm not going to deduct stars for that. I haven't found any school that has them, so it wouldn't be fair.

We transferred here to 1st grade from a public charter school and I didn't realize how unhappy my…read moredaughter was at the charter school until she was enrolled in Sankalpa and seeing the difference. She now looks forward to going to school and describes school as awesome and fun - every parents dream come true for their kid to love school! She now comes home singing songs whereas before she needed to disconnect and would beg to watch TV (she's not interested in TV since Sankalpa - I think the environment fosters self esteem and love of productivity). She does yoga, learns Chinese and Spanish, and the staff are unflinching in their standards for teaching the children grace and curtesy. I'd say this school is great for any child, but more for children and parents who: 1. Like a quieter learning environment: it gets loud, but at specific times. During the work hours it's quiet and relaxed. 2. Love nature (they're often out and even with clipboards studying things like plants and fractals) 3. Like forging deeper relationships with others: because of the more intimate setting, you're going to interact with parents and the teachers every day. This isn't for everyone, but if you like that sense of community and extended family, it's like that here. 4. Are ok with their child not taking state tests: there are other tests given (one of the very cool things about Sankalpa, it's what first perked my ears) to see where the child is in their learning, and then to tweak their learning program to "fill in the gaps" so to speak. This is how every child has their own individual learning program. 5. Are willing to pay tuition: I was worried about this until I saw how much she loved school and learning, then I realized it was the best investment ever. They're only this little once, and it's the best thing ever to find the school where they can thrive and be enlivened. 6. Want experienced teachers: Sankalpa might be a new school but all the teachers are seasoned and it shows in their interactions with the kids. The principal also has worked at nearly all the alternative schools in Austin so she knows what's what. 7. Are okay with going through Sankalpas admission process: for us this was actually fun, but everyone is different. We enjoyed taking the tour, meeting with the principal and spending an hour getting to know each other, and our daughter loved her trial time at the school which was a week, some kids might be longer or shorter. I loved going through all this because it really helped us make a decision based on facts rather a feeling. It's like getting to know someone before getting married or making a commitment. :) If you're considering Sankalpa at least go through the admission process, it's the best way to really know if it's the right match for your family (but more importantly your child).

Our family has enjoyed our time at Sankalpa. We really appreciate how warm and welcoming the staff…read moreis every single time we see them - it is clear they are all dedicated to the students and to their growth and success. The small class size is wonderful, as it is a great location for walks and field trips. They do a great job of instilling a sense of ownership in the students - the kids are responsible for their rooms, their supplies and their work. It's awesome to witness them tiding up at the end of each day. An all around inclusive education.

We've had a kiddo here for 4 years and now have 2 there. We absolutely love this place! The…read moreteachers are amazing with the kids and it's a plus it's right in the neighborhood so it's walking distance. It's hard leaving your kids with people you don't know but I 100% trust this group. My son is on the shy side and has had a hard time at times, but they have made a safe spot for him and worked with him to open up more. He's made such amazing improvements! And my 2 year old runs in the classroom and doesn't look back :) Definitely recommend!!

We have had such a wonderful experience with Bright Bee Montessori. As a parent of a 3-year-old, it…read moremeans everything to feel confident and comfortable with where your child spends their days, and this school has truly exceeded our expectations. The teachers are incredibly kind, patient, and attentive. It's clear they genuinely care about each child and take the time to make them feel seen, safe, and supported. My daughter talks about her teachers in such a positive light after school and over the weekends, which to me shows how much of a bond she's created with them. She is excited to go to school each morning, which speaks volumes. The environment is nurturing, positive, and well-organized, with thoughtful activities that encourage learning, creativity, and social development in a way that feels fun and age-appropriate. Communication with parents has also been consistent and reassuring, which we really appreciate. We are so grateful to have found such a loving and supportive place for our daughter and would highly recommend this preschool to any family looking for a warm, engaging, and trustworthy environment for their child.

I can't say enough wonderful things about Round Rock Montessori School. From the moment we walked…read morethrough the doors, we felt welcomed and assured that our granddaughter would be in the best of hands. The staff are incredibly warm, attentive, and professional. They truly go above and beyond to create a nurturing and stimulating environment for the children. My granddaughter is so excited to share what she's learning and is always excited to see her teachers and friends each day. The facility itself is bright, clean, and thoughtfully designed. The classrooms are large, engaging and well-organized. They have creative play, structured learning, and outdoor activities. Round Rock Montessori School is more than just a daycare, it's a place where children thrive, learn, and feel loved. We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful preschool/daycare where each child is cherished and grows in every way.

Terrible day care that I will never recommend. My 2 year daughter got hurt twice in a month, and…read morekept be sick for the whole month. The teacher changed frequently. And the environment is dirty and most toys are old and dirty too.

While I was pregnant with my first child I started looking into childcare and thought, for sure,…read morethat an in-home provider would be my favorite spot. I found a woman who lived near me that I really clicked with and started there, and...My son hated it! He cried all day every day and they just didn't click like I did with the caregiver. I thought he might actually need a center where there are more people to pick you up and kootz the babies if something is wrong. One person only has so many hands, but if there's an aid or director and more organized activities, maybe he would like that better. Not only did I find something he was more happy with, but also I found extremely adept caretakers at Trillium Montessori. The teachers are the real gold here. They are steady and consistent and have been there many years. They know their age up and down and truly care about children. The infant teacher we met first put me right at ease. She is hands-down one of the best humans I have met. Every teacher after is reliable, consistent, and educated in Montessori and development. The teachers made my experience going back to work much less stressful. I have full confidence in them. I have a second child now and happily sent her through the same set of teachers. In fact, I frequently asked the infant teacher for advice and input. There is are double locked doors to enter the center and there is a check-in and out kiosk where teachers can message and upload pictures after you check-in your child. I have never worried about my child's safety here. There are shoe drop caddies outside every room. No one wears shoes in the rooms.

We swung by to check out this school, among 3 other schools. To be blunt, this school was extremely…read moreghetto. Honestly don't believe this is an authentic Montessori--how in the world did they get certified as such is beyond us. 1)Majority of the staff are Indians with an accent. Being a minority ourselves we have no issues with that but we would like our kids to be more diverse than just that. 2) all the classrooms are hard floors, including infants. This seems dangerous to us. 3) everyone wore shoes into the class where infants crawled around, touched, licked and played on 4) place smelled like urine 5) security was minimal as there was no check in checkout 6) outside play area is filled with rocks and pebbles. And playscapes were all cheap, small plastic ones. 7) price was comparable to other places that offered a lot more

My son went to Guiding Steps Montessori school for more than four years…read more It is a very diverse Montessori school; the owners are hardworking, caring, and passionate about their work. Mr. Lali and Ms. Srini really took care of my son. Also, this school is well organized, spacious, and clean. I would highly recommend GSM if you are in the area.

This childcare and learning center is by far my favorite and best place for my child. My kid enjoys…read moregoing to school every morning and every day I discover she learns so much and is engaged in all activities. I feel a sense of security and so does she and i can tell just at time of drop off my kid is excited to arrive and waves good bye to me, extremely Happy! Love it!

The dishonesty and lack of transparency this school has shown during the investigation of an…read moreemployee has been appalling. We were one of the families involved in the incidents, and the school refused to respond to multiple emails from us and the other families trying to obtain information (despite being promised we would all be kept up-to-date regarding camera footage and employee response). They even tried to have this review removed. We also believe they are sugar-coating, minimizing, and even omitting information completely when communicating with the families that remain at the school. It's clear to us that they are more concerned with covering up their mistakes and lack of action than actually protecting children in their care. I would be more than happy to share the truth with anyone interested. Feel free to reach out.

I would truly caution anyone from sending their kids to Endeavor. As this school lacks…read moreaccountability, transparency, and safety. My child was assaulted by a male teacher and once it was brought to their attention they did everything they could do to minimize it and not inform the other parents of the school. Not only that but the head of school lied directly to another parent who inquired what was going on at the school. The head of school stated they couldn't do anything until an affected student had reported an incident to the school. I had already reported it to the school that my daughter was assaulted by this male teacher and happened to be in contact with the other Mom, which is how we knew they lied. They sent out a very misleading email with no specifics to a select group of parents letting them know that a teacher would be let go due to "misjudgment". However, I don't consider the touching of a female student inappropriately a misjudgment. Furthermore Endeavor had no intention on bringing this information to the appropriate authorities. It was only after a case was filed by multiple parents that they were cooperative. They would have likely swept this under the carpet. Furthermore, the fact that they allowed male teachers to be alone and without an adult female in the room is beyond irresponsible, this should never be allowed. Please really think twice about sending your child here. There are far better options.

Thanks to Sarah, helped with process a lot! I think this school should be top pick for the kidsread more

There were a few hiccups in the beginning, but they were addressed quickly and professionally…read more Anytime I've had a concern, it's been taken seriously and resolved right away. The staff here is truly committed to creating a safe, fun environment for all the children and they act immediately if anything goes against Montessori principles--which I deeply appreciate. All the lead teachers have been in Montessori education for over a decade, and their passion really shows. My daughter absolutely adores everyone here. Miss Amanda is an absolute gem--genuinely perfect for this role. She has such a deep love for the kids and brings so much joy to the classroom. Every day, they do fun, hands-on activities and learn practical life skills like cleaning, cooking, cutting, and setting up their lunches. Mrs. Sarah is also incredible--she's such a gentle, kind soul with a calm energy that's instantly comforting. She's been in Montessori for many years and is the kind of person who just gets it. You naturally gravitate toward her. I'm so glad I gave this place a chance. It feels more like a family than a school, and my daughter truly feels at home here.