Both my kids went to Terese Montessori and they both are thriving at their schools. The…read morefundamentals they learn are the best in Novato. They approach each kid different and it is an individualized approach. It is a strict program but my kids have learned to be confident and independent. My son has a lot of energy but has learned to focus in the classroom where now at his elementary school he is one of the best behaved kids in the classroom and releases his energy outside. Highly recommend this school and by far one of the best in Novato. My only thing it is small so great for ages 2-3.5 or a kids that needs that small class.

MFT has been an outstanding experience for our son throughout his time there. Terese, Lori, and the…read morerest of the staff are deeply attuned to the needs of young children and have created an extraordinary early education and social experience. We couldn't have asked for a better learning environment for our son to grow up in. Highly recommended!!

If you're looking for a wonderful preschool I highly recommend San Anselmo Montessori School (SAMS)…read more- especially their PreK program! The moment I walked into the light-filled main classroom I knew this would be the right fit for our family. A tucked away but easy to get to campus with a picturesque view of the San Anselmo hills, this hidden gem is located in a very warm, safe, tranquil open space. My daughter has been enrolled at SAMS since June 2024, first attending their summer camp program and now as a PreK student. I cannot say enough good things about this school. The facilities, the students, parents, the curriculum and mostly, the patient, nurturing, incredible teachers. Once a week each student has their dedicated Garden Day group and they spend the first half of school outdoors learning about nature, tending to the various plants and trees in the back lush garden. They sample things they have lovingly helped grow, partake in creative projects, as well as other earth science learnings throughout the day. My daughter is in the oldest age group at SAMS and breaks out into the PreK group every afternoon. This small subset of students are taught in a converted greenhouse that is clean and organized yet has a homey, poetic feel to it. The students spend their days doing engaging activities, a mix of self directed work, lessons and artistic projects. This week they have been reviewing sight words, an introductory lesson in fractions, learning different parts of a fish and decorating gingerbread houses. A few noteworthy takeaways my daughter has shared with us is the idea that at school everyone is included (or no one is included - alone time) and exhibiting pride in personal responsibility and independence. My daughter has made strong connections and close friendships, she gets excited every morning to go to school - and has even asked to go in on a Saturday! This inclusive program I can confidently say will support your child to regulate emotions, help develop kind, considerate, thoughtful kids that will be beyond kindergarten ready when the time comes. This school has truly been such a gift to our family. We will be sending our youngest as soon as she is age eligible! https://samontessori.com

We have been at SAMS for four years now-our older child attended for three years and our younger…read morechild is now in his first year. We have been blown away by the program at SAMS. It's both a well-run organization (clear communication, policies, etc) and a loving community where children are seen for who they are and are given the love and support to thrive. The great parent community is just an added bonus! A few of the things that make SAMS special, in no particular order: - The physical space is inviting, clean, bright and organized. Children are invited to be the leaders in their space since everything is right-sized for them. Our kids feel so comfortable and empowered the second they walk in the door. - The outdoor space is incredible. Similar to the indoor environment, the outdoor space is perfect for kids, with child sized versions of real garden tools, a fantastic playground and a beautiful garden geared toward children's love of nature. - The communication from the school is excellent. We love the weekly newsletter, which often includes links to resources for us as parents. We grownups learn a lot from the team at SAMS, too! - The Montessori philosophy has been perfect for our kids. When we first started looking at preschools, we knew that we didn't want our kids to be in a space that felt too rigid/formal. SAMS honors the Montessori philosophy fully and always feels free and playful at the same time. - The pre-kindergarten program has been amazing for our older child and we are planning for our younger child to stay for this year, too. We have found this final year at SAMS to be a huge benefit for our kiddo in terms of confidence, grace and courtesy, social emotional growth, and academic growth. The third year of SAMS was extra magical for our child and set her up for major success as she entered elementary school. - THE TEAM is, of course, the very best part. The SAMS teachers are incredible-compassionate, patient, skillful, brilliant, and creative. They are inspirations and our children love them so much! Thank you, SAMS!

My daughter started at MIM once she turned 2 and she's loving it. So much so, she never wants to…read morecome back home when it's time for pick up. All the teachers are warm and attentive to the children. The space is cozy and inviting. And the playground is a small paradise for the little ones. She is learning a lot, from new words and sentences to putting on her socks and jacket by herself. We've seen a lot of progress in a few months! All good things. The older kids keep an eye on the younger ones and they are very sweet to each other. All in all, I highly recommend the school.

Montessori in Motion is truly a gem. From the moment we walked in, I could feel the calm, nurturing…read moreenergy of the school, and it has been nothing short of magical for my daughter. The teachers -- Crystal, Josh, Tracy, Alyiah, and Ashley -- are amazing. My daughter transitioned mid-year, and the way they welcomed her made her feel comfortable and excited to be there. The classrooms are filled with a diverse set of activities and materials to explore, and they have the best play yard I have ever seen. As a mom, the biggest gift was peace of mind. I could leave each morning knowing my daughter was not only cared for, but genuinely thriving. She has grown in confidence and independence, and came home excited to share her day and look forward to the next morning. The contrast from other schools we've experienced was night and day. At MIM, I felt supported as a parent, informed, and confident knowing my daughter's overall well-being was prioritized. It is a wonderful community. Montessori in Motion isn't just a preschool -- it's a magical place where children flourish.

If you are looking for a warm, nurturing environment for your child to grow, challenge themself,…read moreand feel safe---look no further! I cannot say enough good things about this school, and the women who run it. My daughter started in the Children's Room in August of last year ('23) and we've had an amazing experience. The teachers are engaged, patient, and willing to go above and beyond to make the children feel celebrated and cherished. Mariana, Sunny, Alex, and the director, Ana, are all amazing at their jobs and curate a welcoming community and educational environment that allows children to thrive. I don't have experience in the nido and toddler rooms, but I have no doubt that those teachers/programs are amazing as well. For what it's worth, I leave reviews very rarely, but felt compelled to leave this one. I would give it 10 stars if I could.

Hi Ana - I'm not sure how you intend to "discuss privately." Your entire team has not replied to a…read moresingle message in months. It shouldn't be this hard to just issue the deposit that you owe us. We also are in touch with other parents dealing with the exact same refusal to refund deposits from Guidepost.

My daughter was under Magali's care for 2 years, and I can't believe the way she has blossomed!…read moreIt's been beautiful to watch. She has gained an understanding of what it means to be a good friend. I see her acting with patience and kindness. She can work independently with focus and care, and I see the pride she takes in her work. And for me, San Marin Montessori was the perfect situation. The hours are convenient, drop-off and pick-up were super easy, and I loved the way Magali would personally greet each student as they came in the door with conversation and attention. When I had parenting difficulties that I wanted help with (Ex. my daughter not wanting to get dressed in the morning), Magali was always available to talk about the specifics of the situation and she gave me great advice. Magali and her assistant Jesse won my complete trust. I studied Maria Montessori's work when I was pregnant, and I can see that Magali is truly using the philosophy and the tools. Most schools only use the name. I feel very lucky that I found this small school. My daughter benefited from so much love and personal attention!

My husband and I couldn't be happier with our choice of having our son in the care of Magali and…read moreJesse. We looked into many schools in the area and fell head over heels in love with the atmosphere provided. A very clean, organized, happy place my son looks forward to going everyday. They have routines that make the children feel comfortable and classroom changes monthly to keep the children from getting bored. Our son comes home daily with art projects and a smile. All of the children respect each other and love one another. The teachings of Magali are one in a million. I never thought we would start our school experiences with such an exquisite person, we are lucky and grateful. It will be hard to move on next year. Luckily our daughter will get a chance to spend her preschool days at San Marin Montessori.

My oldest child is completing his first year at MMS, and I couldn't have dreamt up a better…read moreexperience for the equivalent of his pre-K year. He has always had a tough time with transitions until he made the transition to MMS! The school thoughtfully welcomed him in such a way that he walked in on his first day with no hesitation, making me feel at ease sending him to school everyday. The mixed age Montessori classroom environment nurtures his curiosity, giving him the opportunity to learn from his peers and practice leadership skills. The school's administration and guides are incredibly supportive of my child, meeting him where he is while ushering him to the next level. When my son's guide checked in with me after his first two days of school, the words she used to describe him were spot on. Beyond the school's administration and guides, the parent community has been an excellent resource to me and my growing family. My family moved to the Bay from the East Coast a few years ago, and I greatly appreciate that many parents are from other states and various non-US countries with diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences that their children can share with my children. I am looking forward to my second child starting in the fall!

We could not be more happy with our Marin Montessori Middle School experience. We transferred our…read moredaughter in mid year and have been thrilled to see her engagement and interest in learning return. The staff are incredibly lovely and caring professionals who have the deepest respect for each student. We were met with openness and warmth and the turnaround for her academics was pronounced. She looks forward to going to school and loves getting to have choice in her own learning. Marin Montessori has truly created a culture of kindness and it has made all the difference for our family!

Both my daughters and our whole family had an amazing experience at Harmony. I love that they were…read moretaught life-skills such as cleaning up, setting the table, harvesting, chopping, preparing food all while deeply learning human skills such as making and valuing friends, kindness, respect for nature and it's cycles. I highly recommend Harmony Montessori.

Wonderful teachers in a cute school. Full Curriculum is rotated monthly and teachers are friendly…read moreand caring. Spanish is also taught

Both of my kids went to Montessori School of Central Marin for preschool. This school is ideal for…read moreworking parents and both kids thrived. The transition to TK was seamless and I credit MSCM getting them prepared. The teachers are incredible--so patient, caring, and dedicated--and we're deeply grateful for the nurturing environment they created for our kids. We've also met such wonderful families during our time at Montessori, and we will truly miss being part of this community!

We couldn't be happier with our experience at the Montessori School of Novato. Our older child, now…read morein 3rd grade, has absolutely thrived since he graduated from there. His reading skills are well beyond what we expected for his age, and it's clear the individualized approach and the thoughtful guidance from the teachers made all the difference. The teachers really take the time to get to know each child, not just academically, but as whole individuals, which helped our son build confidence and stay engaged. Our younger child, who is 3, has also had a wonderful start at Montessori. It only took her a few days to settle in, and after just a week of teary drop-offs, she now runs into the school with a smile. She constantly surprises us with new skills she's learned, especially how independently she can work through an entire project from start to finish. She often tells us how much she loves her teachers, and we can see how much she's growing and learning. The teachers also take pictures of the kids every day and post them so we can see what they are working on. Montessori School of Novato has created a warm, supportive, and stimulating environment for both of our kids. We are grateful to be part of this community and highly recommend it to any family looking for a thoughtful and enriching early education.

I recommend all teachers except Amanda. She is unprofessional and hold grudges against children…read more Tells other parents personal information about other parents both economic status and personal at home life. Parents, staff and children find her cold, hard to read, and cruel. If your child craves connection and safety her class is not the place to be. We loved all other staff and teachers.