Montessori School of Aurora

As a parent searching for a preschool for the first time I must say it was quite the learning curve! I decided to give this school an objective review even though it was not our final choice. I had a decision to make between this school and another more traditional private preschool in the same area. Tuition was comparable between the two. The other one offered lunch included in the tuition, Montessori School of Aurora doesn’t. But that was not a determining factor for me, just a plus for the other school. The positives I noticed at MSA were it’s classrooms were very organized and neat, hardly any clutter! They foster a quiet and calm environment for kids. However, it was just not a good match, particularly for my daughter. She tends to be more energetic and outgoing and we felt MSA’s classroom rules would force her out of her natural self. Some things that concerned me were their theory about not asking your child what they learned that day in school. They believe a child will share anything when they feel comfortable doing so. But it is just not the approach i am used to, so i guess it would be up to each parent. Not to say this is not a good school! I really liked it and thought their staff was warm, friendly and available to answer questions. I will definitely consider it for my middle child, who is a little more shy and insightful child. I feel she would benefit a little more from their philosophy.

My daughter went to this «school» for three years. We paid for the «advanced kindergarten» in addition to two years of preschool. After graduating and moving into a first grade class at a Chery Creek Elementary school, we were told she needed to repeat kindergarten.
Being first time parents, we didn’t know what skills she was supposed to learn. Considering our child spent three years at this «school», we expected she would be advanced, when in reality, she didn’t even meet grade standard. We had to spend extra time and money for a year to bring our child up to grade level so the school wouldn’t hold her back. She didn’t even learn the sounds of the alphabet after three years here! Once we knew she was suppose to have this skill by first grade, we taught her the sounds of the alphabet in two weeks. Still, her reading was behind the other kids and it took a full year to catch her up. After attending a graduation ceremony, we felt it would be detrimental to her self esteem if we held her back.
When I told the owner, Lori and Director, Shawn, they didn’t believe me. They said kids don’t always show their parents what they really know. I had to demand they test her and when the owner did, she apologized because we were right. She offered to have one of their teachers work with our child, but since they couldn’t get the job done in three years, we weren’t wasting any more time here.
We are involved parents. We attended their 5 day meetings about how Montessori teaches your children. We attended our parent/​teacher conferences and when I voiced some concern over our child not being able to write her name, the teacher told me to «keep working with her». I wonder if the parents who are happy with this place are teaching their kids at home and it’s not the «school» doing the teaching.
After doing much research, we learned that this «school’ typically didn’t have the staff required by law for the number of students per adult. In addition, they clearly don’t monitor the kids skill level. The education varies from class to class. Some kids are sent home with books to read, others are not.
We now realize some of the «work» they gave us which we were told our child did, the teacher actually did. In particular, there was a map of North America which obviously wasn’t done by our child.
I found the owner, Lori and the Director, Shawn, to be unprofessional and rude (especially the owner Lori). The employees seem unhappy if you get to know them.
This is more of a daycare than a school. I do not recommend sending any child here if you want them to learn the skills needed to be successful in the local public schools. They gave a good sales pitch, but they don’t live up to it.
I noticed Unilocal removed the other poor reviews. I wonder if they’ll keep ours up, which is true and we have receipts proving our child attended this «school». If you scroll to the bottom of the reviews, you’ll see a gray link for ‘5 other reviews that are not currently recommended ‘. Click the link and you can read those real reviews.

I’m sorry the previous reviewer had such an issue but it sure doesn’t sound like the MSA we know and love :)
My daughter attends MSA and we could not be happier – neither could she! I am an elementary school teacher and have visited and tried several other centers but weren’t happy with the care. Montessori of Aurora gives my daughter a sense of care, community, trust, and a top notch education. The teachers take a genuine interest in my child and are great about communicating with me as well.

This school is horrific. My 4 year old daughter was bullied (and it was ok in directors mind, because its «normal» and «will happen everywhere we go») My daughter was hit twice by the same girl, and pulled by the hair and thrown off a see-​saw by another child who wasnt even a student at the school. I did not get one incident report. I was first told this child who pulled her by the hair was expelled, then the director/​owner told me she was never even a student there. So why is it, that a child who is not a student, has access to bite and physically harm an actual student. The director/​owner had no remorse, no sympathy for what happened. She told us we didnt teach our daughter «life skills» and thats why this is happening to her. My daughter has been in 4 different schools in her life so far because of our family relocating so often, and she has NEVER dealt with this craziness. The director/​owner actually said that these girls were «testing» my daughter since she was the new student, why is it ok for a 4 year child to «test» another child. My daughter would scream and cry begging me not to take her to school. She would squeeze me by the leg and tremble. My entire experience with this school and staff was terrifying. A friend of mine has her daughter there now for 2 weeks and her little girl cries every morning begging her mom not to take her to this school. This is not a coincidence, this school should be under investigation. Please do your homework before sending your child here.