Walnut Montessori-Preschool Academy

My little has been going to the new Montessori school for a few weeks now and she likes it so much better. The staff to student ratio at the Montessori in Walnut is much better, the teachers and students look happy, and they were able to give her a bin and assess her on the first day. Your child deserves better than phony Unilocal reviews and staff members that prioritize money over your own child. :)

I can not say enough positive things about Walnut Montessori. After moving from Utah I researched several daycares. I chose this school based on the cleanliness and professional staff. My daughter has now been there for over a year and at 2 1\2 years old I am so impressed with her academic progress. She can count to 15, knows her colors and ABC’s, is singing and dancing and learning to write. I love that the staff enthusiastically greets me and my daughter every morning and it is always amazing to me the hugs the staff are getting from the children. They treat every single child like they are the most special child in that school. I can go on and on about this school. I think the negative reviews about the school are ridiculous. Anyone who walks into the school will feel the positive, happy energy. My daughter loves to go to school. I go to work and never worry about what is going on during the day with my daughter. She’s always smiling when I go to pick her up.

Attention all parents!
It has come to my attention that there have been bad reviews posted hear about Walnut Montessori School. I want to set the record straight and give you my review of this school.
1. very clean facility
2. Kind and respectful teachers
3. Professional staff
I am a cameraman with CBS-​2 & K CAL 9 news and the father of 2 kids that went to the Walnut Montessori school. Believe me when I say I have covered a lot of chaos in the school system thru out southern California.
By far Walnut Montessori School for the money is the best you can get «HANDS DOWN» My kids looked forward every day to get to school on time to see there favorite teachers (Miss Kathleen, and Miss Filameena).
The director Miss Palley is the most professional person I have ever met and willing to assist at all times.
In my professional opinion the Walnut Montessori school makes it easy for hard working parents to feel that there kids are taken care of treated with the utmost respect.
Parents need to understand if your child has a problem being involved with the staff at Walnut Montessori School is the best way to address any issues. I am a true believer that a child’s attitude and actions begin with the home life…
I am appalled by the bad reviews because my kids enjoyed there time at Walnut Montessori School and they grew in all aspects of there very young lives while attending this school. To see them thrive in a public school today is a mere testament that all there good habits and scholastic abilities were first formed and taught by the awesome teaching staff at Walnut Montessori School.
I recommend this school 100% to any parent willing to give there child the best of what is the beginning of there lives.
I truly am proud and grateful to Walnut Montessori school…
Proud Parent:
Joseph M. Ruiz

Dear fellow parents:
This Montessori is the school that made it possible for me to return to work full time after having baby, so I would like to share how I like this school.
My daughter has been with this school from 3 months old, and she now turns 1 year old. I am very excited and grateful to be with the school.
When you walk into the school, first thing you notice is full of positive energy — smile, hugs, greetings all around the entire school — that energy is contagious. Teachers and students are always engaged with each other.
Open hours — Open from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm is a savior for working moms!!!
Tuition is reasonably priced. Let’s get real… it costs, of course!!! … because you want your child to be provided with property compensated teachers and materials.
I was amazed to learn that most of young teachers also attend school in the evenings and continue with academic achievement on top of taking care of our children during the day. Lot of them are taking on bachelors and masters degrees. As a parent, I am blessed that my child is surrounded with the example of young and energetic people who are passionate in life outside of school with determination of reaching somewhere higher in academics!
Therefore, I take that turnaround of teachers are inevitable to some degree. School is handling the transition and change of staff very smoothly and it does not affect our children’s daily habit or bonding with the teachers. Every time when there is new faces in staff, I get to shake hands and introduce each other. New teacher’s effort of trying to match the children and parents as quickly as possible is amazing!!!
At the end of each day, after the long hour of tiring day at work, walking into Montessori school to find my child with giggles and laughs is the brightest moment of my day.
Teachers from different classroom are all very friendly too and my daughter gets endless shower of smiles and goodbyes from everyone at the school until we are out the door each day. I am proudly a big supporter of this school.

Only reason I’m giving any stars is because of some of the teachers at this school. Other than that, this school is so quick to ask for more and more money! The tuition fees have sky rocked since 2 years ago and are increasing again next month! On top of that, now they want us to buy uniforms for our kids! It would be ok if we can shop at Old Navy or Target for some simple styles. BUT NO! They require to us to buy from a specific website that charges double what we can find in our local stores! Plus each polo shirt, vest, sweater needs to be embroider with their logo which costs $ 5.50 each! Their director says their quality is better and the pants have are double padded so it won’t tear easily. REALLY??? Our kids will grow out of these every season! At least for my son, he needs a whole new wardrobe every season to accommodate his growing body. The stitching for the logos are horrible! The back of the logo is so hard and itchy my son doesn’t even want to keep it on! Do they think we have banks growing money in our backyards!!! They are so quick to ask for more costs out of our pockets but yet so slow when it comes to increasing our kids education thru the extra costs!
If you don’t own a bank and money is an issue, do not come to this school! They will ask for more and more and more! I already know a handful of complaining parents that will be taking their child out of this school.
Plus they ask parents not to park in their lot beyond 30 minutes and instead on the street. What kind of rule is that? They say they need to leave room for the teachers to park! When parking becomes an issue, you do not have the parents that are paying for them to be opened and in business to park somewhere else when they have class events.
This school really needs to re-​evaluate why they opened a school in the first place!
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So it’s been almost 2 months since I’ve posted the bad review from this school. Since then, I had the opportunity to sit down and discuss these issues along with other questions/​suggestions I had with the Director and owner of this school. I am changing my one star rating to three stars for right now. The better the school becomes, the more stars I’ll give them. Or the other way around, which I hope it won’t happen. Nothing is set in stone.
Let me by start by giving an update on just the issues I had mentioned above.
Tuition increase is non-​negotiable. I would have preferred to stay at the original amount but I’m fine with it as long as I see it will go toward the students education and advanced learnings.
The school has not really enforced it’s uniform policy, which is good for us who really think its expensive. Now that the weather is really changing, I would have to purchase more uniforms if they were to enforce it. It would be a big chunk out of my pocket.
It was probably just a bad decision to give rate increase notice and uniform policy at the same time. It was just too much
They have agreed to notifying us parents more frequently on any changes to the school along with detailed schedules. This will give parents more cushion when scheduling after school activities.
As for the parking, I was told it was not just because for the teachers space as I was told in the beginning but also because their are other parents that had complained about no parking space when there was off site field trips. So to accommodate everyone, they put the 30 minute rule. Which to me is fine during the regular school year only. I was just very upset at the time because I was just told it was for the teachers (period).
I hope to see the school better themselves more and more. I love most of the teachers that I’m familiar with. Especially now with the Kinder teacher, my child has grown up so much. Not just in height but knowledge! Communication between parents and the school is so important!

Should have listened to all the bad reviews
but like most parents the nicely decorated and clean classrooms are the BAIT!!!
First Things i Noticed
was the Student to Teacher Ratio, too many students per teacher not like they advertise,
thats why i cant just walk in and take a tour, they make you schedule a tour and on that day
they will break up the classes is smaller groups,
mi kid also got bullied there
many times picked him up with dry boogers across his face…
JUST STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL SAVE YOUR MONEY
DONT PUT YOUR CHILD THROUGH THIS TORTURE

My son have attended the school for 2 months. I have seen a lot of changes even though he just 15 months. We will missed Miss Palley.

If you are really care your kid. Don’t send they in this school. That is what’s I say according my kid’s experience in a whole year. They are only care a thing, not your kids, business! My kid always get hurt in the school. Crush finger, got bites, hit head. It’s not only one time each one, but few times each one. And they’re always say it’s normally, kids always got hurt. Until last time. My kid got wounded on his chin when he was ride little bicycle. It is A 10 mm wound! God! I had to send him to doctor. Now he get a scar on his chin. And they still say it’s normal! So I decide change a school for my kid! I think that is normal too. One more thing, when we leave this school, they are still use that bicycle in 2yrs class. And they still use the low door that cut my kid finger. Nothing changed.

We transferred from another school to Walnut Montessori, thinking Montessori method could be beneficial at early education. We enrolled at this school right around the time that they just opened. Facility looked clean, and the director seemed very reasonable, understanding, and helpful. It all turned downhill after couple months they opened.
Teachers turned over rate has been high. Students and Teachers ratio was way over. The teachers there wasn’t very professional.
Example 1: the 2 year old classroom had 4 – 6 teachers, but I could tell that they couldn’t handle the children. There were always children crying, and rolling on the floor. Most importantly, my daughter hated when she entered the classroom. She cried everyday. It meant that the class wasn’t fun, and the teacher wasn’t caring enough.
Example 2: we got so many accidents report on two of my daughters, average 3 – 5 per month per child. It made me wondering, what were the teachers doing when the incidents happened. One time, the director literally told me that they didn’t make the accident happened. My daughter was the one who bumped into the wall. Ya right! Basically she was saying that the school had no responsibility when the facility was not safe, or the accidents happened. My daughter was still in the infant class, just started walking when this incident happened. She bumped right into the edge of the wall. We looked at the camera, no one was around her, none of the teachers was supervising the children in that corner. At the end, I was told that the school had no responsibility!
Example 3: one time my daughter got sick, and one of the supervisors asked me to come back with a doctor’s note. Fair enough, I can understand that. However, I looked at the report posted on the wall, I literally spotted a medicine requirement slip for pink eye! How could they have double standards. My daughter was recovered, and you asked a doctor report; yet you allowed a child who had pink eye stayed at school!!!
I stayed at the school for a year hoping they would change to be better. After a year, I gave up. I don’t think they care about the children. All they care are money, retrieving new students, and their shows for graduation and Christmas. They make money off these shows! They charge parents extra for tickets, clothes… I don’t think it’s reasonable to do that as a school.
All in all, I would not recommend this school to anyone.

Only reason I’m giving any stars is because of one teacher that went above and beyond for my daughter, Ms. Chan. She made my daughter comfortable, regardless of the excessive student to teacher ratio. Contrary to what they advertise, the number of students exceeded the teacher ratio. Ms. Chan was the only constant, otherwise she had 4 Other teachers because of such high turnover. There is a director on staff that has no authority.
Bottom line is, they are a business and in it for the money. That was made very clear anytime I raised an issue, they made it clear money was the driver and child’s well being far behind.
We finally decided to pull her from Walnut Montessori and enrolled her up the street at Kindercare.

My daughter has been attending Walnut Montessori for almost 2 years now. We have been very pleased with the progress she has made in her education and development. Over the last few months her personality has bloomed. She loves her teachers and friends. The only reason I didn’t give them 5 stars is because of the parking. They have grown a lot over the last couple years so it makes parking difficult when dropping off and picking up your child. Other than that it’s been a pleasure seeing my daughter progress over time. Thank you!

My son just completed about 2 years at Walnut Montessori and will be transferring to Kindergarten well prepared because of the overall curriculum and genuine care provided by the school.
Facilities — Clean, up-​to-​date, and safe. The facilities have a technology room with computers and video game console (Wii) for the students to use. There are also security cameras in the classrooms and a security code that is needed when entering the building.
Curriculum — They offer a well-​rounded curriculum that includes not only teaching numbers and alphabet, but also provide singing, dance, and language classes. I love that my son can come home singing a song identifying the southern borders of the US and the 7 continents. He also gets assigned projects! My son has done a project of his favorite animal and a science project. They also have a special summer program where the students go on field trips or have on-​site special performers (i.e., Polynesian dancers and a puppet show).
Teachers — The teachers and other staff seem to be very genuine in the development of my child, especially the Director of the school, Ms. Pallet. They are always available if you have any questions or concerns. You also know that the teachers and staff are sincere because of the time and effort they go through to prepare for winter and spring concerts/​graduation ceremony. My son graduated pre-​school at Cal Poly Pomona University theater, wearing a graduation cap and gown! What other school would go through such effort for pre-​school/​Kinder graduates?
Thank you, Walnut Montessori, for taking such great care in my child’s educational development.

My 3 children are all attending this school for over 1.5 years and overall, I’m very happy with the care and education that they have received from the school. Our children have improved a lot in academics. And I’m glad that they have also built good friendships with their classmates from 4-​year-​old class to kindergarten. I like how organized and good structures the school is run. My children are very happy going to school everyday and I’m happy too knowing that my children are learning everyday there and are in good hands. I want to thank you their kindergarten teacher — Ms Filamena for being such a wonderful teacher. Their readings and math have improved significantly. Whenever I have a problem with the kids at home, I share with their teacher and together she helps me teach and discipline them which I see them improve in their behaviors. Same with their previous teacher Ms. Laura! I also want to say positives about the school administrators, owners and all other staffs that they are very nice, friendly and very professional. They know and good at their work. And the bonus I want to mention is they provide good breakfasts, snacks and lunches with vegetables and fruits made everyday from the school kitchen which is a big help for parents. Overall, I’m pleased with the services and education that the school provides and have referred our family friends who also sent their children to this school. Before sending my 3 children here, I had done my researches at other schools and I’m glad that I selected this school!

I would of given this place a Zero star if it weren’t for the nice looking facility. Don’t let the looks fool you! Seriously, the manager/​owner would be nice to you in the beginning just to get you to sign your kids up but after that her true color will show! This place is all about money/​business like not so much about their education. My child has been going there for 11/​2yr. and a lot has changed in a bad way. First they have 2 main teachers sharing 1 room with their students. Is that even allowed? There’s about 40 kids in there. While one teacher is trying to work on her students the other groups are doing something else. How are these 3−4yr old going to learn if they’re constantly being distracted. Shouldn’t they use the money towards opening another classroom instead. 2^nd. They kept changing new staff members and teachers. I ran into an old teacher that use to work there and she didn’t have anything nice to say. Some got fired and a lot had quit. So that being said is a red flag! Plus I have a friend that told me her sister pulled her son out after 3 mo. She didn’t like that fact that they kept on allowing new kids coming in everyday for a free trial day. Most of them would cry and that’s another distraction on the students. 3^rd… The restroom that all the kids shared are always dirty. There were urine everywhere on the toilet seat, I’m guessing that’s from some of the boys peeing on the seats. They should have one side for boys and another for girls. So the girls doesn’t have to sit on the dirty seat. Ugh, Gross! Shouldn’t the staff clean this up! So imagine that there’s urine on the floor and some of the kids are stepping on it with their shoes and bringing that back on to the rug where they would sit to do circle time, play with toys and to do puzzles. After touching all that, their hands are going to end up in their face and mouth… I’m so glad my kid is starting a new school, it’ll be out of the way for us and it’s not as nice but it’s about the quality not the quantity.

Warning!!! This is the worst daycare I ever seen before!!! They are not specialist to take care of children they only care about the money and this is a true statement! My son used to go there I regret making that mistake but since it was a «Montessori» school I thought it was a good choice but I was wrong I often found my son with a huge diaper rash he couldn’t even walk that’s how bad it was!!! Since he was just a baby he couldn’t tell me what was going on, he would just point at his diaper and when I change his diaper I was so upset the rash was so dramatic it was just unbelievable! And everyday it was one thing or another! They knew he had bronchitis and they would leave him wet from his pants/​shirt/​sweater they didn’t care! And the worst part of this is that they get upset or they hang up the phone when you called them to find out how your child is! Wtf!!! And let me tell you this, one day I called as always to know how my son was doing and the manager Ms. Hashi was so rude and bitchy that said to me that my son was too much and that they were not going to hired another teacher just for him! That I should think about changing him to another place because they can’t be just taking care of him and I was in shock! My son is not like that!!! How they dare to talk about like that of my son when I know it’s not true!!! even if he was, I was paying them a lot of freaking money and I was expecting more from them! To be honest when I first took my son there they had real teachers a nice lady name Christine but they stared to fire them and hire Chinese ladies that didn’t even speak English can you believe it? Just to save some money!!! Please don’t make that mistake in putting your kids in this horrible school! They don’t care about them!!! They only see the $$$ sign

**WARNING**
For all parents who care about their child’s well-​being, stay away from this school. This school is only a little over a year old and has new ownership. Do not be fooled by this newly renovated facility, the personnel who run it know nothing about taking care of children. They say they have a 1:12 teacher: student ratio, but sometimes the student number far exceeds the amount of teachers. The teachers themselves generally don’t do much and aren’t really qualified to even teach because they can’t spell simple words like «quiet» or «sleep» properly on the daily report. Your children also won’t build a consistent healthy relationship with his/​her teachers because all the decent teachers stop working there after a month.
In any case, if you are still not convinced, let me tell you about the condition of my 2 year old when I picked him up as early as 3 PM. He was covered in his own dried feces from top to bottom. It was dried up on his legs because they neglected to change him. It was on his shirt, and as much as a 7 inch square area on the front of his sweater. This happened because he was uncomfortable and picked at it, and started wiping it on his shirt from being completely neglected for hours. The worst part is, it was dried up all over his eyes and face because he was crying.
Since the day my son was born, I have never seen or smelled my son in such a state. I am the type of father that loves the smell of his son’s diapers, and I can tell you, seeing him in this state was heartbreaking. I would not wish this treatment upon any child. Please be warned.

My children have completed their second month at this school. My husband and I are very pleased with the care our children are receiving.
Our two year old daughter is anxious to attend every day. She is always happy when we pick her up and looks forward to coming back.
Our 6 month old son receives so much love and attention from the staff. He is very well taken care of.
I love this school!
Yvette Vanderburg