Anchorage Montessori School

Posted: May 15, 2024

Posted: May 15, 2024

Posted: May 15, 2024

Posted: May 15, 2024

Posted: May 15, 2024

Both of my girls attend school at AMS and we couldn’t be happier with the social emotional opportunities, academics, and high quality compassionate, good natured and hard working teachers.

Posted: May 15, 2024

Posted: May 15, 2024

Posted: May 15, 2024

Posted: September 30, 2019

Very longstanding success with children and families over the last 40 years. My time here (7+ years) has enriched my appreciation for Montessori philosophy and teaching.

Posted: September 30, 2019

Posted: September 30, 2019

Posted: September 30, 2019

Posted: September 30, 2019

Posted: September 30, 2019

Posted: September 30, 2019

Posted: August 8, 2018

My daughter started in a public special needs preschool. She spent a year and a half making absolutely no progress. When she was placed in Anchorage Montessori, she started learning autonomy, social skills, boundaries, how to write her name, and so on. Her teacher observed that she was being left out because of her difficulty with communication and was quick to step in with a non-direct and fun way to get her involved with other students. Things Ms. Connie taught my daughter will be with her for her whole life, as it should be. In fact, I was so pleased by Ms. Connie that I was hesitant to follow my child across the hall to the lower elementary teacher that I had no experience with or faith in.

And surprisingly, her lower el teacher, Ms. Seitz, has more than exceeded my expectations. She lays wonderful boundaries within the classroom while keeping everything peppy and fun. She has teaching plans down to a science and yet she has still retained this incredible fluidity and flexibility to follow the children in the classroom and to adjust in any situation. My daughter is completing her third year with Ms. Seitz, and again I'm hesitant to send my kiddo into another year without the team she has had behind her the last three years there.

Posted: August 8, 2018

So many of the character traits that have resonated with my daughter came from this school and it's teachers. Their words and actions are consistent, which has sent my daughter a strong positive message.

Posted: August 8, 2018

Posted: August 8, 2018

My kiddo has a list of significant special needs that have made learning so much harder for her. Each teacher has been empathetic while still pushing her forward in life. Her teachers work with her private speech language pathologist who works in the classroom with different kiddos, but especially mine four times a week. Together, the teacher and speech language path have built an incredible system for my kiddo to be successful at what she is doing.

Posted: August 8, 2018

In our personal experience, teachers have been very proactive in dealing with problems in non confrontational ways. However, as will any small school, it is going to be harder for everyone to find their crowd so to speak.

Posted: August 8, 2018

The homework brought home is never excessive, per the montessori way, but we do have projects here and there to prepare for. It's usually tons of fun and teaches the whole classroom as well as your child.

Posted: August 8, 2018

My daughter has attended pre-k through second grade so far and is going into her third grade year. I taught in a montessori in Georgia years ago, and was pleasantly surprised by the differences in Anchorage Montessori. AMS is a true montessori in so many ways and it is a really beautiful atmosphere. There are families from all walks of lives in the classrooms, with different cultures and beliefs. Teachers are kind to the children and work hard to see compassion shown between students.

Posted: June 9, 2018

Mr. Toymil is a remarkable leader; he is approachable but firm, a transparent and effective communicator, and cares deeply about this school and its community.

Posted: June 9, 2018

I don't have any direct experience with this.

Posted: June 9, 2018

I am aware of one instance where parents were concerned about bullying. It was, in fact, a misunderstanding. The atmosphere at AMS, Montessori's approach to conflict resolutions, and small classes seem to prevent bullying.

Posted: June 9, 2018

Fantastic. We love this school! Our children have attended for three years and are now in the elementary program.

Posted: June 9, 2018

There is some homework in the elementary classrooms, but the focus is on supported process and comprehension rather than production.

Posted: June 9, 2018

The teachers at AMS care deeply about children and the Montessori philosophy.

Posted: June 9, 2018

This is one of the most consistent, effective goals of a Montessori education.

Posted: April 25, 2018

We could not be happier!! This school is exceptional in every way.

Posted: April 25, 2018

AMS assigns “homework” in the form of comprehensive projects that span multiple subjects. For example, the elementary students do a “United Nations” Day, which incorporates display boards, written reports, games or hands-on tutorials by the students, recipes, and clothing, all originating from their respective countries. The effort spans multiple lessons in various areas and requires the kids to work on their projects from home. However, there is not nightly home work for home work’s sake. As a result, my daughter loves to learn and looks forward to her “homework.”

Posted: April 25, 2018

Ms. Seitz, who teaches 1-3 grade is a genius. I have never met a child that fails to thrive in her class or a parent who is not in awe of her skills.

Posted: April 25, 2018

This is probably one of AMS’ greatest strengths. My daughter and her peers have a strong sense of integrity, accountability, and self.

Posted: April 25, 2018

The Executive Director of AMS has decades of experience, serving as a public school principle before coming to AMS. He is passionate about the school and the Montessori curriculum and he is a great leader. Perhaps most importantly, the children both adore and respect him.

Posted: April 25, 2018

My daughter has acute dyslexia, which requires her to work extremely hard in these early reading years. Her teacher works rigorously alongside her speech pathologist and tutor both in and out of the classroom to ensure she gets the individualized tools she needs to succeed. There are numerous other students that are given the same individualized attention to address learning challenges. There are also many students who academically excel and need individualized attention to ensure they are challenged. AMS somehow meets the needs of kids on both sides of the academic spectrum seamlessly.

Posted: April 25, 2018

Bullying is not tolerated and children are given tools to have healthy emotional and social relationships with their peers.

Posted: March 29, 2018

My children started at AMS when they were toddlers and are now ages 4.5 and 2.5. We like the school for many reasons: 1) My kids look forward to going to school every day. 2) AMS is so much more than just a daycare. The day is structured without being rigid, with activities including music, Spanish, life skills, math, and reading. 3) The children are taught socialization--how to treat and interact with others properly. 4) The classrooms are clean and very orderly, yet also feel like nurturing places that foster creativity and the urge to experiment and learn. 5) The teachers and staff are all very warm and highly dedicated to the school and the kids. Tuition is on the higher end, but for us it's worth it as the school is giving our kids a solid foundation for lifelong learning and healthy relationships.

Posted: March 28, 2018

Posted: March 28, 2018

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Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 28, 2018

My two children have attended Anchorage Montessori School and we have been nothing but pleased with the child-centric philosophy, incredibly positive and observant teachers, investment of all staff members in the success of the children, and the variety of opportunities presented by the school. We could not recommend AMS more highly - for both preschool and elementary aged children.

Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 28, 2018

Posted: February 22, 2015

My children attend Anchorage Montessori School's elementary program. It is the only elementary school I have ever experienced that offers a completely customized curriculum for each student. The staff truly live the Montessori motto to meet the child where they are at and develop them into lifelong learners. The classrooms are multi-age which encourages student leadership and lessens the stress of a new teacher every year. The curriculum is focused on global and cultural awareness and tolerance and respect for all people. There are several non-native English speakers in the class which adds to the diversity. You simply could not find a more ideal setting for your child to recognize their strengths and flourish in a supportive and nurturing environment. It is a gem.

Posted: January 26, 2015

My four year old son has been attending AMS since June of 2014. We have decided to enroll him in the program after he simply outgrew the traditional childcare development center's methods. He was restless, bored and miserable while being dropped off in the morning. Everything has changed since he started at AMS. He loves his teachers, he takes pride in the "work" he does, and it never ceases to amaze me how much he learns every day. The good habits established by a quality Montessori education translate into every aspect of his life - whether putting his toys away, assisting us in dinner preparation or simply being able to pick up a book, a puzzle or an activity book, find an appropriate place, and purposefully occupy himself. I really appreciate getting a verbal feedback from his teachers, as well as a weekly classroom-specific newsletter depicting and describing all the wonderful activities that the children have partook of. The happiness of my child is the final confirmation that we have made the right choice.

Posted: October 27, 2014

I have had two children attend AMS and am very happy with their development and with the school. It is a very welcoming environment and both of my children have taken to it. Both of my children started as toddlers. I looked at other schools in Anchorage and felt that AMS had the most to offer. From what I can tell there seems to be very low staff turnover. I would encourage others to visit the school and take a tour. As a side note: when our daughter first started attending this fall at 3 years old, her teacher offered to come to our house after work for a short visit. It was a very nice thing to do and helped to make our daughter more comfortable in class.

Posted: March 4, 2014

We've had our children in AMS since they were toddlers. They are both now in the elementary program and are thriving. I am amazed every day at how much they are learning. We attempted public school with one of our kids, but that didn't last long as he wasn't being challenged at all. We transferred him back to AMS and haven't looked back since. At AMS the students are taught to be self-motivated and learn by self-direction and leadership. By learning at an individual rate, this allows children on both ends of the learning spectrum to not only succeed, but to excel. The teachers, administrative staff and executive director are all dedicated and passionate about the Montessori philosophy and in making sure that each student gets the very best education. I have been so pleased with AMS and how it is instilling the love learning in my children, with not only the core subjects, but also music, art and language. This will last a lifetime for them.

Posted: February 25, 2014

This is a great school! The teachers are Montessori trained and have a passion for providing the best education and care possible. I have been thoroughly impressed with what I have seen.

Posted: February 5, 2014

We checked this school out before starting my child, the teacher did not care o be there, and they let my child play outside w/out a coat, in the rain. He caught a cold, I did not send him there for preschool.

Posted: September 20, 2013

Although I have faith in the Montessori Method, I don't believe this school is equipped to deliver it faithfully. Every time my son had the slightest physical problem, I would get a call to pick him up. My son got his first scar at AMS due to a lack of supervision. My son would have a tantrum and nobody at AMS knew how to handle it. And I would get a call to pick him up. I don't believe AMS provides any different quality of care for the money than any other childcare provider in Anchorage. And for much less money, I believe there are childcare centers in Anchorage who provide a much higher quality of care. Not recommended.

Posted: February 10, 2013

My child has been attending since fall 2011. This school is very expensive for the quality of education provided. There is a serious problem with the consistent and fair application of policies and communication with parents. Substitute teachers are undereducated and have little or no training in Montessori methods. Despite that there is a general commitment to Montessori principles and it is worth getting to know the parents. Overall I'm disappointed in the price of this education but am satisfied with the benefits to my child. I am seriously considering not applying to enroll my second child when she reaches the age of matriculation.

Posted: April 20, 2012

After my child flunked out of two preschools, I did not think I could find another one that would accept her, much less help her thrive. AMS has done just that. Esp. with regards to manners, discipline, and socialization. I would recommend this school to anyone, anyday.