Montessori School

Posted: January 11, 2019

We enrolled our son over the summer with high hopes of a creative and loving school environment. Within weeks we saw a drastic change in our child's behavior at home, he was much more aggressive and defiant. We brought our concerns to the teacher numerous times over a course of a few weeks, each time we were told the bullying was being addressed in class and all eyes were on the students. Each week our child told us things were still happening to him by another student, we asked to speak to the to the director/owner and were told parents are not allowed to speak with Victoria Butler directly. We promptly removed our child and he is back to his happy, loving self. I would not recommend this school based on the lack of visibility and involvement by the administration, they could not keep our child safe and we never heard a word from the owner/director. This place is chaotic, unorganized, has poor communication with parents, and we left feeling like our child and his safety and happiness did not matter.

Posted: January 11, 2019

Posted: January 11, 2019

Posted: January 11, 2019

Posted: January 11, 2019

Posted: January 11, 2019

Posted: January 11, 2019

Posted: September 17, 2018

This school wants parents to drop off their kids, pay the tuition, and stay away from what's going on. My kids did not learn good character there. They learned creative new ways to be cruel. When I observed a classroom for an hour to see what's going on, I observed 4 incidents of blatant peer bullying within one hour. On pick-up, I've been attacked and harassed by students multiple times. It's unreal.

Posted: September 17, 2018

Vicki loves telling people whatever they want to hear, offering bizarre non-scientific suggestions, and assuming things without checking in. She has no idea what's going on in her classrooms and doesn't care until a parent complains about something that could get her school in trouble if revealed. She also stereotypes like crazy. She told me that I couldn't breastfeed because I had small breasts and assumed my husband must rough-house with our son because he's a man. She's the height of absurdity.

Posted: September 17, 2018

They're horrid with special needs children. They refer to them with finger quotes and in a sickly sweet voice as their "special friends," disclosing information that they had no business sharing with other parents. They don't give them the respect other kids get, and while they allow parents to bring in therapists, they do not effectively communicate with parents in a way that allows parents to address problems in the classroom.

Posted: September 17, 2018

As said in another bullet point, I witnessed 4 cases of bullying within an hour of observation at this school, and I myself have been attacked b kids during pick-up on multiple occasions. Furthermore, I've witnessed a teacher mock both students and other parents while talking to me. This place is awful for bullying.

Posted: September 17, 2018

Infant through Early primary was fine, but Primary was awful. I'm so glad my kids are out of that nightmare.

Posted: September 17, 2018

Before Primary I found no issues. However, primary teachers at this school allow rampant violence and disruptions in the classroom. They do not tell parents. They lie about talking to other parents. They lie to you about your own child. Do NOT trust them to be honest.

Posted: August 4, 2017

Untrained and underpaid teachers are more like babysitters with iPhones attached to their hands. Administration sells them like they're college educated and (real) Montessori trained...but 80% of them are not. Turnover with staff is unprecedented. I've never seen anything like it. There is no consistency in the classrooms for the children. My son and I never knew who to expect when we showed up to class each day. It's an absolute mess.

Posted: August 4, 2017

In theory, these would be Montessori method character development. In practice, FMS isn't a real Montessori school. The tone of a class is set by the teacher. Each class is different and each class philosophy depends on who is leading the room. No consistency in values or goals for the children as a whole. If you get one of the 3 good, actually Montessori trained teachers then you're in luck. The majority won't have that experience though.

Posted: August 4, 2017

There is no leadership at FMS. There is an unstable director who lines her pocket while depriving staff and children of the resources they need to succeed. Want to know what's going on at FMS? Good luck finding a direct line of communication with the main office or your child's teachers. Because it doesn't exist.

Posted: August 4, 2017

Admin moves children around based on numbers and making money, not based on what classes would fit which children. Teachers who have ZERO experience with special needs children are tossed autistic children that other classes couldn't handle. Teacher have special needs children assigned to their classes without warning.

Posted: August 4, 2017

It's all peace and love at FMS on paper only.

Posted: August 4, 2017

What no one wants you to know about FMS is that it's a glorified day care wearing the word 'Montessori' as a disguise. Also, no one wants to talk about the top down train wreck that is FMS administration because the school is lead by a well-known woman in the community. The "teachers" are vaguely trained in actual Montessori methods and the majority have no certifications, nor are they provided the support to pursue that professional development. The educators in the infant-Pre-K classes rarely have college degrees (despite being touted as college graduates by administration) and the bulk are 19-year-old kids who bury their faces in their phones. The director underpays her staff so profoundly that the turnover rates are astonishing. In the last 6 months of my son's early elementary class he had 3 different lead teachers and around 6 assistants. I couldn't keep track of how many afternoon teachers went through the revolving door on top of that. At least once a week an unknown teacher would be halfheartedly watching his class at pick up - no warnings, no introductions, no idea which kid even belonged to me. The school as a whole is a money grubbing organization. Given the higher cost of tuition there one would think they could invest back into the classrooms and teachers. But it goes straight to line admin pockets. It is a day care business. They can't handle children with special needs and the organization as a whole is the most disorganized entity I've ever encountered. There is LITTLE communication between admin and teachers, between teachers and parents. A day care with hippies and wooden toys does not a real Montessori school make.

Posted: November 17, 2014

Now my son loves to go to school. He really seems to be developing light years faster around older students. The mixed age classrooms have helped him become a leader at school and at our church. Thank goodness for FMS!

Posted: September 25, 2014

Saw a teacher play her phone while the toddlers play by themselves. Terrible! Finally sent my son to Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center, much better!

Posted: September 3, 2014

What a wonderful caring school. Our daughter is 3-years old and ask when she can go to school. With all my kids we have been at 5 different schools and we have finally found one that has proven to be the best in the Northwest Arkansas. The number one characteristic that everyone sees is teachers that truly care about the kids and their learning experience.

Posted: September 3, 2014

Within 2 months of attending the Montessori School our 3-year old daughter has shown independence and a drastic positive change in her attitude. The Montessori Method has opened our eyes and we are truly blessed to have found the Fayetteville Montessori School. All the teachers and staff are passionate about there work with the kids. Highly recommend this school to any parent.

Posted: September 2, 2014

This school has an amazing, friendly staff who clearly care about the children's education! The school offers plenty of resources for the parents and teachers and there is such a great feeling of support and community across the entire campus!

Posted: June 2, 2014

Great staff who treat my kid with respect. A really cool encouraging place. The inside of the Elementary Building is like walking into a Natural History Museum and a Contemporary Art Gallery at the same time. Not your average montessori school.

Posted: May 7, 2014

FMS is such a smart place. I have an MFA, taught college for years, and would have never wanted/had the opportunity to teach in a public school system. The building itself empowers us all to think and dream big. It's important for me to be a part of something that is constantly moving forward. This is a place that welcomes and nurtures strong minds. I'm proud to be a part of a loving and passionate community. We all get respect, resources, and room to grow. It's amazing to me that one person can influence the lives of so many. Very blessed to have found Vicki Butler and her Fayetteville Montessori School.

Posted: May 5, 2014

I have two children here and I have been nothing but happy. My children are well taken care of and it shows through their happiness. In addition, my oldest child is learning in leaps and bounds and she is so proud of the work she does and her classroom. My infant son is always happy at drop off and pick up. They send amazing pictures to keep us connected and I love it. The teachers and administration are always striving to do the best for the children and the school. We wouldn't want to be any where else.

Posted: May 1, 2014

Has anyone else seen the owner's dogs running freely around the school? Is that even legal?

Posted: April 2, 2014

I have worked in other Montessori schools and I wouldn't call this a Montessori school. The only thing that qualified as Montessori were the few ragged, misused materials scattered around the rooms. They do not have mixed age classrooms that are so beneficial. The turnover rate here is extremely high. The lead guide in one of the preschool rooms asked me if I knew how to do a particular material because she had no clue. It was a material called the binomial cube that is a foundational senatorial work in Primary. I quickly discovered that the only training almost all of these teachers get is a quick, non accredited training from the school itself. Real Montessori training is intensive for three full summers with a required internship. Mostly, they just throw a warm body in a classroom when someone up and quits, which happened in three different rooms during the couple of months I was there. I stayed because I hoped to be helpful with my experience and I love the kids, but I got really discouraged. The assistant in the room I was in wouldn't stop yelling at the kids and she would drink on her lunch breaks. I'm serious. I got out of there quick.

Posted: January 19, 2014

Was horrified to find out that our child's medical information was never filed or inputted into the computer. It was "in a pile waiting to be filed" somewhere. As soon as we saw how the paperwork was handled and how things were really run, we pulled our child out immediately. If your child is there, I would highly suggest you check and make sure they have all of your contact information updated, along with the medical information. If your child was injured they may not even be able to reach you, due to their lack of organization and professionalism. Our Montessori experience was a complete letdown for our entire family.

Posted: November 10, 2011

Our four year old son has been at Montessori school for three years now, and we just enrolled our nine month old daughter. I wouldn't take them anywhere else for their pre-K education. We've experienced great teachers, wonderful enrichment programs (movement and dance, yoga, Spanish, etc.), and fun educational opportunities. Our son came home last week and gave us a lesson on nouns and verbs! Kindergarten readiness will not be an issue at all! :)

Posted: October 29, 2011

My daughter has been attending from 3 1/2 years old to 6 years old She is now in the AMAZING Elementary program. We intend on keeping her enrolled until she is too old to attend. She thrives academically, socially & emotionally. The teachers are incredible. Parent involvement is off the charts! We all have a common goal, to expose our children to many different subjects and respect the great, innate intelligence they posses. Montessori philosophy is radiated from my child. She reads anything, loves math, science, yoga & Chinese & Spanish. Brava to Vikki Butler for growing this school from a one room house to the next chapter; a state of the art elementary school slated to open next year:-) Any person who can achieve this amazing accomplishment of 36 years, gets all of my respect. If you are looking for a safe, great place to trust your child to, this is the place. If you want them to be able to be encouraged to live up to their full potential and allowed to be independent, this is the place. If you wish your child to be loving , kind and accepting and interested in thier fellow friends and the diversity that each culture brings to the table this is the place:-) Peace...