Santa Barbara Montessori School

Posted: April 12, 2023

Posted: April 12, 2023

Posted: April 12, 2023

Posted: April 12, 2023

I can't say enough good things about MCS and the community it fosters. It was our lifeline during the covid pandemic. I can't work from home, so zoom school wasn't an option for us. We started with MCS for that reason (one of the few, if not only, schools offering in-person instruction and childcare). But we have stayed for elementary school because our experience was so wonderful.

Not only are the teachers at MCS warm, caring, and nurturing, but they are incredibly communicative (as is the leadership/administration). If I have a question or concern, it is responded to almost immediately. Everything is very well organized and I can focus on work each day knowing that my son is happy, surrounded by friends, and growing in a nurturing environment.

MCS has fostered my son's learning and confidence. He regularly works in class with children from other grades and has developed wonderful friendships across the ages. Assignments, homework, and projects are appropriately challenging. It's been awesome watching him grow and develop in this environment. I am not sure what we will do after sixth grade -- I just wish MCS continued through grade 12! - but this certainly is an incredible place for us now.

Posted: April 12, 2023

Posted: April 12, 2023

Posted: April 12, 2023

Posted: April 12, 2023

Posted: September 1, 2016

What a great first day of school! My kids are thrilled to back in this enriching environment.

Posted: September 1, 2016

As the new Head of School at Santa Barbara Montessori School I am committed to providing a supportive environment for children and their parents. I look forward to introducing your children to the Montessori environment where they will become independent, self-reliant, confident and compassionate human beings-the leaders of our future.

Posted: August 31, 2016

I can't say enough about this school. The teachers, the classrooms and campus, the students and parents are all so wonderful. Every year is better than the last. Sure, I have had questions and moments of doubt because it is not a traditional school (which is what I'm more familiar with), but the teachers and Head have always had answers and been very open to educating me about Montessori. I wish every child could experience SBMS, from the toddler to the junior high, it is THE BEST.

Posted: July 18, 2016

his school has been great for our child for the most part. However, there is a lot of truth in the complaints about communication, and they have lost by far their best teachers in the past 3 years. The remaining teachers are young and inexperienced or old and bitter. The way some of these changes were communicated was very poor - in fact most parents do not yet know that one of the teachers is gone. Unfortunately the HOS's claim to be a 'great communicator" is false. Frequent blathering does not equal communicating about salient issues.

Nevertheless this school has an excellent model of education at its core and hopefully it will grow out of this phase and become stronger. Overall our child had a good experience, the adults' was not as good. My average score reflects this.

Posted: July 18, 2016

Posted: July 18, 2016

Posted: February 23, 2016

Posted: February 23, 2016

Posted: February 23, 2016

This school, takes care to talk out every situation which arises with the children, in a non blaming sensitive way to ensure all kids learn from the situation and understand the basis for respect and kindness. Its their highest priority. they teach life lessons because they are experienced and understand it creates a solid foundation and healthy environment for learning and building relationships and character. I appreciate that about this school so so very much.

Posted: February 23, 2016

This school is wonderful!! I have three very different type of kids and all three thrive here. and why?? because the teachers are AWESOME!!!!
The environment is ideal and dreamy. we have attended other schools public and private, and non can compare to having these very experienced teachers. if you want a non nonsense, solid fabulous school for your family, this is it !!

Posted: January 13, 2016

We are so thrilled to have our infant enrolled at SBMS. The care is above and beyond. He isn't just watched while we are working he is learning and developing beautifully in an incredible environment. I feel blessed that my child is able to spend his days there! I never have a worry in the world. I imagine him moving through this school until Junior High :)

Posted: December 6, 2015

Posted: December 6, 2015

Posted: December 6, 2015

Posted: December 6, 2015

Nowhere else are the teachers so in tune and attentive to the whole development of the children. Bottom line. And as a parent, that is the most important thing in the end, I think most would agree.
Yes there are things to improve, but isn't that true anywhere? And I can wholeheartedly say that they are improving. Most or all of the grievances here that were accurate have been or are currently being corrected.

Posted: November 11, 2015

Posted: November 11, 2015

Posted: November 11, 2015

Posted: May 21, 2015

Posted: May 21, 2015

Posted: May 21, 2015

Posted: May 21, 2015

I read the reviews here before applying. I was concerned given some of the negative reviews. I also heard negative reviews from two parent's of the school's administration. Given all of this, it shouldn't surprise me the way things turned out. I called and spoke to the school's director before we started anything to ask if they would have space for the upcoming school year. I was told they would have space if everything worked out during the application process. We went through the application process in a relatively short amount of time and then waited weeks to hear back from the school. When we finally heard back (after we left messages), we learned that the school had been too busy with their fundraiser to look at the application and that now that they were looking at it, they might not be able to proceed as they are trying to downsize their space (and presumably have less students). Really?! Needless to say, after all of the time and effort spent going through their application process, and all of the time, love, and effort my son's teachers put into the required recommendations, I was very upset. I felt that the way we were treated was callous considering how serious we had been about enrolling our son. Everyone involved on our side totally wasted their time, and I feel that the administration was not transparent with us about their situation sooner. If this is what it's like to work with them, clearly, we would not want to send our child to this school as we were totally misled earlier during school visits and follow-up conversations. I also feel that they knew this when they asked for the recommendations given the timeline we were given for when they said they were aware of the potential downsizing. I am sorry we ever wasted our time on this school and can concur with the negative reviews of the administration. I would not bother with this school ever again (and I have other, younger children!). The only decent thing is they are supposedly going to refund our application fee. They can't refund our time...

Posted: October 8, 2014

A fantastic school! The teachers and staff are completely dedicated to creating the best experience for each individual student. I wish there were more schools like SBMS all over the world!

Posted: June 18, 2014

My grandchildren have been going to SBMS 10 years. They are in the Junior High program at the school (7th,8th,9th) and my husband and I honestly couldn't be happier. They are so academically prepared and have loved going to school every single day! The Montessori method is understood and utilized at this fine school. The teachers also place a strong emphasis on emotional development, problem solving, and community building. They work with children on social skills and working together in groups to create and develop their projects and follow up work to lessons. I so appreciate that they are in an environment where they feels safe, heard and respected. The Montessori learning materials help the children truly understand concepts as they go from the concrete to the abstract . These materials and the teachers that introduce them with so much enthusiasm and excitement create truly extraordinary, as well as, beautiful classroom environments. I also like the multi-age aspect. There is so much inner mentoring going on in the classrooms. We are so happy with SBMS and would encourage anyone to check out this school for their child/ren. Submitted by a parent

Posted: January 20, 2014

If zero stars were an option, I'd give it. There is definitely a favoritism in this school (as a reviewer stated below). Whoever gives the most money is it. The communication between teachers and parents is very minimal. Basically, if it doesn't have to do with their fund raising efforts, you don't hear much about how your child's progress. They do not welcome parents to help in the classrooms- as a matter of fact, they discourage it. I think it says something if the "official of the school" feels the need to "lash out" on this website at the negative reviews. Sadly, this school has given Montessori education a bad name.

Posted: January 21, 2013

Excellent school! Don't believe the naysayers. SBMS is the school you wished you went to growing up. Warm loving environment. Solid education based on proven methods. We have been at SBMS for 5 years and feel blessed to have found the school. We are a modest family and have found no favoritism to any children or families. We have always felt welcomed and part of the community. A fundamental part of SBMS is 'follow the child', to tailor the learning to the child's interests. But also 'a child needs freedom within limits' Therefore if a child's interests is in hitting other children, SBMS might not be for you. SBMS has high expectations of your children and you should too. These expectations are not just grace, courtesy, but also actual learning. I saw some results from last years standardized tests: For every level SBMS was 2-4 grade level ahead. Meaning SBMS 1st graders were testing as 3rd to 5th graders in other schools. And SBMS does not even focus the tests. You can ask the HOS for details. From my own experience, my 5 yr old was reading and addition (with carry) in the 1000s. My 6 year old was loving his multiplication work. SBMS is a great school producing great results!

Posted: November 3, 2011

The true measure of a school is in the people it produces. At the end of the school year, during the "flying up" ceremony, each and every graduate from SBMS's Erdkinder (7th-8th grade) class gives a speech. It's a joyful day, and a sad day -- a day I've seen each year since my daughter was 4. Every single speech was inspiring, and each young man and young woman was remarkable. I can't quantify my measurement, or make a comparison with other schools based on it -- but for me, a dad, seeing the results with my own eyes has been invaluable. At the end of this school year, I will watch my daughter give her speech. It will be joyful, capping a remarkable decade of her growth and learning. And it will be sad. Santa Barbara Montessori does not offer a 9th grade class.

Posted: April 3, 2011

Our experience at SBMS began 6 years ago and we could not be happier. The experience and opportunity that our children have on a daily basis are extraordinary. The education is like no other. To see what my children are capable of at 8 and 5 years old is remarkable! Most importantly, it has been so gratifying to witness the confident, caring people that our daughter and son have become - we owe this in large part to their experience at SBMS. Thank you, Jim, for giving our children this gift!

Posted: January 28, 2011

Our children are receiving a truly remarkable education at Santa Barbara Montessori, perhaps just as importantly, they come home from school every day happy and confident. They are growing as individuals and receiving one of life's best lessons: that learning is fun, it's interesting, and it is its own reward.

Posted: January 26, 2011

We have been at SBMS for 4 years now and could not imagine our child any place else. Our daughter loves to learn, loves to go to school, loves her teachers, simply loves everything about it. All the staff are qualified, extremely passionate, caring and committed. We see what our daughter is doing, who she is becoming and we have SBMS to thank for so much of that. The education your child will receive is like no other in town. And trust me, we did our research. It you are curious at all about trying out a non-traditional approach to education, this is a school worth looking into. Both my husband and I wish we were given this opportunity as children.

Posted: January 25, 2011

Finding the right educational environment for your child is one of the biggest and often most stressful decisions a parent will make. You owe it to your children to tour this school. The large classrooms are filled with light, warmth, and beautiful learning materials. The children are engaged in purposeful, hands-on learning experiences and treat each other with respect and courtesy. The teachers are intelligent, dedicated individuals who truly care about their students. The atmosphere on this campus is always calm, respectful, and inviting. Santa Barbara Montessori is a gift not just for your children, but for your entire family.

Posted: January 25, 2011

When we first enrolled our daughter she was 22 months old. The school told me not to be surprised if she didn't want to go into the classroom the first day. I dropped her off and she said over her shoulder bye mom. I scratched my head, the teachers said wait 2 weeks and she may balk at going to school. It is over 4 years later and she asks to go there on Saturdays. It is a wonderful loving school, it is too bad that people had a negative experience, just don't let someone else's experience mar your own. Take a tour, it will work for you or it won't. We love it and are happy there.

Posted: December 28, 2010

I have two children that have attended SBMS for the past four years since they began with Rosa in the toddler program. I am thrilled with our decsision and commitment to keep both children at SBMS. Our oldest is completing the primary cycle with Aran, who is an excellent teacher! Aran's ability to differentiate the curriculum for every student is amazing. It is exciting to see my kindergarten student reading, writing in cursive and solving complex addition and substration problems in her head and we are only half way through the school year. I can't wait to see what she will be doing in June! We are also thrilled with the leadership. I sometimes think parents have unrealistic expectations. The weekly newsletters, monthly magazine, fabulous room parents and monthly student videos are great!

Posted: December 20, 2010

There seems to be some confusion circulating on this site about SBMS--this, a somewhat difficult form of communication to moderate or even consider for accuracy or information. Despite its shortcomings, there is in this "greatschools" site this opportunity for a school official to respond to 'reviews' of the school. So, after reading one of these negative reviews my response is, "You must be kidding, right?" I mean, as founder (along with my wife and fellow teacher) I have been, at times, described by others as 'The Great Communicator.' Since I am responsible for the school's written communications, its text for websites, weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, as well as video and other presentations, I take personal, as well as professional pride in all of SBMS's communicatons--to have it suggested that there is 'little communication' with parents at SBMS is, well, it's silly. Certainly, there are aspects of any school's programs that can be misconstrued, or mis-understood, and as a Montessori teacher and administrator over the past 40 years I've had parents and families occasionally express their confusion as to how "Montessori" works--'What does my child do all day, I don't get it?' is a familiar refrain, because a real 'Montessori' program doesn't look like a traditional school's classroom. In fact, 'parent education' in a Montessori school is essential for the school's programs to succeed with the children--the parents' understanding is vital to their child's classroom success. So, this review claims, "There is very little communication with the parents..." Really? The review also claims, "Lack of parent participation... high attrition rate..." Really? SBMS, now in its 36th year, may want to address these issues, otherwise the school's long list of alumni families and students, especially those attending our local high schools, or colleges and universities, including Harvard, UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA, USC, UCSB, or those developing their own businesses, or living and studying around the world, or contributing to this and the global community with their skills and expertise--they may all want to reconsider their time at a school where creative thinking, hands-on learning, and project-based activities fill each day in preparation for an appreciation for learning as an individual and in collaboration with others. As a parent, if you want to find out why and what the truth is about SBMS, drop by any time, my door is always open; I'd be proud to show you what a Montessori school looks like, and if you have the time I'll gladly explain why I think it's the type of educational experience you've always promised to provide for your child.

Posted: December 4, 2010

We have had our children enrolled since they were toddlers at SBMS and have enjoyed 10 years at this wonderful school. Our children are happy and eager to go to school each day. The teachers are knowledgeable, informative and always available to meet with us if we have questions or just want to 'check-in' about our children. I marvel at the way in which all subjects are explored without the need for interrupted, specialized classes. My children view all subjects as interrelated and have a love for learning that I envy! This is the finest Montessori School in town. Thank you, SBMS for an incredible education.

Posted: December 4, 2010

After experiencing this school for the last ten years, I couldn't be more excited that my children are attending this particular Montessori school. I've been involved in many parent education nights, observations, parent/teacher conferences and continue to be amazed by the Montessori approach and just how luck my children are to experience it. I wish I had been as fortunate to have gone to a school like this. As for the teachers, they work with the specific needs of my children and answer any questions or concerns that I have. They support me as a parent and inspire me to be an event better parent.

Posted: November 1, 2010

Like the other writer, I regret sending my children to SBMS! The problems at this school run deep and reach all levels; from poor leadership, to the teacher's limited understanding of teaching modalities outside of the Montessori philosophy, to the school's lack of enrichment programs - the school is without real and formal art, music, science, foreign language and physical education programs. The attrition rate is very high as a result, enrollment is down from 140+ to 107 in just 3 years! There is no parent involvement except for fundraising. If you are 100% sure that your child is a perfect match for a strict Montessori environment, you may consider this school, but their other downfalls should make you think twice. If you desire straight forward feedback about your child, DO NOT enroll your child here.

Posted: October 23, 2010

Sent my daughter there during preschool age. I believe you had great introduction to early childhood education. We decided to pull her out for personal reasons.. Leadership is very questionable but I believe it was great place for my daughter to start school nevertheless.

Posted: September 30, 2010

Not a good place. Deeply regret sending my children to this school. I started out with a positive idea about Montessori, but have left with a bitter taste in my mouth.

Posted: September 13, 2010

Incredibly happy with this school. Our son has been there for a year now and is thriving. Admittedly, it took a while to understand the school but counter to a previous review you can ask questions and I strongly recommend that you do. Not because there is anything you should be concerned about, but because your child will have a better experience if you understand the Montessori experience. I recently had a job offer in another town that had many Montessori options. After touring them (and having already seen the ones in Santa Barbara) we are so happy with the wonderful environment of SBMS. So much so that we are not moving after all.

Posted: July 29, 2007