First State Montessori Academy

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: May 10, 2026

Posted: May 10, 2026

This school I have been here since kindergarten I always felt targeted and the teachers will not communicate with the parents they are punitive and bad

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

Posted: May 5, 2025

FSMA is one of the best kept secrets in Delaware. This school is a blessing to families who value the education and development of the whole child. They use their indoor and outdoor space to maximize the opportunities for the students. My grandson is excited about learning and excited to go to school. What a wonderful first year and we look forward to continued academic excellence in this wonderful community.

Posted: March 12, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025

Posted: March 12, 2025

First State Montessori Academy is a gem in the city of Wilmington, providing a free Montessori education. The teachers are tremendous and truly care about student learning. The curriculumm is aligned ot national standards and strongly prepared my child for high school. We are very lucky to have this school in Delaware!

Posted: June 1, 2020

They say the kind, inspiring things. I think they do try to lead in a way that serves the children and our community - unless your child has special needs.

Posted: June 1, 2020

The leadership knows all the right things to say, however it doesn't play out effectively in action. I know a number of parents of special needs kids (autism, adhd) who ended up with a seriously wrecked children from all the criticism and teasing they endured. These children improved dramatically after leaving - one after going to public school where the law more effectively protects them.

Posted: June 1, 2020

They say all the right things, they follow through to an extent, but many times they did not succeed in stopping bullying. Kids I know experienced repeated violent outbursts and threats with little improvement until they aged out of the class (this happened in multiple age groups). Some kids endured repeated teasing and mocking with limited improvement.

Posted: June 1, 2020

A lot of promise, great for some kids, but can be awful if you're in a class with a bully or have special needs.

Posted: June 1, 2020

Little to no homework means that the kids can pursue family time, social time, and educational time in the ways they enjoy. It's great for life balance.

Posted: June 1, 2020

Many of the teachers are kind, encouraging, teach well, communicate well with parents, and fulfill what Montessori is supposed to be. Some teachers berate and mock kids. They have a lot of turnover too.

Posted: June 1, 2020

The effort is definitely there but not sure it's working as there were repeated occurrences of verbal, emotional, and physical bullying in classrooms.

Posted: February 27, 2019

They provide many different resources to help everybody learn and be the most successful as possible, from people who dedicate time to help them with their work and walk them through it to the large number of materials that they are able to use whenever wanted/ needed.

Posted: February 27, 2019

They have many counselors that dedicate a large part of their time to talk with children and teach them to solve conflicts independently, while making all students feel loved and wanted.

Posted: February 27, 2019

There is no extra and unneeded work that takes up time in your schedule, however, if students do not finish their classwork they have the option of bringing home work to catch up so that they are not stresses out or behind in school.

Posted: February 27, 2019

They except children for who they are and teach them in a way that will help them be the most successful. Instead of putting assignments in front of them and telling them exactly how to do them, they provide lots of materials to help them solve the problems in multiple ways and walk them through the different works at their own pace. They do not make the kids feel like they have complete power over them, while still teaching them to respect their authorities.

Posted: February 27, 2019

Posted: February 27, 2019

They give the children a lot of freedom and help to teach them to work out their own problems and be peacemakers.

Posted: February 27, 2019

This is an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL SCHOOLschool for EVERYONE! I especially love how they make it easy for slow-learning students to not feel left behind or dumb. I know many people who have ADHD at FSMA, and most of them are above average and/or at the top of their classes! This makes it so easy for all children to learn, and I would highly recommend it to ANYBODY!

Posted: July 16, 2018

They will work with all children who struggle

Posted: July 16, 2018

They identify and correct students who bully

Posted: July 16, 2018

Montessori respects all cultures of people & their faiths

Posted: July 16, 2018

Has a good mix of staff from area schools as well as the PTO (Parent involvement is a high priority)

Posted: July 16, 2018

It has been good. Communication level is high

Posted: July 16, 2018

Posted: July 16, 2018

The simple concept of Montessori is why.

Posted: May 16, 2018

Agree, but some important topics are not addressed that need another look.

Posted: May 16, 2018

This school has phenomenal potential. Pros: Many caring teachers. Clean school. Children are encouraged to work out problems. Parents are involved. Classrooms are well equipped. Materials are beautiful and unique. Field trips are educational Cons: Some of the teachers are not invested in the children. Bullying is poorly addressed. Children can be disruptive in the classes. The playground was designed for toddlers/preschool and being used for children up to 3rd grade. Safety is not the top priority.

Posted: May 15, 2018

Dealing with bullying is an area of weakness.

Posted: May 9, 2018

Posted: May 9, 2018

There are many great teachers, but like anywhere, there are some who are not as dedicated to the children.

Posted: May 9, 2018

The school does more than teach academics, in many ways they do look at the whole child.

Posted: May 9, 2018

Posted: February 23, 2018

Posted: February 23, 2018

Posted: February 23, 2018

I think as far as Delaware public schools go, this is a decent choice. The atmosphere is loving, and tight knit. The students are genuinely happy and comfortable in this school.
My main concern here is academics. The test scores should be higher. I really do not think that this school, as its currently modeled is adequately preparing our children for high school and beyond. I'm not saying they are way off the mark though. The lack of public/charter high school in DE makes it hard to transition from a Montessori style education (quiet, friendly, flexable) to DE Public High Schools.
After school activities choice such as clubs, sports, music...etc is much less than most schools. It is slowly improving though.
Overall, this could be the future of education. Is this a perfect model of what Montessori should be? No, but they are trying, and making strides every year.

Posted: February 23, 2018

Posted: February 23, 2018

Posted: February 23, 2018

Posted: February 23, 2018

Posted: January 29, 2016

Homework is expected, but families are given options to fit it into the culture and routine of their home. It is such a different approach than the more common expectation that the family change it's life to complete the homework.

Posted: January 29, 2016

My daughter is happy and learning. She gets to be herself, to excel when she is ready and struggle with appropriate obstacles. What more could a parent ask for?

Posted: December 7, 2015

It is astounding to me how two teachers in a class of 25 or more students can keep each individual student happily and peacefully working all day, but somehow they do it!

Posted: December 7, 2015

Posted: December 7, 2015

These qualities are foundational to an authentic Montessori experience, and FSMA does this better than most, in my opinion!

Posted: December 7, 2015

This is an outstanding school with confident, knowledgeable and kind leadership from all parties involved. The parents of the other students clearly care about a high quality, alternative education for their children, and you can see that in every interaction, event, and offering the school has. Respectful social interaction is as important as academic excellence, which produces an atmosphere of joy and encouragement. We love this school!

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

Posted: November 17, 2015

The teacher and staff are nurturing and caring towards students. They truly know my child and he is thriving in this environment. He loves school!

Posted: October 28, 2015

Students are given an individualized education at First State Montessori Academy. Teachers and staff are top notch, dedicated and passionate about this innovative educational program. My children love going to school since starting at FSMA!

Posted: October 28, 2015

Posted: October 28, 2015

Posted: October 28, 2015

Posted: July 16, 2015

Difficult to be a true Montessori school with state testing. Not enough outdoor time. Class size is large.

Posted: July 16, 2015

Posted: July 16, 2015

Posted: July 16, 2015