Key West Montessori Charter School

Posted: January 28, 2026

I am very happy with May Sands Montessori School. The teachers are kind and knowledgeable. It feels like the students are well cared for. The students spend very little time on the screen, instead they interact and spend time outdoors.

Posted: January 28, 2026

Posted: January 28, 2026

Posted: January 28, 2026

Posted: January 28, 2026

Posted: January 28, 2026

Posted: January 28, 2026

Posted: January 28, 2026

Posted: May 13, 2025

My daughter absolutely adores May Sands Montessori School, and as a parent, I couldn’t be happier with our experience! This tuition-free public charter school truly embodies the Montessori philosophy, fostering a love of learning through hands-on, child-centered activities. The teachers are incredibly kind and attentive, guiding each student with care while encouraging independence and creativity. The multi-age classrooms create a wonderful sense of community, and my daughter has thrived in this nurturing environment. From exciting summer camps like Pirate Camp to the enriching daily curriculum, there’s always something to spark her curiosity. The strong parent involvement makes it feel like a family, and I’m so grateful for the supportive staff and vibrant school culture. Highly recommend May Sands for any family looking for an inspiring and holistic education!

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 13, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

May Sands Montessori has been amazing for my son. He is thriving, he has grown so much academically, socially and emotionally during our time there. I love our small school community, it feels like all the staff and teachers truly know and care for all the children.

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: May 8, 2025

Posted: January 30, 2025

This school is special, it makes children feel happy and free to have their own opinion but always leaving clear the limits. I love the way of working where the students know that they must complete all the tasks, but they do it without pressure, on the contrary they do it because they are interested in completing their tasks and they feel satisfied when they achieve it because their effort is recognized. Thank you to all the school staff for making our children better people every day in every way.

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: January 30, 2025

Posted: May 1, 2024

Posted: May 1, 2024

Posted: May 1, 2024

Posted: May 1, 2024

Posted: May 1, 2024

Posted: May 1, 2024

Posted: May 1, 2024

Posted: May 1, 2024

Love this school, kid has been there for 5 years now and looks forward to going to school every single day even though things don’t come super easy for her.

The teaching method makes the teacher into an observer more so than a lesson presenter and boy do they have insight into my kid’s character, personality and weaknesses.

So have the testing grades recently been less than perfect? Yes, do I care? Nope- in these classrooms there is very little emphasis on educational apps and honestly the less time they spend on screens at that age the better. I’m confident they will learn that in due time. The tests have to be taken on computers and I believe the sometimes poor testing grades reflect the students’ unfamiliarity with computer learning.

Instead this school places emphasis on developing those soft skills (that AI can’t do for you)- creative and critical thinking, empathy, problem-solving, working individually based on your own motivation to accomplish your tasks, learning from the old kids while showing the younger ones.

Oh and a wide range of interesting elective choices like chess, photography, coding, sewing, etc plus one day a week completely immersed in history class.

The world would be a better place if more children had a calm, peaceful and encouraging environment to spend their days in like a May Sands classroom.

Posted: October 27, 2020

While I believe there is always room for improvement, I have been extremely happy with my and my children's experience so far at this school.

Posted: October 27, 2020

This is a Montessori school, which is an alternative to traditional schooling methodology. I have always personally found homework to be busywork at best and an annoying waste of time at worst, so I appreciate that the school doesn't assign homework for homework's sake.

Posted: October 27, 2020

As with any school, some teachers are more effective than others. I am extremely pleased with both of my children's teachers this year and think overall, the school faculty is strong.

Posted: October 27, 2020

One of the things I love about the Montessori model in general and May Sands Montessori, in particular, is the focus not only on academics but also on overall student character development and peace. Teachers model respectful behavior and encourage it amongst sudents.

Posted: October 27, 2020

Being led by a volunteer board of directors is challenging because its effectiveness depends on each individual member's available time and understanding of its roles and responsibilities. There was some friction between the board, the admin staff, and the instructional staff in previous years, but much has been resolved prior to this school year with some staffing and board member changes.

Posted: October 27, 2020

As a parent of an autistic child with ADHD, I have been extremely impressed with the individualized attention and support my child is given here. Having experienced frustration trying to navigate the ESE system in a traditional public school elsewhere in the state, upon entering May Sands, my child's needs were assessed and a plan was put in place quickly and effectively. My child has made great strides in the short time we have been at this school.

Posted: October 27, 2020

I haven't really had much experience with how the school handles bullying. When I discovered a classmate of my child was being mean and exclusionary, I brought it up to his teacher to have it addressed, but then the pandemic hit, the school went virtual and the bully did not return to the school the next year.

Posted: July 26, 2020

We were happy at first, but the true colors of the leadership team eventually revealed too many issues. This is why we have decided to leave the school after 5 years of giving so much of our time, energy and financial support.

Posted: July 26, 2020

This school has chosen not to give homework up to 4th grade, which I don't see as negative. Unfortunately, the school did not participate in the STEM fair this past year 2019/2020 which was a major disappointment.

Posted: July 26, 2020

My children have been fortunate to have had some wonderful teachers at this school, however I can't say all of them are as effective.

Posted: July 26, 2020

The school does a great job in instilling these qualities in its students.

Posted: July 26, 2020

Posted: July 26, 2020

Appropriate discipline appears to be an issue.

Posted: December 10, 2019

Overall we had a pleasant experience at the school.

Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: November 21, 2019

There isn’t any homework given at all

Posted: November 21, 2019

The teachers here are lazy. Students get mostly ignored while teachers play on their phones. Students are also mistreated. There isn’t any connection between teacher and student as there should be.

Posted: November 21, 2019

The teachers and staff don’t model this behavior.

Posted: November 21, 2019

The school wouldn’t have such terrible teachers if the school had a better leader.

Posted: November 21, 2019

If a child has a Learninf difference, the child will be ignored or held back in order to get the child removed from the school because May sands doesn’t want to deal with it

Posted: November 21, 2019

From my experience, bullying was completely ignored. Totally swept under the rug.

Posted: November 21, 2019

Horrible. My child learned nothing except to turn his love of learning to now despise it. Something seriously wrong at this school.

Posted: November 2, 2013

Key West Montessori School is a wonderful school and I am very proud our daughter is attending this school. In just a couple of months my wife and I have seen significant progress in our daughters learning, in all subjects. The waiting list to get in to the school, is a reflection of the excellent reputation that the Key West Montessori School has. It is a warm friendly supportive learning environment and the teachers and staff are the best!

Posted: October 29, 2013

Our daughter loves her school. We love that she is challenged and able to go at her own pace in a school that promotes social and environmental awareness.

Posted: October 29, 2013

Our Montessori Charter School here in Key West is wonderful! Every school has its share of challenges, and the parents and administration are constantly working together to make sure that all lines of communication stay open. Most importantly, our 4th grade son loves it! He is hoping he can continue with Montessori through high school.

Posted: October 28, 2013

Great overall school which truly focuses on the child as a pertinent part of society. Children educated in a Montessori environment care more for others and the environment. This school does a good job at promoting this particular aspect of child development. It's a small school which enable children and parents to know everyone and as such it is a nurturing community in its own right. Very dedicated and caring staff contribute to my positive rating of this school. The actual grounds are currently in transition: a new building has just been acquired and an old one will be leveled soon, so it is a work in progress which should improve over the next couple of years. The school is located in the center of the island which makes it easily accessible from different neighborhoods. As a parent, I am grateful that my little boy is part of this healthy,nurturing school dedicated to turning him into a caring individual.

Posted: October 28, 2013

This is our first experience with a Montessori school. I had heard so many great things about this school and am so happy we were able to get a spot for our daughter. There is a lottery system for students to enroll. It has been great for her to explore so many different things. It has also given her the opportunity to make choices for herself while becoming more independent and building self confidence. She comes home happy every day and looks forward to going back the next day. The communication from her teacher has been very good and the weekly newsletter from the principal is informative. All of the staff has been approachable and helpful. Overall an excellent introduction to this educational style. .

Posted: October 23, 2013

My school is great, not only for my son who is a student, but for teachers as well! We offer a Montessori program for free to students in Monroe County. Our program is unique and our students develop a love for learning while becoming independent and responsible!

Posted: October 22, 2013

My son just started attending this school for his first year (first grade). We like that the children have more independence than a traditional classroom and are encouraged to learn naturally out of their curiosity rather than simply having information thrown at them with the hope that some of it sticks. The method used helps the children become well versed in subjects, not just merely acquainted.

Posted: October 21, 2013

KWMCS is a great school. Wonderful warm learning environment with great teachers and principal. The children are able to learn at their own pace and the atmosphere is a very good one for learning.

Posted: October 21, 2013

Key West Montessori Charter School has caring, dedicated teachers who provide a challenging environment for learning. The school inspires the students to achieve a high quality of work every day. The school now offers first through eighth grade.