Norbeck Montessori

Posted: August 28, 2025

We love Norbeck Montessori. Both of our children went to Norbeck Montessori starting in the 2 year old class and then graduating from the kindergarten class. Norbeck really helped them thrive academically, develop emotionally and grow socially. We’re so glad we kept both children there all the way till kindergarten. They graduated from Norbeck as confident and emotionally strong with a strong academic foundation in math, reading and writing with enthusiasm and curiosity for art, creativity, music, science and geography. It was a very positive environment with highly experienced teachers focusing on the overall development of the children. The head of the school, Melissa Matthews, does an outstanding job managing the school and the teachers ensure that the kids are not just on par with but are also excelling beyond expectations in several elements. Discipline and kindness towards others are strongly encouraged and the children really have a lot of fun while learning. We highly recommend this school and glad that our family had the Norbeck experience.

Posted: August 28, 2025

Posted: August 28, 2025

Posted: August 28, 2025

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Posted: September 8, 2024

So much judgement and dishonesty. Will never recommend

Posted: September 8, 2024

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Posted: September 1, 2024

We sent our 2-year-old daughter to the pre-primary class this past year (23-24) and had a wonderful experience! Our daughter had never been to daycare/school before, so we were a bit worried about her making friends, and being away from home. The pre-primary team of Mrs. Nita, Mrs. Enoh, and Ms. Valaria were so welcoming and loving to her that she felt at home nearly immediately. Montessori education is much more hands-on, and the pre-primary class had dozens of different "lessons" that the students could choose from each day. Each lesson was designed to teach or reinforce a specific skill, and our daughter flourished! It was so heartwarming to see her confidence grow day-by-day. By the end of the year she knew her alphabet, could count to 20, and could even cut paper with scissors! Norbeck also had several events throughout the year for parents and families, including a holiday play, birthday celebration for each child, Mother's day celebration, Father's day celebration, a fall carnival and a spring picnic. My personal favorite was when parents were allowed to come to the classroom for ~30 minutes one morning to observe a typical day in the life of the students. My daughter was so proud to take me around the class and show me all of the lessons that she was working on at the time!
The social and academic progress that our daughter made in her first year at Norbeck Montessori far surpassed our expectations! We love this school!!

Posted: September 1, 2024

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Posted: October 17, 2018

The school needs a complete make-over, it has potential, but the staff needs to be completely replaced; starting with the new current 2018 director to the lead teachers. This school needs staff who foster care and truly care about educating children. Not all children are the same, yet this is a school that does not seem to understand this.

Posted: October 17, 2018

Some teachers really take into consideration how children learn differently, while other teachers try to fit all of the children's learning styles in "1 fit for all".

Posted: October 17, 2018

These teachers pick favorites and if your child is not one of them, it will be a very troubling road. Punishments include sitting children down in time out for more than enough lengthy times and child will definitely become targeted for other problems. Instead of working with the children to find effective solutions these teachers look for ways to demean children.

Posted: October 17, 2018

I have heard/found several director and teachers gossiping about other children and other staff. Not an eviroment, I want to be apart of.

Posted: October 17, 2018

Director is very untrue to word, will present a kind and meaningful; persona with parents but while alone with children and teachers goes in opposition, instead of trying to create solutions and working together, a director will also target "troubled" children with belittling child character and

Posted: October 17, 2018

As I stated before, this school is a "one size fits all" and if your child does not fit they will not change anything to try and help.

Posted: October 17, 2018

Definitely not, even the teachers bully the children. This is not a positive fostering environment for the growth of children. Target "troubling children" but do not want to create plans to help children.

Posted: June 21, 2017

Amazing school. My son just graduated from the Big K program and will be entering 1st grade reading at a 2nd grade level, able to do addition, subtraction, and has a deep love of learning.

Posted: June 21, 2017

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Posted: February 19, 2013

Good school if you are fine with large class sizes. I agree with many of the sentiments of the previous posters; teachers are very loving and good at what they do, not a fan of the Director either but hey, that's life. But, with 30 kids in a class with mixed ages(2-6), a 2-year old is likely to get lost. While the teachers are great, they are tasked with an almost impossible duty.... educate, nurture and develop a humongous class with differing needs. I don't blame them, they're doing the best they can. I think while having mixed aged classes sounds good in theory, any parent who has varying aged kids can easily recognize that it may not work in practice.

Posted: November 3, 2012

Great teachers. Great Administration. Your child will be happy and they will thrive at Norbeck.

Posted: January 8, 2012

I have had 2 kids attend Norbeck as well and will be sending another in the fall. We have loved this school, it does really prepare the kids for kindergarten. I have heard negative reports about the new admin/director from parents that are there now, but the teachers we have had have been great. I will counter with the TV issue, there were many times that my child came home saying they watched TV at school (not sure how educational) and it upset me. Norbeck is not cheap and a huge reason we send kids there is so they can learn and get away from the TV! That was my biggest issue with them (and the large classrooms, but with the economy being what it is, the classroom sizes had gotten smaller when we were there). Otherwise, very nurturing environment and many of the teachers will allow you into the classrooms for special events.

Posted: December 6, 2011

I agree with the previous review in that the teachers are great! I have had two children there who graduated from the kindergarten program and they were more than ready for first grade. I also have a two year old there now. Not all Montessori schools recommend ages 3-6 grouping. I think Norbeck is tyring to get the littlest ones acclimated as soon as possible rather than transitioning them again when they turn 3. I too was disappointed that the two events were cancelled, but strongly believe you cannot hold the director responsible. You can't help rain and from her explaination, it sounded has though she had the kids best interest in mind when making the call to cancel. Also, don't get the wrong idea about the tv. All of the classrooms have tv's, but they use them to show educational videos, books on tape and exercise videos for the kids. They don't just sit them down in front of cartoons and let the tv do the babysitting. Norbeck and all the is staff fabulous. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a warm, nurturing environment for their child to learn and grow!

Posted: November 20, 2011

*3.5 stars* I have mixed feelings about this school. Had 2 kids there; 1 attended with the previous director, and 1 currently attends with the new director. Between 2 kids/aftercare/summer camp, we've had lots of experience here. Most of the teachers are wonderful. Your child will definitely be ready for KG. They encourage independence and provide a challenging environment. Great playground. There is not much of a sense of community. For the morning program, there is carpool. So, no chance to interact with your child's teacher or other parents at drop-off/pick-up. It'd be nice to have the chance to say 'Hello/Goodbye/Janie has the sniffles', but they prefer that you simply send a note. So far, this year, the director has already canceled the Family Movie Night and the Halloween Parade. Both canceled due to rain, but neither were rescheduled. Most of the other preschools in the area were able to do a Halloween parade, but when we (parents) emailed the director to reconsider, she refused to budge. They do allow the kids to watch TV sometimes, which may be an issue for some parents. And, they accept kids as young as 2, even though Montessori recommends an age 3-6 grouping.

Posted: July 11, 2010

My two children have excelled at Norbeck. The teachers are wonderful, and appreciate all the challenges and rewards of working with young children. My children LOVE learning, and that is the best outcome I could ask for. I can see how some might find the office staff off-putting, BUT, the classrooms are filled with love, excitement, encouragement, challenge and everything I want for my children.

Posted: April 11, 2010

Excellent school and excellent program. I have two kids currently attending Norbeck. Both are way ahead when compared to those in traditional schools. My kids love their teachers and friends and can't wait to go to school each day.

Posted: December 14, 2007