Primary Montessori Day School

Posted: July 2, 2017

Our son has been attending Primary Montessori for the past 1 1/2 years and we're extremely very satisfied with our experience!

We enrolled our son when he was 2 years and 9 months old, fully potty trained but without formal schooling experience. He was initially put in the two's room in accordance with his age, but the teacher quickly determined that he would benefit more from the primary classroom. It was a bit of a delicate situation, as our son has quickly gotten attached to his two's classroom teacher and his classmates. The head of school, Mrs. Anthony, showed a deft touch in navigating which class, twos or primary, would be the best fit for him and which he would feel most comfortable in. She introduced him to the primary classroom students and ultimately gave our son the option of choosing which classroom he wanted to be in. Even though he loved his twos teacher and fellow students, he chose the primary classroom, which we could see was the better fit. This initial experience showed that the school committed to ensuring that the needs of each individual student were addressed. Our son has made great progress academically and socially while at Primary Montessori.

The administration and teachers do an excellent job of communicating progress to parents and keeping us aware of ongoings at the school. Any questions or issues that we had were always addressed quickly. The tuition is in line with other schools in the area, but you won't find a more beautiful school or better teachers! The only thing we would have preferred is additional green space for kids to explore, but that is a limitation of the site, not the school. The school does a good job of utilizing the courtyard and two playgrounds to make sure the kids get enough active play.

Our family highly recommends Primary Montessori to all parents!

Posted: June 14, 2017

My older son has attended PMDS since age three, my younger son since age two ( based on our stellar experience with our older son). We have been at PMDS for 3 years now, and could not have wished for a better school. It is an understatement to say that they are dedicated to early education. I cannot think of a more warm and loving environment for a child to flourish. The faculty is incredible. From lead teachers to assistant teachers, to art and language teachers the dedication is consistent . The teachers are dedicated to each child's individual advancement in learning. Work plans are child driven. They meet each child where they are. As a result, I have seen my children flourish beyond my expectation - academically and emotionally.

One thing to note - you will NOT be volunteering in the classroom . They welcome observations and have numerous social events but, for the sake of (a) safety and (b) keeping distractions to a minimum, parents are not regularly involved in the classroom during school hours . Rest assured, the children are in wonderful hands. Now, if that gives you the urge to hide in the bushes and spy (I certainly had that urge ), this might be a great opportunity for growth as a parent :) It certainly taught me a great deal.

Posted: May 1, 2017

Primary Montessori Day School is a very nurturing environment that encourages respect, independence and growth. My daughter looks forward to going to school every day and loves to share with us her work plan. The teachers are excellent!! It's a beautiful thing to see classrooms with children who are engaged, respectful, disciplined and having a blast learning. I highly recommend PMDS!!

Posted: May 1, 2017

Donna Anthony is an incredible leader! She is compassionate and very involved at PMDS tp ensure the students are receiving the best of everything! The administrative staff is also approachable and very helpful. They put their hearts and souls into their work and it shows!

Posted: May 1, 2017

You see this consistently throughout the classrooms!

Posted: May 1, 2017

All of the teachers are professional, knowledgeable and dedicated. Most of the students are advanced for their age. Our daughter looks forward to getting her work plan each morning and completing it.

Posted: March 31, 2017

Primary Montessori has certainly met and in many ways, exceeded, my expectations. It provided my children with a safe and positive learning environment, and the quality of the school’s Montessori approach has really helped my kids in preparing them for the long academic journey ahead.

Posted: March 31, 2017

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Posted: December 9, 2016

My daughter is very sensitive, and she's never had any problems with bullying. Everyone in her class seems to get along very well, and there's a strong sense of community, including among parents.

Posted: December 9, 2016

The school is very small, so teachers get to know each student very well and learn about any unique learning obstacles they may have. My daughter has a hearing deficiency, and the teachers and staff always make an extra effort to make sure she's accommodated.

Posted: December 9, 2016

Donna Anthony has impressed me ever since I first visited the school. The entire administrative staff is very approachable, flexible and responsive. You can tell that the school is a labor of love for them, and that they put the interest of students first (including by keeping tuition very reasonable for the quality of education that you receive).

Posted: December 9, 2016

This is one of the school's strongest areas. The students seem to be very collaborative and respectful towards each other. There are not any apparent cliques, and I've never seen or heard about any sort of bullying.

Posted: December 9, 2016

I've had a great experience with every teacher and teaching assistant that I've encountered. They are all very dedicated, and knowledgeable about how to blend Montessori principles with practical teaching methods. Another great thing is that because the instruction is largely done on an individual basis, there's a great opportunity for acceleration when students progress quickly, particular in math. Some of the students in my daughter's elementary class are a year or more advanced in math beyond where I see students in MCPS or in other independent schools, as the school allows them to progress without holding them back.

Posted: December 9, 2016

In the 1st-3rd grade room, the students are asked to complete weekly projects at home, including journal writing where they work on composing paragraphs. There is no "busy work". The homework load overall is pretty light/reasonable, and not something that creates stress. In addition, they don't give out projects where parents end up doing the work - the assignments are ones where the teacher can tell if the student is doing the work, which I appreciate.

Posted: December 9, 2016

PMDS is a fairly new school (less than 20 years old), so it's not as widely known, but for pre-K through 3rd grade, I'd consider it comparable to some of the best independent schools in Bethesda/Potomac/DC. When I visited years ago, a 3rd grader game me a tour of the school, and I was amazed at this student's poise and ability to articulate concepts to adults. My daughter has attended from age 2 through 2nd grade, and she loves going to school every day. The classroom environment encourages independence and self-motivation, while the teachers are good at making sure students are pushing themselves (including in subjects where they aren't as self-motivated). In observing the classroom setting, especially at the elementary level, I'm always impressed by how the children are so disciplined and respectful. Overall, I think the school offers a great balance of independence, rigor and character building, especially in the 1st-3rd grade room. It's an underrated/unknown gem.

Posted: November 22, 2016

My daughter attended Primary Montessori day school since she was two. Great experience. Very independent. Likes to do things herself. Such positive strong character built that I am having my twin boys attend this school as soon as they are two.

Posted: November 8, 2016

I have a feeling that they are open to requests and constructive criticism.

Posted: November 8, 2016

My concern was that he did not know how to stand up for himself and I shared it with his teachers at the beginning of the academic year. I can see improvement now. He knows that people (young and old) should respect his boundaries and wishes.

Posted: November 8, 2016

at the 2's class they were able to teach my son how to independently use the bathroom for no. 1, wash up and clean up after himself, take his shoes off, put his bag and shoes in his cubby every morning and wear them back at the time they left for play. In the 3's he has learned how to wear more difficult shoes and doesn't like help, he has learned to wear, zip and unzip his jacket, is settled into a routine. we also notice his continued development in phonics and his interest in it. Learning environment is fun there.

Posted: November 8, 2016

My son started when he was 2/5 in the 2's class (Toddler's room)- ½ days: he developed so many great social skills, we saw improvement in his speech and great ways to express himself in terms of needs, frustration, appreciation, and conversational skills. Independence is what they focus on: the teacher in that room is simply fantastic.
Now that he is 3, he is in the Primary room, ½ days with kids ranging from 3-6 year old. Ratio is 20 kids per 1 teacher and 2 teacher assistance who are equally as instrumental in kids education and their development. The Primary teacher in his class is just amazing at what she does- and I have heard that this is the case for other classes in PMDS as well. They really know their business, understand children’s development like experts should and I always get the sense that they passionately love their Childcare and Education careers. My son calls this school "the good school" and this is the comparison that he has drawn on his own with his summer camp experience at another school. He loves going to school every morning.
They are attuned to his health needs (severe allergies and Asthma) and this is important for us as parents.
We have been very satisfied with the level of communication and the time that teachers have made available in both 2’s and the Primary class so far to conference us in about our questions and concerns.
Their drop off and pick up queue line system is very well thought of, safe and convenient.
I have met several of the school many fun and informative events as well as kids’ birthdays and have met several parents who are all very well educated and seem to be concerned about their kids’ developmental growth, focused on the right things in my opinion and invested in their education.
All and all, I feel blessed to have been referred to them by one of my great friends and am glad that I made the choice to enroll my son in PMDS based on the way my friend’s son has turned out to be after several years in this school.

Posted: February 11, 2016

Love the teachers at this school. All are very experienced and seem passionate about their work.

Posted: February 11, 2016

Kids are very kind to each other and staff and teachers seem to value kind behavior.

Posted: February 11, 2016

Lovely school. Nice teachers, great environment, and very well-run. Teachers attend on-going professional development and academics are top-notch. My daughter is 6 and has attended the school since age 2. I recommend the school to others frequently.

Posted: January 5, 2016

The aftercare program starts at 3pm, is pricey and is limited to only 25 spots for a school with 140 students. The only aftercare option is for all 5 days the week. The have only 1 to 2 additional "emergency" spots for family emergencies, but those are seldom available. After 3.01pm is considered a late pick up, and they strictly enforce this rule. This school works better for people who have back ups outside of school, so make sure you have those in place if you decide to enroll your child here. The school is not flexible in accommodating scheduling needs that come up.

Posted: January 5, 2016

Staff turn over is significant year to year, which impacts effectiveness and continuity year to year.

Posted: January 5, 2016

I haven't seen any homework come home yet, but my child is in a Pre-K classroom.

Posted: January 5, 2016

They use the Love and Logic approach in some of the classrooms which is supposed to be helpful in developing these areas.

Posted: November 6, 2015

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Posted: November 6, 2015

Posted: November 6, 2015

Teachers and head of school are very invested in the quality of the education and program at this school. I see a couple complaints on here, but personally I really like the head of school. I think she knows her stuff and it shows. My child actually attended another Montessori school closer to my home first, but was just not happy there and I did not feel like she was learning very much. I switched to this school and it has been such a huge difference. She is happy, loves her teachers, and I can tell by the things she talks about when she comes home she is learning so much more. She actually WANTS to go to school which if you knew how she was before it would amaze you. Halloween party recently was lots of fun and really enjoyed school picnic. We had a parent teacher conference this month at school as well and I receive emails and photos frequently. I do not have any complaints other then I wish the morning arrival queue would start a little earlier. However, this is a little thing compared to all the big things that this school does right! Great school!

Posted: October 24, 2015

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Posted: October 24, 2015

Teachers and staff are kind, nurturing and invested in each child. Director of school is not. Your child will receive a strong montessori education and encouraged to be a caring, considerate member of their communities small and large. The biggest negative to this school is there are no standards set by the director in the individual classroom and for the school as a whole so the experience can vary greatly from child to child in terms of what skills they master. I am not speaking specifically to what skills they are ready for or a montessori curriculum versus a traditional classroom model. I am speaking specifically to observing different teachers teach different kids and what one teacher calls "mastering a skill" can vary SIGNIFICANTLY from what another teacher states. This obviously makes a difference as the children move up to the higher grades. The biggest disappointment in terms of lack of standards was coming to find out via social media that the progress report that was given to me for my child that stated specific notes about characteristics about my child were identical to that of another child's. As in the teacher didnt bother to tailor the reports for each child but just duplicated my child's and another child's. One would expect that that on a portion of report that is suppose to be tailored to describe your individual child's strengths and weaknesses in the teacher's own words that the teacher wouldnt cut and paste and that the director would be reviewing the reports of ALL the students attending the school to establish some sort of baseline of standards. Your child will be in a safe and loving environment but there are serious deficienices in the process and standards at the school. Communications from the director can be insensitive and terse. Director would prefer for parents to not have any say in anything that happens at school. This is an unrealistic view when parents are a) paying tuition and b) contributes to the lack of community feel at the school among the parents. I am happy to have moved on from the school.

Posted: July 15, 2015

Posted: July 15, 2015

Posted: July 15, 2015

Posted: July 15, 2015

After 4 years at PMDS, I have only great things to say about this school. My son came into this school a little wild man and is leaving a confident, friendly, well-rounded child who LOVES school and learning. I have found the school to be very welcoming with parents and the staff at this school is unbeatable. We are sad to be leaving but my job is requiring a move. Would recommend this school whole-hardheartedly to anyone looking for a well-run private school with Montessori education at its core.

Posted: May 27, 2015

My son started at this school two years ago and has really flourished. The teachers all seem to be terrific and truly love what they do. He loves his classroom, friends, and talks about his teachers frequently. He is very happy and that is what I wanted the most. Academically, I have seen a lot of growth and am impressed by the cultural exposure. Facility is well maintained, clean, welcoming, and you can tell the school is well managed. Office has always been very courteous and responsive to my needs. I recommended the school to my friends last year and they have been happy with their experience as well. Kudos to PMDS! Keep up the great work!

Posted: December 3, 2014

I have had a very positive experience with this school. Both my children love their teachers, are doing great academically, and I feel are very well cared for. The school is def. one of the best in the area. It has a lot of heart. You can tell the teachers and admin care about what they are doing and are invested in it. I also was told by another parent that TWO children from this school are now the current student council presidents at Landon and Holton-Arms this year. I have found administration very nice and have had zero problems. Although I don t think any one school can be a perfect fit for everyone, I wanted to post a review because it HAS been a great fit for my family and children and I recommend it all the time.

Posted: November 30, 2014

Our son is very comfortable at Primary Montessori and loves going to school. The academics have been good so far. We have had a lot of unpleasant interactions dealing with the administrative leadership. The administrator while passionate about Montessori education, is highbrowed, cold and condescending towards parents. Rather than treat parents as partners in their child's education, her presence and tone place parents as antagonists who need to be "taught" how to handle their children when genuine questions come up. Also, the administrative secretary who is the sister-in law of the administrator is so presumptuous and rude that I am appalled by the fact that someone of that nature is handling all of the front line communication. The school doesn't value parent feedback for program improvement. We have never seen any parent surveys. The general tone is that are unexcelled by any school. The drop off/pick up loop saves time but parents don't get to go inside the school. Drop off/pick up teachers might be from one of the other classrooms. Sometimes we don't see the direct teacher for few weeks, making it difficult to find out how your child is doing unless you ask for a conference.

Posted: November 17, 2014

My daughter has been here since she was 3, she's now 5 and loves the school more and more. This school is new, clean and beautiful. The principle is strict in the best way, she does an amazing job. The teachers are all loving and really care for each child with love. The staff couldn't be better. I think it's the best place I visited when years ago and still is, I have been spoiled and can't get myself to like other schools, I'm sad that I have to look for a new school when my daughter goes to fourth grade. My daurher is growing to be a stonge young woman and I couldn't ask for more. Thank you primary montesorri day school!!

Posted: November 5, 2014

Love this school! It is the real deal - awesome certified teachers; beautiful well equipped rooms; mixed age classes. It is hard to find real Montessori these days. My child will be right there until 4th grade. I wish she could stay longer! Her teachers love and care for her the way I would and I can tell you from having much older children who went to other schools - this place is amazing.

Posted: August 5, 2014

We enrolled our son into the twos/toddler program 2 years ago. He is now in the primary classroom and we are thrilled with his and our experience. The teachers in this school are loving, kind, and top-notch educators. The facility itself is beautiful and inviting. We looked at every Montessori school in our area and this one stands-out for good reason. A++++

Posted: April 30, 2014

This school is wonderful. We have had such a nice experience. The teachers go above and beyond. My child loves his teachers and the smiles, laughs, love, hugs, and care the staff at this school provides is everything we wanted for our child. The educational experience has been phenomenal. It has been worth every penny spent. Thank you Ms. Anthony and Primary staff for all you do!

Posted: April 3, 2014

My son and daughter attend this school. Both my children are doing very well, are happy, and love their teachers. I find the school to be very accommodating and they seem to really have the children's best interests at heart. I wanted my children to be loved and cared for, to benefit from a Montessori education, and go to school somewhere they loved. All three of my requirements have been met. I have, and do, recommend this school to other parents.

Posted: December 10, 2013

My husband and I really like this school. I have two children here (2 and 5) and they both love their teachers. I have found the teachers to be very loving, kind, and treat the children with respect. The staff there are always smiling and seem to genuinely love the children. Our kids tell us all the time how much fun they have and the education they are receiving is amazing. My 5 year old is reading chapter books and doing dynamic addition! Administration has always been helpful and friendly. Would recommend the school to other parents. Great choice for Montessori education.

Posted: November 7, 2013

john jacob jemiheimer smitz. his name is my name too. whenever we go out. the people always shout.

Posted: October 26, 2013

This school has good and bad points. The administration can be an issue and each lady is condescending and pompous in her own way. It is not a nonprofit as advertised but a family run business. It is overpriced. You can expect to pay upwards of 16k for just school. There are no enrichment options whatsoever. It is not a bad or great school. It is o.k. I left with a satisfactory overall xperience. I know of parents who loved and hated their experiences.

Posted: October 14, 2013

Wow! I am so surprised to read the previous posting. My child currently attends PMDS. I visited every Montessori school within 30 minutes of my house before deciding. I wanted a real Montessori program where my child could stay for many years and where I knew she would be loved and well-taken care of. The first day of school we were able to go into my child s class with her. The next few days we stayed close by in the library or on the porch with the other new parents. The administration has been very welcoming and accommodating to my child s needs. I can imagine that some children are just not ready to separate from their parents or maybe we are not ready to separate from them! I just dropped mine off this morning and she absolutely loves it there! My one wish would be that extended day was open till 630pm instead of 6.

Posted: October 1, 2013

The "Principal's POV" posted as of Sep13 says it all - expect this reaction to any complaints you may have about the school. The school also will react to parents that complain (and their child) - be forewarned. My child attended this school and it was a nightmare. You know it's bad when a child has to be forcibly removed kicking and screaming at drop-off two months in. Very happy for the parents who's children are happy there and there are some good teachers there; but not enough of an off-set.

Posted: September 15, 2013

Our son attended this wonderful school last school year. Unfortunately we had to move and take him out of the Primary Montessori Day School. We really miss this school a lot! Everybody is very caring and the academic, social and emotional progress our son made is amazing. I wish we could have taken the whole school with us!! Thanks, thanks, thanks for all what you have done for us! You are great!

Posted: September 18, 2012

My son attended PMDS from Pre-K to Kindergarden until 2010, I have to Thank the dedicated teachers and Principal for providing a very pleasant environment to learn.

Posted: July 13, 2012

My child graduated from Primary Montessori this year and I would just like to state how much we have loved this school. My child loved his teachers and classmates and has thrived in this environment for the last 3 years. He is leaving reading at a grade 2 level, performing advanced arithmetic, and learned life skills (leadership, organization, a free thinker) that will be so beneficial as he moves forward. I cannot thank everyone enough for your hard work, dedication, and love you show these children each day. I never had any problems with administration at this school, bullying, or any such thing. I can agree I wish there was more parking; however I would not pass a great school up on limited parking space. Besides, the school arranged for parking across the street during whole school events, so I never found it a major issue. I personally felt there were plenty of social gatherings. We had fun at the school picnic, Halloween party, classroom socials, parent-night out, silent journey, etc. In the end, we have had a wonderful experience and recommend it to any parent looking for a quality educational program where you know your children are safe and loved.

Posted: July 6, 2012

Don't be fooled by the beautiful interior of the this school. It masks its flaws. First, the administration is awful.They don't treat parents with respect and don't address concerns seriously. We had a case where my child was being bullied and the teacher actually told me to call the parent of the bully myself! The bullying was happening in school so I felt that the teacher should have addressed this with the parent directly. Terrible. I've also spoken to several other parents with similar issues with bullies and the school simply won't address it. In fact, the administration sent out a very RUDE letter addressed to all of the parents of the school on the issue of bullying. Basically, there is no policy on bullying or bad behavior. Also, the school doesn't have any family events. There are 2 a year and at that, you are not allowed to bring your other children. I would prefer a setting that includes my entire family. And parking is not an issue when you want to bring your other children. You will feel isolated and excluded when it comes to your child's early education at this school. Your concerns will not be addressed. You will be placated. Not a feeling I want for $15K a year.

Posted: May 22, 2012

I am posting a negative review because of the way the administration handles parents. Our teacher is great, but the leadership leaves me uneasy. There is no dialogue between parents and teachers except for the annual child progress review. I also feel that my concerns are not addressed in a courteous manner leaving me discouraged and isolated. Also, there are very few school gatherings. The school says it is because there is not enough parking to have more activities, but there should be different alternatives to meet and create a better bond with the school. I feel very disconnected with this school, and feel that the Montessori method just wasn t for us.

Posted: May 20, 2012

Thanks to the prescreening eye exam at school two years ago, we found out our daughter had to wear glasses at the age of 3. It was quite a challenge to get her used to wearing glasses at such an early age. But with TLC and help by teachers, we slowly and patiently increased the hours of her wearing glasses over the long period of time and recently we were told that her vision has improved! For the last couple of months, my daughter suffered from severe seasonal allergy with swollen/itchy eyes. But again, even with limited staffing, PMDS extended their TLC, providing suvervision for my daughter to have indoor activity over a few weeks while other kids were having outdoor time. I feel like I can talk to them any day/time and more importantly, they do listen and care about what I address. Besides the school has been so good at monitoring/assessing my kid promptly when she does not feel well. This is such an assuarance for us since she had an episode of fibrill seizure at the age of 2. As a full time working mom, I feel confident that my child is under excellent care for up to 9 hours every day!

Posted: May 19, 2012

This is my child's 3rd school, and so far it is the best one. Yes it does have problems, and I heard some very negative stories recently. I guess it depends on what you expect from the school. I am a working mom and I only expect a good daycare, who can make my child happy when I work, and this one meets my expectation. My child likes the teachers and has her best friends there. When she is happy, I am happy. I honestly don't expect her to learn too much,maybe because she is in per-school now. Several things I don't like: very limited communication between school and parents (can we do more one to one parent conference than once a year?), no lunch offered not even catering option ( Franklin has it)' and the uniform requirement (lands end is pretty expensive). Overall it is acceptable although not great.

Posted: April 13, 2012

My daughter attended this school for 3 years and is graduating Kindergarten this year. She is a wonderful, smart, kind, and confident little girl and I attribute her attendance to Primary Montessori as a big part of it. They were a home away from home and she flourished there. The personal and academic growth over the last few years in our daughter has been amazing and the transition to a new school next year will be a hard one (for us as parents! Haha). The classroom environment itself is fantastic, but the loving attitude of her teachers is what we will remember the most. Administration was always responsive to our needs and welcoming. I recommend this school to anyone looking for a quality Montessori school with a balanced approach. There is a unique warmth to this school that is hard to find elsewhere.

Posted: January 27, 2012

Hands down - the best!!! Our son just started at this school in September and we LOVE it. I wish I had gone with my heart originally as my husband and I had toured several Montessori schools in the area before choosing one for our son. Unfortunately, we chose the wrong one based on a lower price with a more daycare style schedule . and I realize now what a huge mistake that was. I fell in love with this school when we toured it, but another school that was also local was cheaper and although we liked this one more it s a hard economy and we went with the other cheaper school. A year later here we are (with several other parents from that school!) at the school we should have just gone to in the first place! The hard truth is you get what you pay for. Lesson learned. Our son is thriving now he is with a certified Montessori teacher, in a beautiful classroom, friendly kids, and teachers/assistants who love him. It s been such a wonderful change.Thank you Ms. Anthony and all your wonderful teachers/staff! Please don t make the same mistake we did choose the school you know in your heart is best not the one that saves you a few bucks or gives you a coupon!

Posted: October 31, 2011

My daughter is in this class and she loves her teacher. I am please with her progress. Her teacher is always available whenever I have a question or concern regarding my daughter. I know she is in the class because I get a progress report when I ask her and my daughter tells me what she did! The class teacher and the administration have always available to address my questions,concerns or suggestions. I would first get my facts straight before I write a review!

Posted: August 16, 2011

BEST CHOICE. Both of my girls attended this school. They are now 9 and 11, but I was researching schools since I was pregnant with my first one. When I visited PMDS I just felt this was the best learning environment that a child can have. The facility is beautiful, clean and very safe. Teachers know each student and his/her individual needs very well. Most importantly, my girls developed a love of learning there that is still obvious and I know will continue to be. This is the most priceless advantage a child can possess in life. Every summer, my girls can't wait to go back to school! They have been in advanced reading and math (1 and 2 grades above grade) since they left PMDS. My older one is beginning middle school this year and she has been placed in the most advanced classes for all subjects. Furthermore, my girls know more about the world than most kids thanks to PMDS. I'm now pregnant with my third (it's a girl!) and I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful Montessori choice for her too. Academically and socially it couldn't be better. My girls (and our family) are still close to some of the friends/families we met there, even if the children attend different schools now.

Posted: December 3, 2010

My daughter graduated from the Primary Montessori Day School last year and my second child will be entering their primary program this coming September. My daughter attended the program from the age of 3 years old and thrived at the school. She is doing great at her new private school tested in easily to grade 3 - and the teachers at her new school have actually commented on how well-prepared she is. I have recommended the school to many of my neighbors and coworkers and they have all expressed their gratitude for the referral. . I toured MANY schools before choosing and researched all of them. Not sure if the previous poster is misinformed or what but the school is Maryland State approved the teachers all have bachelor s degrees and Montessori certification, and my understanding is while the school as a whole has chosen not to affiliate with AMS or AMI (Director was very open with me about her reasons why), it s teacher s all maintain their memberships and attend ongoing professional training. I have never felt like I did not know where my child was I had multiple conferences every year and reports. My only gripe is playground - wish it had more open space.

Posted: July 18, 2010

PMDS provides children with the tools they need to be successful, well-rounded, respectful, thoughtful, and kind. Unlike the more "traditional" system, this school focuses and nurtures curiosity and provides a solid foundation built on learning fundamentals and presenting material in a comprehensive -- as opposed to worksheet drills -- manner. The emphasis is on learning/teaching not testing!

Posted: March 24, 2010

My son started attending this school in preschool and will be entering 3rd grade here next year. I cannot say enough good things about the well-rounded education that is provided here by a great staff of teachers. The value of the education, particularly in the elementary classroom is excellent. You will find no other school with this type of teacher student ratio. I highly recommend it and am particularly sold on the environment it provides for young boys- hands on, experiential learning.

Posted: February 20, 2010

My chid has been in the primary program for three years and he has thrived at Primary Montessori. The curriculum is well-rounded, as from the early years they are exposed to geography, science, different cultures, social studies, etc. He has become a confident reader in his Kindergarten year, and has learned to do arithmetic by working with the Montessori materials. Thanks to the wonderful teachers who have done an amazing job!