The Nature School at Montessori Living

Posted: August 1, 2026

We've had a wonderful experience here. Our toddler has truly thrived in this environment and looks forward to school every day. The teachers are kind, attentive, and have created a space where children can build confidence, independence, and practical life skills at their own pace.
The outdoor setting is something special. The children spend so much time exploring, caring for their environment, and learning through hands-on experiences that simply wouldn't happen in a traditional or typical setting. Believe me we’ve toured a lot of schools!

I know the school received some criticism in the past, but I really believe they've come a long way. The leadership has made meaningful improvements, communication is open, and parents are included in the process. It feels collaborative, and the staff genuinely welcome feedback. I'd happily recommend this school to families looking for an authentic Montessori program with a strong connection to nature, lots of outdoor time, and teachers who truly care about the children.

Posted: August 1, 2026

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Posted: July 31, 2026

I’ve had the privilege of being part of The Nature School at Montessori Living community for several years, and it continues to exceed my expectations both as a staff member and as a a community member. The classrooms are thoughtfully prepared, the outdoor/nature-based learning is truly special, and the teachers bring genuine warmth and expertise to their work with children. What stands out most is how intentional everything is, from the environment to the daily rhythms, in supporting each child’s independence and love of learning. It’s a place where children are seen as capable, curious individuals, and families are treated as true partners in the process. I’m proud to be part of this school!

Posted: July 31, 2026

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Posted: July 31, 2026

This school is a really beautiful community -- truly living "it takes a village." The Montessori teachers are the best in the area -- using the curriculum authentically and creatively to infuse Montessori materials with outdoor exploration. I am so amazed with the confidence, curiosity, and independence my child has shown since joining this school. The outdoor environment is truly spectacular -- this is a one of a kind place.

Posted: July 31, 2026

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Posted: February 2, 2023

We were strung along for a whole month just for them to come back and tell us they couldn’t accept my child because they think he needed “one on one attention”, he is 7 and there are only 3 kids in his class so I don’t see how in the 6 hours school day can they not afford to give one-on-one time for each child?
They made it sound like it’s a safe haven for all kids and they “don’t label kids” but embrace them, my child has some ADHD and I was forthcoming about that, yet they told me they know how to handle that and let the kids be themselves, we kept waiting for a month when it was already mid-year (due to our move) and my child was home the entire time, they made it sound like it was a done deal until they came back to us with a rejection, I also asked them if I can enroll my 3 year old there and they (the principal Ann) promised to email me the needed info for that but didn’t do it, in my eyes that’s lack of integrity and professionalism.

I gave three stars for teaching just because teacher Eric sounded like a fully engaged and caring person, unfortunately we never got the chance to try his skills.

Posted: February 2, 2023

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Posted: December 12, 2022

Crossway changed a lot over the last few years and not in a good way. We loved the version of Crossway our child attended in 2019. But the school's leaders used the pandemic as an excuse to cut service, charge more, and generally create an unsafe environment for the kids. They even had an emergency suspension of their license in 2022, leaving families scrambling to find child care on no notice. In a perfect representation of how detached the leaders of this school are from reality, they even tried to spin this incident as a positive opportunity to work with the state to make improvements to the school. As if the state shut them down in an emergency to be nice. Parents reported burned clothing (from a campfire), minor injuries, wet clothes outside in freezing cold weather, and preschoolers leaving campus on their own with no adult supervision.

It's a beautiful campus and there was once a great preschool here. Unfortunately, the current leadership has no interest in creating a safe and positive environment for children. Almost all the teachers, staff, and families have turned over since we started in 2019. I hope that someday more responsible leadership takes over and makes this place as great as it can be because at its best, Crossway was a great place for our kids. Unfortunately, that is not the case today.

Also, they don't really teach the kids anything academically. I know that's not important to every family at this age but it's something you should know if it is important to you.

Posted: December 12, 2022

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Posted: May 26, 2022

I do not recommend this school for any child. The administration is lacking on so many levels but namely in communication and support of their teachers. They are not an academically sound school -- our child is not able to do simple activities like other children her age that attend other schools. This is simply because she's never been taught. This ranges from their PreK through elementary programs. The teachers and admin will tell you your child is doing great but you'll quickly find that they are not being taught a single thing academically. I beg you not to send your child to this school as it's a glorified babysitter.

I'm ignoring the fact that they lost their license for a bit due to two children walking off campus and going to a child's home. Feel free to check out the State of Maryland's website for details.

Posted: May 26, 2022

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Posted: April 10, 2022

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Posted: April 10, 2022

My daughter loves this school. It's a school with a great sense of place. It is a nature-based Montessori school and perfect for families who are comfortable in the outdoors and love spending a lot of time in nature. The teachers are inspiring, creative and nurturing. I've observed teachers focus on instilling confidence in my daughter and her classmates. Children are outside most of the day. The school does a great job with providing a gear list so that children are comfortable playing and learning outside year round. It's a beautiful campus with flower and vegetable gardens where children learn how to garden and harvest. It's really great and a pretty idyllic way of learning. One of my daughter's favorite things is their little farmer's market where they get the sell all the vegetables they harvest. She will always ask "is it market day"? The focus is still on Montessori education and it's been great to watch my daughter grow into an independent and confident girl. The school also provided in-person education throughout the pandemic, which was a godsend. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: February 28, 2022

Crossway recently lost its license and was shut down for major licensing violations. You can look up through OCC what the violations are. There is no transparency with families and Administration is seriously lacking in integrity. This is not a safe place for children.

Posted: February 28, 2022

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Posted: October 4, 2021

This place is hilarious. Professionalism is seriously lacking in this institution, but they have a novel way of (constantly) asking for money with little transparency on how it's benefitting your children (or their other programs). They charge one of the higher tuition rates in the area to make your children work in their gardens. For parent engagement, rather than holding workshops or allowing parents to organize a PTA (they have actively stopped PTAs in the past), they ask you to bring a bag of soil - seemingly every week or two. If they had, for instance, organized a truckload and asked for donations (or charged it as part of the tuition), it would be welcome! But the chaos and waste caused by constantly asking for small bags of soil as if they didn't realize they would need soil to run a "farm school" was pretty silly. But the best part is that every week, they sell you back the produce that your children picked - for which you bought the soil and paid them to supervise. It's really rather funny.

In all seriousness though, I wanted this school to be as good as the facade that its leaders have constructed, but the veneer is thin, and it's pretty concerning when you see what's underneath. This happens in organizations that are built on the leader's ego rather than actual community engagement. I should have known to be wary of any white person who calls themselves a "pioneer of social justice." I hope that new leadership comes in, but I doubt that will be the case.

If you're a multiracial family like us, or if your family is LGBTQ+, there are schools in this area that will be not only accepting but super welcoming of you. This is NOT one of them. Get ready for weird comments about boys wearing pink as a starter. This is not a safe place for children who express themselves outside the gender binary.

We found the leaders seriously lacked integrity, and what's more, if we had done better research we would have realized that there is an entire blog and Facebook group dedicated to how awful this school has been to people over the years. I really wish I had done more research before we enrolled our child. Social-emotional learning at Crossway is yelling "no" and wagging a finger in a kid's face.

Like any school, there are some kind teachers. But school leadership sets the tone for the culture. You can do better.

Posted: October 4, 2021

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Posted: August 3, 2020

During COVID-19 this school took advantage of families that had limited options, did not effectively communicate with families OR teachers and significantly degraded trust in the leadership. Their policies related to COVID prevention were excellent - all outdoor places, etc. However, they have positioned themselves as not friendly or flexible to the circumstances of the world as COVID changes the way we approach planning. Their communication came late or not at all and with incorrect and inconsistent information about tuition increases, limited enrollment options, withdrawal policies, and more. I would not recommend this school due to poor leadership and lack of compassion ultimately leading to a show of not caring about students or families EXCEPT for their money.

Posted: August 3, 2020

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Posted: May 17, 2018

I was a teacher at this school. I have such fond memories of my 2 years there & am deeply grateful for the experience. As a young woman, just beginning my career working with children & their families I felt so blessed to have had such compassionate, talented & dedicated professionals as mentors and coworkers! I continue to keep in touch - just went to Special Person’s Day to visit my nephew who is in the toddler community. He will soon be joined by his two brothers. What an amazing, stimulating & joyful community ! It is a privilege to support Crossway Community’s work on behalf of children & familes!

Posted: May 17, 2018

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Posted: April 23, 2018

My children went here as infants. They were loved and cared for and are growing into great adults.

Posted: April 23, 2018

Posted: April 23, 2018

All the teachers are highly trained and caring.

Posted: April 23, 2018

The children learn life skills and have the best manners.

Posted: April 23, 2018

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Posted: March 26, 2018

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Posted: March 26, 2018

The teachers are top-notch. Out of all the Montessori schools in the area, they really use the curriculum the best. My daughter started in the Nido at 6 months and is now excelling in the Infant Community. She has been toilet independent since 18 months! She is a chatter box verbally and sings songs non-stop. Her self-confidence and personality are flourishing under the care of Crossway Montessori. Could not be happier!

Posted: July 24, 2017

Crossway works with the children to help them learn empathy and consideration for each other. They help the children learn how to communicate their needs and resolve conflict instead of solving problems for them. I have seen how this leads to the children being kinder and more open to differences.

Posted: July 24, 2017

The school works closely with the public schools and child find to integrate services that some children might need. MCPS school buses pick up and drop off students so they can be part of the Crossway program while still getting the special services they need.

Posted: July 24, 2017

Respect is a word that comes to mind when I think of Crossway. The teachers show great respect to each other and to the students and parents.
They greeting each child by name when they arrive in the morning, they are always willing to help. They should compassion and model compassion for the children to learn to show it to each other as well.

Posted: July 24, 2017

The leadership is fantastic. There is a spirit of partnership and open communication with families and everyone is very warm and welcoming.

Posted: July 24, 2017

The teachers are all professional and kind and nurturing. They all know all of the students and treat the children with respect. They are all well trained with Master's degrees and Montessori training.

Posted: July 24, 2017

Homework is not part of the Montessori Pedagogy. Teachers help parents carry out the Montessori philosophy at home through every day activities.

Posted: July 24, 2017

Crossway is a wonderful Montessori school that is rich with diversity both in the student population and teaching staff. Children are nurtured and cared for in every way and the individual growth that is the result is amazing!

Posted: July 21, 2017

This question isn't really applicable because it is a preschool/kindergarten program and there is no classic homework. However, they do enagage with parents on how to continue the Montessori method at home and also send home primary reader books for the child to practice is the child so chooses.

Posted: July 21, 2017

The teachers are passionate and love their students. They really work so each child is independently challenged without feeling overwhelmed

Posted: July 21, 2017

There is as much emphasis on social interaction and the "social graces" as on math, reading, etc. and it works.

Posted: July 21, 2017

Leadership manages the needs of teachers and students while letting the teachers shine.

Posted: July 21, 2017

I don't have any experience on which to assess

Posted: July 21, 2017

No experience on which to assess this.

Posted: July 21, 2017

It has been wonderful. I am so sorry my child has aged out.

Posted: July 10, 2017

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Posted: July 10, 2017

My family has been with this school since 2013. My older child began in the IC and finished the primary program this year. My younger child also began in the IC and just completed the first year of primary. Both children are thriving. The teachers here are warm, engaging, dedicated, and have inspired love of learning in my children. Teachers, staff, and administration are communicative and responsive. The school puts on events throughout the year which build a wonderful feeling of community. We are so pleased we found this school!

Posted: July 10, 2017

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Posted: June 20, 2017

I am surprised to read all the negative reviews! Apparently there was an awful administration until 2015 (approximately), and thankfully it has changed. I am reviewing our experience from the 2016-17 school year, with Ann Byrne as director. Ann is very encouraging, thoughtful, and accommodating. My daughter is in the primary class, and has fostered a close relationship with her teacher. She has demonstrated much improvement with being self-sufficient, and a lot of the skill sets she has learned directly from school. They recently added a chicken coop, and have a garden. The children enjoy it very much. The staff is incredibly friendly and nurturing. The school's instruction appear to be very balanced in terms of academic stimulation and play, which I find critical for the early years. The school does an excellent job holding children accountable for their actions in a mature way, yet allowing them to make mistakes and be little. I sincerely appreciate the school's openness to diversity. They do well to involve the parents and community, educating the children about cultural diversity. You will find the classrooms and staff to be ethnically and socioeconomically diverse- accepting of everyone and learning the value of difference. Highly recommend!

Posted: June 20, 2017

There was no homework for my four year old, and personally, I agree with this approach. I find that children need a balance of managing responsibilities and being carefree. I don't think my daughter needs academic stimulation at home, I'm able to reinforce what she learns at school in more integrative ways.

Posted: June 20, 2017

I did a sit-in for observation, and I loved not only the material that was being taught to the children, but the style her teacher lead with. The curriculum might not be conventional/what's taught in public schools, but much more well-rounded. True to Montessori values, the teacher collaborated with the children, cultivating their sense of self in social and emotional conflict.

Posted: June 20, 2017

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Posted: June 16, 2017

My son started at Crossway when he was a baby and is now in the Primary class. He is thriving at Crossway.

Posted: June 16, 2017

Posted: June 16, 2017

The teachers are highly qualified, very engaging with the kids, approachable/accessible by parents, and very committed to the success of each child.

Posted: June 16, 2017

Posted: June 16, 2017

Ann Byrne and Elizabeth Zifcak are incredible leaders at the school. They go out of their way to know all of the children and their parents. They communicate regularly with the parents and are incredibly supportive to the family as a whole.

Posted: June 16, 2017

Posted: May 30, 2017

Our son was at Crossway during the 2016-17 school year and we wished we started earlier. His teacher is amazing and fully understands his needs. We feel that she has truly prepared him academically and socially to begin kindergarten at our local public school. The entire staff knows our son by name and he loves them all. We can't say enough great things about Crossway.

Posted: May 30, 2017

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Posted: May 30, 2017

The entire staff is supportive and patient with the children. Ms. Avril Jarecki is an outstanding teacher.

Posted: May 30, 2017

Posted: May 23, 2016

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Posted: May 23, 2016

The children are taught independence but also how to work together to accomplish a goal. The classes follow the Montessori method of multiple ages in the same classroom, so the children are exposed to various levels of comprehension. It is a very diverse school which reflects the community in which we live.

Posted: May 23, 2016

The school has done wonders for both of my children. The teachers are wonderful and caring; the children are very respectful of each other and look out for each other. My oldest has since moved on to public school and is thriving, she is well adjusted and is able to work independently and in a group setting well. My youngest loves to go to school and enjoys all that it has to offer, from working in the garden, singing songs, playing, artwork, and learning life skills; she is happy. Can't say enough about how wonderful this place is.

Posted: May 1, 2016

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Posted: May 1, 2016

A wonderful environment for babies and toddlers. All children are guided towards independence. My son absolutely loves it. He walks to school so happy and seem fur filled when I pick him up. Great community garden and playground. Highly recommended.

Posted: November 20, 2015

People are entitled to their opinion, so here is mine. My grandson had a wonderful experience at Crossway with all the current staff and administrators that are there now. A job relocation required a move out of state, but he is a five year old who reads at a 2nd grade level, and is a compassionate, curious, and interesting little boy. I credit this to his excellent introduction to Montessori education at Crossway and his parents commitment to being engaged in his education: learning about how Montessori education is different than traditional education; how to set up a Montessori home that gives children the ability to act independently where appropriate (child-sized dishes, shelves and drawers, brooms and dustpans, etc.) so the child can dress himself, set the table, help with clean-up); attending parents conferences and education programs; volunteering to help and attending school events; reading newsletters and flyers; supporting fund raising efforts; communicating with staff and teachers about any concerns ; asking for coaching about behavior issues; etc. Every family has challenges and has to work with any school to get the best benefit.

Posted: June 30, 2015

Posted: June 30, 2015

This is a two year preschool program plus kindergarten year. There is no homework, nor should there be for children that young.

Posted: June 30, 2015

Again, our daughter has a great experience. The incredible diversity of the school helped our daughter learn about many different cultures and life situations; all were equally valued.

Posted: June 30, 2015

My child had an excellent experience at this school. As parents, communicating with the administration was challenging and they often weren't very organized. So, as parents, I found navigating Crossway to be challenging, but it was a fantastic experience for our daughter.

Posted: June 30, 2015

My two daughters attended Crossway from preschool through K for one, and pre-K for the other. I cannot say enough good things about our experience with the school. My younger daughter started there at 15 months, and I feel the infant community gave her a strong foundation for learning that serves her to this day. My older daughter transitioned well from Crossway to MCPS in 1st grade. They thrived under the Montessori model and as a parent I learned so much from the teahcers, administrators and the parent education opportunities that were offered. From the moment I attended the open house, saw the amazing outdoor space, vegetable garden, and classrooms I knew that it was exactly what I wanted for my children. I knew little about Montessori when we started, but learned a lot through the teachers and staff there and came to understand why it is such an effective method of learning for children. I wish we had the resources to continue a Montessori education but I am grateful for the tools that I was given while we were there to incorporate it into our home. They led by example to instill the values of courtesy and grace - teachers sit with children at meals to model behavior, children are given age-appropriate responsibility to foster self-confidence and independence - all in a warm and loving environment. I entrusted my children to them during the most formative years and highly recommend the school. I found the teachers and administration responsive to my requests or inquiries. I didn't always agree with the choices of the administration but I felt I was able to dialog with them when I had questions or concerns. I believe they try to keep their overhead low as they are not only running the private preschool but also their program for single mothers, so they don't have extra staff and sometimes you need to reach out more than once for a response but I haven't found the administration at MCPS to be more responsive to parents and I don't feel MCPS provides as much support and educational opportunities to parents.

Posted: June 30, 2015

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Posted: June 30, 2015

While I would have to agree with many of the posts about Crossway's administration, we kept our two kids at the school for six years due to our belief in the Montessori system and the excellent, dedicated teachers. We also appreciated the diversity in the classroom, something not found in other private preschools in this area. Our kids loved the school and really flourished there. My older child had a very easy adjustment to an MCPS elementary school. I am indebted to the dedicated staff for providing my children with a safe, stimulating, calm environment that encouraged independence, risk-taking, and respect.

Posted: June 16, 2015

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Posted: June 13, 2015

For a school that emphasizes the harmonious development of the "Montessori Methods," I find it bizarre how the teachers will disengage and not communicate with parents by orders of the administration.

Posted: June 13, 2015

Crossway Community is so small that it gives a false sense of achievement and thus the students sometimes settle for far less than they are capable of doing or achieving. I noticed that the focus was mostly on collecting tuition and not enough focus and attention on education/teaching kids to think. They have NO library, but a small room with little non updated books. The big kitchen is being used for another business run by District desserts. No art room, no gym. After school program is very sad, all my kids did was play outside. Nothing stimulating. Ask for a tour, don't buy into things that they claim they are in process of building, they have been saying those claims for years. Also, the administration have no respect for your children's well being. They will blame you for their lack of ability.

Posted: June 13, 2015

To be very honest, I know that some Montessori school does not give homework to kids under 5. Its more of little to no homework, but this school does nothing. Never even informed me if my child needed extra help on some subjects. Teachers could care less because the administration groomed them. these teachers sound like robots.

Posted: June 13, 2015

My 1st grader is very behind and my child went to this school since he was 4 yrs old, its sad that it took me to leave Crossway Community to find out how much my son is behind in education. He is not even at kindergarten level.

Posted: June 13, 2015

Please do your research before investing your money, remember, its your money and your children's education, don't cheat them from one. Also over-priced tuition, high staff turnover, poor curriculum = a bad deal. Invest elsewhere.

Posted: June 13, 2015

If your child is outspoken and you question the administration, they will be labeled as a unruly child. There is no curriculum or schedule in place. They blame parents for not knowing the Montessori method just because we ask question about our children. (Read the resent so called positive post) I believe this school as a lot to hide and I will not recommend this school to any of my friends or family.

Posted: June 13, 2015

There is no community, communication, or joy in this school. This school has the most disrespectful administration. Your child can and will be kicked out for pretty much any reason if you question them about anything. It's shocking how many children have been kicked out because of a spiteful admin. They also treat staff like garbage which explains the very high turnover rate. Do not send your child here if you want a happy STABLE environment for your child's preschool experience.

Posted: June 9, 2015

My two children have thrived at Crossway Montesorri. They enrolled at 3, were reading at a first grade level at 4 and 5, and my kindergartener is already doing advanced math (double-digit multiplication, simple long division). My kids are excited to go to school every day. The student-teacher/assistant ratios are incredible and Crossway's teachers have been excellent--they take great care to follow the Montessori method and give each child a lot of individual attention, encouragement, and support. My children have been able to explore their interests while learning essential educational and life skills. I highly recommend this school.

I have reviewed the negative comments posted about this school. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I do not think those comments are an accurate reflection of what the school is like. The classroom instruction has been uniformly excellent.

Posted: June 8, 2015

My daughter went to Crossway and stayed through Kindergarten. She had a wonderful experience. She is very independent and is self disciplined. I know that she learned those skills at Crossway. The teachers and the staff were very caring and dedicated to my daughter. I disagree with the recent comments, the CEO is running a wonderful organization who really care for social diversity. There is no homework because children under the age of 5 do not need homework ( you parent should do your homework...) and I understand that young children feel compassionate but do not quite understand the concept of "sorry" because for them it is just a magic word that get them out of trouble...
My daughter has learned to be compassionate and caring for others and the world around her . I would recommend this school our youngest child will be going int the school in the fall and I am looking forward to another few years at Crossway Montessori.

Posted: June 8, 2015

Those teachers are used to deal with the most challenging students (a lot of them might not received the right parental support at home) but they draw all the positive in all children.

Posted: June 8, 2015

In a Montessori school there is no homework at the preschool / kindergarten level so this question is non applicable.

Posted: June 8, 2015

My daughter did really well there. She became independent, compassionate and learned so much. I was very impressed with the curriculum, the way she was taught history and geography at such a young age. She has learned to read when she was 4 and did complicated math in kindergarten. She became a truly well rounded kid! I can only recommend the school.

Posted: May 30, 2015

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Posted: May 30, 2015

Terrible experience at this place.. staff are really UNFRIENDLY LIKE THE CEO, SHE IS SUCH A HORRIBLE PERSON. Some teachers do nothing but yelling at kids and I say this because I used to volunteer at this place before, and witnessed it. I don't recommend this horrible place to your kids.. This place doesn't even deserve a star!!!

Posted: May 22, 2015

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Posted: May 20, 2015

Most of the teachers are great at getting the kids to learn and work and do what they need to do.

Posted: May 20, 2015

There is no homework and they kids are often sent home with another child's work.

Posted: May 20, 2015

It is hard to say since parents never see their children at school. They have it locked down all the time. You only see your kids at drop off and pick up.

Posted: May 17, 2015

This place has way too much to hide. What is offered on the website is not what happens in the school. This place is nothing but a business. The positive outcome of each child rests on parent involvement for the most part. There are not enough teachers. You will see the same teachers every day. Most are burnt out and need either a vacation or another field of work. The loyalty is among the staff and not the families and children.

Posted: May 13, 2015

I am a staff member of CMS I have been working here for over 7 years. I am very happy here and love the children as well as all staff members and families. We work together as a team. We have grown as learned so much from our boss in charge. We are very lucky to have them care so much about us and the children as well as all family's. Please come take a look at our wonderful safe environment. We care about families this is why I continue to be apart of this great school.

Posted: May 12, 2015

Crossway Montessori Community is not deserving of a single star. My daughter attended and I found that the are teachers uninspiring and the administration are clumsy and ineffectual. The CEO is lacking in vision and seems to make up rules on the spot. She is universally disliked by the staff/teachers and the women that live in that building. The head of the school and other administrators try to convey an image of CLASS and progressiveness, but don't be fooled. The instruction is mediocre at best and the educational programming is stale and as traditional worse then public school. Crossway Community is a rip off and certainly not worthy of your time and money. Not to mention that Crossway Community are being investigated by HOC and other Montgomery county affairs. Also, I read the recent post here, Think about it, it does not even sound like a parent, it's very promoting and summer is right around the corner, both recent post focus on the garden. Believe me when I say this, I lived there and left due to the knowledge about this program and their school. DONORS ALSO PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOUR MONEY WILL NOT GO BACK INTO THEIR PROGRAM. Do your research.

Posted: May 3, 2015

Crossway was recommended to me by a coworker when I mentioned that I was looking for a Montessori school in the area. After touring several schools, I knew that Crossway was the place for us. The crying at drop-off that had been happening at her old school completely stopped. She is genuinely happy to go to school. She loves her teachers and getting "lessons". The classrooms are quite and calming, unlike the over-stimulating classrooms of a traditional preschool. If you aren't already familiar with Montessori philosophy, please read up on it! It is so beneficial and empowering for children. I now have 2 children enrolled at Crossway and would recommend it to anyone. The teachers and assistants at the school are fantastic. They are genuinely some of the kindest women I have met and I feel like they truly care about my children. I also love that the school has two gardens that the children help to work and then get to eat from.

Posted: March 20, 2015

Both my children attended this school. I am very pleased with all the education hey receive, the wonderful staff and the great friend they met at Crossway. They both have very fond memories of the school and always ask to come back for the special events and festivals the school holds thru out the year. The staff gave me great advice on parenting and helped my children grow into responsible independent kids. This school even has a Garden to Table program where the kids grow the food they eat. They had a great experience and I have been recommending the school to my friends.

Posted: December 2, 2014

My family is new to Crossway this year, and we are thrilled with our experience. Crossway Montessori is a terrific school with excited and dedicated teachers, a strong leadership, and a culture of respect and support.

Posted: October 7, 2014

Our experience has been the exact opposite. Faculty and staff are mostly concerned about reputation and money aside from tuition. Meanwhile the student culture has gone way down hill. Do not waste money by sending your kid to this school. This is one of the worst experience I have ever had. My kids are now enrolled at other Montessori schools that are equally or more smarter. Teachers think they are smart and do not take care of the kids and their education. This school is interested in only making money from fundraising. Teachers never take any responsibilities, the staff are very rude. I would never recommend this school since it is a waste of money. I would prefer my kid to go to a place where the true world is projected. I would recommend to your hard earned money in good Montessori schools elsewhere.

Posted: September 5, 2014

I have been working for CMC since 2012 and finally had the courage to leave in 2014. I loved the children and the women that lived in this FLA program, But the CEO Kathleen Guinan cared more about donors and money. Outside help was never applied to the school and the program. Some teachers had degrees but we were always asked not to communicate with the women of the program by orders of Kathleen. I noticed that many of the outside parents children were separated from the children that lived in this program and I felt wrong to allow this but we had to follow orders. Also many outside parents felt shamed when they did not want to donate by Kathleen. I think its important to communicate but we are just not allowed. Also the administrative staff treat me very ignorant because I had an accent. This is not a good company to work for. The administrative office does not respect the women that live there, and the teachers that don't want to follow their unethical ways. I will never allow myself to work for someone like Kathleen again.

Posted: May 27, 2014

Horrible. The charter school is no more after the 2013-14 school year and my child is going with the charter. The CEO and Head of School are both very unfriendly and have a ton of empty words and no follow through. Parents are not involved. They keep asking parents for money with no transparency as to where it's going. Steer clear!!

Posted: May 26, 2014

The leadership of this school is very poor. The majority of the teachers are good but there's a coldness due to the administration. The outdoor space is great but you're really paying a premium for only 3 hours of Montessori instruction. The school is also not accredited by AMI which they claim to be aligned with. My child seems to like it but some of the older students use inappropriate language that 5 year olds should not know, and are a bit wild. Overall I would not recommend this school for older children. The infant and toddler programs look nice. The administration needs to be more welcoming to parents.

Posted: February 24, 2014

They raised tuition out of nowhere and never provided documentation regarding the same. So long as you are paying the tuition without questioning, your child will be treated right. But if you dare complaint about anything, they would shut you down and eventually throw your child out of the school by reminding you that the State has no Jurisdiction over them. Even worst, they would put pressure on you to the point that you will relocate your child to avoid engaging in their Chess Game. The school has amazing and devoted staffs, as well as under qualifies staffs. Just pray that your child is in the hand of the good ones as some kids are being mistreated in the school. The Montessori program is great but they definitely need to change their attitude toward decision making process, as they constantly do so without parent input. They also need reconsider the qualification of some of their staffs members.

Posted: August 20, 2013

If there was 0 star I'd give them 0 star. They started charter school program last year, and it made things even worse. The management and administration is terrible. The way it is run is so unprofessional and inefficient. MCPS is supposed to have some oversight on how this charter is run but it seems they do not care about the way the taxpayers money is being used at this school. CEO of the place talks about community and all the right words but in reality it is all empty words. There are lot to say about this school but bottom line stay away from this school.

Posted: August 6, 2013

The admission process is the worst I've seen. It takes 5 calls to get a call back. First they tell you there is space, then Karen Beiley tells you that you cannot come for a tour but she will mail you admission materials. Finally Karen Beiley tells you there is just no space. It's just the worst administration of any kind.

Posted: November 3, 2012

The Teachers are wonderful. The Administration is scandalous. They have tried raising tuition out of no where, among other things. Parent involvment is low but because the administration tries to keep the parents out as much as possible.

Posted: November 28, 2010

The qualifications and experience of the school's admin and faculty are very good and staff turn-over is low. As well as the standard AMI curriculum, the school offers dance and music (at no charge). There used to be a French immersion program which may be revived. Our son's directress has been doing a good job keeping him sufficiently challenged and engaged. The student body is diverse and international. Crossway is large (3 primary classes, plus infant and toddler classes) and has a dress code. School entryways are kept locked at all times and parental communications must be submitted via the correct form. Some of this may be due to MD requirements, but some is definitely just the Crossway style. The school program models a high quality, sustainable lifestyle. The children have a hot, sit-down lunch with flowers on the table and proper tableware. They cook and bake and grow some of their own vegetables and fruits. There is a lot of green space around the school, a large playground, and two big gardens on-site. The children are outside several hours every day. Crossway has applied to become a K-5 charter school in the Montgomery County Public school system.

Posted: September 2, 2010

This school is nothing but great. The teacher and staff are the friendlies ever, and the kids are learning both academics and social behavior. We have two sons there currently and they love it. Our oldest have mild form of sensory processing and we have seen a great improvement in his everyday coping ever since he started at Crossway. Crossway is also having a great program for women and their kids which it feels great being a part off as a parent. l truly wish this school would offer grades past K in the future.