Montessori School of Columbia in Columbia

Posted: August 12, 2025

An exceptional school and community. I've seen my child grow in maturity, independence, and scholarship in her time here. It's a special, special place!

Posted: August 12, 2025

Posted: February 21, 2025

The best environment for learning and creating a community of thoughtful future leaders. We moved to Columbia from Florida and enrolled our daughter in Lower Elementary and After Care for 1st grade without a Montessori background. She was also diagnosed the same year with ADHD. The school is phenomenal with the best teachers that individualize learning curriculums based on each child while making sure to encourage a well rounded focus on all subjects.Not only are the teachers phenomenal but The school play yards, art room, and classrooms are everything you would want for a child to engage within.

Posted: February 21, 2025

Posted: May 24, 2024

My child has attended MSC for the past 3 years. Our family appreciates the community, consciousness and good citizenship this school and faculty promote and actively demonstrate.

My 8 year old is thriving both academically and socially and I am in awe of his love of learning this school fosters. The Montessori method perfectly suits my son's curious and independent nature, he can delve deeper into topics that pique his interest and relate his core works around an exciting topic. He especially loves working with the sensorial materials, which have given him a firm foundation to grasp math concepts.
The mixed-age classrooms are another beneficial concept that allow him to grow and develop by learning from his older classmates and helping those younger than him. Community meal prep and lunches, caring for their environment through gardening, recycling, community litter pickup and taking care of a variety of animals (chickens, a rabbit, various aquariums) are just a few of the additional reasons we love MSC. The amazing staff and highly qualified teachers are the backbone of this nurturing and stimulating environment.

Posted: May 24, 2024

Posted: November 6, 2023

Our son is in the primary program at MSC, and we have been thrilled with the experience so far. The campus is a tiny slice of paradise for the kids, and the teachers have been wonderful. They are caring and supportive and cater to each child's individual needs while following the Montessori curriculum. We feel very lucky to have a place is such a wonderful community, and that our son wakes up excited for school each morning.

Posted: November 6, 2023

Posted: October 27, 2023

Could not be happier with our experience at MSC! The whole child is valued during the learning process, and community, cooperation, and kindness are emphasized. The quality of education is amazing. These kids are are going to be natural leaders due to the confidence and quality education they are obtaining.

Posted: October 27, 2023

Posted: October 18, 2023

MSC is a very special place. There are not many other schools that provide the same level of support to every student and make them each feel special. This is our second year at the school and we cannot imagine sending our child to any other place in Columbia. The level of attentiveness from all of the teachers is incredible and there has never been a day where my daughter hasnt wanted to go to school, she comes home seeing things and doing things that I didnt even know she could do. It truly is amazing and they teach them more than just a curriculum, they teach them how to be independent, good humans.

Posted: October 18, 2023

Posted: October 8, 2023

My kid loves the supportive teachers and really thrives here.

Posted: October 8, 2023

Posted: October 7, 2023

Both my kids have thrived at this school. My eldest was there from 1st through 6th grade, and my youngest from preschool through 3rd (and counting). Great place.

Posted: October 7, 2023

Posted: October 4, 2023

After trying to utilize our zoned school for 3 years, I was really disenchanted with the way things were going and resolved to meet with the head of school at MSC about finding my son and daughter a place in the Montessori school. My kids started out Montessori for Preschool in another state and it was amazing from the start. We were fortunate enough to find a school that truly implemented Montessori tenets and I can not stress enough how well the Montessori approach has prepared my children for life and for abstract learning. Thankfully after our unfortunate foray into what was touted and is still touted "one of the best school districts in Greater Columbia" (apparently my idea of "great" and theirs are not the same). MSC found spots for my children. We have faithfully made the sacrifice and the 30 minute drive from Lexington to MSC ever since. My son has now started middle school in a traditional school and I am absolutely bursting with pride at how well he is doing and how he is thriving. he takes responsibility for his own work and is internally motivated, and is a good friend and a caring human being. After our experience in public school he had become angry, confused and lost. After one year at MSC I had my sweet son back. I highly recommend MSC as a quality Montessori school and as far as I know, they are the most established and most reputable Montessori school in town. This is why we make the daily commute, gladly. I only wish every child could have the idyllic and thought-provoking elementary education from which my children have benefitted.

Posted: October 4, 2023

MSC has been one of or the best Montessori
schools in the Midlands and the state for decades running. My children that have graduated have done very well socially and academically. It does a good job of managing its costs to remain relatively affordable, unlike many of the private options in the area.

Posted: October 4, 2023

We have two children enrolled in MSC for collectively over 4 years, including through the COVID pandemic, and we cannot speak highly enough of the school. Our children, who could not be more different, are each thriving and constantly demonstrate a love for learning, respect for peers/environment/differences, and nurturing leadership skills that we know are a direct result of spending their days at MSC. The staff is exceptional, experienced, and engaged. We are grateful every day to have our children at MSC!!

Posted: October 4, 2023

Posted: April 7, 2022

Our children have been at the school for five years, starting in the Primary program and now one is in upper elementary (4-6 grade). We feel like the Montessori approach is better than the standard school curriculum for our children because it fosters independence and allows our kids to focus on things they want to learn about, while we can still be confident that they are learning everything they need to know. Montessori School of Columbia is also "real Montessori," in that they really do follow all of the Montessori Method and use all of the Montessori materials in the correct manner. All of the teachers have been to the appropriate training and the school has been accredited for the last several years.

One of our children has some learning issues, and the teachers and faculty have done everything possible to help with that.

Posted: April 7, 2022

Posted: May 29, 2020

The leadership is definitely lacking in good service. When a new parent is sending their kids to an institute for the first time you have questions and of course us as parents will ask. There was no need for the institute to respond in a rude and condescending way.

Posted: May 29, 2020

Please think twice about sending your kids here. Make sure you feel comfortable sending your kids here. I definitely did not receive the service I thought I would at this institution. I was very disappointed. I attended private school my whole life and have never been talked down by someone. This was the first time I had ever experienced in my life.

Posted: February 6, 2019

My daughter has always been recognizably smart and quirky. MSC helps her flourish rather than pigeonhole into weird.

Posted: February 6, 2019

Fabulous! I recommend this school for anyone.

Posted: February 6, 2019

She has homework she can schedule to complete that is engaging but is not overwhelming.

Posted: February 6, 2019

They are amazingly inspiring patient and constructive.

Posted: February 6, 2019

High level conversation and responsibility fosters those in the students.

Posted: February 6, 2019

There is a good vision driving the school.

Posted: December 27, 2018

My kids had no issues. My son did not witness anything like that at MSC.

Posted: December 27, 2018

My children trusted and respected their teachers. They really care aboutthe students entire experience.

Posted: December 27, 2018

My kids are noticably kinder to each other and to me!

Posted: December 27, 2018

The administration was wonderful and super supportive when I had to move away.

Posted: December 27, 2018

They don't give a lot of homework, but when they do, it makes sense. It's not just busy work.

Posted: December 27, 2018

I moved to Columbia from NY and tried 2 other schools before we found The Montessori School of Columbia. My children LOVE going to school every day. My son is very bright and was definitely challenged by the teachers at MSC, they also boosted his confidence. My 3 year old daughter believes that she is capable of doing anything because of her teacher trusts her to be responsible. The teachers are amazing and the parents are a real community. Dont waste your time, this is the school.

Posted: December 6, 2018

My child have grown by leaps and bounds both academically and socially.

Posted: December 6, 2018

Grace and Courtesy are the words that the teachers use with the children to help guide their behaviors, and they model these behaviors in everything they do.

Posted: December 6, 2018

Posted: September 13, 2018

After classroom incidents had us very concerned, we called the American Montessori Association to report. This school is not accredited.

Posted: February 26, 2018

Our child has thrived here, what started as an educational alternative to day care for us has become a great learning opportunity for not only our child but for us as parents. I am happy with our experience at MSC for the Primary program but will be headed in a different direction for Elementary School. If given a chance to do it all over again we would be right back here.

Posted: February 26, 2018

Posted: June 13, 2017

Awesome staff to love and challenge our kiddos!

Posted: May 24, 2016

Class sizes are too big. The 1-3 grade class has 29 children in one classroom.

Posted: May 19, 2016

Posted: April 21, 2016

It really depends on which teacher you get. Some go above and beyond. I would not recommend others. Your child will be in the same class with the same teacher for three years.

Posted: April 21, 2016

We had a great experience with the teachers in the primary and lower el. However, we have not had a good experience in the upper el. The primary problems I see with this program are a lack of accountability for the students and poor communication with parents when a student is not performing. When we tried to address our concerns, the administration became very defensive. Think long and hard and talk to other parents before enrolling your child here.

Posted: April 18, 2016

In fairness, the early elementary program has a lot going for it and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone with small children looking for a safe and educational public school alternative. The upper elementary leaves a lot to be desired. Communication is poor, the attitudes of the staff and administration are rigid and self-important. If you're blessed with a child who can teach themselves with little to no guidance, you'll do fine here. If you need more, you will leave unsatisfied.

Posted: April 11, 2016

Posted: October 8, 2014

Too small and too expensive since the expansion. Maybe OK for preschool if you want to spend the money, but look critically at the upper elementary. Untrained "teachers" and favorite students based on whose parents serve on the board! Glad we left!

Posted: January 14, 2013

Our two boys, now in Fourth and Fifth grades, have attended the Montessori School of Columbia since preschool. The preschool program was excellent--not mere day care, but a genuine learning environment in which the children were encouraged to develop analytic and life skills. The new, expanded preschool facility--which, sadly, opened after our boys had already graduated to the elementary school--is impressive. Their experience in the elementary program has been consistently positive. It is amazing to visit the classrooms, and see all of the students quietly absorbed in their learning, singly and in small groups, with the teacher providing guidance as needed--a far cry from the regimentation and rote-learning of the traditional classroom. Teachers and assistants are caring, treating each child as an individual, encouraging self-paced realization of their fullest potential. Programs in Latin, Spanish, art, and music, are led by individuals who are enthusiastic and expert about their specialties. Parents are encouraged to participate, and their input is solicited and welcomed by the teachers, administration, and board.. In sum: an excellent school in the true Montessori tradition.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Reflections	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Columbia	SC	6.1 mi
2	Spring Valley	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Columbia	SC	9.6 mi
3	Longcreek Plantation	Area of Town	Blythewood	SC	14.3 mi
4	Linwood plantation	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dalzell	SC	30.6 mi

Base	Distance
Fort Jackson	3.9 mi.
McEntire Joint National Guard Base	12.4 mi.
Shaw AFB	30.2 mi.

Montessori School of Columbia

Columbia, SC 29205

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Montessori School of Columbia

Columbia, SC 29205

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