Maria Montessori Academy in Ogden | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	2/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment data from Utah State Board of Education, and using 2025 Utah Aspire Plus data from Utah State Board of Education.
Student Growth	6/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Utah State Board of Education.

Posted: April 27, 2026

School states no homework. Teachers won't even give out homework when parents request it, nor will they give students individual tutoring or support for failing grades. Frankly, because most of the school is failing. Land trust funds were used irresponsibly by funding lavish trips to New York for 9th graders, when funds could be used to hire more math and reading aids. I spent much time in my first graders classroom and noticed constant mismanagement of classroom time. Students are expected to do their work cycles on their own, but they really didn't know what to do. My first grade student can't even add or subtract in math as a result. Principal sends out politically charged messages and allows for woke ideologies within the school. My 5th grader was constantly harassed for being straight and was told to call other students it or they/them other than he or she. The school play included crossdressing that made many parents and students uncomfortable and this largely is not what Utah families want their children exposed to in a classroom or school environment.

Posted: April 27, 2026

Posted: April 26, 2026

Poor Academic Model and Concerning Culture. Students are overall falling behind and have been for years. 17% math proficiency. My kids failed in math year over year, despite multiple meetings for intervention. Classrooms are unorganized and chaotic. Many students just roam the halls. The teaching methods do not prepare kids to transition out of this school, and they are not focused on academic achievement. The principal is very liberal, and encourages crossdressing and other woke ideologies. To put it plainly, this place feels like the Island of Misfit Toys.

Posted: April 26, 2026

Posted: April 25, 2026

WARNING: POOR TEST SCORES AND CONCERNING SCHOOL CULTURE

This school promotes what I consider woke ideologies without clear transparency to parents. We encountered situations where gender-related topics and role changes in student activities were introduced without notice, and our children felt pressured to accept viewpoints they were uncomfortable with.

There were also instances of bullying tied to differing beliefs, which the school did not adequately address. Meaning that our children have been vilified for being normal while this school idealizes protecting the 1% of transgender or crossdressing student body.

Academically, the school is also struggling. Test scores are low, and students appear to be falling behind in core subjects like math, reading, and science, raising concerns about readiness for future schooling. This school has been on the state's watch list for several years.

If youre looking for a strong academic focus and clear communication with parents, this school may not be the right fit.

Posted: April 25, 2026

Posted: December 22, 2024

The teachers who work here are dedicated and supportive.The families are involved and the students are engaged.

Posted: April 15, 2021

My daughter is currently a 7th grader in the junior high at Maria Montessori Academy and has attended MMA continuously since pre-school. Through those years, we have experienced all the highs and lows that came with a changing school environment. My daughter has had consitantly amazing teachers and assistants that have helped mold her into an exceptional young person. She has exceeded in all her academic studies and has the grades to show for it. The faculty always pushes her to do and be her best and the compassion they show is unparalleled. The current administration and junior high program has been great for my daughter and we look forward to the years to come.

Posted: April 15, 2021

Posted: February 8, 2021

I am new to this school and I have been so impressed by the school, it's mission, and the faculty! They are so creative and thoughtful in the way they teach the children. The facilities are so nice and bright. I have been also impressed by administration and the community feeling at this school. I HIGHLY recommend this school to anyone looking for high-quality and creative education.

Posted: February 8, 2021

Posted: January 26, 2021

I am a Jr. High student at MMA, and I wanted to share the amazing school experience that I have had... I have enjoyed my time at this school and learning all of the amazing things it has to teach me. Being at MMA I have learned many new things. I love all of my teachers and all of the time that they take to let me know that I am important and I matter. All of the teachers make sure that each one of the kids is getting exactly what they need and that is super important. The office ladies and the director are awesome and always make me smile!

Posted: January 26, 2021

Posted: January 21, 2021

We chose Maria for our son after he thrived in a Montessori preschool and we did not want him to get bored in areas he excelled. We have nothing but a positive experience with all his teachers. They are all very passionate about teaching and the montessori method. My son has had a very positive learning experience here! Mr. Hirokawa has been a wonderful addition to this school as well! We love how he engages so much with the students!

Posted: January 21, 2021

Posted: December 7, 2020

We have had a wonderful experience at MMA. This has been the perfect school for my son. They go above and beyond at meeting the needs of my child and other students in his classroom. I am truly grateful for the option to send my son to a Charter that is based on the Montessori Model. The teachers and staff do an incredible job promoting grace, courtesy, and incorporating play as well as problem solving into education.

Posted: December 7, 2020

Posted: November 26, 2020

Perfect environment for my granddaughter. Her growth both academically, socially and especially emotionally have been a joy to watch. Caring and professional faculty. The new Director is phenomenal.

Posted: November 26, 2020

Posted: November 19, 2020

My company has partnered with Maria Montessori for the past three years and it is my FAVORITE school to work with. This school truly cares for every student. The front office is AMAZING, the principal is the sweetest most caring man, and every teacher is incredible. If you're looking for a school that will make your student feel like the most important and valued human in the world..
THIS IS THE PLACE. No student is left behind here.

Posted: November 19, 2020

Posted: November 16, 2020

My son has been at Maria for 3 school years now. There were some trying times with the school in the past but now, I couldn't be happier. My son has some pretty significant special needs and requires an ABA tutor with him all day. Maria Montessori works well with the ABA team, keeps me informed and is always helpful when coming up with new ways to help my son learn and grow. My son loves the staff and enjoys the students. He has come so far in the last 3 years and I owe it all to the support he receives at Maria! Thank you for showing me my son matters and his education comes 1st.

Posted: November 16, 2020

Posted: November 13, 2020

My kids have excelled at Maria Montessori Academy and learning with the Montessori method has been so beneficial to them both academically and socially/emotionally. I am so glad that there is a FREE public Montessori option. I would recommend this school to anybody. The teachers and administrators are amazing, the method is amazing, the facility is amazing. You could not go wrong with MMA.

Posted: November 13, 2020

Posted: November 5, 2020

My daughter started at this school in 3rd grade; she is now a 7th grader! When I moved her to this school, it was the best decision I could have ever made. She is excelling academically and emotionally! This school focuses on all aspects of a child and prepares them to go out into the world. The teachers are amazing and really care about their students. The office staff is always so helpful and kind. I would definitely recommend this school to parents!

Posted: November 5, 2020

Posted: August 9, 2019

The teachers didn't have any consequences if students didn't do their work and based on what my daughter told me lessons were far and few. This was a glorified day care.

Posted: August 9, 2019

My daughter experienced bullying from the older students in the same classroom.

Posted: August 9, 2019

The school has a large population of special needs students. The class was removed from the room several times a week whole teachers dealt with outbursts from these severely handicapped students. Mainstreaming them didn't help them and certainly didn't help the average students.

Posted: August 9, 2019

My daughter went in to kindergarten knowing the alphabet and came out having forgotten. I stupidly gave the school one more year because our local school had a bad reputation, I ended up home schooling her after school so she could learn to read. When we finally took her out and put her in Ogden school district she flourished. She went from reading below grade level to downing Harry Potter books in the space of two months. This school is useless and Ogden schools are secretly amazing. We were there under both the old and the new administration. It was never good. There is very little curriculum or lesson plans. Don't send your child here. They say they are behind on state scores because they don't teach to the test. This isn't true, they have poor scores because they don't teach at all.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Teachers do the best they can without the proper support from the administration to correct issues. Issues are NOT relayed to parents effectively.

Posted: May 20, 2019

The Montessori method is very hands on so there is not "homework" in the traditional aspect. It's reading practice and home projects every couple of months.

Posted: May 20, 2019

If I were rating the school only based on the teachers then it would be a five star rating!
The teachers are amazing!

Posted: May 20, 2019

Used to be even more strongly taught, but this administration is squashing things and making it hard.

Posted: May 20, 2019

The current administration is lacking in leadership and keeps making VERY poor choices with horrible outcomes for teachers and students. The previous Administration team (2 years ago) was EXCELLENT!

Posted: May 20, 2019

They do NOT have enough quality trained SPED staff spending enough time in classrooms during the week. And they let go the reading specialists so have only had an aide helping the entire school's worth of struggling readers.

Posted: May 20, 2019

I LOVED the way it was 2 years ago with the previous administration! But they got shoved out for the current admin team and it has gone SERIOUSLY downhill at their hand. Nothing wrong with the Montessori Methodology. Just poor leadership seriously ruining everything.

Posted: May 20, 2019

The first 5 years were amazing the last 2 years have been very difficult with all the upheaval and stress the teachers have been forced to endure. The students sense it and are affected by it.

Posted: May 20, 2019

They don't have homework with the exception of special projects in elementary grades.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Most of the Maria Montessori certified teachers have left or are being asked not to return. The last 2 years with the new director have been a nightmare.

Posted: May 20, 2019

The teachers who remained this last year who are Montessori educators did teach this however they are mostly not going to be there next year.

Posted: May 20, 2019

The leadership of the director trickles down to staff and teachers and she doesn't support them.

Posted: May 20, 2019

Bullying is a problem and there isn't adequate staff to deal with the issue of bullying.

Posted: May 17, 2019

Director leads school using fear based techniques. This is not a good example.

Posted: May 17, 2019

The administration lead the school using fear tactics

Posted: May 17, 2019

The SPED dept is one of the worst I have ever seen.

Posted: May 17, 2019

The first year was great
However, once Rene Baker was hired as director, the school has gone down hill.

Posted: December 18, 2018

I have an IEP and havent had services met for the entire year, even when I have asked for them. One SPED teacher for entire junior high.

Posted: December 18, 2018

Started off good and has been decreasing for the last 3 years. This year is the worst.

Posted: December 18, 2018

You either have none, or they pile it on all at once. Homework doesnt help to achieve mastery of class concepts, except in math.

Posted: December 18, 2018

Inexperienced teachers who have no curriculum structure, and arent allowed to buy any. I have only gotten 2 graded papers back in one class for the whole year so far! History classes dont even have books! Teachers also dont return emails and answer questions when you have them.

Posted: December 18, 2018

Teachers didnt even know how they were going to convert grades 3 months into the semester.

Posted: July 25, 2018

Great school with amazing teachers and staff who are educated and trained in the ways of Dr. Montessori. The combination of a great upper and lower elementary program and middle school and the Montessori Philosophy creates a wonderful learning environment for children.

Posted: July 25, 2018

Posted: December 3, 2016

The Montessori style of teaching is a fantastic way to teach grace, and curtesy, along with everything that other schools teach. Maria Montessori Academy is unique from other Montessori schools. It is possible that, because of the academy's somewhat low population, staff and faculty are more capable of paying extra attention to specific students, along with all students as a whole, though, as the population grows, it appears to be that the attention and care for all students does as well. This allows students to have extre guidance, and an extra push to learn.

Posted: November 24, 2015

These teachers are phenomenal. They genuinely care about each student in their class, and they work closely with each child to ensure mastery of subjects.

Posted: November 24, 2015

Traditionally-speaking, these students do not have daily homework assignments. There will be monthly home projects as well as long-term assignments. My children often push harder in school during the day to free up time to work on these assignments during the school day.

Posted: November 24, 2015

This school adopts the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, and as a result, the classes foster an environment of personal integrity.

Posted: November 24, 2015

I have three children that attend Maria Montessori Academy. My oldest has been attending this school since in opened. At the heart of Montessori, it is believed that a child learns best when they are able to choose what they learn. Students help define daily, weekly, and term goals, and then select the works in the classroom to help them achieve the goal. Many of the works are hands on -- helping each child conceptually understand complex thoughts. Montessori will help your child explore their natural curiosities and connect facts to understand a concept holistically.

A word of caution for parents -- Montessori is different than traditional education. Do not compare what you know to be a valuable education. Trust the system. Trust the method. If you do, you will be amazed at the things your child can do.

I would highly recommend this school.

Maria Montessori Academy

Ogden, UT 84414

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

Maria Montessori Academy

Ogden, UT 84414

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

Email Address *

*We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.*

We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.