Montessori School Of Alexandria

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 30, 2022

The COVID safety is atrocious. Cases are being reported multiple times a day with no protection. This school is over priced and worth skipping for consideration.

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Posted: July 12, 2018

Needs new management. Many parents leave frustrated and disillusioned.

Posted: February 3, 2018

Both my children have attended Montessori School Alexandria (MSA). My eldest went there from 2001 to 2004, finishing in kindergarten. He had a excellent teacher and had a great education. When he entered first grade in the Fairfax County public school system, he was ahead in his reading.

Flash foward 11 years later when my youngest enters MSA's primary program. I will be the first to admit that she is not the easiest of children. In her second of the primary, we started having serious discussion regarding our child's behavior which included striking teachers and outbursts of anger. Preliminary diagnosis pointed to ADHD. While our daughter was about to come off a wait list at reputable local children's hospital for further assessment--at the encouragement of MSA--the school informed us that she could no longer attend the school because she posed a danger to the other students.

I would advise that while MSA does an outstanding job of teaching childern who a compliant and on point with their emotional and educational development, the school is not equipped to handle a child that would require an IEP at a traditional school. Nor are they patient for a child to receive the care they need, despite being in a community where there is a long wait time for providers who can assess conditions such ADHD. Just be warned that if you think your child is ADHD or has other behavorial issues, the staff may not have the resources to assist your child.

Posted: February 3, 2018

Posted: February 3, 2018

Posted: February 3, 2018

Posted: February 3, 2018

Posted: February 3, 2018

Posted: July 14, 2017

Amazing change from Aquinas Montessori. Never seen my child so happy and loving. Stress and anxiety are non-existent.

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: July 14, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 17, 2017

The preschool kids are packed like sardines per classroom. Too many little ones per teacher is a bad idea. The gradient age range, 3-6, I believe is too much of a gap between them and creates havoc in the classroom. One teacher cannot handle 23-26 little kids that young as most will suffer. A few parents and I took our kids out of this school as soon as we could. We all felt it was a toxic environment and very negative. We were not "Fond" of the "Founder" herself.

Posted: September 29, 2016

My son has been attending Montessori School of Alexandria since he was 4 and he's now in 3rd grade. I can't speak highly enough of the teachers and administration. The teaching style is both unique and effective and my son's creative intellect has truly blossomed. I highly recommend MSA and plan on keeping my son there through the 6th grade.

Posted: September 29, 2016

Posted: September 29, 2016

Posted: September 29, 2016

Posted: September 29, 2016

Posted: September 29, 2016

I love all the teachers at MSA. They are kind, compassionate, and extremely professional. My son and I never had a negative experience with any of the MSA staff and we are on our 4th year of attendance.

Posted: September 29, 2016

I appreciate the fact that the school doesn't give a bunch of busy work. I also appreciate the concern for allowing quality time with our children after school and in the evenings. I do, however, think there needs to be at least some weekend homework to foster discipline and time management.

Posted: July 7, 2016

MSA provides continuing education experiences for all staff annually. One of those experiences is attending workshops specifically designed for Montessori schools during the national convention. This usually consists of at least three days of workshops.

Posted: July 7, 2016

The Montessori method respects the children and honesty, integrity and fairness is all developed naturally.

Posted: July 7, 2016

Dear Parents,

We recommend that every parent looking to educate their child to first research the work of Maria Montessori.

Montessori is a unique and successful approach that should be offered to all children. Each classroom is structured so each child has the ability to reach their true potential. Each Montessori material has two purposes: the direct and indirect purpose. The direct purpose allows the child to understand the micro Montessori lesson of the material. The indirect purpose allows the child to understand the macro Montessori lesson that then will lead into greater exploration through Montessori materials. The Montessori materials is the science behind the Montessori method. It is our goal as educators to nurture a child’s natural love for learning, work, and order through self-discipline, mastering positive attitudes toward learning, and achieving ever increasing levels of independence.

We encourage questions from all parents looking to educate their young child. We also offer tours of our facility and opportunities to meet our staff. Please contact us so we can get to know you and your child.

Thanks,

Montessori School of Alexandria

Posted: January 28, 2016

I am a parent of a child in the elementary classroom at MSA. I have read the previous poor reviews that were recently submitted and was dismayed. In my opinion, these reviews are not an accurate representation of the school, and in at least one case totally overblown and misleading. It is true that there have been issues, as happens at every school, but it's completely unfair to slam the school and the elementary program. I agree that some things may be handled better but to give such dire statements about physical assault is frankly ridiculous. I have another perspective on the situations they have mentioned. You can be assured that there was culpability on all parts, and that nothing rose to the level mentioned. My child was not a party to the events mentioned, but was attending the school and I can assure you that there's another, more balanced view. The teachers are as dedicated and caring as they come. My child has absolutely thrived at MSA and I cannot imagine a child receiving a more individualized, stimulating or complete education anywhere. This is a great school that will make sure your child is challenged while also working to their strengths, learning how to work cooperatively and in collaboration with others. If there is one thing I feel the school could do better is they need to upgrade the facilities. I would also appreciate a better use of social media and their website to get information out, showcase the school's programs and strengths and a more complete, professional administrative structure. Bottom line though, the school and staff are dedicated to the true principles of a Montessori education and care deeply about nuturing the whole child while giving them the best education possible.

Posted: April 15, 2015

My family has been part of MSA for 7 years. The school embraces each child as an individual and instills a love of learning, consideration for others, and self confidence.

Posted: February 16, 2015

My child attended preschool, kindergarten and elementary school at MSA. While the curriculum is excellent, it is important for prospective parents to know that multiple students in the elementary class in 2013 and 2014 were repeatedly bullied and assaulted (including pants being pulled down, etc.) over the course of several months. Despite repeated attempts to get the school to implement policies and disciplinary procedures, nothing was done and some parents ended up pulling out their children during the middle of the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. If you are considering sending your child to this school, please ask to see the written policies of bullying and assault behavior and take every measure to ensure your child is safe at this school.

Posted: January 8, 2014

MSA was a great school in the past and continued to excel at the preschool level. But in recent years, the elementary classroom has gone downhill. It has the potential to be a great program, but the administration refused to listen to parents when there are problems, which has resulted in a mass exodus after about 2nd or 3rd grade. Many families who gave this school their all through volunteering and PTA leadership positions have given up and walked away. (Ratings are hard to do because the preschool is excellent - I'd send my children there again and again for preschool. But think twice before keeping a child there past 2nd grade).

Posted: February 5, 2012

This is an amazing school full of wonderful caring people. When I was researching preschool for my daughter I read some earlier reviews and was concerned about the care she may receive. After visiting the school and meeting the teacher, and the support staff I felt this was a great place for my daughter. My daughter has been attending this school for almost a year now and I have not been disappointed. Everyone from the head adminstrator to the bus driver are amazing. They all are very attentive and caring. My daughter has learned so much! I am so thankful we found such a wonderful school.

Posted: August 14, 2010

We could not have been pleased. Our child excelled and was really prepared when he moved to a traditional school. The staff is fantastic, and it the school has a wonderful family atmosphere

Posted: August 12, 2010

MSA has been a great school for my children. My son started at 3 1/2 and went through kindergarten. If we would have stayed in the area I would have hands down put him in the Elementary program! LOVED THE SCHOOL. My daughter started at 2 1/2 and went to the school two years before we moved. Both my children had a very positive experience. The staff are always very responsive and helpful in everything we have needed. My kids were both writing their name by 3 1/2 and learned so much at MSA. We miss the school and staff dearly!

Posted: June 20, 2010

Up until Spring, 2010 I would have happily and wholeheartedly endorsed the other comments here. Then, my 2 year old was left unattended in a locked classroom for an unknown amount of time. The staff's response was so far from professional, compassionate, and appropriate that I can't find the adjectives to describe it. My 5 year old got a concussion on the playground, and the staff endangered him by treating it improperly. Neither incident was reported to our family or according to VA's legal requirements. We had been with the school for 3 years and my son had excelled academically. My daughter was thriving in the pre-K program, but lack of regard for basic safety is untenable. Daycare staff have become lazy or just refuse to take standards of care seriously. The results of the state inspection can be found on Virginia's DSS website.