Chesapeake Montessori School

Posted: September 10, 2025

Dishonest: Lie, Deceive, and then Hide.
Unfortunately, my experience with this place has been deeply disappointing. I was given misleading information and false promises, from the head of the school, shen bennett. She is ready to say whatever is needed to secure payment, including statements that later proved untrue. After payment was made, communication abruptly stopped — emails went unanswered and follow-up became impossible.
I had hoped for a much better experience, but instead was misled and ignored. I would strongly caution others to be very careful before engaging with this organization.

Posted: September 10, 2025

Posted: September 10, 2025

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Posted: August 12, 2024

Our child attended this school for 3 years. It is a great school for many. However, for us, it was OK. It provided physical and emotional safety pretty well. However, the academics are lacking. If you are looking for a school that offers enrichment learning, this is a good fit. For our child, they are very behind and actually regressed. We have had to supplement a lot to get him up to speed. Based on our experience, the school values spelling, music, Spanish, and handwriting. Other subjects do not seem to be focused on exceptionally. This may be great for some families, but it has hindered our child's learning and progress. If we had to do it over again, I don't think we would.

This experience reflects a K-6 experience and not toddler, etc.

Posted: August 12, 2024

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Posted: March 20, 2020

I really appreciate that the children are respected and treated as capable people, even at young ages! I cannot imagine a better environment for my children to experience in their formative years! Now, my youngest two are in the work force and college. Their habits developed in CMS and their ability to adapt to life’s challenges were formed in our family and with the education gained in Chesapeake Montessori School! I wish every child could attend a school like CMS!

Posted: March 20, 2020

Homework is assigned only as a way to build habits in self-responsibility or to build onto a lesson done in the classroom. One example might be to gather information from family members or friends for a project being done in the classroom.

Posted: March 20, 2020

Two reasons: One is that the teachers are highly trained. The second is that each classroom has multiple teachers, providing the students with multiple sources of support.

Posted: March 20, 2020

Yes! CMS follows Maria Montessori’s guidance of respect for all and strength of character through diversity, empathy, compassion, and peace-building.

Posted: March 20, 2020

Yes. Shanna Honan is the Head of School, and she listens to her faculty and staff. Shanna’s leadership style runs down into teaching style and even into the manner by which the older students interact with younger students. It is delightful to see in action!

Posted: March 20, 2020

Absolutely! My youngest attended CMS 3years to 12 years. When she left CMS and went to a conventional school, we learned she has two pretty severe learning disabilities. Until leaving CMS, the instructional methods allowed for her needs to be met within the regular classroom routine.

Posted: March 20, 2020

Yes. Bullying is handled through small group interventions and peace-building. Beautiful!

Posted: February 20, 2018

This school is truly amazing. The staff is incredible, the teachers extremely knowledgeable and patient, the parents, so supportive. Such a wonderful school. We wouldn't consider anything else!

Posted: February 20, 2018

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Posted: October 6, 2017

Incredible learning environment with warm, loving, knowledgeable teachers and staff. I’m so glad we found CMS. Our children have been there for three years and the amount and variety of information they are learning astounds me AND they love it! They love their school, their friends, their teachers. We couldn’t ask for anything better. We will keep our children at CMS as long as we can.

Posted: October 6, 2017

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Posted: October 6, 2017

Not only does my daughter receive excellent instruction and a variety of electives but the staff truly listens to the parents as well. We were so excited to learn that the middle school would open this year! Many of us have been asking for it and are excited to report it is going so well! My daughter loves the curriculum variety of activities they are able to participate in. Truly a blessing to be able to have her at CMS until high school.

Posted: May 23, 2017

Amazing school and teachers. We could not love Chesapeake Montessori more!

Posted: May 15, 2017

This has been our first year as a Montessori family and we are absolutely ecstatic. If you are planning on a private school for your child, this is a fantastic choice; the staff are kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. We plan to continue enrolling at Chesapeake Montessori School and our youngest son will be attending next year.

Posted: May 14, 2017

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Posted: May 14, 2017

For the past 9 years, we have had the privileged of having our two children attend Chesapeake Montessori School. During that time, they were surrounded by amazing teachers who truly cared about each student as an individual. Their attention to detail was exceptional and gave them a strong math and reading foundation and genuine love for learning.

Posted: March 4, 2017

The love, education and attention my child receives is priceless

Posted: June 12, 2014

Chesapeake Montessori School is an outstanding example of the Montessori method at work. My daughter had a seamless transition to this school.. The staff is caring, professional, and well-versed in Montessori curriculum and standards. All lead teachers are Montessori certified, and the Director is nationally recognized in the Montessori community. The classrooms are well-equipped, clean, and peaceful. The playgrounds are maintained beautifully. There are 2 campuses in Chesapeake. One contains ages infant-6 and the other is Toddler-grade 6. My child is very happy there and is developing extremely well. I would recommend this school to any parent who is interested in the Montessori method for educating your children.

Posted: January 3, 2012

Chesapeake Montessori School is an outstanding model of Montessori Education. The faculty is highly qualified and knows more about child development than any person I know in the field of education. My children are independent, respectful, happy, smart and well adjusted. If you are looking for a true Montessori education in a warm caring environment, CMS is the place. We will forever be greatful for our time at CMS.

Posted: June 4, 2011

Be aware!! This environment is not suited to all children or to all families. We could live with the cloth napkins required for lunch but there are many aspects we feel are vital to development that are missing. There are no activities to foster imaginative play or free exploration. There is no housekeeping corner, no dress up center, no sand table, no water table, no block center. The structure of the program is to the extreme. Children have choice in their activities; however, the activities are extremely regimented and structured. You may use an activity but only following the highly specific instructions. For example, you may use blocks but only to sort by size. You may not build a tower or wall. Communication is a serious problem. On a day to day basis, you will have no idea what your child is working or what skills they are mastering. There are no written notes sent home at the end of the week describing the books they read, or the songs they sing, or how your child's day is going. Unless you initiate communication, there is none. Children here develop skills and are high achieving. However, at what cost. OBSERVE and decide for yourself. BE CONCERNED

Posted: May 15, 2011

This is a fabulous school! My daughter is in pre-school for the second year here and I am thrilled with her progress both academically and socially. Once I decided I wanted to go with a school that used the Montessori teaching style, I contacted several in the area and chose this one after meeting with the teachers, etc. They teachers here are fabulous and show extreme interest in your child's well being and really want to instill the desire to learn. I am so thrilled, I plan on keeping my daughter here through fifth grade, and will enroll my younger child when she is ready as well! In fact, we will be moving, but I will be driving the extra distance to keep them in this school!

Posted: March 23, 2010

We have four children, three of whom attend Chesapeake Montessori School. You would be hard pressed to find a warmer more nuturing environment for your children, in addition to education second to none. My children are thriving both as people and students. The teachers take such an interest in each child. You can tell they love what they do and the children that they work with. CMS is truly part of our family, and we feel so lucky to have our kids here.