Step By Step Montessori Schools (Wayzata)

Warm and caring staff.  Lots of great programs going on in this school.  Our family is so lucky to have this place at a resource.

Both of our daughters have attended Step By Step in Wayzata and we have been so pleased with the school. Our oldest is going into 1st grade and she was beyond prepared for Kindergarten, both academically and socially. And our youngest is in the toddler program, soon to be moving into the preschool program! My husband and I have been so blown away by the quality of care and teaching provided there. It is not uncommon to see little kids reading and writing way before they should be. And the environment is also very loving. Miss Kylee went out of her way to help guide my oldest daughter during a time of great anxiety for her. The impact of that relationship was felt throughout our whole family. And I know we are not the only ones to receive this type of special love and attention at the school.

The toddler room is quite incredible too. It is such a loving environment and they teach the little ones so much independence! It’s truly incredible. I always leave drop-off watching my kiddo getting the biggest hug from someone, and feeling so happy and grateful that we found this school. Miss Ethel runs that room like a tight ship, all the while creating such a fun and loving environment. I seriously can’t believe all the things that my 2.5 year old can do. And Ethel is ALWAYS willing to talk to us at length about my daughters day (successes & struggles) as well as ideas of how we can support her at home. This program is SO much more than a day care.

Although the center is on the smaller side, they make the absolute best of their space. The classrooms are very calming with plants, animals and all sorts or amazing Montessori “works” that they invest in. The children really respond to it, as I have never encountered an out of control classroom in 3 years. They also provide all sorts of supplemental learning opportunities like music, dance, language, nutrition and soccer.  Jessica, the Director has created an amazing environment in which it seems both kids and teachers feel at home. There is always a calm and positive vibe when you walk in which I know the children are aware of.  The teachers have a genuine passion for what they do, and many of them have been there for 15 years or more which speaks volumes in this high turnover industry.
Over the years I have recommended this school to so many families! I am just now finally getting around to sharing the love publicly!

We have been very pleased with the program at Step by Step Wayzata the past 5 years with 3 children going through the classrooms from infant to preschool.  The Montessori curriculum has given our kids such a rich learning environment.  Our child who finished the program was very advanced especially in math and reading in comparison to other children in his kindergarten classroom.  The teachers in the preschool classrooms have longevity at the school and do an incredible job with the children.  The school director, Jessica is an exceptional leader for the school.  She is responsive to requests and questions, communicates with teachers and back with parents.  We highly recommend this school to any child from infant through preschool

Our child has been at Step by Step Wayzata for 1.5 years now, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We transferred to SBS Wayzata from a school that boasted a brand new facility, but unfortunately, our experience at the other school was disastrous. School leadership at the previous school was poor, teachers were disgruntled and inattentive, and the children bullied our child endlessly and without reprimand. Our child regressed measurably in all ways while under the other school’s new roof. How thankful we are for Step by Step Wayzata, which is the epitome of what a school for young children should be. Within mere weeks of transferring into this warm, caring environment, our child transformed. The entire atmosphere is one of deep wisdom, peace, compassion and learning. Children feel validated and safe while being stretched and challenged in myriad ways, gaining not only academic lessons but social lessons at every step. Under the tremendous guidance of the teachers (I can’t even begin to explain how terrific each one is), the big kids help the younger kids, and each child learns how to operate independently while also being keenly aware of his/her importance in and contributions to the greater whole. Using their heads and hearts both, kids at SBS grow in ways most of us adults wouldn’t expect them to be capable of at such young ages. We have consistently been amazed and proud of what our child and his peers are accomplishing. And the kids are proud, too! We love that each child is celebrated fully for his/her strengths and unique traits. The school has heart, which enriches each child, and feels completely different from the school we came from. From a parental perspective, we appreciate the thoughtful, frequent communication from the director, Jessica. Having her as the leader is the ultimate feather in this school’s cap. She is passionately devoted to every person, big and small, in the building, and it shows. Run—don’t walk—to take your child to Step by Step Wayzata. We can’t recommend it highly enough.

We have two children in this program and have been very happy! The structure of the program is great for development. The staff are patient, kind, and insightful. The director is always responsive to feedback and aware of the small details at the school. Our children have blossomed in the environment! We like the extra program options like soccer & dance. So great to have the kids in activities that don’t require an extra pick up and drop off!

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