Williamsburg Montessori

Our 5 year-old daughter has been here for two years. Her teachers are wonderful and we think it's one of the best-kept secrets in Brooklyn schools.

Our daughter has been going there for almost two years now, and having researched many of the schools in the area, I can say it's an AMAZING school.  I honestly can't say enough good things about WMS!

Even though much of the child's work is "self driven", the academics are rigorous and the teacher's have a clear teaching agenda.  (My daughter is in pre-k and she's already reading, doing math and learning basic science.)   The development children receive is also rich:  the kids take Spanish classes, practice Yoga and relaxation, and have the opportunity to take soccer and cooking classes onsite after school.  They have plenty of fun, too - one day my daughter came home with a "Lorax" paper bag puppet she made and announced, "It's Dr. Seuss's birthday this week!"  How cool!

The mixed age classrooms are such a benefit - the kids 3 - 6 years old learn from each other and help each other in all directions.  You can see the older children developing their empathy and patience, while the younger ones build confidence and concentration.  To teach is to master - so the older and younger kids are also getting lots of good academic reinforcement.

The classroom teachers and director of the school are true professionals, incredibly experienced in both the Montessori philosophy as well as managing everything that comes along with little ones.  We had a couple of "incidences" with our daughter this year, and they were supportive and encouraging in helping us navigate them.  Every day, I feel blessed she is in this environment.

I knew I wanted to send my son to Montessori, and I'm so glad we decided on Williamsburg Montessori. The school environment is welcoming, beautifully designed, and very active yet organized. The kids have seemingly endless opportunities for exploration and learning. Each classroom material is carefully considered and placed with children's needs and learning levels in mind. My three-year-old son has learned much of what you might expect from a preschool such as: language skills, a love of reading, an understanding of Spanish, numbers, dance/movement, soccer, cooking, crafts/art, music/singing-- but it's the life skills he's mastered that demonstrate to me the great value Montessori teaching offers: self-confidence, respect for himself and others, cleanliness without being asked, and a genuine love of learning. The staff of the school is very attentive and thoughtful at all levels-- from the head of the school, to the teachers, and assistant teachers. They are always willing to consider ways to make the school even better and listen to parents' concerns if any. I'm very happy with this school and would highly recommend it to any parent considering Montessori education for their child.

Our family with two children, have attended WMS since 2017 to current. We have always been impressed by the school, but in the last few years, with new director leadership, the environment has soared with improvements and support. Wonderful, caring and supportive guides, a clean bright and natural environment that changes seasonal and a strong sense of community in each room. The director is compassionate, warm and supportive. She makes a strong effort to get to know each family and all about each child via observations. The guides are empathetic and attentive to each child&#39;s needs, whether it&#39;s additional support or needing challenges. They focus on freedom within limits, grace &amp; courtesy, sensory, practical life and guidance to normalization with true Montessori language and materials. WMS has created a special community with involved families who are seeking out a respectful, child led prepared environment and guide the child towards independent growth.

Let me say we loved this school and more importantly loved the staff, educators and head of school for several reasons but most importantly their ability to pivot and learn and persevere in 2020. My now 3.5 yr old son was set to start in Feb of last year after much debate on which school to pick. He finally did mid February. Within 3 or 4 weeks of starting school just as he was finally adjusting and loving life at WSM, everything shut down. Like everyone else, within a matter of days, the school was remote, his teachers and everyone else on staff trying their very best to figure out zoom, class structure and how to engage a bunch of 2 year olds via a screen that didn&#39;t contain Sesame Street or Paw Patrol. They did the best they could and kept at it through the end of the year. For us it didn&#39;t work as much as I would have loved it to work because our son was just not used to an iPad serving as school or class, especially when he was so new to all of it. As summer started and WMS opened up camp sessions, we gleefully joined and could not be happier with our decision. The protocols put in place to keep everyone safe and healthy were extremely reassuring. We continued with school in the fall through the end of October. The kids would go out every day, take in as much distanced and fresh air play as the weather allowed each day. The communication between staff and parents is constant, daily updates full of pictures of your child at play or in class. Noted and feedback as needed etc. I was continually impressed with the schools ability to pivot the activity plan based on the ever changing Covid guidelines in the fall. Sadly at that point we moved out of state and had to leave behind the wonderful community at WMS. <br>Though still very young and adaptable, WMS made a lasting impression on us and our son who was beyond taken with his guides and would not stop talking about them well after leaving and moving. We wish every community had a WMS!

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