Montessori-Golden Montessori School

My son attended this school a little more than 2 months and during that time he learned a lot of text book information. he learned the days of the week, months of the year. they sang daily songs, did daily activities. Here is why my rating is so low. when i signed up for this school I was misinformed about it being a Montessori school. I saw the teacher interact with the kids and be nice or playful with them during the small window of parent pick up. I believe these people are good people, they are just old school and set in their ways. the woman has a long history in the education system and feels that she knows everything and if you want to try and talk to her she will get defensive and rude and talk over you. no matter how many kids are around watching the scene. they have more kids than they can take care of and teach. a couple weeks ago I picked up my son and found this little boy with his pants down, exposing his penis, instead of getting up to help this boy who couldnt do it on his own, she encouraged him to do it on his own. she was too LAZY to stand up. I wrote them a letter about my concern because at home we build our son up and talk to him about independence while also explaining that our privates are only for us and we dont show them to our friends. they were very rude back to me after I wrote the letter. they got defensive and gave me every excuse in the book about why it happened. today I went in just to sit in on the class. I figured maybe I was over reacting and once I sat in on their MONTESSORI class I would feel better because I would see how nurturing they are and how they acknowledge each childs feelings and needs.
I was so wrong!
what I saw today was so sad. teacher Mary sat on the floor of the kitchen area and made kids count eggs, she included them even if they were doing something else. she would say «get me that basket, pick up those toys» my favorite was when one of the little girls took something from another. the teacher sighed very loudly and said «did you just take that from her? you need to stop, thats so rude» thats how that situation was handled and so many others. she talked over top of the kids while some kids sat in a different area not even noticed.
on the other side of the room was bill doing a teacher guided writing activity. there was an extreme lack of respect for the kids. more of a «my way of highway» attitude. this one boy wasnt listening and he got loud and said «you need to write you a’s NOW»
I had heard enough at that point I started writing a list to myself so I could go home and talk to my husband about my concerns so we could make our next move.
teacher Mary stood up and said «you have more complaints???» I told her I had a few and before she ever let me talk she started accusing me or things and being horrible. she was talking over me in front of the whole class, she told me i just needed to get out and I was being disrespectful. I complained, how am I suppose to talk to you guys about anything when there clearly isnt an open door policy” at that point I was crying and she just kept telling me to take my kid and leave.
teacher Bill took me into the other room to try and have a conversation with me. explained that they dont have the money and they are trying to do their best (which I believe is true) but they just have too many kids and are too old to have 8 – 10 kids in there and be able to teach them using the MONTESSORI way. i explained my concerns about talking over children and he had an excuse for everything.
I put my child into preschool so he could have the same respect from his teachers and peers that he gets at home and there is no way those teachers are going to belittle me in front of children and claim to give those kiddos respect.
he explained over and over that they arent perfect and i just kept talking about consistency, they are a normal structured teacher led preschool. DONT LET THE NAME FOOL YOU.
honestly even if I wasnt looking for MONTESSORI I wouldnt recommend taking your child there! terrible experience. my son told me weeks ago he wanted to change schools because the teachers were sometimes mean. they dont understand what it means to respect kids and acknowledge feelings because for whatever reason they think they know it all and are too old school to change their ways.
save yourself the time and money and your little child the heartache and find yourself a different preschool home!
Good luck!

Our daughter went to Golden Montessori for 2 years. I knew from the moment we walked in the door that it was a wonderful school! Teacher Mary, Mr. Bill, and Teacher Ruth are fantastic! It is a very positive atmosphere and the teachers truly care about every student. I would highly recommend this preschool to any parent. We can’t wait for our son to go there!

Golden Montessori is a nice little pre-​school in Gresham. I was impressed by the amount of personal attention paid to the kids and it was obvious to me that «Teacher Mary» loved kids and interacted well with them. The kids in return were attentive and clearly seemed to be having a good time there.
I am a big fan of the Montessori method. I certainly wish my parents had sent me to one. Instead, I got to see what it has done for my little neice and I am both delighted and charmed.