The Portland Montessori School

I am glad to hear many parents have a good experience with this school. Here’s shortly maybe why this school did not address our needs:
— I do not feel that the staff cater to working parents. It is a very expensive school so they need to realize that you need two full time incomes in order to send your kids to this school. It may be attributed in part because Providence parents used to be exclusive there and paid a lower tuition… I am not sure but the school is certainly ran more as a public /​free school vs a private institution
— PRICE: Too many staff days and too many un-​staffed holidays. Expect additional childcare cost on top of the steep enrollment fee.

We have been so thrilled with our first year at Portland Montessori! The dedication and thoughtful approach of every staff member is so evident in our day to day experience with the school.
Our guide, Ms. Susie in the Rainbow Room, is exceptionally talented and has helped us instill grace and confidence in our (almost) 4 year old son. The aftercare staff and GIANT play space are the best we saw in our search or have heard about since, since the same support staff stay for aftercare they know all of the children really well and can respond to their individual needs.
We have also loved Camp Vida this summer, they really stepped up the program from last year in terms of the diverse weekly offerings. Music Mondays and Cooking Fridays give our son something to look forward to every week!
Great school!

I dont review, the truth is there are such few things that I actually deem review-​worthy. My son has been at Providence Montessori for almost two full years and is going in to his third year in the primary classroom. I am amazed daily at how smoothly the school operates, how friendly, helpful and intuitive the staff is, and how well my son has responded to the Providence environment. The curriculm is second to none, I am blown away when my son comes home and tells me what a hexagram is and how he is using a binomial cube (what the heck is a binomial cube). Kids at Providence are encouraged to work and learn at their own pace and because of this they blossom into little people who are excited about the process of learning, and isn’t that what we really want for our kids? To love to learn? The teachers at Providence have serious tenor, they dont leave the school for «other» jobs, they are invested in the children they are teaching. We look forward to continuing our childs education at Providence through elementary.

Our daughter has attended Providence Montessori School since she was 3 years old. She’s now in the amazing elementary class as a first grader and walks out of the classroom almost every day with a big smile on her face. While there are many things that I love about this school, here are the things I probably value the most. I think they are things that might resonate with any parent:
* An Approach to Education that Fosters Love of Learning. My daughter learns because she is given some basic knowledge and the freedom and support to explore further. For example, the class read a book about homesteading in Oregon. She then wrote a letter to the author, found the author’s address, addressed and stamped the envelope, and took it to a mailbox with the classroom assistant. The author wrote her in return. She was thrilled. What a reward for her efforts. These are not uncommon experiences for her and the other kids in her class!
* Amazing Teachers Who Know Your Child. Our daughter’s teacher knows her personality well. She knows how to work with us and our daughter to help her be a good student and a caring, compassionate person.
* A School Director Who Takes Time for Everyone. Mary Hicks knows how to run a school while making everyone at the school – kids and parents – feels valued and heard. Here door is always open.
* A Supportive Learning Environment. Children are taught to treat each other and the staff/​teachers with not only respect, but also compassion. Teasing and bullying aren’t permitted behaviors. It gives children a safe, supportive environment in which to learn and grow socially.
* An Emphasis on Healthy Bodies and Minds. The school requests that parents send non-​processed and non-​sugary foods in children’s lunches and ensures that kids get outside almost every day. The muddy boots on the boot rack are evidence of this policy!
* A Playground Like No Other. I admit that this is what first grabbed my attention. Kids need to play! It’s important to me that my kid runs around and spends time outside – even when it’s raining. The playground is not a traditional one. It’s a giant tree-​filled park. Think Mt. Tabor with a tree house in it.
Sending my daughter to this school is a gift I give her that will continue giving back to her throughout her life. I can’t recommend this school enough. My daughter will be there for all her elementary years.

After researching and visiting several Montessori schools in the city for a few years, we decided in 2009 to send our daughter (at age 3) to Providence Montessori School. We love the guides, support staff and other families at the school for their genuine care and interest in children and for the overall school community. We live closer to another Montessori school on the West side but decided the commute was worth the reward of great care, education and community of Providence Montessori School.
What I love about the school:
*Low turnover rate of the school staff
After having a daughter at another Montessori school where the staff turnover rate was high, it’s wonderful to have the stability of having the same faces in the school and classroom for my kids. The staff are happy to be part of the school, and that shows through as an overall positive energy and focus in the kids.
*Elementary Classes-​availability and opportunity to continue the wonderful Montessori method of learning
*Enrichment Programs & Holiday Camps
Unlike some of the other schools in town, they have before and after school care on site with some of the same staff kids see during the day. Oh, and they have a dedicated Enrichment Director who constantly comes up with great ways to engage and entertain the students. I’m amazed at the creativity in projects and activities to keep kids’ interest and the artistic, fun results contributed by the kids.
*Involved Parent Community
We have lots of opportunities to meet and get to know other families at the school: Parent night out, picnics at the playground, potlucks, Coffee Fridays (for parents to drink coffee, snack and chat), etc. The school has a Parent Advisory Board where families can come learn about what’s going on with the school administration and have input in the operations and programs.
*Large open green space as playground
They have an amazing, large secure play area for the kids with a boat, a tree house, a garden and plenty of are to play games and run around. My daughter loves to lift up all the big rocks to look for insects and worms and climb on the tree house.
*Indoor Gym space
When the weather doesn’t permit outdoor time, the kids have an indoor gym they can still play games and burn off some energy in an indoor gymnasium next door.
*On-​site after school programs
Rotating classes of Spanish, Yoga, Soccer, Cooking, Violin to name a few
*Cultural and Socioeconomic Diversity
The school gives scholarship to about 12−15% of families throughout the year (fund raised through school auction) and tries very hard offer great education to as many types of families as possible. This was one of our main reasons for choosing Providence Montessori School. We wanted our children to have a diverse peer group as it is in the real world.
These are some of my quick thoughts. I can’t type as fast as I think or talk and believe this is enough info for families who are researching and thinking of schools for their precious little ones.
Sincerely,
Current Happy Providence Montessori Family