Montessori School of North Dallas

I would highly recommend MSND to anyone looking for a school for their young child. My daughter is 14 months old and loves going to school everyday. She gets out of the car, waves bye and I know she is going to have a great day. This school has given the peace of mind to go back to work and feel comfortable that my child is in a loving, secure environment. The front office staff is so helpful when answering questions or finding out any information I need regarding my daughter's day/needs. I hope that everyone will go and visit the school to see what a truly wonderful place this is!!

Posted 07/08/09 | Report Abuse

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My son has been going to this school for a year now, and every morning he is excited to go to school.

I chose this school because
1. the facility was clean and well lighted
2. The front staff was professional ( Of all the calls and emails that I made to so many schools, Hope was the only one who was prompt and informative. Too bad Primrose lost her.)
3. The children seemed happy and engaged.

I like this school because
1. there is good communication between the teachers and the parent
2. and my son is having so much fun. He adores his teachers and his friends.

Posted 03/25/09 | Report Abuse

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My son has been going to Montessori School of North Dallas for over 4 years now. My husband and I love this school and wouldn't take our child anyplace else. My son loves going to school which makes our mornings a breeze.

Posted 12/02/08 | Report Abuse

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MSND is a great school and we are so lucky to have it in our neighborhood. The staff communicates well with us regarding our child and helps us when we have challenges in our home environment. The director is also very helpful with good parenting tips. We are looking forward to our daughter spending many years at MSND!!

Posted 11/23/08 | Report Abuse

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My son has been going to Montessori School North Dallas for two years and his learning has been remarkable. Not only in the classroom, but in life skills as well. Great staff always will to help and great location.

Posted 11/19/08 | Report Abuse

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I have been working here at Montessori School of North Dallas for some time now and love my job. I used to work at another school (Primrose) before I began here and would go home stressed all the time. Once I began working here I was welcomed with smiles and hugs because everyone here works towards the same goal. Our goal is making sure the children are always safe and get the most out of the Montessori materials. The teachers here are like a family to me and I love to have them on my team. The director is very easy to talk with, and is always there to help. She is always bending over backwards to help out a teacher that needs the day off or just a hug. I believe the teachers here are treated very well. Just schedule a tour and see for yourself! Plus any school that has been open for 17 years must be doing something right!

Posted 09/09/08 | Report Abuse

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MSND is a wonderful school! My son and daughter both attend (for the last two years) and they love their teachers! The teachers(They have had the same teachers for the past two years) are so caring and nuturing and we are so impressed with the amount of learning that our children are accomplishing. The front office staff greets us everyday and makes sure that we very well informed about all events going on in the school. The uniforms are fabulous and makes my morning go so smoothly. Having computers and gardening as a part of the curriculum also makes MSND an environment that focuses on the whole child not just math and language. I know that we have made the right choice with MSND as the school for our children!

Posted 09/04/08 | Report Abuse

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Myson is so happy here! The staff is excellent and has really helped us as we moved to Dallas. We have met several other families in the school and everyone is so nice. Our son has already learned some sounds and numbers. The front office staff and director have provided us with a wealth of information and we are looking forward to our child staying here at MSND for a long time to come!

Posted 09/01/08 | Report Abuse

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This school has really helped us with our children and we could not ask for better teachers, front office staff or director! Every staff member gives individual attention to each family and child. I am amazed at how they greet all parents by name and know who is moving, having a new baby or any other important events going on in the family's lives.

I read the other reviews and I am disappointed that a parent would not want to send their child to a school where there are rules and policies. I went to visit several other Montessori schools before I enrolled at MSND and I saw teachers on their cell phones in the classrooms and eating and talking instead of watching the children. I spent time with the director before enrolling and asked her several of the questions that I saw listed here. She indicated that there is a contract for all the teachers to sign so that they can try to have consistency in the classroom. Teachers are offered 3 weeks paid vacation, medical, dental and retirement benefits. Also, they get a tuition credit to help them with tuition for their own children. I also asked to see all the teaching certificates for the teachers and their was no hesitency to show those to me. At other schools, when I asked all the teachers kept their own according to the director there and they were not able to find them on the three visits that I made there.

Also, I asked about the turnover of the teachers and the director at MSND showed me the start dates for the teachers in the classrooms. Majority of the teachers were there from 2-9 years in the building. When asked why there were some new teachers in the building this year, I was told that one moved with her family, one went back to school full-time and another did not follow state guildlines and was terminated. I am glad to see that guidlines are followed when I am not there to watch my child or teachers at all times.

I asked to meet my child's teachers prior to enrollment and she answered all questions I had as well with her employment. She also indicated that she was so happy working there.

Since, my two daughters have started here I have seen tremendous improvement in their academics and I am so happy with the staff in the entire school! I highly recommend that parents visit this school and form their own opinions and not those of a few disgrunted staff members who chose not to follow the rules (and state guidelines).

P.S. I believe that it is customary to give two weeks notice whenever you leave a job.

Posted 09/01/08 | Report Abuse

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My son went to MSND and we had teachers leave atleast 3 times one academic year. Upon enquiring with one teacher we discovered that rules and policies are imposed very heavily on teachers. Apparently several of them dont like to wear the uniform. As a parent, I am not a fan of my child who is under 4 wearing a uniform. Also one is required to buy the lunch bag f they intend to send their kid to school with a snack and buy their sweater so that the child can wear it to school in cold weather.

They apparently make teachers sign a very iron-clad bond, where they want a 2 week notice. Teachers with kids attending school find that they have been taken for a ride since they end up paying much more than what they had anticipated as initial non refundable fees and having to pay upfront for the last month.

When we met one of teachers who had quit, she confirmed that she worked just a little over two months to cover her childs last months fees paid upfront and then put her child in a different school without contracts when she found a new job.

I would warn parents to be aware that they have to pay for something every now and then other than their monthly fees. Due to the leaving of teachers and several other reasons I would not recommend this school.

Posted 08/09/08 | Report Abuse

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We have had our child at MSND for 2+ years and find it to be a great learning environment. We've noticed an improvement in staff over the two years and could not imagine having our son go anywhere else.

In looking at some of these comments below, it is obvious they are from disgruntled ex-employees who could not cut the mustard.

Would encourage other parents to visit the school and sure you will be impressed.

Posted 09/23/07 | Report Abuse

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My daughter attended Starwood Montessori when she was 2 1/2. She is 5 now. About 8 months ago, we drove by Starwood M. She said, "That's the mean school." I said what are you talking about? She said, "They hit the kids who aren't quiet on the hands with sticks that have numbers." She was obviously talking about rulers. I thought that was quite interesting. I won't name the teacher she had but I always had a bad feeling about her. Of course, my daughter was only 2 1/2 at the time but for her to say "sticks with numbers" kind of convinces me that it actually happened. I would never recommend this school. Plus, my daughter was in the half day class. About 10-15 minutes before she was to leave, all the other kids began eating lunch. She had to sit on the carpet by herself. It was not worth the $620 a month or whatever it was.

Posted 09/21/07 | Report Abuse

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I have worked at MSND for 6 years and would highly recommend this school to any parent looking for a true montessori experience or prospective employees looking to make the world a better place one student at a time time . The director and staff at MSND are team players and provide a positive and rewarding enviorment for both staff and children.

Posted 09/14/07 | Report Abuse

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Initially, we were very impressed by your facility and all that Starwood Montessori has to offer. However, I have grown increasingly troubled. As new parents we want to be certain that Starwood is appropriate for our child. For reassurance I can only rely on the director and his instructor.

Specifically, after my tour of the facility I was concerned with teacher/ student ratios and teacher turn over. Virginia convincingly stated that neither are issue at Starwood. After additional researches I find that teacher turn over is a concern. According to a former employee these are absolute concerns. http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3722074749. In our opinion, high turn over only indicates lack of consistency and less of an opportunity for success.

In addition, when I contacted the school questioning why second tuition payment had not been remitted to the bank I was rebuffed. The Starwood employee stated well, she cant run to the bank everyday to make deposit. At that time it was exactly three weeks since the check had been written. Parents were asked to submit payment by July 1. We submitted payment June 28th. It was then July 19th. Most child care providers are considerate, caring, and accommodating to children and parents.

Anyone know of another school we should consider. I'm all ears.

Posted 08/06/07 | Report Abuse

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I was a teacher at this school for several years. The family that owns this school as well as West Plano and Starwood Montessori are horrible people. They treat their teachers very poorly. The turnover at MSND is at least 5-8 a school year. The director lies about why teachers leave the school by making up stories about them having cancer or family members dieing. This family has no business owning or running a school where children attend. Please look for alternative schools!

Posted 07/16/07 | Report Abuse

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We are not returning to this school due to the bad rapport of the director and the teachers. (The teachers at this school are phenomenal and should not be mistreated.) Our concern as parents would be: If the teachers are not happy, how can our children benefit from this? I sincerely hope that there is a change of heart with the director and that parents are aware of the situation before enrolling. Also, I noticed that the director is "chop-chop" with the kids and not very loving, which made me as a Mom uncomfortable leaving any child there. I understand that the director is young and perhaps she will learn to be warmer and caring as she grows into this position. We wish all the best for the school, director, and the teachers.

Posted 06/29/07 | Report Abuse

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My son started at MSND when he was 18 months old. Within two months, he knew all his colors, shapes, days of the week, numbers up to 20, and so much more. Over the past year and a half, he has learned manners and other very important social skills in addition to his academic lessons. He read his first Bob book before his 3rd birthday and is able to add two numbers. I attribute his well-mannered demeanor to the wonderful learning environment at this school. A diverse student body is another positive factor. I am proud my son is working with other young, bright children whose parents are focused on education and not on "fluff." The children are safe and treated with respect, which makes for a conducive learning environment.

PROS: Great teachers. Good program for children.
CONS:

Posted 09/11/06 | Report Abuse

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We enrolled our oldest son in the Montessori school when he was 3 1/2 years old because I worked in the area at the time. He went through 1 1/2 years of preschool here and 1 year in a regular preschool/daycare. I can tell you that the lessons he received here at the Montessori school are still with him to this day. He learned not only good school information here but he also was introduced to a peer group that consisted of children of all colors, nationalities, and physical attributes. I am proud to say that my son doesn't see people in colors or physical attributes but for whom they are and I have to say that this school played a part in that at such an early age for him. We were always treated with respect when we went into the school.

PROS: Good learning, great teachers
CONS: Parking lot is small

Posted 06/06/06 | Report Abuse

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When I came to tour this facility I found it to be dark, dreary and not very appealing to children. All the toys seemed to be either brown or tan or gray to play with and each room was cold and uninviting. Even the playground seemed uninviting. Compared with other preschools in the area, this one would be my last choice.

Posted 03/27/06 | Report Abuse

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I went to visit this school and encountered a very rude front desk person who acted shocked and visibly annoyed when she asked me if I had an appointment and I said no, I was just dropping in to look at the school for my daughter. She left the deska nd another, marginally nicer lady who had me fill out paperwork but told me I would need to make an appointment to tour the school. Then she showed me the tuition prices, which were reasonable, but they require that you buy a $10 lunch box, a $30 T-shirt, and other ridiculous items. (My daughter is only 2).

I passed on the tour even though it was in my budget and very close to me.

PROS: Reasonable tuition
CONS: Rude front desk, expensive incidentals, and exclusivity

Posted 09/09/05 | Report Abuse

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