Community Montessori in Louisville, Kentucky

“My two children have attended CMS for a long time (over 8 years now) and I have witnessed many amazing things at CMS. I have had the privilege to watch my teens become self thinkers, open minded to other possibilities, problem solvers, & not scared to fail. I feel very good about CMS partnering with me & my wife to help our children become life long learners, which will help them become successful adults. Oh & Yes they have passed the ISTEP! I agree with the students that posted earlier, it also saddens me to see adults post such comments that are misrepresenting CMS. It was not a prefect road at the beginning at CMS & CMS is not a quick fix for families that are running from problems. Montessori will take time to get use to, but I truely feel CMS will help our children be amazing citizens.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The parents at this school have worked very hard and have fought tooth and nail to keep desirable programs, like art and music, afloat. And of course, the kids are great! Unfortunately, leadership is lacking at this school and the teaching my child received was very uneven. Personal experience with some teaching staff was extremely unprofessional. A small school like this one doesn't afford much choice when teachers aren't meeting your child's need. And the principal is doing very little to weed out those teachers who are just 'biding their time,' while they waste the precious time of the students they are trained professionally to serve and inspire.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a student in the teen s program (high school) and overall, I really do enjoy going here. In my opinion, from what I have observed in my two years here is that for a student to be successful here they have to have a very supportive and involved family. I think the staff does a tremendous job of supporting their students and they really do care about us. From what I have noticed, they have to balance a fine line because they are not technically allowed to make a student do their work because the student is supposed to independently utilize classroom resources (books, internet, teachers, seminars, etc.) to learn, and when the student does not do their work, it is the teachers who take the fall for their students lack of motivation. I do not think that that is fair at all. This school only works if everyone is committed: the teachers, students, and parents. If any of these links are broken then the student will not succeed. As for the comments about the director, I unfortunately in general agree with them. I think that she is too much of a dreamer who cannot handle any form of criticism. However, after spending a year at New Albany High School, this school in my opinion is still the better option.”
This review was posted by a student.

“My children have been at CMS for over ten years. They both score Pass Plus on ISTEP and are loving friendly people. My children's teachers are good people who support all children in positive ways. In fact, three parents have come to me since school started and told me that they had pulled their children and regretted it and have waited two and three years to get back in the program. There are awesome employees and good people at this school. There will also always be children who struggle, no matter what school they go to. As for me and my family, we are totally thrilled at CMS.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We were an involved family at CMS, for too long. It was a terrible joke, that our children are paying for now. They have both been retained in their grade levels and I agree that's what they needed because they didn't have a good foundation of basic elements such as reading, writing and math. We worked at home with them every night and every summer, we got tutors (even though the director told us tutors were not needed and, 'the child learns at their own pace'). If a 10-year-old can't read beyond a first grade level, there is no learning. When what we and the tutors do with the children is not reinforced by the school and staff, there is no learning. When the chaos and disruptions are constant, there is no learning. When volunteering, I did see children running the halls! I'm glad we finally left, for our children's sake!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a student at Community Montessori. I absolutely love my school and I am so grateful for the operatunity to learn here. I have to say that I'm really disappointed in some of the comments left by some of the parents. It seems like a lot of people are complaining about children teaching themselves and being able to wander around the room. That's part of the Montessori philosophy and I love that about this school. Children don't have to be taught everything to learn. They can teach themselves and they make more connections that way. Also saying that the director guides Ball State around to see the, 'gifted children' is just plain untruthful. It really saddens me, as a youth, to see adults acting so immature. I'm going to be graduating in a few years and I'm grateful that I've gotten to spend my school years here.”
This review was posted by a student.

“We have had our child enrolled since Pre-K. 4 years later I am very disappointed in what I see and hear. I consider myself an active parent. In my observations I have come to the conclusion that the teachers are more or less babysitters for a select number of students in the classrooms that have behavioral issues. The rest of the students are left to teach themselves!!!! With no threat of real punishment I see no end to this cycle. simply telling a child that they are not behaving correctly is absolutely going to do nothing to prevent them from repeating the behavior. I believe that my child's education is being sacrified to these students that cause so many problems. I am not sure if we will be back next year.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Community Montessori is a beacon for families who truely want to help their children be amazing citizens and life-long learners. I am thankful every day for the learning my children, and I , receive. Thank you to the tremendous staff!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I had 2 of my kids at this school for 2 years. Should have left after the 1st year, but hoped it would improve. Wrong! The majority of the teachers at the school weren't certified & are terribly underpaid & inexperienced. One of our teachers said she had 8 years of experience (& she considered having babysat for 6 years as 'experience'!) Our children came home from school almost daily saying they were distracted by the constant noise and undisciplined environment where children wandered around the room left to their own devices w/ teachers intervening only when it was impossible to ignore the chaos. Even then, it was like slapping a band-aid on a gushing wound. I also didn't appreciate the fact that whenever the Ball State University personnel came to visit, the director guides them to see the children who are more 'gifted', like trained monkeys, to keep the charter.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Well Im actually student that currently goes to the school, and I have to disagree with some of the things said. The school does has it's ups, and downs, but I think this school is for the people that want to learn, will challenge themselves, and give it their very best. Not kids who just want to play all day, hangout and gossip. I have to bring the fact that someone said, and I quote 'If your child needs to learn to read, write, spell and do basic math...don't expect CMS to do it...' on March 26, 2008. This is both true, and untrue. It goes to the part where your child practically does have to teach him/herself, but its not always that way. The teachers, and sometimes children both hold seminars that help expand the learners knowledge of many different subjects that are really great to know> I will continue...”
This review was posted by a student.

“I have several children at this school. some of my children have learning disabilities ranging from mild to severe. and some of my children are traditionally considered to be 'gifted'. I have been in awe of the way that the school is able to teach them all! I highly recommend this school to anyone who has a non-traditional learner.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is the end of the second year that my daughter has attended Community Montessori. She loves it so much that she is sad that the year is almost over. I think that the school may not be for everyone, especially people who are used to a more traditional education setting. Children are encouraged to learn about things that interest them, in turn creating a love of learning. If you are not familiar with Montessori, I recommend observing the classes and talking with other parents before enrolling your child. However, our family is beyond happy with the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is an excellent school with the hardest working teachers in the area hands down. These children are taught respect, peace, problem-solving skills and exposed to a wide variety of work. When they first enter Montessori they are taught Science, Culture, Math, Writing, Reading, Sensorial, Practical Life and Geography beginning at three years of age. They also have Music, Art and Yoga to enhance their learning. My children have attended for five years and my son technically in third grade but depending on the subject he is several grades higher. I have observed parents coming and going over the years and the ones who leave do not come to the parent meeting, do not read Montessori books and try to understand the concepts. The children do NOT run wild in the hallways. That is absurd! Come to our school and talk to parents who have had a great experience!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is horrible. They do a good job emotionally supporting the students but a horrible job educating them. There is no structure and no discipline. You would be better off to home school your children then to send them here. They don't teach basic foundational elements in a child's education. If your child needs to learn to read, write, spell and do basic math...don't expect CMS to do it...they will teach reserach and powerpoint without teaching basic skills first. I would not recommend this school to anyone, even with all the new updates and 'pretty' building. If you want your child educated, keep looking in the community for a better school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I go to Montessori and I believe it is a great school. I have learned things in the 7th grade that my parents said they didn't learn until 8th or 9th.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I would not recommend this school! My child's academic performance is at least two grade levels below his peers. The child is expected to teach themselves based on their interest, and the entire program is focused on what the child wants to do (or not do, or is not capable of doing). Discipline is non-existent. They have a 'conversation' with the child. They may have four 'conversations' with a child in a day and see no change in that child's behavior. My experience has been that one teacher spends the entire day 'putting out fires' and the other is left to do 'individualized' learning plans for as many as 34 students. The school has a great philosophy, it's not implemented.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The director cannot take constructive criticism about the school. It is completely without direction. There is no discipline -- anything goes. My child did not learn anything at this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son was a student for 1 semester. Then I pulled him out. Problems were numerous. Discipline was nonexistant. Teachers were oblivious to kids running in hallways, arguing, screaming. Teachers are paid much less there than in other school systems (public info, search it online). Kids were required to do 'jobs'. There was no way to choose the activity. School has no library... There is no homework, almost nothing gets sent home. I was lost trying to learn what he is doing in class. 'Community involvement' was about eating lunch out. I thought it is about library, university. They do not distribute 'Project AHEAD' (IUS enrichment for advanced students) registration in classrooms. I asked a principal to transfer my son to another classroom. She listened and denied. Other kids were transfered. I wish I knew how their parents got it done. It was hard to leave friends. I cried. Glad it is over now.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have two children currently enrolled at CMS. I have never ran into a problem here. The teachers are always able to answer questions. I can contact them by phn, e-mail or in person. I like that they encourage you to be active in the classromm and school. My kids look forward to going to school everyday.”
This review was posted by a parent.