The Del Ray Montessori School

As the parent of a current student, I am so happy this school exists! DRMS stands out in the area as one of the few schools with all AMI-certified lead guides (Montessori-speak for teachers). Unlike many schools that use Montessori materials or the 'name,' this is the real deal. The teachers make the school a caring and loving place where you feel happy and secure sending your kids every day. As one of the few preschool options in the area beginning at 18 months, be sure to apply early if you are interested in the YCC option! The parent and family community is also a fantastic bonus of being a part of this school. You will often find families hanging out for over an hour in the school yard or at a local playground as the kids don't want the day to end! We are so grateful to the parent nights for helping us learn how to transfer Montessori principles to the home, with guidance in child-led food prep, toileting, positive discipline, and more.

As a former employee I am happily biased, but I want to tell you how much I love this school and its staff! It is highly exceptional to find a school with a director who is AMI-Montessori trained to work with not one, but three (!) age groups of children: toddler (18 months to 3 years), primary (3-6), and elementary (6-12). This means that the school culture is infused with a deep understanding of children and this research-supported way of guiding their development. I am forever grateful for the things I learned from head of school, Sarah Fondriest, when I was a new teacher. I am grateful for the colleagues who were experts in their craft, but also kind, engaged, nurturing, and hardworking people. And I am grateful for the children and their families who made the school an engaging and dynamic place to learn and grow. It was a pleasure to work with the children who passed through my class and to be part of this wonderful school! :)