Turtle River Montessori School

When we began looking for a daycare option for our oldest child nearly 6 years ago, Turtle River was on our list and quickly rose to the top of it. Walking into the lobby of the East campus we were met with a calm atmosphere, different from many of the brightly colored, noisy, overwhelming environments we saw at other daycares we toured. We enrolled our oldest, and then as they were old enough, our second and third children as well. As a former VPK teacher, I was looking for an environment that fostered independence, encouraged children to advocate for themselves, and presented a well-rounded curriculum to develop my child in ALL areas, not just an academic curriculum. In our experience, Turtle River has met our needs and goals. As our children have grown and moved on to the West Campus, we have seen the staff using data gathered from observations, testing, and conversations with our children to help them grow personally and academically. They enjoy going to school, they come home talking about the experiments they did, the lessons they learned, and the fun that they had. The teachers that we have had the pleasure to get to know care about their students, and love working with them. As parents, we are invited into the classroom for special events all year long to coincide with what students are learning. One of my favorite things (of many) is that parents are encouraged to observe the classrooms if they are curious or want to see how their children are doing, through the use of one-way observation windows.

I couldn`t be more thrilled with this school. After the visit day, we knew we were going to be in the right place for my son! The atmosphere for children is a warm environment. The teachers are wonderful. They are all very passionate about what they do. They invite the families to be involved in classroom activities or there are a lot of volunteer opportunities for the parents! The outdoor area is nice because it is shaded for the kids. And the kids get to go out multiple times during the day. I also love how all the specials are at the end of the day. My son loves the music and tech teachers !!

This is my second year working at TRM as a teacher and I can easily say it feels like I've found a place where I can thrive. After 15 long years spent in traditional public education, the opportunity to work in a Montessori school came as a sweet reward to me. I can finally implement all my knowledge and energy in the right direction- each child's future. I am lucky to have an A-team of experienced teachers who are willing to expand their knowledge, empathy, and patience every day. I learn from them constantly. Teamwork is at a very high level. Last year was unbelievably challenging in my personal life. The TRM faculty and staff gave me incredible support in every possible way! The main culture of the school, I would say, is keeping the perfect balance between the academics and social-emotional side of each child, along with an appreciation for individual development and interests. Here at TRM, you can find a true Montessori environment where each child is respected and followed according to his or her needs. I'm very satisfied to be a TRM employee. Seeing students leaving the school happy and enthusiastic about their day every day is very fulfilling in a time when most kids do not enjoy school.

I am so thrilled to let you know that our daughter made honors for her first semester in high school (after graduating from Turtle River Montessori). I would like to thank Ms. Bubli, Ms. Lisa as well as the other teachers, educators, staff, and mentors at Turtle River Montessori... it has not always been an easy road, but you have devoted so much time and energy (and love) into helping shape our girl to be the young lady she is (and one day the woman she will become). Thank you for providing such a strong foundation. It clearly has served her well and for that, we are most grateful.

Working at TRM has been awesome. I started this year, and so far it's been great. Compared to other schools, the work environment, culture and students are excellent. It's low stress, and the focus is 100% on the child. I have a history teaching in public schools, and the work environment is a night and day difference. It's great to have the tools needed to be successful as an educator (school supplies, Montessori materials, admin support, etc.) The work culture is great to be in, it's one of kindness, acceptance, and love. Our entire staff is just so friendly and welcoming, and we work well together. The teachers here really have a passion for education and our students. It's so wonderful to be around. Students here at TRM are excited to learn and are given the tools to be successful not only in the classroom but in life. Independence, respect, value for oneself, others, and the world are taught a day in, day out and create a high level of consistency. Overall, I would give TRM 5/5 stars as an employee.

My daughters have returned to TRM after 5 years. I taught at the school for many years and my children attended for many years as well. After much consideration, they have returned to a place they call, home. The tenderness, compassion, and understanding of the staff are a gift to our family. Both my daughters, now in 7th and 8th grade feel seen, heard, and most importantly are engaged in their own learning. The detailed, conscious, and highly effective curriculum is based on the whole child and sparks curiosity and self-determination, unlike any other curriculum. I am thrilled and grateful every single day I drop them off and when I pick them up at the end of the school day, their chatter and zest for their school day are beautiful. I thank the staff, the faculty, and the community every day for what they have given my girls.

My children have been thriving at Turtle River for 7 years now. We feel lucky that we have found a school that is inclusive, compassionate, and attentive, that which has created a community that is connected and supportive. Additionally, the teachers have implemented a rigorous curriculum that has taught my children to be collaborative, creative, and deep thinkers, which has enabled them to be empathetic towards others and solid leaders in and out of the classroom.

I am a senior in high school who graduated from TRM. My personal experience at Turtle River was nothing short of transformative. TRM was a safe place for my peers and I to develop who we were, without any judgment, during the tumultuous time of middle school. In high school, it became clear to me that being part of a small, loving middle school is what set TRM students apart from students who attended other schools- there's a certain level of confidence and kindness that students develop at TRM. The support received from the community, staff and teachers is unparalleled. I`ll never forget making appointments with the head of school to discuss initiatives I wanted to start or fundraisers I wanted to plan. This experience with the head of school helped shape the leader I am today. TRM nurtured my critical thinking abilities, my work ethic, my interests and my sense of self, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

Both of our children attend TRM (second and fourth grade) and have been there since age 3. We can not say enough about the school. The teachers are incredibly passionate about their work and it shows in their individualized approach to each child's needs. Academically, the curriculum is rigorous but completely engaging and hands on and my children love going to school each and every day. The environment is beautiful and the children have plenty of access outside each day. TRM has fostered a love of learning in each of my children and has helped to make them confident, self sufficient, and well-rounded individuals who will be ready to take on the changing world.

My children have been at Turtle River Montessori since they were 3 and 4, respectively. They are now 11 and 12 and have thrived in this nurturing environment. Not only does TRM focus on education and lessons, but they also support the basic essentials in life: time management, treating others with respect, respecting your environment, working together independently but also in collaboration with a team, public speaking, managing self and work loads. The way the material is presented encourages each child to retain the information through hands on lessons. I have been amazing hearing my children repeat their knowledge to me. I personally feel like the Montessori model for education is the way of our future with more flexible work lifestyles and entrepreneurial opportunities. The gift of a Montessori education creates a well-rounded child who is prepared for all life's challenges, who is curious about the world around them, who asks questions and challenges old thinking, and has the work ethic to achieve greatness by thinking outside of the box.

We have three children there from preschool through upper elementary. There are wonderful benefits and experiences for all ages. All of our children continue to love to learn due to the Montessori method of teaching and the wonderful teachers. We highly recommend this school.

We have two boys (ages 3.5 & 6) at TRM and have attended for two school years now. I am continuously impressed by the administration and staff's dedication to the children's social-emotional AND academic well-being. Whenever I spend time with the staff or in the classroom (now at a safe distance/outside to respect current CDC guidelines), I am inspired by the classroom community and family they create. This leads to enhanced learning collaboration, problem-solving, and curiosity. The children are presented with new and exciting lessons and encourage EACH OTHER because they are mirroring what the adults do for them. Turtle River is truly a special place, and I write the staff weekly to express my gratitude. I recommend this school to personal friends, as a parent and professionally as a behavior specialist.

We highly recommend Turtle River Montessori. We have been attending TRM since our oldest daughter, now 6, was 2. We now have a 2-year-old in a preprimary class, a 4-year-old in Primary, and a 6-year-old in 1st grade! The teachers and administrators are so nurturing and go above and beyond to help our children excel academically, socially and emotionally. There is a genuine sense of community on both campuses, and my kids are excited to go to school every single day. My kids are pushed to their utmost capacity academically, given so many resources to learn. They are able to learn and explore at their own pace through hands-on experiences. The kids learn from each other, teach one another and develop lifelong skills such as confidence, inclusion, independent thinking, and empathy. My kids are truly thriving in every aspect, and we could not be more happy at Turtle River Montessori.

I love the sense of community that Turtle River offers its students and their families. There aren`t any other schools that offer as many opportunities to volunteer and be a part of the classroom environment as they do. All 3 of my children are students and the Montessori program has helped them develop their character and transformed them into kind, caring, empathetic kids.

We are so thankful to have found TRM for our son. After first sending him to a different local preschool at the age of 2.5 we quickly learned that while that school was lovely in many ways, it simply wasn't the right fit for him. He is smart and social however he is a sensitive kid who would always prefer to be home with me given the option. For us, finding a school which truly felt safe and fun like his home environment did was imperative. We wanted a space which encouraged classroom exploration, outdoor play, gardening or connecting to nature in some way, learning all the basic age-appropriate education fundamentals and, most importantly, helped the little ones understand emotional intelligence and kind interaction. It is not enough to have smart children who are emotionally lost/disruptive or to have kind kids who are behind intellectually. We wanted a strong balance of the two. Now, having been a TRM family for the past two years we can see the massive strides our son has taken in all of these important aspects of his developmental growth. He is 4.5 and loves to show us his math (adding numbers like 2456 + 1391), he loves to read us books, and every week he proudly brings home science and art projects which coincide with that month's topic. TRM has an inclusive approach to their curriculum in that one fun topic (i.e., Africa) carries the kids from Botany to Science to Geography to Cultures to Art to Math to Reading and back. They don't just look at a book and find a continent on the map - they dive deep and explore different aspects of that region in the most creative and engaging ways! The teachers we have here are amazing, (aside from COVID times) you can pop in at any point during the day to see the class in action, they offer many special days throughout the year for parents and grandparents to participate in the classroom, all families volunteer and come together to help foster a strong sense of community and, best of all, our sensitive little one is now happy and excited to go to school each day! * Also, the outdoor play areas are amazing. They have playhouses, swings, a mini hill, a paved track, garden beds, fenced in and shaded private areas per classroom with picnic tables and education bins so kids can have snacks/meals outdoors or play in that shaded space (they aren't stuck inside all day or only allowed out at playground time - there are many opportunities for indoor or outdoor study).