Testimonials

Our parents can testify to the quality and attentive care Carlisle Montessori puts into the children's on-going education. Here are just a few comments from satisfied parents of the past:

"Our time at Carlisle Montessori has been wonderful. Over the past three years, we have seen our son grow tremendously both socially and academically. The environment is wonderfully maintained and the teachers are highly engaged. I am especially struck by the huge leaps that come in the third year. It seems like all at once so many things have "clicked" and our son has been coming home with multiplication, division, labeled maps of other continents, talking about the books he read on his own that day and the younger children he has helped to teach. We could not be happier with his development and the individualized attention given by the teachers. The foundation he has gotten here will serve him well for the rest of his life."

Jonathon McQueen

 


"My experience as a Montessori parent has truly been what I believe to be a privilege and will continue as a way of learning for all 4 of my children, of whom all are a part of the Carlisle Montessori family! Ms. Gina and her well taught staff, which has a perfect teacher to student ratio, show consistent dedication in making sure that each child has their lessons thoroughly explained and demonstrated, which is essential for young children between the ages of 2 and 6 because they learn the most from what they see. I value my experiences and teachings from Carlisle, which is always a pleasant and welcoming environment that exemplifies the traditional Montessori philosophy. I look forward to my children's future with excitement and less worry because they are products of Carlisle Montessori!"

Nivea Nash

"Hats off to you one more time for maintaining such an outstanding institution! We really miss the school and now that we have been spoiled with that quality, it is so hard to find a replacement." (Moved to California)

Viktoria Begoyan


"I've been thinking at length about the benefits of a third year of Montessori education (for children turning 5). I keep coming back to the fact that most of the benefits are intangible and difficult to describe. But, these benefits are like art, in that you know them when you see them. Repeatedly during my daughter Rachel's first two years of Montessori preschool I kept hearing that the third year is the harvest year, and I can absolutely attest to that. Having one's child attend two years of Montessori preschool and then switching to a traditional school for the third year is like planting and tending a garden, and then plowing it under right before your vegetables ripen.

A couple of tangible aspects of the third year of Montessori that I can describe are the leadership opportunities. In a traditional classroom setting, everyone is the same age, separated only by some number of months. In the third year of a Montessori program, the 5 year olds get a special chance to be leaders and mentors to the 3 and 4 year olds. This is an empowering experience that can last a lifetime. In a traditional school, 5 year olds are at the bottom of the totem pole, instead of getting to experience a year at the top. These leadership opportunities bolster sense of independence and empowerment that is invaluable.

Rachel had two years at another Montessori school, and we sought out Carlisle Montessori for her third year due to an ownership issue at her previous school. During her third year, Rachel learned to read, and advanced to the point that she's now in a Montessori Elementary program, even though she doesn't turn 6 until October, and would normally have to wait another year. This is part of the magic of Montessori, where those that are ready to advance aren't held to arbitrary standards and timetables, yet those that need more support get that not only from the teachers, but also the older students as well.

The leadership opportunities from the third year are carrying on for Rachel. She's taken up ballet, and has a 4-year old classmate that hangs on Rachel's every move. Rather than getting frustrated, Rachel is gracious and instead helps Ruby. Yesterday at the grocery store when I put two six-packs of applesauce containers on the checkout belt, Rachel glanced at it and said "Daddy, you have a dozen apple sauces." Both of my children notice details, and the Montessori materials hone their analytical skills, as evidenced by Rachel's observation.

The Montessori method works in mysterious ways, but I can attest that I'm glad that Rachel and her brother Lucas are both getting the benefits. As parents, we benefit as well."

David Ringstrom


AMI References

Lilian Bryan -- Director of Training and AMI School Consultant

Nikki Hughes -- School Consultation Report