San Francisco, CA
Big City Montessori School

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The BCMS program excels in every way. One of the most impressive is the way they deal with social issues, conflict resolution, any issue that might come up, whether with the children, or among the staff. Our director is always -- always -- looking for ways to improve the school, for the children and for wonderful people who work with her. This is her life's work and she cares for everyone in her organization, and it shows. She looks each child in the eye when talking to them; does special things for her staff to make sure they know they are appreciated. It's a tremendous thing that so many other organizations do poorly.

We spent 10 months at another school where getting answers to simple questions was like pulling teeth. The school's open door policy and her insistence on working with all parents is a breath of fresh air. My daughter, our family, feel completely happy and at home at BCMS.

As for the Montessori aspect: this is the real deal. The aunt of one of our teachers studied directly under Maria Montessori. The teachers are all excellent teachers, and Montessori-certified.

Finally, I can't stress how much care and love one feels when walking into the school. It was an agonizing decision to pull my daughter out of our last school -- but I didn't realize how much my daughter could enjoy school until we came to BCMS.

Parent #2
I am a big fan of the Montessori philosophy of teaching so I sought only Montessori schools. BCMS is great b/c Montessori is the form of education but they are an "all in one" school. The child does not have to be potty-trained. There are warm meals and snacks. The hours are great regardless of a parent's every changing schedule. The staff is kind and attentive.

Parent #3
Teachers, staff, and director are all seasoned and professionals. This is my 3rd child here at BCMS. I toured other schools and this is the perfect one. They know how to handle any situations at arise for my childrens needs.

Parent #4
The director is hands on. She is always working on projects to improve the school. The latest one is a 8ft salt water reef tank. The chidlren love it. She is always around to support the parents and her staff. The children get all they need. I love the parent community.

Parent #5
This school works like clockwork. The daily schedule is followed to a tee and the children no exactly what to expect and what is expected of them. Education and freedom of creativity make this school an excellent choice for every child. For example, if your child does not want to do circle time, they can move to a breakout room and play with puzzles (while being supervised by a teacher). Children learn at their own rate and are never forced into any situation.
The school is clean and the playground is a heaven of joy, with bikes, toys, climbing structure and lots of teachers on hand to guard against accidents.
Mealtime is a joy (and has really helped our mealtime at home) Tables are set up restaurant style with 6 students to a table with one teacher. At mealtime students are encouraged to discuss their day, taught manners and sharing. Each student clears their own plates at end of lunch.
Nap Room is open to any child who feels the need. It is not mandatory, but encouraged for the young one.
The electronic buzzer into the school and the electronic punch in and out insures the safety of my child.
Lastly, the director is constantly purchasing new toys, books, puzzles and furniture to keep the school up to date and exciting.

Parent #6
BXMS is a school where my child is loved and supported. She gets up every morning (including Saturday) and asks if she is going to school, and is excited to be going.

Parent #7
I'm on my second child at BCMS. I have been associated with the school for 7 years in one form or another and my children have thrived at BCMS. My son made lasting friendships. He still wants to come by and fill his teachers in on how he doing now. My daughter attends now and is also doing well. She is absorbing amazing amounts of knowledge and thru her coloring you can see her fine motor skills really developing for writing.

The strengths of the school are the nurturing and devoted teachers and staff, the diverse facilities, fresh cooked meals and snacks, potty training, on-site field trips, bikes and lots of physical exercise and an abundance of simulating and fun toys.

Weakness - Nothing that I can think of. The administration tries very hard to accomodate all reasonable requests, but as we all know, you can't please call the people all the time. But BCMS sure tries!

Parent #8
Big City MS has been the best choice I could have made for both of my children. The school is beautiful and welcoming from the inside (decorated with the childrens art work), the staff is warm, loving, affectionate and takes amazing care of the children and the director is a gifted educator that is constantly interacting with the children, the teachers and the parents to ensure that the children are getting the very best education possible.
There are three classrooms with three very gifted Montessori teachers and it shows - the children come home from a very early age with an eagerness to take up knowledge that is quite amazing. They learn about everything from letters and numbers to botany, geography and astronomy and they actually understand very complex ideas.

Parent #9
My child had a loving, patient teacher. Both of my kids love her. She knows the development of each child and is always available to talk about my child and how he/she is doing and how I can best support them at home. The place is spotless, the serve healthy meals, very safe! The staff is always working to make it better for the children and working on the connection between home and school. There is a lot of opportunity for parent involvement.

Parent #10
Strengths: their concern for the safety and education of the children. Weakness: Cost of education to maintain the diversity of the program.

Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?

What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?

View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.

Trace around your child's foot, with shoe on, on a piece of white construction paper or card stock. Have child cut out the shoe print and add a spooky face. Glue it to a popsicle stick and you have a ghost stick puppet!

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