Mission Montessori Academy

The Sustainable Systems, Gardening, MMUN Trips, and immersion trips (m. school) are awesome experiences that we haven't seen at other schools.

We started our children as infants here and they are now in H.S. Wouldn't change a thing--they have such fond memories and so do we.

I am proud to say my children went to Mission Montessori from 1995 to 2005. The Montessori method and their great teachers prepared my children for their high school and college years. I am also excited to say that my grandchild also attended Mission Montessori. She is continuing her Montessori training in California.

I love working here and the relationships I've built with colleagues and students. The school grounds are gorgeous!

I love the care and persistence each teacher has with all students.

Mission Montessori Academy provides a wonderful learning environment that is centered on catering to each individual's needs while promoting community involvement.

I have been associated with Mission Montessori teachers, administrators,students, parents, and support staff since its very inception almost a quarter of a century ago, and have worked with, respected, and loved its visionary CEO and owner for even more years. This five campus institution offers absolutely excellent and unparalleled balanced and innovative globally-acclaimed Montessori Education to an international and diverse student body. The heart of this program is hands-on child-centered cutting edge programs, like the Model United Nations and Sustainable Systems Education programs, all delivered in a loving and responsible professional Family Community of peaceful and successful global citizens. As the 2016 School of the Year for the State of Arizona, this school system offers an Elementary Education that stands above the rest.

Sincerely,

Dr. H.K. Devich, EdD
youtube.com/globalseedorg

My three daughters have gone to school here since infancy and now the oldest is in high school. We have built life-long bonds here. WE LOVE THE SCHOOL!!!

My name is Travonne Edwards, and I am a Lead Teacher at the 96th street campus and Coach of the sports teams. I genuinely love working here. It is a great community of parents and staff.

We love it here! Mission rocks.

My daughter loves going to school here. She enjoys her teacher, Ms. Macias. She has enjoyed meeting and making friends, and she especially enjoys the extracurricular activities: band, choir, and cheer-leading.

I have two children at Mission Montessori that have gone here for 7 years. We love the teachers, administration, and parents.

I am a parent of a student at Mission Montessori. My child will be graduating from the 8th grade this year, and I can honestly say we feel that Mission has prepared our child for success in life. The whole student approach that Mission takes with teaching their students, can not be found in found in traditional classrooms. These Montessori teachers are committed and invested in my child's success. They believe in their students and bring out the best in all of them.

An amazing school with amazing staff. A wonderful community creating unforgettable memories for children. Highly recommend.

Mission Montessori Academy is a fabulous school. We've had experience with other Montessori schools and this one ranks with the best. The teachers are extremely committed, caring, and communicative. Our daughters are both flourishing and the school community is wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I'm sad to say but our experience with the school ended very bad, unfortunately. Although, the teachers are very sweet, the school is extremely crowded and unorganized. There was always commotion when I came to pick up my child. I witnessed several times children going to the bathroom with the door wide open and windows open. There were even more than one child, boy and girl, in the restroom at the same time, with one using the toilet. The school offers a half-day option which is what we chose. However, they pushed Full day on us all the time. They said our child will be behind unless we allow our child to go for the full day. Why even offer the option of half day if you know that you can not teach the child in that given time?! They are always asking for money and "donations". I understand schools needing some extra funding but they care more about the money then the child's education. We paid for the kindergarten graduation ceremony. However, there was a collection basket as you enter the room. The administration stood up there for several minutes asking for donations. It took away from the joy of the occasion. They told us our child had a learning disability. However, they waited until the very last week of school to evaluate our child! What good will that do at this point?! Upon receiving the test results on the last week of school, we found out our child is actually really smart and exceeded in math. They just did not given the opportunity and attention so our child never learned to read. Our child is going into first grade not knowing how to read. There excuse was that they don't think Montessori is for our child. They suggested public school. What Montessori school says that? I personally believe in the method but they just said that as an excuse for there lack of educating my child. I addressed my issues with the administration. They basically said there's the door. They refused to refund my money for the next school year since of course they care more about money than educating the children. There is a $1500 "donation" for the 1st-8th grade program. Although they call it a donation, in order to send your child you have to sign a paper saying you agree to give the $1500 donation. So in actuality it is not a donation if you are signing that you have to give it in order to go to the school. They are calling it a donation for tax purposes which is fraud! To top it off, the most heartbreaking part of our entire experience at the school was when my child came home and said "mommy I don't think I have a brain!" I will never again let a school make my child feel like this! What a horrible way to make a child feel! This school is a total disgrace! Thankfully, I already found a tutor and within weeks my child has learn more than during the entire school year!

I have had three children attend Mission Montessori, but sadly I have had to remove all of them from the school. If it wasn't for the teachers in the Pre K classrooms - we would have never stayed as long as we did. They are warm, caring and have great hearts. However, the administration and the policies at this school is where this school has lost our family.

This last year we had to abruptly withdraw our 2 children because Mission was not adhering to a high enough standard. The classroom has become overcrowded and this has left a huge strain on the staff. One day 2 assistants were sick (there are no substitutes) and this left one overwhelmed teacher to to teach 40+ 3,4 and 5 yr olds! Playground time is often taken away for the ENTIRE class if the are to many disruptions. Why should my 3 year old miss out on play time because somebody else is not following the rules? That is absurd. There are so many kids in the room unsupervised that kids frequently use the restroom with the door open, which is unacceptable. Also, during lunch the kids cannot speak during the entire lunch period. I could go on and on, but the final straw came when my 4 year old son came home with his Curious George shirt turned inside out without even the courtesy of an explanation. To us this is unacceptable. No adult should be allowed to remove the clothing of a child for any reason beyond a potty accident.

We prepaid our tuition and were denied a refund for the remainder of the school year, citing a 30 day notice that we did not give.
It has been clear to us that this schools number one priority is making money. Adding more and more student s to an exhausted teaching staff. They are very adept at turning a deaf ear to the concerns of parents.

Let me repeat, the Pre-K teachers and assistants were terrific, but your kids will get lost in the classroom. Once we transferred to a different school with more appropriate class numbers, it was like we had brand new kids that could not wait to go to school in the morning! We received frequent updates through email about their day and even had a chance to chat with the teachers after school! What a difference. Mission Montessori had a good thing going, but the desire to cash in has led to a huge decline in their campus.

Bottom line: if you have a child who needs a 504 or IEP, this is NOT the school for you. They cannot tolerate less than perfect children who fit the idealized mold. Also, if you do not have money and time to throw at the school, still not the place for you. Teachers ignore e-mails requesting meetings and disrespect children who are not of the ideal family. Also, the middle school teachers favor the girls over the boys.