High Desert Montessori

I went to High Desert Montessori for 9 years, during wich I gained knowledge, abilities, and friendships that will last throughout my life. I was given opportunities to explore in my learning and find my interests. I was glad to call it my home for many years and now I am thriving and prepared in highschool. I am grateful for the impact HDMS made on my life.

I attended High Desert Montessori School for 7 years and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Before attending HDMS, I attended a public school for 2 years and it was never the right fit for me. I felt trapped and like I wasn't free to learn or do what I wanted to. HDMS completely changed that for me. I felt free and like I was learning things that were important. The openness of the classroom allows for students to develop a sense of independence. This is because they are not being told what to do every minute of every day, they are allowed to work on topics that interest them while getting a full education at the same time. High Desert Montessori School was not just a school to me, the school and everybody inside became my second home and my second family. Being in the same classroom for 3 years at a time allowed the students the chance to make deeper connections and relationships with each other. Since the school is small, you end up knowing all of the people in your grade which, in my case, made us all feel like a unit. The staff at HDMS are amazing, they are always around to help you and there is never an unfamiliar face. All of the teachers and admin are always willing to help. I loved going to HDMS, it was an experience that I wouldn't trade for the world!

HDMS is a great community and school. We have truly enjoyed our experience at this school. They go out of the way to meet the needs of our children!

HDMS was the answer we were looking for when we discovered traditional public school was not the right fit for our family. Our children were bored in school and frustrated with hours of homework after school. There had to be a better way!

Many years later- we have three thriving teenagers who happily attended HDMS from Lower Elementary all the way up through HDMS Middle School. They're now at a local charter High School, where they continue to be independent, self-motivated children who love learning, and who are getting straight A's.

We are forever grateful to have found a Montessori Charter school that serves ALL families, as we could not have afforded a Private School.

My oldest son graduated and went through the IB program successfully. My youngest is about to graduate from 8th grade, ready to go to high school. They both got great educations and even more importantly, learned study habits, and respect for others. Never had to do any "drone" worksheets either

My daughter has been attending for 4 years now. They teach independance and education. They have core studies but each child chooses what order the will do there studies and with what materials. they learn math starting with counting beads. They incorperate learning in everything if they are celebrating a birthday the have to walk around the "sun" for each year alive.

Both our daughters attended HDMS for six years and received individual attention from their teachers. They gained so much more than just academics. Now that they've moved into high school, we're proud at how well-balanced they are and able to stand against peer pressure.
The school has grown a great deal and certainly had growing pains but the staff is dedicated to improvement and "following the child." It's important to look at your child's needs and your family's commitment to trying a different philosophy of education before judging success or failure.

High Desert Montessori is a hidden gem in the Reno area! The teachers are highly trained and knowledgeable in the field of Montessori instruction. The Staff has terrific customer service and is helpful in finding out information. The students are happy and productive in their learning. Parents are involved and supportive. A Montessori education leads to choice, independence and a joy of learning. This school is AMAZING and promotes a sense of community !

I will not be bringing my children back in Fall 2012 due to the lack of opportunities - no science lab, computer lab and a very weak math program. Science and computers are actually frowned upon in this school, as they are not "Montesorri material friendly". Also, there are no sports teams to entertain children after school. The focus of the school is in the huge on-site child care center for six year olds and under; little time and energy is spent on elementary and middle school students.

I had heard this school was great, but after two years, we moved our child back to public school. The school is in huge administration-against-staff turmoil and every 1st-3rd grade teacher quit at the end of last year. Not one of the new hires is Montesorri certified. The school expanded to a second campus this year and is now in huge financial turmoil which means programs are being cut and classrooms were closed this year, laying off staff. Even the principal left last year. Go to http://www.washoe.k12.nv.us/ to see the year to year decline in CRT Math scores. Only 55% of students meet Math CRT standards and even less meet English CRT standards. I know my child's non-Montesorri trained teacher was awful and taught my child little to nothing during our last year there. Lots of parents have left this year and I doubt this school will be open much longer.

In a word; unorganized. There is no administrative control, no process, no policy and teachers literally make up the rules as they go. The disorganization leads to a high turn in staff and there's nothing but young, uneducated and overwhelmed "teachers" left at this school. My child is constantly bullied and last week at after school pick-up, I arrived to see one of my child's classmates was dragging my child around by the feet while my child screamed "Stop!". My childs educational skills have seriously deteriorated and my child is now an entire grade behind (check out the lame school testing scores for yourself). I tried to get involved in the beginning of the school year and joined a committee, but the inclusive parents running the school didn't want anyone reasonable in their mean girls gossip club. If I had to hear, "I'm one of the oldest family's in this school" one more time, I think I might have thrown up. Summary: Mean girls parent 'club' runs the school, absolutely no administrative leadership, and lacking teacher skills will drive this school into the ground. I was so excited at the beginning of the year, but I'm more excited for the school year to end and enroll my child elsewhere!