Avalon Children's Montessori School

Our daughter has been at Avalon in Casa 1 at the Wood Glen campus for 6 months now and we can’t say enough good things about it. The teacher, Ms. Stark, is now our daughter’s self-proclaimed best friend! We have watched our daughter come out of her shell and learn SO many new things since she started. She is excited to go to school almost every day and Ms. Stark seems genuinely excited to see her every day. :) Her unique traits seem to be celebrated and encouraged. It is great knowing that our daughter is at school and learning, while really enjoying her time. And, if we have any questions/concerns (did she eat her lunch today?), Ms. Stark is always available and quick to ease our mind. I would definitely recommend the school. Thank you to the entire Avalon team.

Not all Montessori’s are the same, what you have with Avalon is an administrative team that either does not know how to run a school or they have lost their passion to do so. Either way, when you have an issue, big or small, you hit a wall when approaching the administration. It’s their way or no way. Here are a few examples to better explain… There are no locks on the bathroom doors at the school and my son had another student walk-in on him and then make fun of him. When I called to troubleshoot I was told that no locks would be put on the doors because the smaller students might lock themselves in. Why not put the locks higher? Why are the smallest children using the washrooms by themselves? Example B) when I reviewed my son’s first report card there was a “safety concern” within his gym class. “He was not following instructions” when I called the school to connect w the gym teacher so I could support this issue at home I was told that parents don’t speak to the “specialists”. They don’t allow you to connect w a gym, art, French teacher etc. what did happen was the principal called me and reread the report card to me over the phone and gave me her interpretation of it. Truly a patronizing experience, I do know how to read and I am still not clear as to why their policy is set up that way. Final example, this administrative team wants to do the bare minimum to run this school. During March break the families were sent an email saying that everyone deserves a break from COVID stress and that they would be closing their offices and not responding to emails. This was during a time when masks were being removed from schools. Over the break some families were telling their kids they wouldn’t need to wear masks when they started school after the break. But at 11:30pm the night before school we received an email stating they would still be requiring masks. I’m not upset about the masks at all here but it forced a lot of families to do a 180 on their kids. My son who is six was very upset that I was breaking a promise. There’s a HUGE disconnect here with the entire administration. In the school year I spent w them the kids were never put first, it was always and continues to be what’s easiest for them. That is not a family friendly place and we are obviously not returning.

Avalon Children's Montessori School, is an exceptional elementary school right in the heart of the beach. The teachers have a firm understanding of Montessori's guiding principals, the level of support the owner's provided my children with was remarkable. I have happy, self directed, life long learners thanks to Avalon Children's Montessori school . The staff, the owners, the parents and the children are wonderful, Avalon is truly a caring community.

Thank you so much to the teachers at Avalon for creating an environment where my once incredibly shy little boy has been given the tools to thrive. It's moments like these that make me feel so proud to be part of the Avalon family. All of your hard work DOES pay off. I see it every day as his confidence grows. It's so wonderful that the school embraces the arts and gives the students a chance to flex their wings and shine. Everyone did a wonderful job! Thank you thank you.