Chiaravalle Montessori

My son transferred to Chiaravalle during the fifth grade because his learning style wasn't well-suited for public school. His math scores were lagging and didn't improve despite trying things like teacher conferences and outside tutoring. After visiting Chiaravalle, my son was immediately attracted to the welcoming community and the modern Montessori learning approach, where students are allowed, encouraged, and trained to take responsibility for their own learning and community. He still doesn't love math (Chiaravalle can't perform miracles!) but he's back on track with what he needs to know and has much more confidence about his math aptitude. He's also learning tons of other great stuff-not just academics but also leadership skills (and the resilience needed to be a good leader) as well as executive functioning skills like how to keep up with his assignments and plan his own work schedule. He's in seventh grade now and in middle school they are doing such a great job getting him ready for ETHS. He's a social, outgoing person and we were not sure how he would do with the smaller class sizes. This turned out to be no problem, especially because students of different grades work together. He's friends with students who are a year older and a year younger than he is, in a way that I think would not be the case in public school. Overall, Sending him to Chiaravalle significantly and positively changed the trajectory of his education and development.

Chiaravalle has provided a transformative experience for our two elementary-age children. This is our fourth year at Chiaravalle and we are amazed at how well the teachers provide thoughtful, caring, and responsive instruction that meets students' individual learning needs. Chiaravalle has nurtured our kids' curiosity and love of learning in a warm and inclusive environment. Our kids are eager to go to school every single day, and we are so grateful for the kind and engaged community of families that we have gotten to know. Spending time in the school and seeing how intentional the teachers and staff are about teaching students to be caring, conscientious, citizens of the world, and lifelong learners fills me with great hope. This is a wonderful school, and I would highly recommend it.

My son has attended Chiaravalle Montessori since kindergarten and is now in 7th grade. Throughout his education, he's benefited from teachers who care deeply and know him well. My son also knows himself well, both as a person and as a learner. He is confident and curious and considers others and the world (sustainability) in his personal choices. As a 6th grader, he was awarded a junior champion award by a not-for-profit agency following a service project he did at the encouragement of the school, going on to speak (with poise) at a gala in front of 600 people to accept the award. He also believes that constructive conversations will yield favorable results, and in that regard, there are many years ahead. The school handled the COVID years as well as I could have imagined and transitioned the kids from elementary to middle school in a particularly thoughtful way that made it seamless and familiar. The middle school is intimate, and the interesting, diverse students (and their parents) are a wonderful, tight-knit community. The middle school has its own bread-baking company and all students participate. The teachers work as a unit and know my son well; social and cultural field trips, campouts, and out lunches help to foster an uncommon closeness amongst the students, particularly important at these ages and in these times. I can't imagine a better place for my son.

We are the parents of three Chiaravalle students (one in upper elementary, one in middle school, and one recent graduate). During our five years at Chiaravalle, we've been consistently impressed by the nurturing, engaging and academically stimulating environment. The teachers truly get to know each child as an individual and are adept at capitalizing on the strengths of each student while simultaneously supporting them in areas for growth. We have found the administration to be approachable, responsive and helpful if any questions or issues arise. The Chiaravalle experience not only promotes academics, but the Montessori philosophy also stresses real-world experiences, community-mindedness and compassion. We are grateful that our children get to be part of a school where they feel safe, connected and driven to succeed.

I'm a parent of a child in the early childhood program at Chiravalle, and after two years, I can confidently say it's been a fantastic experience. My child has grown so much in independence and truly enjoys going to school. The teachers are wonderful, and the parent community is incredibly welcoming. The parents' organization does a great job organizing playdates and activities outside of school, which have been a lot of fun. Everyone at the school seems to know each child by name. There's something special about walking into school in the morning and watching my kid be greeted warmly by so many people.

I was raised in traditional schools and had no prior experience with the Montessori approach, so I wasn't sure what to expect when we first joined Chiaravalle Montessori. But after four years at the school, I can confidently say that I am amazed by how effective this method is and how well it supports my child's individual growth.Our child is now in kindergarten, and one of the things that continues to impress me is the sophistication of the curriculum. Every day, he brings home work that I would have been doing in second or third grade—adding and subtracting fractions, solving word problems, and even working with four-digit multiplication. The Montessori approach allows children to progress at their own pace, and it's incredible to see how engaged and excited he is about learning. Even more importantly, he is thrilled to go to school each morning. Knowing that he wakes up eager to learn and be part of his classroom community speaks volumes about the environment Chiaravalle has created.Another standout aspect of Chiaravalle is the extraordinary educators. Over the past four years, our child has had three different teachers, and every single one has been a professional, deeply dedicated to their students. They don't just teach; they observe, adapt, and create a learning experience that meets each child where they are. Their ability to recognize strengths and nurture individual potential is remarkable.Beyond academics, Chiaravalle is an incredibly close-knit and welcoming community. The relationships our child has built—with peers, teachers, and other families—are meaningful. It's a place where children are treated with dignity, encouraged to explore, and supported in becoming confident, engaged learners.We are so happy with our experience that we will be continuing into elementary. We truly believe that Chiaravalle is giving our child the best foundation—not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. We feel incredibly grateful to be part of this school.

I'm a long-time parent of an 8th grader and an alum (now a senior at ETHS). Our children grew up at Chiaravalle, and we are so grateful for the community of families and friends that we were able to create. We choose Montessori because of its focus on the whole child, on fostering curiosity and respect. However, we were struck by how incredibly academically prepared our children were for high school. Our eldest's high school teachers repeatedly noted how she already had the planning and prioritizing skills, as well as the self-advocacy skills, of a much older student. And wow, does a Montessori education make for great college essay material!

My family has been a part of the Chiaravalle community for 7 years, and we continue to be impressed with the environment that it cultivates for its students. It is a place that embraces students as both individual learners and as a part of a community where everyone is on a journey to be their best selves today and as they learn and grow. I am touched by the sense of belonging that both of my children have developed and how eager they are to continue to come to school here each day to learn and be appropriately challenged and supported. The school's modern Montessori philosophy has led them on a journey to be mindful and appreciate themselves, others, and the world around them.

All three of my children began Chiaravalle in early childhood and graduated from the middle school program. In those 16+ years, Chiaravalle was more like a home for our interracial family. The community accepted and encouraged their unique personalities, cultivated their curiosity, nurtured their development at every stage, and helped to foster a sense of responsibility for themselves and their community. My children were exceedingly prepared for the rigors of high school and college—socially, academically, and emotionally. One child is doing well in our local high school, and my other two are enrolled in selective colleges, pursuing their interests. We all look back at our time at Chiaravalle with deep gratitude.

My daughter graduated from Chiaravalle yesterday. The graduation ceremony was reflective of the extraordinary teaching, mentorship, and culture of learning at Chiaravalle. I also see the ethics and values that permeate the culture of Chiaravalle show up in her-- and that is wonderful to see. I am so grateful that we found Chiaravalle when we did. My daughter is very well-prepared for high school and has a core group of friends she can lean on.