Sunstone Montessori School

Besides enticing my two grandsons to love learning, our whole family enjoys the sense of community and kindness. They just started at the beginning of this school year, so Montessori is for EVERYONE, not just those who started as toddlers. Our boys are challenged academically, socially, emotionally, and environmentally! They are very self sufficient and I've learned to say "let me know if you need help". When they return home, no more asking for screen time. It's creative and inventive play projects. If I hadn't witnessed this for myself, I'm not sure I would believe how beneficial Sunstone Montessori is for our family.

If you are looking for a school where your children will be around children, teachers, and staff who are compassionate, kind, and who support one another, look no further than Sunstone Montessori School. We have been at Sunstone for several years, and I can say that this is a serious school where everyone is highly committed to giving their students the best instruction. My son Joshua, who will be five in the summer and who has been at Sunstone since he was eighteen months, makes a sad face when it is the weekend and there is no school. This is a wonderful, calm, and peaceful place for children to learn with materials they can manipulate at their own pace. Ana Vitale, mom to Joshua in Butterfly.

I brought my son to Sunstone after he had issues with bullying in the public school he was attending. From the day of the interview on, he has felt valued and safe in this environment. He is thriving in the format of the teaching as his creativity has blossomed. I am so grateful for the privilege of having my child attend this school.

I could not be more satisfied with the education my two children receive on a daily basis at Sunstone Montessori. This is the start of their 4th year at the school, and with each passing week, month, and the year I am reaffirmed that they could not be in a better place. All of the guides and assistant guides are skilled, dedicated, passionate, caring, and provide individualized attention to each and every child. Not only are my children learning fundamental and challenging math and science principles, but their reading, (cursive) writing, and research abilities are extremely impressive: This is all due to the excellent teaching methods and materials at Sunstone, but also the nurturing learning environment that is fostered. I always feel that my children are seen and treated for who they are as a whole person, not just a "number." Perhaps the greatest attribute of Sunstone is the cultivation of a life-long love of learning, curiosity, and independence. Attending Sunstone also strongly supports our family values, teaching our children to be caring, compassionate, citizens and community members, with confidence and respect for themselves and others. I find all of the administrative and support staff to be extremely friendly, helpful, essential, and supportive of the children's needs and the school's mission. And the head of school is a fervent and inspiring leader, with a strong vision for the school's future, yet personable and connected to the staff and students on a daily basis. I could go on and on and on singing Sunstone's praises, but suffice it to say if you are looking for an extraordinary school to send your child to, give Sunstone a try - I promise you won't be disappointed!

My son has attended Sunstone for two years now attending both Butterfly (Children's House) and Trillium (Lower Elementary) classrooms, the equivalent of Kindergarten and First Grade in a traditional school formats. I can honestly say that he LOVES going to Sunstone each day, and his wonderful guides have supported his natural curiosity and passion for learning.One aspect that separates Sunstone from other schools is that it is a very warm and loving environment. The administration is very approachable and always open to listening to whatever comments or concerns I may have. My son's guides (and assistant guides) are not only highly experienced and phenomenal at their jobs, they're also very sincere and authentic people who care about the well-being of my son.The cost of tuition can be an obstacle for some families, but the school has been very generous with it's financial aid to families. My family has had to make some sacrifices in order to allow my son to attend Sunstone, but I have no doubt in my mind that it has been well worth it for this opportunity. Within this environment he is becoming a confident and capable person, and a compassionate one as well.

We could not ask for a school environment that is more emotionally, socially, and academically supportive than Sunstone. The guides and staff have supported our daughter in becoming a compassionate and courteous child, a learner filled with curiosity and wonder, and an advocate for her own needs as well as those of her friends. The development we have seen since she began at Sunstone 2.5 years ago is incredible.

Sunstone Montessori offers a wonderful and authentic Montessori environment.We just finished our first year here with our daughter in the elementary program and we have been more then pleased with our experience. The teachers are professional, welcoming and warm and our daughter felt right at home here after graduating from her Montessori kindergarden experience. Their new location in the John's landing area is also really sweet with gardens, a playground and a big field for the kids to run around.

Our six-year-old son is happy and thriving at Sunstone Montessori. There's not a single day he wakes up and doesn't want to go to school. He loves his friends, teachers, classroom, and school. There's so much our family loves about Sunstone Montessori. In no particular order, here are just some of our favorite things: 1. The intentional, devoted, highly-trained, loving, kind, intelligent AMI-certified teachers and their wonderful and energetic assistants 2. The competent, committed, consistent, responsive administrative staff and board 3. The warm, open, involved, authentic family community 4. The simply beautiful and spacious campus and the lovely, well-kept classrooms 5. The commitment to being a certified green school and to a health-filled, safe environment for the children Our family believes strongly in the Montessori approach to education. Here are just a few things we love about Montessori: 1. Children are respected as individuals and given the power (and fun!) of choosing their own work. 2. Children learn how to live and work peacefully and respectfully with others. These practical skills are an intentional component of a Montessori education. 3. Children are given freedom within a beautiful and organized environment to do meaningful, hands-on, independent and communal work. 4. Children become truly immersed in the excitement and joy of their work. 5. Children take pride in and care of their environment and are given age-appropriate responsibilities. 6. Teachers do not grade, judge, or criticize. Instead, the lessons and materials give children the ability to assess the value of their own work. 7. Teachers also do not praise or reward. Instead, they recognize that children's intrinsic pride and motivations are vital to lifelong learning, success and happiness.

Sunstone is an outstanding independent school, with a gorgeous enormous front lawn, soccer field, incredibly dedicated and effective faculty, engaged families, all in a great SW Portland residential neighborhood. A few blocks from the Willamette River, our Neighborhood and Business Associations are strong partners, as are the myriad community groups and businesses we work with. Our new Toddler program is a huge success, and our graduates are entering colleges and achieving just like you''d expect from Sunstone! If you''re considering an independent school in Portland, please visit and talk to our Staff and parents.

Our son is about to enter his final year at Sunstone. He started in the Children's House (pre-school), so the up-coming school year will be our 8th year here. We did not even consider leaving to start junior high school in the 6th grade because we would stay forever if we could! Our son has grown into a charming, smart, and HAPPY pre-teen at Sunstone. The staff and guides (teachers) have nurtured his emotional self as well as providing an excellent education. Our family loves this school and will be very sad to leave the community when he graduates next year.

My daughter attended Sunstone Montessori from age 3 through graduating from the upper elementary class/6th grade in 2012. Now in a traditional school environment, she is very thankful for her experience in Montessori. Montessori provided her with incredible time management skills, a powerful desire to learn and pride in her work. My daughter is quick to tell others about the importance of Montessori in her education. Thank you Sunstone!