Waterfront Montessori

As both a proud parent and a public school teacher, I have to say that sending our son to Waterfront Montessori (WFM) was one of those big, life-impacting decisions that turned out to be exactly right. Watching him graduate from 8th grade last year wasn't just a milestone for him; it was a moment of reflection, pride, and gratitude for our entire family. There's something extraordinary about a place that can nurture a child's mind and spirit so fully, and Waterfront has managed to do just that over his eight years there.From day one, our son found a space at WFM that celebrated independence, fostered critical thinking, and respected each child's individual pace. At every step, we could feel the school's unwavering commitment to helping students grow as unique individuals. School became a place he genuinely loved, where he could think freely, follow his curiosity, and feel supported. That spark-a love of learning for its own sake-is something we never take for granted, and we know it's because of the incredible teachers he had along the way.The teachers at Waterfront are, simply put, remarkable. They bring a rare blend of dedication, empathy, and genuine talent for connecting with kids. They know when to guide, when to challenge, and when to step back and let a student take the lead. Watching my son's teachers become his mentors and advocates-people who encouraged him to tackle challenges both in and out of the classroom-has been a gift we'll always be grateful for.Looking back, I feel nothing but immense gratitude for the way Waterfront helped shape him into a confident, curious, and compassionate young person. He's ready for high school and beyond, equipped not just with academic skills but with values that will serve him for a lifetime. For any parent considering Waterfront Montessori, I can only say this: It's more than a school. It's a place where children are inspired to dream big, explore their passions, and grow into the best version of themselves. Waterfront didn't just educate our son; it nurtured his whole self. And that's a gift you can't put a price on.

Every morning, for the past five years, my daughter is eager to start her day at Waterfront Montessori (WFM). She's in the car, counting down the seconds until it's 8:00 am and bolts for the school doors. When she was in kindergarten, I was puzzled as to what made school so exciting for her until I spent time with her during Open Fridays, where parents are invited into the classroom and are able to spend time with their child and see what their child has been working on. I was amazed by Waterfront Montessori's teaching method of using concrete materials that represent abstract ideas, such as size or color. My daughter gained hands-on experience with the materials which led to her developing a strong foundation of understanding and finally progressing toward working with the concepts abstractly. After working with materials such as Knobbed Cylinders, tracing Metal Insets, and Sandpaper Letter formation, she moved onto Golden Beads and Stamp Game and was able to add and subtract numbers into the thousands! She also was able to write words in cursive and she began to read with the help of learning sounds in lieu of learning the names of the alphabet. All the materials were beautifully presented which caught my daughter's attention and interest. She was also able to freely choose her work and follow her passion. Once she mastered the skills independently, she was eager to teach the younger children and by doing so, she gained confidence and patience and the skills of leadership. Now my daughter is in fifth grade and her love for learning, her curiosity of the unknown, and her independence of making choices about her learning and managing her time wisely keep on growing. She has become an independent and responsible child with a strong work ethic and a sense of accountability. She found her love for theater with the help of WFM's annual musicals and her passion for math which was guided by her teachers who saw that she was thriving in it and introduced her to more advanced concepts. None of this would have been possible without everyone at WFM and the support of her teachers. The teachers at WFM are truly amazing and are deeply invested in my child because they have been together with my child for at least 2 years (3 years in Lower Elementary, 2 years in Upper Elementary, and 3 years in Middle School). They know my child's strengths and weaknesses and because of that, they are able to foster the strengths and work on the challenges. It is said that primary school is a fundamental part of a child's development and can be considered the most important stage of their education and I am thankful that my daughter attends WFM.

As a Waterfront Montessori graduate, I can honestly say that even compared to my high school, college, and graduate educational experiences, WFM did the most to prepare me for professional success and made me into the person I am today. Thanks to WFM's continual encouragement to explore my interests and self-driven research opportunities like FedEx days, I am now endlessly curious and relentlessly persistent when learning and solving problems. When I'm introduced to a new concept or unsolved problem, I won't stop until I fully understand or have solved it-quickly gathering research, synthesizing information, and using pattern recognition to build a rich depth of understanding in relatively little time. In my free time, I constantly seek to learn new things and build prototypes to test my knowledge and abilities.Thanks to WFM's middle school's self-managed weekly work plans that mirror workplace task management, I have extremely robust time management skills and am completely self-driven-I hit the ground running on day one of new jobs and maintain a high level of productivity that has earned me multiple promotions in short succession. This carries over to my personal projects, too.Thanks to regular class presentations, a continuous focus on writing, and Montessori Model United Nations, WFM taught me skill, confidence, and grace with writing, verbal communication, and public speaking. Not only can I deftly make complex concepts simple and intuitive to understand (with prose to match) in writing, but I can also present the same in front of crowds without preparation, nervousness, or hesitation. In just three years out of college, I regularly write documents that translate complex, technical subjects for C-suite members and am frequently tapped to host marketing events-including a talk at a recent user conference in front of 150+ industry professionals.I could not recommend the school more highly. It's had an outsized positive impact on my life-and even given me some of my best lifelong friends along the way.

My son just finished second grade at Waterfront Montessori. He is always excited to go in the morning and even when I pick him up after school, he wants to stay! I see that he reads anything, all the time and that his vocabulary always surprises me! He has many friends and tells me about how he is able to work together. His teachers share with me how much he learns from his older classmates and he especially loves helping his younger friends, it's great that the classes are multi- age!

I have only been a teacher at Waterfront Montessori School for a year, but in that time, I feel like I have become part of the family. Students, parents, and my fellow teachers have been incredibly welcoming and supportive. I enjoy coming to school each day to teach our students and to see how much they have grown and learned. And even though it seems like the end of the school year has come too fast, I am looking forward to having our 8th graders embark on the adventure of high school, well prepared to take on new challenges. And I am happy to know that I took part in their educational journey.

Both of my sons graduated from Waterfront Montessori, one starting the school in 4th grade and the other in kindergarten. Along with a strong academic environment that prepared them for their transition into high school, the attention and care given to teaching them how to organize their time, collaborate with their peers on various projects, follow their interests, and give presentations with confidence and ease truly gave them skills for life. I appreciate each classroom environment that helped them develop their self-motivation, strong work ethic, and attitude that they are capable of trying anything! They both had a wonderful experience at Waterfront Montessori!

Waterfront Montessori fosters an intense learning environment where students learn analytical and critical thinking skills. This environment is well-balanced with creativity, language acquisition, and health and wellness. Students are rigorously challenged in academia and in the arts.

Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities - excellent, one of the best investments we've made. OUr kids entered Waterfront in the middle school. Academic rigor is so far beyond the rote assessment paradigm currently at play in the public schools. They are forced to learn in 360 degrees, in groups, through a wide array of assignment types. Parents have full access into everything. One of my kids has needed extra attention from us and the school which forced us to really dig into their learning management system (Manage Bac) and it's only deepened our appreciation for what is unfolding. We are not involved in after school programs though the Model UN experience was incredible. We found out about monthly jazz concerts when our kids mentioned it at dinner (we didn't realize the kids were being exposed to jazz sessions as part of their curriculum). School is about nurturing the whole child and should go beyond what tests can measure and Waterfront really hits the mark. The admin and teachers are always accessible, we've never had issues addressing concerns which is another reason we're so glad we chose this school. NO school is perfect, that's an unfair bar to expect, but a school that strives to continually improve via feedback and open door policy is what we wanted, and what we found at Waterfront.

As parents of two children who have attended Waterfront Montessori from the Toddler program through Lower Elementary with one child and Middle School with the other, we are more than happy to offer a thorough review of our family's experience with the school. Our journey with Waterfront Montessori has been nothing short of transformative, not just for our children but for our entire family.Waterfront Montessori's dedication to the Montessori method is evident in every aspect of its curriculum and daily activities. The school's commitment to fostering independence, curiosity, and a love of learning in its students is clear from the Toddler program through to Middle School, consistently providing an education that is both comprehensive and deeply respectful of each child's learning journey.The teachers at Waterfront Montessori have been exceptionally caring, nurturing, and keenly observant of our children. As parents, we could not imagine anyone knowing our children as well as we do. We were truly amazed to witness their remarkable understanding of our children's strengths and challenges, thus creating an environment where our children feel seen, understood, and supported.The curriculum at Waterfront Montessori is rich and varied, offering a well-rounded education that includes core subjects along with art, Spanish, music, coding, physical education, and STEM. In Middle School, Montessori methods are seamlessly integrated with the IB Middle Years curriculum, covering subjects like language and literature, individuals and societies, science, math, design, Spanish, art, and health/PE.The annual two-week musical intensive for students in grades 1 through 8 is a highlight our children eagerly anticipate each year. This program gives them the chance to engage in all aspects of a musical production, providing a truly enriching experience. Additionally, the STEM fair offers our children excellent opportunities to connect with real-world problem-solving, sparking interests in areas we never anticipated.Our time at Waterfront Montessori has been incredibly positive. Our children have grown into confident, independent thinkers with a strong sense of responsibility and a love for learning. If you're considering a Montessori education for your child, I cannot recommend Waterfront Montessori highly enough-it has been instrumental in our children's development and is deeply cherished by our family.

I am the owner of Premier Chess, which has run a program at Waterfront Montessori for 5 years now. I love working with the administration and seeing the students progress with their chess learning. 5 Stars School.

My son goes to Waterfront Montessori for after school programs every year, it has been a very pleasant experience! It is awesome that the programs are open to the public! My son loves all the classes and teachers there, and asks me to register him back every term. I'm sure we will be here as long as we fit in the age group!

A wonderful school to work for.

Both my sons have been at the Waterfront Montessori since they were 3. My oldest is graduating from 8th grade this year! The Waterfront Montessori offers a great learning and nurturing environment for children. The teachers are true educators, focusing on academics, soft skills, life skills, independence, and instilling intellectual curiosity. The staff is very supportive, and the school has a great community atmosphere. As young pre-schoolers, my children developed strong linguistic and functional skills at a young age. When my oldest was applying to high school, the school counselor was very supportive and guided us throughout the process. The music and theatre curriculum is excellent and has been a tremendous compliment to my children's education. It has been a great decision for me to enroll and keep my children at the school. Strongly recommend!