Renaissance Montessori School

This school is a huge disappointment. My two children attended Renaissance school for two and a half years. I had no choice but to transfer them to a different school mid-​year. Both my children were behind in academics. My kindergartner didn’t know all the letter or sounds of the alphabet. Her self-​esteem was low and she was very shy. My 3^rd grader was completely reluctant to writing and reading. He didn’t even want to pick out a book at the library, which had not happened in the past. The longer they were at Renaissance school, the worse they became. It was very sad to see. At home, they were misbehaving and were very reserved about discussing their day at school. Obviously, they were not happy.
We got the complete opposite of what was promised to us. I believed in the school’s vision, but Renaissance school does not follow traditional Montessori teachings. My children had a total of 13 different teachers within their 2.5 years there! Apparently, the administration is very difficult to work for, and only a couple teachers have been there for more than a year. The energy of this place felt wrong for some time (over a year). I couldn’t quite understand what I was feeling, until I volunteered in the school field trips. I saw, first hand, how the children, including my own, had little appreciation and respect for their learning environment and teachers.
3 months forward: My kindergartner now reads fluently. She has even moved up to reading chapter books. She is confident in her abilities at school, and she has become calmer and respectful at home. My 3^rd grader now loves reading! He reads at least one grade-​level book a week. He is so happy and responsible now. He now wakes up before me, so that he is early to school each morning.

Although, it was a very scary decision to transfer my children mid-​year, I have no regrets. Both my kids have told me that they learn so much quicker at their new school and that they are having a lot more fun. They both love their news teachers. I thank my friends and family who supported and encouraged me during my children’s difficult school transfer.
For anyone who is considering Renaissance School for their children, I highly recommend to search for another school. Not only is Renaissance school very expensive, it just does not deliver. During the time that we were still there, an undisclosed employee/​ex-​employee at Renaissance School, told me that my children would be better off attending a public school. I now see how that is true. The very limited academic progress that my children had there, was and is completely unacceptable. I am so happy and grateful now that my children left Renaissance School.
P. S. I am not the sole parent who has experienced this. I have many parent-​friends who have left Renaissance school for the same or similar reasons. I feel it is very important for other parents to know the truth, through our experience.