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As a mother of a young son with learning differences, I cannot overstate what the Montessori environment at SHMS has done for him. From the Toddler Program through Primary, his teachers have shown deep skill, patience, understanding, expertise, and true love and care for my son. It has been life-changing.

The Montessori method is beautiful because it is built to serve the child and his needs; he has space to move, to work with his hands, and to engage in meaningful, practical life activities that ground and settle him. This has helped him to be able to focus for long periods of time (which he struggled with mightily previously), to absorb lessons, and to learn joyfully in the classroom. He has grown in ways we never expected. He is now writing, doing math, and approaching his work with joy and confidence. He is a different child because of this school and this method, and we are so grateful.

Our experience at St. Helena Montessori School was exceptional. The staff and administration were highly trained and extraordinarily generous with their time and support. I don’t think you’ll ever encounter another school where teachers are so willing to support both parents and students with such care and where they know your children so well. The parent education opportunities offered before and after school throughout the year were incredibly helpful. We understood what our children were learning, how it was being taught, and why it was being taught in that way.

The school fosters a remarkable love of learning; our children became voracious readers, eager to explore their interests and dive deeply into anything that sparked their curiosity. The school intentionally creates and nurtures a true partnership between teachers, students, and families. The parent community is vibrant and welcoming, and there are so many opportunities to get involved in whatever way works for you and your family. The families we met at SHMS became some of our closest friends. And the students at SHMS really stand out. You can always tell the Montessori kids in town. They are respectful, confident, kind to younger children, and comfortable engaging with people of all ages. Our children loved the Adolescent Program, which prepared them exceptionally well for high school. Their reading comprehension, text analysis, math, and problem-solving skills are incredibly strong, which we know is a direct result of the rich, rigorous curriculum provided to them.

They completed the program before the SHMS high school opened, but if it had been available, they would have attended the SHMS high school because the program is so amazing. Each program at the school supports and challenges all children to reach their fullest potential. It’s truly remarkable.