“Choosing a preschool is one of the most important decisions a family makes, and we have been incredibly grateful for our experience here.
What sets this school apart is the genuine care and dedication of its staff. Every teacher and administrator knows the children deeply, celebrates their strengths, and supports them through challenges with kindness, patience, and respect. When conflicts arise, they approach them thoughtfully, helping children learn empathy, fairness, and problem-solving in ways that feel both compassionate and effective.
The Montessori philosophy has been transformative for our son. We have watched him grow from a curious toddler into a capable, confident, and independent child who takes pride in caring for himself, contributing to his community, and exploring the world around him. The emphasis on emotional regulation, self-management, and practical life skills has given him tools that extend far beyond the classroom.
The breadth of hands-on learning experiences is remarkable. Children are invited to engage meaningfully with baking, cooking, sewing, writing, mathematics, art, geography, and so much more. Learning feels tangible, purposeful, and joyful, fostering both curiosity and competence.
We also deeply value the extensive outdoor play that is woven into each day. It provides children with opportunities to move, explore, imagine, and connect with each other and nature in ways that support their overall well-being.
Perhaps most special of all is the sense of community the school intentionally cultivates. Through special events, gatherings, and parenting book clubs, families are welcomed into a community that feels supportive, connected, and invested in one another’s growth.
This school has been a gift to our family. We have watched our child flourish here, and we are profoundly thankful for the care, guidance, and community that have shaped these early years.”
-Parent of a 5 year old student
"We’re very grateful to have found Montessori in the Pines for our first child’s preschool experience. The teachers are the most caring individuals, and our son gushes about them at home. Something we didn’t expect when we joined was the community that comes with MITP, something that isn’t an afterthought, but something Emily and the staff nurture throughout the year. Both our kids and we, as parents, have made lifelong connections, which is just a bonus on top of the terrific atmosphere and care our child gets. The biggest takeaway we can give is that, after 3 years, it was a no-brainer that our second child would be starting next year. We look forward to continuing to be part of the community with our newest student joining, and I have no doubt, long after he graduates as well.”
-Parent of a 6 year old student
“It took me so long to write a review for Emily and her school because I didn't feel like I could put into words what this school and community has meant to our family. Both my daughters will have gone through Montessori in the Pines, and we are consistently blown away by the love, care, support, and intention behind the environment they create for our children. Miss Emily and her teaching staff have become family to us, helping us through a variety of behavior challenges at home just because they cared about us so much. I trust them fully and can't stop talking about them to anybody I meet who has just had a baby and probably isn’t even thinking about preschool.
We toured several Montessori schools, and what drew me to Montessori in the Pines was the warmth of the classroom and how the energy inside really felt like a home, which is what we wanted for our children. I could tell immediately the passion with which Emily and her staff have for the Montessori method, and our girls have blossomed and thrived, continually surprising us with their growing independence and responsibility that is most certainly a result of MITP.
Over the years, Ms. Emily has also put so much energy into creating community among the families at her school. We have walked away with true friends from the community that we continue to spend time together years after our kids are in class together. This was an investment in our kids that we would never change, and we're so grateful to have been a part of this community. “
-Parents of 2 MITP students
“There are not enough positive words to describe the teachers at MITP. They are loving, supportive and so skilled at teaching social emotional learning and academics. The environment feels like home. My 4 year old has developed confidence and independence and has taught her big sister and myself kind and respectful conflict resolution strategies! I’m truly grateful for this school.”
-Parent of a 4 year old student
“Next year will be our fifth year at Montessori in the Pines and there are simply not enough words to describe the gift this school and community has been to our family and our two daughters. As a life-long educator myself, I noticed right away the care, devotion, heart and soul that the MITP staff, culture, and curriculum places on nurturing every single student, fostering life-long friendships and skills, as well as building trust and belonging. Our oldest daughter entered Kindergarten with such a firm knowledge of self and community, and although entering second grade now at a different school than her preschool buddies, she still considers her Montessori friends some of her best friends in the world. :) Our younger daughter is currently at the Downtown location, and developing a strong curiosity for her world and her role in it. Every single teacher and friend we have met through MITP are exactly the kind of people the world needs right now. We have been lucky enough to have our daughters at both the East Side and Downtown campuses, and I will shout it from the rooftops with 122% certainty-- that there is no place like MITP! :)”
-Parent of 2 MITP alumni students
“We moved here in the middle of the year without knowing anyone, and MITP welcomed our family with open arms. From the very beginning, they became an important part of our community and made what could have been a difficult transition feel warm, cozy and inviting.
Since starting at MITP, our once-shy daughter has truly blossomed. When I go to pick her up - she asks me why I came so early, because she doesn't want to leave. The teachers' kindness, patience, and genuine care have helped her grow in confidence and feel comfortable being herself. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch her embrace who she is and develop the confidence to thrive. We are so grateful to have found such a supportive and nurturing environment, and we couldn't have asked for a better place for our family.”
-Parent of a 3 year old student
“Emily has a special gift for connecting with children on a deep and personal level. Her unique intuition allows her to understand what children need to thrive. Under Emily’s guidance, I have seen my daughter blossom from a shy three-year-old to a strong and confident five-year-old. Emily truly has a talent for nurturing children and inspiring them to their fullest potential.”
-Parent of a 5 year old student
“Miss Emily has been such a godsend in our lives. She very creatively and compassionately shepherded our academically hesitant, and physically expressive preschooler towards whatever ignited his imagination, building on his strengths until he had the confidence to tackle the challenges of focused work. She never lost faith in his ability and loved him wholeheartedly even during a difficult phase of him being disruptive to others. She went above and beyond in helping me as a parent to problem solve difficult behaviors and to see more clearly from my son’s perspective. Her gifts in truly knowing each child and how to support them from where they’re at, shine brightly in the classroom. Her students are clearly at home with her fun-loving and compassionate spirit and her endless energy for her work. There’s no doubt this is her calling! I’m tremendously grateful she has been in my children’s lives for these very important year.”
-Parent of a 5 year old student
“Our daughter has been lucky enough to have Miss Emily as a guide for three years, and we consider it a blessing for the entire family! She has a special way of engaging kiddos so that they feel completely cared for, while still challenging them to try their best and keep on learning. Miss Emily has provided an environment where our kids trust her wholly, which allows them to feel at ease and safe to make mistakes. Even through distance learning Miss Emily did an incredible job of keeping kids learning, progressing, and connected to the curriculum. She has always gone above and beyond to provide a rich, multi-sensory experience for students, while staying true to Montessori and allowing plenty of space for them to explore on their own. She is a wonderful communicator and takes such passion in her role, our only critique is that we wish we could have another three years with her!”
-Parent of a 5 year old student
“Miss Emily is a wonderful and nurturing educator that has helped our family immensely. My daughter is diagnosed with intellectual disability and has global developmental delays. Her kindergarten and first grade years were pivotal in building her confidence and Miss Emily was wonderfully accommodating and encouraging. It is clear she sees every child as an individual and adapts to their wide variety of needs. She came up with strategies for encouraging independence that were simple yet genius and effective! Miss Emily was a great advocate for our child, explaining her strengths and abilities to other educators who may not have otherwise seen how capable she is when given the proper opportunities. Her philosophies of kindness and respect were key in incorporating our daughter into the class and she was very thoughtful in her approach to foster understanding. When learning had to go online due to the pandemic, we were very impressed at the thoughtfulness and extra effort she took in order to incorporate hands-on learning in the home. Miss Emily helped our child on her educational journey in so many ways by always going above and beyond what was expected.”
-Parent of a 6 year old student
"Words cannot even express our thanks! For the past 2 years, first with one daughter, then with our other, Montessori In The Pine’s care and concern was an awesome introduction to school and a wonderful transition (first time being away from mom) and they were so well- prepared for kindergarten! We are so grateful for the school’s role in our family as someone truly caring for our kids!"
-Parents of 2 alumni students
