Guidepost Montessori Avis 145

Teachers are amazing. For what you pay you know your child will be cared for and the curriculum is amazing. My daughter loves her teachers and adores them. Her vocabulary has skyrocketed and her practical life skills she does at home daily because of what they teach her. Montessori is a such a beautiful thing.

We enrolled our daughters at this school and had the following experiences:

Jaime Roush - head of the school - Sent an email to her "leadership" team attempting to label our daughters with a clinical diagnosis which we NEVER remotely alluding to being factual. When we asked her to provide us with a copy of whatever assessments she had conducted on our children, as well as the contact information for the licensed clinician which conducted aforementioned assessment, Jaime feigned complete and absolute ignorance before running to her "legal team" crying about how she was afraid of the big black man because he made her friend Lori Nelson Roulette cry. Once Lori was held accountable for her severe incompetence, unethical behavior, and borderline child abuse tendencies, she all of sudden "feared for the safety of her life" and could no longer have our children in her school. I wonder if Jaime/Lori would have utilized dog whistle covert racial phrases if I were white.

AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COST

We have absolutely loved this school, the teachers and the staff who run the school. Our son does the Spanish immersion class with Ms Gaby, Ms Myrna and Ms Sol. They are three excellent teachers with wonderful communication, they are fun, approachable, friendly and warm. The classroom is run beautifully and we always feel welcomed. Since going to Guidepost our son (an only child) has learnt to do SO much for himself. He puts on his shoes, gets dressed, clears his plate. It has made him value his independence and given him new levels of confidence as an individual. He has made some very good friends with the other students and I believe the school does a really good job of fostering friendships. We have loved the out of hours activities and the birthday parties. And seeing my son's understanding of Spanish grow has been very exciting. We've also met a lot of the other parents who are very friendly and this has been really great. It's a great school and lovely community. It's been perfect for our family.

We've been a part of this daycare in the early days of its creation in December 2022. Like many daycares, we've navigated staffing changes and challenges in staff retention. However, what sets this daycare apart is the marked improvement and enthusiasm from the current leadership.

Under the guidance of the new leader, who has been with the center for just a few months, we've witnessed a positive shift in the overall atmosphere. Kate came from the Marlborough GP location and is incredibly motivated to improve the school, ensuring Montessori is at its core. It's evident that they are motivated to create a nurturing environment, and this commitment reflects in the improved experiences for the children.

Despite the usual challenges that come with daycare settings, I feel at ease every day dropping off my son. The staff's investment in him and genuine affection for the children is reassuring. Moreover, the daycare goes above and beyond by organizing regular out-of-school events such as parent get-togethers and creative activities like playdough making. These events not only foster a sense of community but also provide additional opportunities for the children to learn and have fun.

The facility itself is a testament to the daycare's commitment to excellence. The beautiful lighting, a diverse range of toys for the children, and an ongoing dedication to facility improvements make it clear that they prioritize creating a positive and stimulating environment for the kids.

The positive changes under the new leadership, coupled with their genuine care for the children and current commitment to improvement, make it a place where we are confident our son is not just cared for but truly nurtured. We look forward to witnessing further growth and success for this daycare.

Director at the Green Hills location in Nashville, TN is extremely rude and condescending. The staff is not helpful and all has bad attitudes.

Parents: do not even consider this school as an option for your child.

A teacher locked my 4 year old daughter in a bathroom while she was upset. She held the door shut and said "YOU CAN COME OUT WHEN YOU'RE DONE CRYING."

The "school" did not tell us about this incident and attempted to cover it up. After 1 conversation with the head of school, the full story came out.

It was abuse of a student, and it was admitted to by the school. Yet they still attempted to cover it up.

Placing a student in seclusion is illegal in the state of Florida.

But more importantly for you- a parent searching for a good school- it's explicitly against the Montessori principles that supposedly guide this expensive daycare.

My oldest daughter was a student for 18 months, it started off well. Then her teacher quit. Then more teachers quit. Then even more teachers quit.

She was left in a classroom with a revolving door of offensively under qualified "Assistant Guides". Calling them babysitters would be a compliment to them, but an insult to babysitters.

It became clear that her initial good experience at Guidepost was not due to Guidepost- but due to Miss Gina- her original teacher.

Guidepost does not exist to serve your children. It exists to make money. That's fine- as long as you are providing the product that you claim to.

But Guidepost does not.

They use the Montessori principles as marketing material. It's a bait and switch. A very expensive bait and switch.

There were many other issues during our time at Guidepost, and for the sake of respecting your time I'll make a brief list.

1. During pickup there was a creepy guy circling the parking lot. I watched him do this 6 times, then circle back a further 2 more times. I notified the school and they laughed it off. I then called JSO. The man was a registered sex offender. When I presented that information to the school they laughed it off again.

This is important because Guidepost is NOT a secure building. They put no effort into keeping the building, or your children, secure. They look for the cheap and easy way out of everything. Even after this incident they did not put any effort into creating a more secure environment*

*When I say "not secure" I don't mean "not Fort Knox" I mean that the side doors are open, unlocked and flapping around all day.

2. The front door has a lock mechanism that unlocks via code. Any logical adult would think that this code should remain secure, and only be issued to parents or guardians for drop off or pick up.

Not Guidepost.

When they issue a new code they simply print out about 100 copies on small paper. They then place those codes in a basket outside the front door.

The same front door that's unlocked via the code. It's so beyond mindless and completely renders the code useless as any person can come grab one, and enter your child's school as they please.

3. Another student broke my daughter's glasses. This is not an issue- kids will be kids and things break. The issue is that the school did not tell us.

If you're checking out Guidepost you'll see that they pride themselves on "transparency of classroom" however this is another marketing lie designed to get your money.

The school attempted to cover up the reason why my daughter came home with broken glasses, and once again did not follow their own policies nor live up to their own principals.

4. Guidepost is NOT an accreditied Montessori institution.

A simple google search will uncover that Guidepost is using the term "Montessori" to market themselves. They have no relationship nor credentials from the American Montessori Society.

On the surface that's fine, I don't really care about "Montessori" per se. However, it shows how deeply flawed and duplicitous this organization is.

For the sake of your time I'll cut it right there and implore you to NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE.

I'm a very patient and forgiving man- but I also have a line. Guidepost crossed that line. They are a hypocritical organization that does not care about the education or emotional well being of your children.

I am writing to express my profound dismay and utter disappointment regarding the race discrimination that I have experienced at Guidepost Montessori School in Hollywood, FL. It is with a heavy heart that I find myself compelled to address this matter, as it goes against the very principles of equality, respect, and inclusivity that any educational institution should uphold.
It has become painfully evident that a culture of racial insensitivity and bias exists within the school’s environment. I have witnessed instances where students of diverse backgrounds have been subjected to unfair treatment and derogatory remarks solely based on their race. This behavior is not only unacceptable but deeply distressing, as it undermines the values that should form the foundation of any educational setting.
As parents and caregivers, we entrust our children to Guidepost Montessori School in Hollywood FL with the expectation that they will receive a safe and nurturing environment that fosters their growth, both academically and emotionally. It is devastating to realize that the very institution we have placed our trust in has failed to provide this essential environment for all students, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Please understand that my frustration and disappointment stem from a genuine concern for the well-being and emotional development of all the students attending Guidepost Montessori School in Hollywood, FL.

Things started out well here but the high staff turnover led the center to essentially abandon the programming part way through the year. I feel like it has to be a culture/pay/systemic problem and the kids ultimately lose out the most.

If I could give a zero, I would. This is my personal and direct experience as a parent who sent their kid to this school. Most of these "5-star reviews" are parents who were encouraged to do so during a raffle. We were encouraged to write the "best" review. *RED FLAG*

I am writing my personal review because a great deal of parents (like myself), rely on accurate social media reviews to chose a daycare or school for our children.

Since my son started there June 2022, 2 head of schools left, 1 assistant head of school, 3 lead guides (1 later returned after trying to seek a nanny job) and 5 assistant guides (1 got terminated for physically and emotionally harming the children-which I will get into more detail because my son was one of 7 children affected). That is a total of 10 people in a year who have left (not including the person who returned). No consistency for our children. *RED FLAG*

During the months of October 2022-March 2023, my son would cry during drop offs and pick ups. We didn't know why, we thought it was normal toddler behavior. We were then notified that our son by the current head of school at the time on 3/2023 that our son experienced abuse by an assistant guide who was first put on administrative leave then terminated a few days later after interviewing staff who corroborated the allegations. Specific examples of witnessed abuse against my son included this person intentionally tripping him when he was running outside, pulling him by his arm and pinning him down in his chair to sit by his shoulders. These were only the witnessed accounts. The current head of school told us that these concerns about abuse were told to prior head of school who left end of 2022 but nothing was followed up. Which breaks my heart as a parent to think all this abuse was ongoing without further investigation. *RED FLAG*

We wanted to leave at that moment when they disclosed all the abuse information but the head of school insisted we stay to make things right since that employee was terminated. We agreed only under the contingency that if we saw any emotional distress in our son, we would be leaving the school. He was having serious behavioral issues/changes. He probably didn’t feel safe at that school so we left.

I would never recommend this place. Another huge RED FLAG is when there are multiple violations posted on their front door for the public to view. Hope our feedback and experience help other families make an informed decision.

Its been a good experience. But with that being said if you want your child to come home and start arguing with you about rainbows send them to the school.

We made the decision to start our daughter in the Montessori Together program at a nearby Guidepost school when she was about 7 months. It's been great to watch her world expand as she meets other children, and as my wife and I connect with other families. The community of families has been great for us as new parents, and we feel well taken care of the attentive team at our daughter's school.

My daughter has been in Guidepost since 6 mo. She is now 3.5 and super independent. Sometimes I feel like she is “too independent” (*face palm smiley*). She has attended multiple locations during her tenure at Guidepost and every transition was unexpectedly easy for our a bit shy and reserved child. I believe this could be a very important aspect to families that move around a lot. All locations are beautiful AND look the same AND teachers approach children in the similar manner. This provides so needed reassurance to the child in the tumultuous times of the move. Whether it is a geographical move or transition up to a different program.

Hello, I am proudly writing this 5 star review for Guidepost at Stonebriar in Texas. My 3 children who are the ages of 6, 4, and 3 are loving their experience. Every day I see them gaining more curiosity and in turn increasing their executive functional abilities. When I drop off my children in the morning, I observe a quiet and peaceful environment. The guides are showing great love for their work and our children. Keep up the great work team!

My son has been attending Guidepost from the time he turned one and it has been a pleasure watching him grow and achieve his milestones. The amount of independence that he has achieved during this course of time has been amazing.

The most interesting part is the Montessori approach that Guidepost follows. I appreciate how they go that extra mile to meet the needs of each child and ensure that the child masters each lesson that he was introduced to before moving onto the next one.
The warm and welcoming environment at the campus is something that always stood out in comparison to other schools that we toured. The teachers are so loving and caring, and their prepared environment is a place my son feels at home. He is always excited to go to school and the ample opportunity of outdoor play is something that he enjoys the most.

We love that fact that the Guidepost's parent community that we get to connect with outside of school is very supportive too.
Absolutely cannot recommend this school enough if you are looking for a Montessori school that truly nurtures the love of learning in your child.

We enrolled our 1 year old a couple months ago and it was one of the best decisions we made for our son. As an only child, it’s great seeing him get to play and interact with other kids around his age. We’ve seen that he’s learning things quicker by being in a mixed age classroom and playing more independently at home. The guides form close bonds with the children and the classroom really becomes a special and safe place for a child to grow and thrive. His level of separation anxiety has also decreased since going to Guidepost.

Anyone on the fence, I urge you to visit a school and book a tour. Walking through the school and seeing the classrooms and how beautiful they are is something any parent should want for their child.

Guidepost Montessori has been one of the best decisions for our family because of the nurturing environment, the caring teachers, and great community for parents to join. Both of my children attend one of the Guidepost locations in Northern Virginia and I have seen their love of learning grow throughout the two years they've attended school.

Above all, both of my children are so eager to learn new things, feel comfortable and confident to ask questions, and have truly grown into the Guidepost value of 'Grace & Courtesy'. They are so sweet and kind and always happy when I pick them up from school. It makes me feel reassured as I really struggled with drop-off when they first started.

It's also great to see how much they have both began learning in the areas of mathematics, literacy, and practical life. They are 4 and 2 years old. My 4 year old can count to 20 and is learning addition, subtraction, and has been introduced to multiplication. My son confidently says his ABC's, prepares his own food for snacks at home (like cutting with plastic knives!), and knows all of his colors in English and Spanish.

I would definitely recommend Guidepost Montessori to parents that want to help their children grow into capable human beings. I feel that the foundations for this education will shape how they function in their day-to-day lives as adults and am so happy I found this school.

My daughter has been at Guidepost for almost 2 years and she is thriving. Her Head of School is fantastic and we love seeing the progress that she has made, both academically and socially, during her time at Guidepost. It has been a joy to see her curiosity and sense of independence blossom, and it's clear that she is developing a true love of learning under the school's guidance. As a working parent, I also really appreciate the extended 7am-6pm hours.

I went to tour the school and they said there is space available for my daughter. I told them she is autistic and if it is possible for her therapist to visit her at school. They said they will get back to me. They totally ignored me and I haven't heard back from them. So Disappointed, at least they should get back to me if they allow the therapist or not but totally ignoring me means they don't want to deal with disabled kids.

Having worked for this company in a senior capacity, I can attest to the experiences of parents from other reviews. This company places MONEY before children. It capitalizes on strategic marketing and utilizes remote workers to "sell" parents the Guidepost experience. I urge parents to explore other authentic Montessori schools. Here is why:
- Children are just numbers. They are all about expanding and filling classrooms as fast as possible. They will not treat your child as an individual. If your child needs an evaluation to receive funding for state intervention therapies, forget it. School guides (teachers) are told to decrease the undesired behavior without any specific special education training or support from a qualified professional... The company will not provide special education assistants.
- If you are hoping your child will get a quality Montessori experience, think again. Trained Montessori teachers are required to undergo a year-long post-bachelor's in-depth Montessori training. It is called the "spiritual preparation of the teacher." The training is as much about child development and how to interact with children as it is about the specific teaching content (hundreds of very detailed lessons with specific steps and purposes in order for children to use the materials properly and learn concepts). The company hires daycare and regular education teachers and gives them online training while they are leading classrooms of twenty mixed-aged students, many of whom might have ignored behavioral and/or cognitive concerns. They say their teachers are "qualified by the state and going through Montessori training"... No, your child will not get a quality Montessori experience if the school does not value trained Montessori guides and authentic training. This is also false advertising as the whole Montessori experience rests on the teacher's ability to connect with children in a direct but very respectful way and knowing when and how to plan and present specific lessons in a very specific way at specific times for your child. Providing a Montessori education is not about a bunch of beautiful classroom materials... the children will misuse materials and not meet their potential if they are not presented and guided in a certain way. They would probably be better off with a play-based, creative curriculum than with untrained teachers in a Montessori school.
- Teachers barely make livable wages with this organization and are expected to work year-round on federal holidays for 9 hours a day (not paid for the hour lunch). Low teacher morale leads to high turnover and poor quality teaching staff. Most qualified Montessori teachers are not interested in working at Guidepost because of its reputation of being for-profit, low standards of Montessori fidelity, and not caring for its teachers.
- Things you want to ask if you do visit a Guidepost school: are your guides fully trained by AMI or AMS (these are the most authentic training organizations by far... if they say they are in a MACTE accredited training program, this does not equal good quality)? What is the tenure of your teachers and assistant teachers? What is the turnover like? Do you have staffing problems? Ask questions about Montessori... is the Head of School AMI or AMS trained? if not, that is a huge red flag that the program quality will not be high because the Head of School will not truly understand what to look for and how to implement the Montessori method...
- Don't be fooled by the marketing and nice looking classrooms...