Luis Héctor Rubio
2/5
Our experience with CE Montessori started off on an incredibly positive note. Our son’s first year was fantastic—he loved his time there, and we were thrilled with the dedicated teachers and supportive community. It truly felt like the perfect place for his early education, and we were excited to continue with the school. The sense of belonging and nurturing environment initially created a great experience.
However, as time went on, we began to question whether the school is truly equipped to scale its operations effectively. Several issues surfaced that led us to rethink our commitment to CE Montessori.
First, transparency and communication with the administration were sorely lacking. When we decided to cancel our re-enrollment due to financial constraints (including a newborn and relocation), we requested a reconsideration of the cancellation fee, explaining that our son’s enrollment was offered as a "one-off exception" and did not incur additional marginal costs for the school. We were surprised to learn later that other families were offered spots after us and even given scholarships, which raised concerns about the school creating artificial scarcity to pressure families into signing contracts.
Moreover, the contract cancellation process felt excessively rigid and focused on the financial bottom line rather than the well-being of the students and families. Despite our efforts to negotiate a fair settlement, the administration prioritized enforcing the contract and penalties. We understand the need for financial stability, but the school’s approach felt more like a business transaction than an educational partnership.
Another concern is the school’s claim to offer a dual English and Spanish program, which is simply not true. While some teachers speak Spanish, there is no structured Spanish curriculum, and this was a letdown for us, as we were seeking a true bilingual education.
Communication with teachers was also a challenge. Messages are filtered through the administration, and it’s hard to establish a direct connection with the teaching staff. This left us feeling distant from what was really going on in the classroom. Parent-teacher meetings were brief and unstructured, leaving us with the impression that our son’s teacher wasn’t fully on top of his progress. We expected a more dedicated teaching environment, especially with three teachers per class, but that wasn’t our experience.
The semester reports we received also lacked clarity. When we asked one of our son’s teachers about the meaning of a certain rating, she wasn’t sure herself and couldn’t explain how it compared with his peers. The reports provided little insight into whether our son was making real progress, which was frustrating given how comprehensive the reporting is portrayed on the school’s website.
Finally, there is no meaningful parent involvement at CE Montessori. While the school is quick to ask for financial support or invite parents to after-school thematic conferences, it doesn’t seem interested in hearing parents' concerns. At one point, I proposed creating a cross-school survey for parents to express feedback, but this idea was immediately shut down by the administration. This lack of openness and collaboration left us feeling sidelined as parents.
Ultimately, while the teachers and initial experience at CE Montessori were positive, the administration’s handling of the cancellation, lack of transparency, and prioritization of finances over education left us disillusioned. The school feels more like a business than a nurturing educational center, and we hope they take steps to address these issues for the benefit of future families.
