Gateway Montessori

My son just started his third year at Gateway Montessori and both he and I couldn’t be happier about it. This hidden gem of a school has enriched my child’s life immensely and witnessing how he has been progressing with hands-​on math, science, geography and culture as well as reading and writing has been brilliant. Did you know the second smallest country in North America is Belize? I didn’t until my four year old informed me of it and then pointed on a map to where it was located.
Shelly, the headmistress, is wonderful and has a way with children that is astoundingly calm, nurturing and loving. All of the teachers have been incredible as well, so much so, that during summer break my son woke up one morning and out of nowhere asked if he could write his teacher a letter. The letter was «Dear Tracy, I love you.» The TL;DR of this review would be the same but changed to «Dear Gateway, I love you.»

I agree with the other reviews of Gateway Montessori. My son has been attending the school since he was 2&½ (he’s now four) and has flourished in the environment. Previously, I knew very little about the Montessori philosophy but am now convinced that it works and that Gateway executes it extremely well. The directress and guides are capable, smart, loving, and dedicated. They focus on each student as an individual and challenge the student to excel. I am very excited to send my younger son to Gateway in the fall.

Update: April 20, 2015
My children are now 7 and 3−½ years old and I and they love the school as much as ever. Currently, the school announced that they do plan on expanding the school.
Update: August 16, 2014
My 6 yr old daughter & 2−½ yr old son attend. The school and parent community is still incredible and my only wish is that they expand their elementary program to middle school.
Original review:
It may not seem like much from the outside, but this school is a hidden gem. I honestly believe that there is no better learning or childcare environment than Gateway Montessori School. My daughter is 3 years old and has been attending Gateway since she was about 10 months old (Infant Program). When my wife and I were interviewing daycares, nannys, etc. for our daughter, we asked ourselves 3 important questions:
1. Can you we trust the Institution and Providers?
2. Will our child be Loved & Respected?
3. Will our child be learning and developing to her full potential?
Can you we trust the Institution and Providers… ?
Both my wife and I have complete trust in the school’s Directress, Shelley Torres (and teachers). Once you meet her, you will understand. She teaches the 1 – 3 year old class and has the composure and patience that few have (and that is necessary for this age group). She has a long history as a Montessori teacher (AMI) and upholds to the standards that make a true Montessori school a great education. Gateway is a small school with small classes so you know all the teachers and assistants. The school hosts teacher presentations (as well as guest-​lectures) and classroom observations. These are great opportunities for parents to see how teachers work with children, understand the classroom environment & materials, and talk with teachers. We leave our daughter at Gateway everyday knowing that she is in the best care outside of family.
Will our child be Loved & Respected???
I see everyday not only how loving and respectful the teachers are to the children, but how my loving and respectful my daughter is to others. The teachers exemplify the qualities that I value in a caring & quality school. Among other things, they help the children become independent, guide them with reasoning (rather than control), support them emotionally, and encourage them to support their classmates with love and respect. I think my daughter has developed a true sense of empathy and understanding through working in the classrooms.
Will our child be learning and developing to her full potential???
Number One, I want my daughter to be Happy (and she is). Number two, I want my daughter to Learn (and she does). Not only do the children build on their knowledge, but they learn about independence and practical life. They are drinking from cups in the infant class, baking bread in the 1 – 3 yr classroom, and learning about the trinomial equation in the 3 – 6 yr classroom.
My (limited) experience with Montessori…
My wife and I had never heard of Montessori education prior to attending a Gateway lecture. After meeting the director, learning more about Montessori, and seeing the school we were completely sold.
Whether you are already familiar with Montessori education or not, you should see Gateway. As my wife and I have learned, this is no ordinary school.

Gateway Montessori provides a caring, enriching environment for my children. The focus is, of course, on the fundamentals of learning and working with Montessori materials, but just as importantly, community. The emphasis on the values of sharing, learning to negotiate through conflict, being kind to one another, and respecting our world is unparalleled. The director is clearly a committed, compassionate person who understands children’s needs, which aren’t just academic – even though I am continually amazed by what my children are learning.