Community Montessori Charter School

As a parent and educator, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about CMCS Santee! We have been here for 2 years and have another child joining the school next year. Coming from a Montessori preschool, we had high expectations, and they have all been surpassed! The decisions my husband and I have made regarding our children’s education have been some of the hardest we have ever made, but I am very happy with our choice to stick with the Montessori method, and this school has been nothing short of amazing. Although the Montessori method might not be the best fit for every student, there is no question that it works for our children-​it has been wonderful to witness their growth. The dedication that the teachers, staff, and parents have to this school is unmatched, and the support we have received to ensure our child succeeds has been incredible. Their goals to connect the child to the world around them and the community in which they live go beyond merely academics-​they aim to create a well-​rounded individual, sensitive to their own needs and respectful to those of others around them. We are very happy to be part of the CMCS Santee Community!

Enroll at this school with caution. There are a lot of great aspects of this school that are enticing to parents looking for an affordable alternative educational format to public school. The school only has six classes of students, low teacher to student ratio and assistants in the kindergarten classes. My son had been in a Montessori preschool and we incorporate Montessori philosophy as well since I am a teacher and think all kids benefit from the practical life and citizenship skills that are important in a Montessori classroom. Without getting into too much detail, it was decided that my son’s behavior was not appropriate for their school and with no notice we were asked to either enroll him in the home school program or withdraw him from the school effective immediately. There were only five weeks left in the school year and my son was forced to change schools without even the opportunity to say goodbye to his teachers or all of his friends at school, some of which he had known since preschool. What you need to know is that this school is strict Montessori and kids, even in kindergarten are expected to work independently on work for at least two hours a day. There is no special education and discipline issues are approached from a passive standpoint and only preventative, there are no extrinsic rewards or praise, unless you beg and plead, as I did. The school staffs’ communication with me was lacking on its best day. On its worst day I got no communication from the school. I am not saying be any means that it will not work for some students, but for any student who does not fit into the Montessori model perfectly will struggle.