Sunset Montessori Pre-School

We toured this place and I will start by saying that the establishment was clean and beautiful. However if I had walked in there with blindfolds on I would not have known there were kids in there as it was super quiet. For a place filled with little toddlers there was not one toy on the floor (or anywhere to be seen) or any playing going on. The backyard was gorgeous but it looked like the toys had never been used. I personally want my two year old to have fun at this age and not be in a place where it feels like his in AP algebra class in 10^th grade! All the other places we toured although all different, had one thing in common and that was kids were running around doing various activities and having fun. But the kids here were sitting on their chairs, no playing, no fun, super serious environment for bunch of babies! When I asked the woman what happens if a child doesn’t want to nap at nap time, her response was «your son doesn’t nap!?» and that was that. All other places we toured had a very positive response and explained all the different approaches they would take to help the child nap or at least rest.

Sunset Montessori Studio City is an excellent school. My daughter recently graduated and while she was attending, without fail, every few days she would reveal something she learned at school that would impress us immensely. From geography to art to science, there were so many things she learned at such a young age that my husband and I were sure we didn’t learn until we were much older. Plus, as other reviewers have mentioned the school is very secure, very clean and orderly and the teachers are wonderfully caring, nurturing and patient. She is more than ready to enter kindergarten and it’s all thanks to the curriculum and staff at Sunset Montessori! I look forward to when my son is pre-​school aged as I plan to enroll him here as well.

I am so thankful to the teachers at Sunset Montessori for how well they cared for and inspired my daughter. She attended Sunset Montessori for 3 years (ages 2 – 5). She developed well and fast in all aspects: social, academic, cognitive, and physical, that she got accepted «early» to one of the best kindergartens in the valley to start before she even turned 5. That is thanks solely to this school. They foster incredible independence in the children, relying on everyone to be a self-​starters. They combine structured learning, play-​based social and inter-​personal development and academic learning resulting in a beautiful formula that works wonders with the kids. The teachers are loving and nurturing, the environment is warm and cozy and the parent community reflects this wonderful spirit. Visiting teachers focus on dance, acting, art, spanish, french, gym… It is such an amazing and diverse program. I knew from the moment I walked in that this felt like the right school. I am so glad I relied on my instinct because my instinct was right. To the teachers at Sunset Montessori: you will always be the solid foundation that my baby’s life is built upon. I can’t thank you enough.

Sunset Montessori in Studio City has been and continues to be a Wonderful school for our children.
Our oldest daughter is now six years old and graduated from Sunset Montessori two years ago.
She couldn’t have loved it any more. And the same goes for us! Initially we were concerned because our child was very shy and apprehensive about going to PreSchool. As it turns out that wasn’t such a big deal after all. Ilona and the staff made her feel very comfortable and safe. The variety of jobs and activities had our daughter looking forward to school each day. Academically speaking the Montessori program has surpassed our expectations. Our daughter entered kindergarten with a head start on the material and greater self confidence with the education she had received from preschool.
As soon as our second child was old enough she also started at the Montessori. And without a doubt she too loves it too! In addition to the schools normal program children have the opportunity to enroll in enrichment courses.
Our daughter who is currently attending really enjoys these courses. She’s become quite the yoga expert and probably speaks more french than her parents.
Lastly it shouldn’t go without mentioning that the Sunset Montessori was one of the most secure, (self closing gates, keypad entry system) and cleanest schools that we toured.
All in all a great choice for our child’s earliest educational experience.

This is an absolutely excellent school. We did the parent and me program twice when my son was 18 months old to familiarize him with the program and immediately enrolled when he was 2 ½.
What impressed me most was seeing all the children sitting and focusing on a self-​directed task of their choice before they transition into group learning. My son learned to pick some sort of project to work on (it could be coloring or puzzles or mixing liquids of different colors or more «academic» activities like letters and numbers) and his attention span grew exponentially. He learned to put his project away before starting a new one, to try to see a task through to completion instead of giving up, and to clean up after himself.
There is ton of play time and music time, lots of dancing and cultural instruction and a lot of emphasis on respect and manners. He is so happy there.
He is a late potty trainer and they have been really at ease and helpful with this. They let me know if any issues arise (he was boycotting eating his lunch for a bit) but it wasn’t a big deal. I had the wrong idea before we went there that Montessori schools were overly stringent and academic and that couldn’t be further from the truth here. They are warm, caring, nurturing and make him feel special. In the meantime he is learning a ton. It is a pricey school but so worth it, I think, as they say the first few years lay the foundation for your child’s educational experience. 10 Stars!!!