Calaveras Montessori School of Silicon Valley

I wish I could give this school 0 star. I am trying to reach them since last 2 weeks, but no one picks up the call. I have left voice-​mails too, but no one returns the call. I wrote my concerns in an email also, but they just don’t respond and don’t care. As a parent would you like to send your kids to a school where you can’t reach them on phone? and where they care least about parents’ concerns?

This review is LONG overdue. My wife and I sent our son here for preschool. Our experience with the staff and the curriculum was so good, we continued his education here for Kindergarten. Highlights include how they are true to the Montessori values and opportunity for success. All the teachers (whether primary or assistant) constantly supported our sons emotional and educational needs. He was always welcomed when we dropped him off. We really felt safe for our son to be there. It was obvious, they were concerned about his needs.
Now are son is in 1^st grade in a public school. The transition has been very smooth. We believe that the time that Calaveras Montessori put into our sons education has paid off 100 fold. Thank you Calaveras for everything you’ve done for our son Ryu. Your school is really a great place.

This review is pretty overdue. My nephew went here as an infant/​early toddler and it was amazing to see him grow and learn in ways I know he wouldn’t have in a different environment. The school was run in a traditional Montessori fashion, unlike some schools that say they’re Montessori, but they’re just some average run of the much high priced daycare.
This school actually teaches their kids functional life skills. Every quarter or so, the kids put on a little show to showcase what they’ve learned or just a Christmas performance… and it’s so cute and funny. I think the biggest selling point for me was when my (not even) 2 yr. old nephew was helping me sweep/​clear a table. Then, even better! He picked up a watering jug and tried to help me water the garden! What child does this??? Great school and open communication that I can appreciate.

Very average preschool. Some of the teachers are great, but unfortunately it doesn’t make up for some of their shortcomings. My daughter has gone here from age of 2 until start of Kindergarten. Very high turnover of staff. Owner not very willing to hear feedback from parents. Miss Claudia and other teachers and directors (some of whom have since left) made it possible for me to feel OK with keeping my daughter in this school. I would encourage parents to really ask a lot of questions and make sure they feel comfortable with wherever they enroll their child.

Both my kids are attending CMS. They started in Infant and Toddler class, now they both moved to Toddler and Preschool class. The teachers are very friendly, caring and loving. The kids have fun playing and learning there. This is a relief for me to go to work and know that my kids are well taken care of. Plus, they have camera so I sometimes watched my kids when I think of them. We also love the school events there (Egg hunt, Halloween, Valentine, Winter Concert, etc…), lots of fun!

Both my kids attended Calaveras Montessori. The staff is well trained and trustworthy. My daughter stayed through Kindergarten she liked it so much. Great diversity… fun events for families…

My 2.5 year old daughter just started CMS in 8÷1÷2010. I actually started my school search back in ²⁄₂₀₁₀ when it’s still old director. I admit that I was a little hesitated to sent her to CMS at first because it’s really hard to get a hold of previous director. She was not really good with returning emails and her voice messages was full and unable to leave any messages. But after visiting the school and reading through all the reviews, I decided to send her to CMS.
Now I am glad that I made that decision. My daughter is very hard to warm up girl. She was brought up by a nanny so she is not really good with strangers. She cried and cried for almost 2 month when I drop her off and pick her up. She is not really interacting with anyone definitely for the first month. I was so glad there is a web cam for me to watch her to make sure she is doing fine. Also all the teachers would update me everyday with what happen to her during the class time the first month. I really appreciate them taking the time and let me know how my little one is doing the first month. Another big plus is that the new director actually is Taiwanese and she can communicate with my daughter to make her feel more secure also.
The school also provide many activities to teach kids about seasons and holidays. They had pumpkin patch field trip, Halloween Parade, and Thanksgiving feast for kids to understand the meaning of the holiday. Now she is signing the Xmas song to me everyday.
Another thing I like about the program is that she does lots jobs everyday. She brings home her painting, writing, and also her poking album. I am really surprised that she can traces 1 to 10 and also trace her own name. She also can concentrating on poking the shapes and making an album to learn shapes.
Parent and teacher conference is great way to know how my little one is doing, Also all the teachers will update me with whatever happen to my daughter that is improving or different when I am there.
Facebook also is a great way for me to see what my daughter is doing there in CMS. They take pictures of all the kids and post on the facebook for us. It actually would be nice if they can update that a little bit more often =)
So far, I am happy with CMS. My daughter also love to go to school now. It’s a big change from crying everyday to now she actually ask me if we are going to school today. She would tell me she love Ms. Michelle, Ms, Claudia, Ms, Rovinder, Ms. Ashley, and Ms. Colleen.

Update: My review was for 2009 –Jun 2010. Sounds like they have a new director now. Maybe some issues are better now, but cant blame director for all?
Original Review: You know, as a parent, it is REALLY hard to admit when you haven’t put your child in a 5 star place. It was better when there was a toddler room. Beg of year 2010 toddler room torn out, Ms Jennifer left, & toddlers either with babies or with pre-​schoolers (not age appropriate for toddlers). DD starting showing behavior changes & screaming daily when I dropped her (for weeks!). Admin was snotty and said it was normal. My daughter is now at another school & never screams when I drop her off (except for 3 – 4 transition days– THAT is normal separation anxiety), has NO behavior issues!, & she loves it! I think issues at CM were frustration of being with kids that are too old or too young & lack of engaging activities.
All places have their pros & cons– CM is not a horrible place. It does have some issues. My feeling is that this place is pretty strict, teaches independence & proper English, & attempts to «normalize» the child. If you want your child to have more fun while learning it may be worth looking elsewhere.
Pros
* Infant area
* Nice clean outdoor area & gardening
* Kids learn independence & how to do things for themselves. My dd loved making her own cereal, sweeping, cleaning up, drinking out of a cup, putting shoes away etc.
* Basic snacks included (but usually carb/​cracker). Lunch delivery available
* Ms Ashley, Ms Krista, Ms. Jenny (left), & Ms. Jennifer (left) are/​were fabulous. Many teachers are wonderful, qualified, & all speak English well (hard to find in this area)
* Clean & well kempt (a few cockroaches but dealing with it)
* Mr Wiley music class is good (only 2x/​mo).
Cons
* Some teachers are distant/​have very low affect & speak in HR «ese», cold/​fake, stock template responses not very down to earth/​sincere communication. Lack of expressed joy. Wish for more sincere joy, laughter, hugs, & communication.
* IMHO not enough interesting, changing, or engaging activities. I think my daughter was bored. Mostly academic & sensory (beads, blocks, pouring etc). Some good jobs for learning about water, pouring, doing dishes, folding, etc but IMO– boring. No dramatic play.
* Lack of crafts & interesting themes– I mostly got back photocopies of coloring book pages with her scribbles or dot paint play. At her new school, my dd has complex & interesting crafts that match theme/​book of week (gluing seeds & different items on paper, creating 3D crafts, painting, playdoh etc.
* Director often snarky/​defensive instead of actively listening to suggestions/​concerns. E.g. director insisted on leaving pointy metal scissors on a low shelf as a job for 2 yo. Slightly dulled tip, but still pointy metal. I donated rounded metal scissors as an alt. she refused to switch. It’s not like I brought the plastic kind that don’t cut. Guess it’s really impt for 2 yo to use pointy scissors?!? She insisted that that they supervise & teach rules, but I know how quickly an eye gets poked. Guess what, same month my dd & another girl cut their own hair! Um, excuse me, you did insist this couldn’t happen? My dd STILL has a chunk of hair shorter, but it could have been an eye! Potential for scratching/​losing an eye or sticking another body part just isn’t worth it. & I know kids are NOT supervised 100%. I was floored that I was a customer trusting them w my child yet they refused to address a reasonable safety issue– final straw. Guess they don’t need my $.
* Outside play is acceptable but not enough trikes/​scooters. Walks, but I have found teachers sitting on a bench with the kids in the buggy.. .. My dds new school has a bigger play structure, sand, swings, water tables, bowling & outside toys, & plenty of bicycles/​tricycles/​scooters.
* Lack of open communication. Other pre-​schools send home cards that share with you what your child did that day, here sometimes didn’t get diaper/​nap/​food log. Told me «the child is the report card» & it should be exciting & a surprise for you to just see changes in them – this sounds like a big excuse for not telling me what my kid did all day. I don’t need a thesis, but it would be great to know 1 – 2 things (a song name/​story/​anything!). They say to ask, but they are then too busy.
* Web cam was often not working.
* Snacks are cheap (crackers). Lunch not included and more exp than elsewhere. DD new school has cute well rounded snacks (multiple ingredients).
* Lack of creative solutions for addressing behavior issues. Mostly talk out & positive reinforcement policy (not great for 1 – 3 yo that aren’t very verbal). They also use «hold-​the-​pocket» as time-​out that I can’t find any peer review/​documentation of & may actually be negative reinforcement or shaming.
* Décor is stark– not very cheerful & colorful.
* Email is answered very slowly (if at all).
* Phone is not always answered, & messages not always

This place is great my daughter has been coming here since she was one and not only has she blossomed but she’s more independent, responsible, helpful and very considerate of her surroundings. It’s a great place to want to bring your children to learn and develop! It’s truly a wonderful environment for all children!

Calaveras Montessori is a true Montessori school and the staff keeps true to its promise to put the children first always. My daughter was a preschooler at CMS for about 18 months. She attended 5 days a week from 8:45 am to 6 pm. She truly blossomed into an inquisitive, creative, courteous, and independent young girl. I love that the school is truly diverse in both kids and staff. It was truly refreshing after visiting some of the other Montessori schools. Most of the parents were just like my husband and me – full time career mommies and daddies who want a true Montessori education in a clean, safe and nurturing environment. This school is a super option if you have multiple kids. They accept infants up to kindergarten.