Rockridge Montessori School

Love it here! Professional and kind teachers and administration, really inviting and engaging classrooms and play areas. I found this place first because I am a big Montessori fan and it was right by my house, but we moved through the tunnel and have stayed because I haven’t seen anything quite this well set up for kids elsewhere. They also throw several fun events for students and families outside classroom time each year (carnivals, etc.). It is a nice community for sure– friendly parents/​a good mix of people. They offer activities for the kids to stay engaged in addition to your more traditional preschool manipulatives, stories and songs.

I started both of my kids at Rockridge Montessori before they were two years old. Choosing a school for such a young child is a huge decision, and one that can potentially leave you second-​guessing, but it didn’t take long for me to feel confident that I had found the right place for them.
They are excited to go to school and have made many great friends there. They come home each day singing songs and carrying cute pieces of art. When my daughter was three, she was telling me about Mozart and Africa and was well on her way to learning her letters and sounds. At four years old, she is unstoppable with her enthusiasm for writing and I couldn’t be happier.
The facilities are very nice: clean, sunlit classrooms and ample, fun outdoor spaces. In nearly three years, I have seen very little in the way of teacher turnover, and it’s clear that the teachers care about the kids and always impress me with their patience and friendliness. The administration is very easy to work with and I am grateful every day that I can trust them to provide a positive, formative experience for my children that will benefit them long after they leave.

My son attended RMS since he was 18 months. He started in the infant toddler (IT) program which is a true gem. The teachers at both the IT and preschool are knowledgable and caring. The school reflects the diversity of Oakland and bay area. Though I loved the IT program, I found the preschool very crowded but my son did not seem to mind.
RMS is a safe, warm stimulating environment for children. I always had peace of mind when I would drop him off and go to work. RMS provides the right amount of academics and play. My son was reading at 2 and a half and I really credit the teachers at RMS for fostering his interest in learning.
RMS is on the more expensive end but the teachers get benefits unlike other schools so in my opinion it is well worth it. Sandi and Paul are fantastic. I really came to feel like our family was part of a big family. Unfortunately, we had to move due to a job change. We will really miss RMS.

I would not recommend sending your child here.
The preschool is unethical. Only 2 weeks after they deposited our huge «deposit» check in January (they require 2 full months’ tuition for a deposit), our financial situation changed and we realized we would not be able to afford the high price of the preschool. They insisted to keep $ 580 of our deposit, stating it was «policy.» This was in mid-​January, for a spot that started in September… they claimed it was because they had turned people down for that spot, but, they had 9 months to fill it so I doubt it was anything but greed.
Additionally, this preschool is a bit like walking into the «Stepford Wives»…academically ok, but a cold, sterile and non-​loving atmosphere.