Bella Mente Montessori Academy

In the beginning I was thrilled to have my child at Belle Mente. But after after a couple of weeks in my daughter was feeling stressed from the other kids. The kids were mean her and for her the environment of self directing was very stressful. But I told her to hang in there. There front desk staff were rude and pretentious. .They would not let me walk my daughter to her class. I finally decided to take her out of the school when she got hurt on the playground twice with no incident report. The first time my 1^st grader was launched of a third graders feet. Playing some kind of flying game. The girl told my daughter to tuck her feet in and she pushed her and she landed on her back. Now mind you the girl was twice the size as my daughter. The second time she feel of the play structure and had the wind knocked at of her. And the only way i would kmow this is because she said she felt like she couldn’t breathe. She said she got up and ran behind a trash can and cried. She also told her teacher and her teacher said you shouldn’t play those games or something to that effect. We did address all these thing to the vice principle however. I was just so upset with everything we left. Now she is back at her public school getting and happy to be back. I’m happy to be back too. I love to be involved and it just seemed like I was hitting walls at this school. Plus there library is open when they have parent volunteers I believe. I also didn’t like the playground it felt like a parking lot with grass. I didn’t care for the biilding either. I like her back at her school because she more out in the open with fresh air and light. Also the classrooms a very small. Just wasn’t a good fit at all… oh lastly she feel behind at yhe school. There are alot of little things that may draw you on the security, having them call your child’s name to the car., uniforms, montessori, feels like a private school for free, cute natural wood flooring. All these didn’t make up for what my daughter went thru. Check it out for yourself. Maybe it’s perfect for you. Oh and it does have a white bread feel to it.

My experience was not good. This is not a true Montessori school. Large classes out of control playground. Most teachers are not trained in true Montessori methods. My daughter was removed after countless physical and verbal assaults by other students. This is in primary grade may I state. Teachers not handling the situation in the appropriate way. I will keep this short she returned to public school is much happier has less students has learned more and back to her happy self. She changed in a drastic way. Also if safety is a concern I never felt safe in after school programs. The area as well is terrible and location wise I was disappointed when we first came to visit the school. I tried to look beyond it, but it really should be something to consider.

The school is not a true Montessori school and the has a difficult time keeping teachers due to their poor salary schedule and as a result many of their teachers are not Montessori trained and it has limited materials and a poorly designed curriculum. The newly hired principal is hard to deal with. I would not send my child there.

I have heard great things about Montessori schools and I was so excited when my son got into Bella Mente for kindergarten for the 15 – 16 school year. My son struggles with a disability that will require some accomadations at school. I’ve actually been told that he would most likely thrive best in a Montessori setting, considering some of his struggles. After we got accepted I called and talked to Elizabeth to go over the IEP process and get a feel for their ability to accommodate my son, as a public school they are required to reasonably accomadate kids needing an IEP. She did not give me a sense of compassion at all. In fact, I felt that she was dissuading me from having my son attend by saying things like «our classrooms can be loud» even though noise wasn’t an issue that I even brought up. She also told me they don’t have as many resources as other public schools, which may be true but she hadn’t even met my son yet to establish how many resources he might need. With that said, I asked if there was going to be a kindergarten orientation. She let me know that had already passed. I asked if there was any way for my son to have a chance to meet his teacher before the school year starts, to help him ease into the transition to Kindergarten, and she said there was going to be an open house for the whole school, they couldn’t set anything up beyond that, the teachers are gone for summer. I understand that the teachers are gone for summer, but they don’t come back until the very first day of school and there is no way for my son to have an improvised orientation since he didn’t get accepted until just after the initial one had taken place? I find that hard to believe and again, lacking compassion. The whole conversation was cold and uninviting and at the end of it all she wanted to know was if we still wanted to go there or not. I let her know I needed to discuss it with my son’s father and said I would have an answer for her in the next week. After I got off the phone with her, about 20 minutes later, I get a phone call from my son’s preschool telling me that someone from Bella Mente had called them requesting my son’s «disciplinary records» and let me know that A) They could not release any information since I hadn’t given consent and B) They don’t have «disciplinary» records but if they were interested in his developmental records they could supply those if I gave consent. Not once did Elizabeth communicate with me about contacting my son’s school, that wasn’t even mentioned in our conversation, so I was really put off by the fact that she did that without even talking to me about it and I hadn’t even handed in enrollment forms yet. In the end I emailed Elizabeth letting her know that it did not seem as though the school was going to be a good fit for my son due to lack of resources or ability to accomadate him. I have not heard any response since, no acknowledgement at all.
In a nutshell I am less than impressed with the way I was talked to and the way my concerns about my son were addressed, with no compassion or even an attempt to understand what we actually needed. My son is very bright and excels academically, he has been in a preschool setting for years and with very reasonable accommodations does well there. In my experience as a proactive advocate for my child, although this school may be great for some kids, if your child might need some extra help in the classroom it doesn’t seem that they are capable or willing to work with you or your child. We found a school that is and won’t be going to Bella Mente.

I wrote 4-​star a review in August 2014, sharing that there were bumps the first year, as I expected. I am updating my review to reflect my experience with Bella Mente’s second school year. The teachers and the staff are fabulous. They are making miracles happen with a limited budget, lack of Montessori materials, and lack of Montessori training.
However, the teachers and staff are being led by principal Erin Feeley, who is directing the school down a path different from the one she promised the community: authentic Montessori education, taught by Montessori-​trained teachers, in a small community-​centered school environment on 3.33 acres. Here’s the reality: The curriculum is not «authentic Montessori»; without the proper materials in every classroom, without Montessori-​trained teachers, and with hundreds of new students every year who have never experienced a Montessori education, it can never be an authentic Montessori school. Enrollment has jumped from 325 (September 2013) to a whopping 650 (planned for August 2015). While there is a shortage of both Montessori-​trained and California-​credentialed teachers at the school, hard-​working and well-​loved teachers with both requirements are being dismissed without explanation. Community bonds that once felt strong are weakening due to the increase in students and lack of space. The benefits we once had (plenty of parking, adequate playground space, before-​school play time) have been taken away, all dismissed by Erin Feeley as unnecessary because «charter schools don’t have those things»… except that we DID have those things, and now they’re gone or leaving soon.
The three-​member Board of Directors supports Erin Feeley in her poor decision-​making, which should not be surprising, since they all knew Erin personally before the school was created.
«A-​OK», as Unilocal’s 3-​star rating suggests, is a reflection of the resiliency of the teachers and staff and their kind and generous hearts, as well as the parents and students who strive every day to build community. If if weren’t for the teachers’ commitment to educating our students and the bonds we have with some families, I would dis-​enroll my son.
I strongly recommend you carefully investigate this school (or any school!) before enrolling.

Both of our children have been students her at Bella Mente Montessori Academy since day one and I have personally witnessed the Administration’s commitment to quality educational standards.
The Principal Erin demonstrates the perfect balance of academic and administrative leadership qualities that are likely to guarantee that BMMA becomes the première Charter school in North County.
Gladys the schools secretary is a key player in the schools success as well. She is organized and articulate. She keeps the lines of communications open for parents and teachers.
When classroom situations arise the staff is quick to resolve the issues in a constructive and learning style. Teaching the students right from wrong in a way that should have positive long term effects on the students.
Keep up the good work

If you are looking for a different kind of public school BMMA is great. The parents and staff are very involved and we love the community it provides unlike large public schools. We are glad we made the switch.

My niece has been attending Bella Mente for two years now. I love how at home and secure she feels there. The after school program is fun and engaging. When I stop to pick her up she hates to leave. «But it’s cooking day Titi!». She love that the kids all wear uniformed clothing because it makes the kids feel like they are part of something-​a team! They really have a family atmosphere. The staff is open and has amazing communication with the families. The teachers know how to evaluate and customize education to each child’s needs.
Bella Mente has a private school feeling. It’s nice to know that the parents who bring their children here do so because they chose to. Not because they live in the school district, but because it is a school that exceeds all expectations and they want their children to have that experience and education.

This school has been a game-​changer for us. We had our daughter in a public magnet school and while there was a lot to like there, she was unhappy and it spilled over into every part of her life (and thus, my husband’s and my life). There was a lot that didn’t work for her: sitting still in a desk all day, staying on the same page of a worksheet, listening to a lecture for upwards of 45 minutes (elementary school!!), and worst of all, bullying and clique issues that the school didn’t have the bandwidth to handle.
We moved her to BMMA on a leap of faith and it has paid off. Being in a Montessori classroom has made such a change. She doesn’t have to sit still all day, she decides what to work on and when, and a huge focus of the school is the «Peace Curriculum,» so having positive interactions is a priority. I have never seen kids that are as kind to one another. That’s not to say that there aren’t exceptions – they are kids and they are still figuring it out; but the expectation is that they will treat each other kindly and with respect.
We couldn’t be happier. The teachers are excellent, the campus is great, the administration is deeply committed. Best of all, we have an amazing, caring, committed family community. It is so wonderful to be a part of it.
**In regards to the negative review that I see posted here: I have never once smelled gasoline fumes. That is absolute nonsense. Also, about the uniform situation, I love having uniforms. The uniform policy is absolutely within ed code, in spite of the reviewer’s claims. The school has a very liberal uniform policy, so it is affordable and flexible. We had issues at our last school with little girls making each other feel bad about what they were wearing (my daughter was on the receiving end plenty of times). I *love* the uniform policy! It has eliminated that issue.

Getting into BMMA last year was a dream come true for my family. As a Montessori trained teacher, it was always my hope that I would be able to give my three children an authentic Montessori education. I have daughters going into 1^st and 3^rd grades this fall and we are all thrilled to be returning to BMMA. As a parent, I couldn’t ask for a more amazing community of like-​minded families to be a part of. It has been such a joy to work together as we build a beautiful school for our children. I am excited to see what this year will bring!

Bella Mente Montessori is an amazing alternative charter school with a dedicated community to reach its full potential. Both my children loved going to school last year. I had one in Kinder and one in 3^rd grade. The teachers worked with my kids’ individual needs and were incredibly accessible. My son actually asked if he could stay after school so he could show me how he learned long division. Now that doesn’t happen very often!
One thing I really love about this school is it realizes the value of the whole child. It isn’t just about cramming in facts and preparing for a test at the end of the year. Instead it is about a child developing a love for learning and growing into adults that will better our world.
I am very much looking forward to year two with Bella Mente! Our school garden has expanded as well as our enrichment programs and «specials» such as spanish, mandarian and art during the school hours.

Before you enroll your child at this school, you should be aware that the location violates 6 guidelines set by the EPA to assure that a student has a safe learning environment. 1. It backs up to a gas station. You can smell the fumes from the play yard. Several students in my daughters class have been complaining of headaches and stomach aches while at school. 2. The gas station has a leaking underground storage tank. 3. The school is located on the corner of 2 major roadways with heavy traffic so the exhaust is really bad. 4. There is an automotive repair shop on one side, which EPA says can expose students to air pollutants and exhaust. 5. There is a heavy equipment machinery rental on the other side, which EPA also says can expose students to air pollution. 6. The school is 250 feet from a freeway, EPA says at least 500 feet away to be safe from air pollution. There have been all sorts of studies stating that schools located next to high air pollution areas cause an array of health problems and learning disabilities. If your child has existing health problems or asthma, I would seriously reconsider sending them here. It sounds like the school was able to set up shop here because of some loophole in the system. It used to be a private school and so it wasn’t reassessed properly when it transitioned into a public charter. I am upset because the school, and the school district looked the other way in order to get the school opened as quickly as possible. The parents should have been notified that there were health hazards present. If we had known about these issues, we never would have switched schools. Then, upon enrollment the school told us that we HAD to purchase uniforms from their specific distributor or else we wouldn’t be able to go to school there. SO I had to purchase $ 60.00 worth of clothes. Come to find out that that is not legal (AB1575) and that the school needs to provide the uniforms to the students if it’s going to be required. When I brought it up they first denied it and then when I showed proof they wanted to give the «poor» kids the used uniforms (the kids with money could buy their own if they wanted) Also, the parents are bullies and attack you on the facebook parents forum if you express an opinion that in anyway criticizes the school. I was actually a little afraid to send my child to school today because some of the parents were calling me names like «pot stirrer» «troublemaker» and «destroyer of school spirit» all because I brought up education codes and stated our rights as parents. This has been the worst experience I have ever had at a school and we are planning on leaving the school as soon as we can.