Research Southampton Montessori School private Schools in Houston, Texas

“My child attended SHM since she was a toddler. It was a wonderful experience for her. She made many friends and loved the teachers. However my experience was not as good. The office staff is extremely rude and the school discourages parental involvement. You are scolded if you chat with another parent on school property. The classes are run tightly, but our teachers always took time to chat with us and give us updates. We avoided the owners and office staff. I so wish it was a friendlier environment as the classes themselves are so warm.”

“Great location. Some teachers are great. Others are not good, No greetings in the morning, no news letters, just complain not to do things. Do not talk to teacher who has work to do (unless teacher wants to talk to), no talking in the class room, no to everything. completely opposite montessori teaching environment as far as i understand. Some parents who looked at this school say that children seem to be robot in this school. not so good management either. They have excuse of 'busy'. no announcement for termination of extra curriculum, extra fee would not be returned unless you remember to claim it. You have to pay significant amount of money to stay for new school year (for Kindergarten) and no refund even if we give them notice in 5 month ahead. Too much reputation and too big the school became to handle by a family.”

“Our three children went to Southampton from age 1 year. The eldest was in Kindergarten when the family was relocated out of state. We had every plan for all three to complete 3rd grade in the school. Our belief is that quality daycare/schooling is a treasured commodity and Southampton is more than certainly a diamond amongst them all. The office staff, teachers and assistants are all the most friendly nurturing people around, as a result the children are happy, confident and often do not want to leave at the end of the day - what more could you want as they develop a life-long love of learning.”

“My daughter started South Hampton when she was 3 1/2. We pulled her out for Kindergarden and I really wish that I would have left her atleast one more year at South Hampton. However, the afterschool care program has been wonderful. My son started when he was just over 1. I was very comfortable leaving him in the hands of the teachers at South Hampton. They just got new playground equiptment and my kids beg me everyday to play after school. The administrative staff could not be any nicer. They trust the teachers with their own children and grandchildren and I think that speaks for itself. We are moving and are going to miss South Hampton dearly.”

“We love it. When we pick up our 21 month old daughter she doesn't want to leave! Teachers are very caring, and the school has tons of charm and is so wholesome. Even the cafeteria staff loves our little one. 'Hi's and 'Bye's every day.”

“We have had our daughter here from 18 months through K and overall it has been an excellent experience. The teachers we have had really got to know our daughter and showed a great deal of flexibility in helping her to learn and to develop socially. This is a place that will stimulate, rather than suppress imagination. Other Montessori schools can tend to be rather dogmatic, but this one seems to be true to the principle of the system without being pushy about it. The only downside is the main office, which isn't very organized and they are clearly running a business. Not so sure about grades 1-3, which seem awfully small and it is hard to transfer to another school in grade 4. Convenient, and open till 6”

“Teachers are great, but can be a bit strict. Lacking in parent communication, especially if you cannot be there after 8:00 or before 3:00. Pleasant environment. Good teaching methods. Pricey for the current student-teacher ratio.”

“The teachers are great. They genuinely care about their students while providing an exceptional learning enviroment. The school is very warm and home like but the administration (owners) are unfriendly. Money seemed to be on the top of the list not the children. Not only are they promising a good ratio to you parents, but are telling the teachers we won't be putting more children in the classroom. So during a tour you will see full classrooms, not matching those promising words of the administration.”

“We loved our daughter's teachers, especially her 18-36 mths class. Great environment with nice classroom. Loved that a hot lunch was provided. However the front office is atrocious! They refused to refund our deposit even though we gave sufficient withdrawal notification. She claimed there was noone to take the spot when I know for a fact that there is a long waiting list for that class. She refused to ever discuss it, claiming she was too busy”

“We've had two kids for close to 3 years now in this school, ranging from pre-K to 2nd grade. We always felt our kids were taught, cared for and loved by their teachers - something we tried and failed to find in test-driven West University Elementary. There is more to teaching children then tests and impersonal rules and this Montessori school really gets it right. We'll be re-enrolling both of them next year. Note this school has been scaling back to teaching only through 3rd grade which may explain - or respond - to the some of the less favorable reports by other parents here. Their strength, which in our experience is truly exceptional, is clearly on the younger ages - pre-K to lower elementary.”

“Great location!!! But teacher/student ratio keeps going up. All fees keep going up. Its funny how we, as parents, pay so much yet the playground is the worst in town. Not to mention all office staff sure is driving nicer cars than the paernts!! The owner and her daughter are very rude! Teachers are wonderful!”

“Best school in the area. Tours/interviews of other area programs will confirm this. My daughter just left Southampton for private school K and is far ahead of her new classmates, most of whom attended other private pre-K programs in Houston. The teachers are dedicated and caring, and the front office lives for the school. Great facilities and lunch menu as well.”

“As other reviewers have noted, standards have dropped at this school. I often wonder who is running the school. The teachers try to do a good job - but this academic year, I notice the classes are even bigger, up to 30. And fees went up. I am very disappointed. I do like my kids' teachers and think they try to do their best. However, I dislike the large classes and disorganization.”

“Very poor organization, no parental feedback, and a terrible front office. The afterschool program runs better”

“Very weak and disorganized elementary program with lots of turnover. However, preschool program is wonderful. One big plus is the afterschool program available to Southampton elementary and other nearby public school kids.”

“Overall, it was a good experience at the beginning but I have to say the school academic and child care have slowly degraded over the years. The teachers at this school do care for the well being & the development of the children; however, the ratio is much too high to make it possible to achieve good quality education and care. The administrators take good care of the property; however, I would have to say at the expense of the parents. The fees are always going up and the summer time even more ridiculous with pool & other supplies fees. In addition, you will never make aware of something bad happen for safety purpose; you usually find out by actually knowing the victim s parents. The administrators attitude is if you are not happy, you can leave because we have a long list of other kids waiting to take your place.”

“Our experience was for over 3 years including pre-K through kindergarten, and it was absolutely the best experience. Both of the teachers for my son's class were extremely in tune with the children, capable and loving. All of the parents of kids in my son's class raved about the teacher. The owner seems to care a great deal about the quality of the school, and invests in the property to make it nice for the children (like adding shade tents, or equipping the school well). I never had one minute of worry, and my son seemed to feel it was a second home. He was excited about learning and became close friends with basically everyone in his class.”

“Academics a mystery since we do not get much feedback at all. No parent involvement at all, and not enough information about how your child is doing from the teacher and the school. Principal is not very approachable. Pros: lunch is provided.”

“There are too many kids in the classes. As a result there has been a few incidents were unsafe/dangerous situations have come up. On a positive note, the activities for the children are very nice.”

“So far, so good. Our kids love the school and are eager to go each day. We love the discipline, curriculum and activities our kids get. We highly recommend this school.”

“Academics are great! Teacher -parent communication very poor. You won't be told unless there is a problem. Teacher doesn't add to unexperienced parent to guide the development of your child. Too high student to teacher ratio. Discipline yes, but does not equal safety.”

“I have had at least one of my children at Southampton for the past 7 1/2 yrs. I cannot say enough good things about the school. The teachers are dedicated and creative. The children are nurtured and loved and learn in an environment of positive encouragement. They are pushed in a developmentally appropriate way. It has been a blessing in our lives.”

“Excellent school, nice surprise!. teachers very caring & nurturing.”

“My son has been attending Southampton Montessori since he was 18 months. It is a very nurturing environment with well-skilled teachers. The classroom environment supports individuality of each student with activities which reach each learning style. We are very pleased and would highly recommend it.”

“My daughter has gone to Southampton since she was 2 years of age. She is now in the Elementary program and we love her teacher. The teacher truely loves the children and teaching. There has been some turn over in the class and in the office, which has my husband and I concerned.”

“Our son's time at this school marked one of our worst experience at parents. He joined an age three to six class at two years and 10 months. He had never been with such an wide age range, and his teacher quickly realized that he was having trouble adjusting. Instead of notifying us as parents or giving him special attention, she spent three months writing down all of his struggles and it to us all at once. In his three months there, we continually asked for feedback and was told that all was fine. This experience was hurtful to both our son and us. We returned our son to his previous school, where his teachers have told us that he is thriving both academically and socially.”

“This is a good school, my kid attended this for year now and teachers are very warm and welcoming.”