Research Lake Mary Montessori Academy private Schools in Orlando, Florida

“The faculty and staff of LMMA have been absolutely incredible to work with over the past several years. Our 3 kids attended from 2005-2009. Their teachers are committed and genuinely dedicated to igniting the kids' natural sense of wonder and curiosity and desire to learn. We have been so grateful to have been able to send our kids to LMMA. They are ahead of the curve. No doubt about it!”

“I have been a primary teacher at LMMA for 7 years. Not only do I believe that Montessori is the best way for children to learn, but I believe this is the best place for it! The loving nature of the faculty and administration is apparent to all who visit. LMMA is a caring, compassionate and welcoming community. Parents are always encouraged to visit with their child in their classroom, come in to read or even help with an art project. The main focus in every classroom is what is best for the children. We do not only focus on academics in the Montessori environment. We work very hard to develop peaceful, kind and well rounded children. We create a safe and loving place for the children to excel in. If you are researching schools in the Orlando area I strongly recommend you come in to see for yourself. This truly is a great school!”

“Our family has had an amazing experience at LMMA. The academic environment is nurturing, engaging, and challenging. Active parent involvement is encouraged by the administration, as well as open communication. We have found Scott and Sheila to be very knowledgeable, fair, and active participants in creating a wonderful community where children can thrive. This school also reinforces a love of learning and the value of respect. It's not easy to find all of these great qualities in one school, and we feel so fortunate to be a part of it!”

“We moved to Lake Mary from the Northeast last year and researched many schools and found LMMA to be by far our best choice. The accreditation of the school reinforced our desire for a top-notch educational environment for our daughter. We have been so pleased with the quality of teaching, the caring faculty and openness of the administration that we know we made the right choice and encourage other new families to follow suit. If you want an environment that exhibits a love of learning in the classroom, you too will want to become a part of this Montessori Community.”

“If you are seeking a school for your child that has a peaceful learning environment, one that he can learn at his pace, a place that nurtures his self esteem and is committed to serving him as an individual learner, than this is absolutely the school for you. The faculty is amazing, the teachers are great, and the community and parent involvment is by far more than we ever expected.”

“This school is excellent! The community is very welcoming and the teachers are very knowledgable. There has always been someone to answer any questions I have. There are many activities going on that involve the parents, children, and staff. The community is very supportive. I could not ask for more! My child could not be more successful. Her academic achievements are well above grade level!”

“Excellent school, environment and curriculum. My child has developed an incredible love of learning, and after 6 years still loves school and is learning more and more each day. To us its worth every penny.”

“After reading all these other reviews and being a parent at LMMA for 5 years now, I have to strongly disagree with all the negativism. Our children are no angels and not perfect, but with the professionalism, teaching skills and Montessori method of learning they are growing into wonderful eager learners, who embrace their gifts and work on their challenges. The partnership with the teachers and directress is incredible. But you have to be willing to communicate and to work with them. If you have concerns, you have to go and talk to them. LMMA is a school where everything is about the children, where the staff wants only the very best for every child at every age. It is a school with very high standards of learning and we feel fortunate to be part of its community. We would highly recommend it to any family!”

“As the other comments below have stated, this school can be very hit or miss. We found teacher quality to be very variable, with some good experienced teachers and others who were definitely not. The school administration is very resistant to any sort of criticism - if their way works for you and your child and you are happy with their teacher, great, but if not you don't have any recourse. In the end such unpleasantness caused us to withdraw our child, and of course their contract states that they keep the entire year's fees if your child leaves for any reason.”

“This school exemplifies a learning environment that we, as parents, wish we could have had when we were in school. The learning materials are hands-on, the teachers are both loving and talented, and the administration creates a family-oriented community that really cares. We would recommend this school to any parents who value a challenging, safe, nurturing environment for your child.”

“If your child is probably gifted and you can be sycophantic in your devotion to the Montessori teaching method, as interpreted by the directress, then you will love this Montessori school. However, if your child is imperfect yet clever, bright, energetic (but not unusually talented) you may find yourself unwanted here. If your child acts up, being the natural chills he or she is, it is likely that your worth as a parent will be called into question. Under the guise of requiring parental involvement, your working hours may be questioned; your spouse s occupation may be questioned. If you are happy to be Stepford Wife and your family can maintain a faux perfection, then you will enjoy your experience. If you are less than perfect, watch your back. You will be judged.”

“We were very disappointed with this Montessori experience. We thought all Montessori's had the same level of quality and leadership, but clearly not. When we disagreed with the way our child was being handled by both the teachers and the school director, we were very promptly dismissed (with little discussion and, of course, no refund). It had little to nothing to do with our son and everything to do with challenging the school director. A lot of ego and neuroses tied up with this school which is not the kind of environment you want for your child. I would not recommend this school to any family. Look well beyond Lake Mary when you do your search and don't get pulled in by the sweet (if not somewhat manic) facade.”

“We were told that all teachers were Montessori certified during the admissions process. Once enrolled, discovered this was not true. Some teachers were actively working on certification but not complete. There was staff turnover with variable results in childen's classrooms. If you are dedicated to a Montessori education for your child, and consider that school should be part of your family, then I would suggest that you keep your mind balanced, neutral, and investigate all the Montessori schools in the community.”

“Educationally, this school can be great. However, there is very 'fair-weather' leadership. Received the 'cold shoulder' when we decided to enroll somewhere else for next year. This confirms that we made the right decision for our child.”

“LMMA is amazing. It is much more than a Montessori. It is a family. The children are loved and taught the value of respect, encouraged to engage in the learning process and to value the journey as well as the destination. Educationally, the primary curriculum rivals public schools 2-3 years ahead. It is expensive, but so is ignorance. LMMA is a prime example of getting exactly what you pay for. Florida public schools are horrid. For a quality education, one must pay for it or you will absolutely pay in many other ways later. Music and art classes are readily available and sports are becoming part of the classroom curriculum. Parents are encouraged to participate in every aspect of the learning process and in the school. It is truly a teamwork mentality that reinforces in the children the importance of being part of a community.”

“Very high parent involvement required at this tight knit school. The enrollment agreement is like nothing I had ever seen before. For instance if you get transferred for your job and have to move, decide your child doesn't do well in a Montessori environment and want to change schools, or if the principal expells your child for any reason (completely up to their discretion) you still owe the full year's tuition! Read their contract very carefully (unlike us) before you sign. Teachers are very nice, but the children don't get the individual attention you would expect for such a high cost education. It is extremely expensive, yet you still have to pay additionally for extracurricular classes like Kindermusik etc.”

“Sheila and Scott play a fantastic role of awareness of their educators as well as the children. We have seen explosive results with our children that attend this facility and are more then pleased. The Teachers/Educators are extremely patient and know how to generate focus with our children which was key to their advancement. I highly recommend this facility to anyone wanted a better foundation of education for their children.”

“My son is 4 yrs old and this is his 2nd year at LMMA. I picked this school not only because of the Montessori program, the high calibre teachers and knowledgeable Director's but also the cleanliness and 'sick' child policy. The atmosphere of the school is one of friendship and community spirit. The children are treated with respect by the teachers, which in turn, makes them treat each other respectfully. The Director's know the names of all the children and parents. I highly reccommend LMMA.”