Casa Montessori De Carlsbad

My daughter has been attending this school a little over 2 years now and soon she will be moving onto kindergarten! I can not express my love for this school and all the teachers! They are simply «wonderful» and I am so glad that I took the time to visit multiple schools before enrolling my daughter. The classrooms are clean and organized, and I felt a sense of comfort and security when I entered in for the first time and still feel that way today. Can’t say the same about a particular school down the street, they gave me a whole different vibe when I visited. My daughter is a very sensitive child and had a tough time adjusting in the beginning in a group setting. She has came a long way, and grown so much since she has been attending this school. The best part about this school is the fact that these teachers REALLY cares about their kids in this school. I admire every single one of the teachers and I am just so grateful that they have help shape my daughters good habits and behavior! Everywhere we go, strangers tells me how well behaved she is and ask me what school she attends! Pretty soon, my little boy will be attending and I can not wait!

I have two kids that attend Casa. One in Toddler and one in Primary I. The teachers and their assistants can’t be any more FANTASTIC!!! I’ve seen leaps and bounds in their development coming from a daycare environment to a Montessori environment. They are instilling everything from respect, to manners (huge emphasis), to sharing and encourage all around development. I’m so happy I found this school and I can see my kids’ happiness every day when I drop them off and pick them up.
I was under a lot of stress getting ready for a deployment and Shannon would go out of her way to talk with me about any potential stressors for me and them. The teachers were notified and any time I wanted to talk to the teachers and also Lisa about potential concerns as a single mom in this situation, it was never a problem. They would answer all my questions at any point in time and they were always so caring.
Speaking specifically about one of the negative reviewer’s statement regarding Shannon, the Director, she was and always is completely and totally professional. Absolutely did NOT have any negativity when setting up deposits and payments. Getting two kids in the door isn’t easy financially and she worked with me, asking me «does that work» with everything in the beginning when we were getting started. HUGE benefit.
I’d rate them off the charts if it were possible. Clean, fun, friendly, caring, engaged.

My experience with this school is a little complex, but ultimately extremely disappointing.
Short version. Administration and teachers are insular, defensive and unprofessional. Any parent that is working and counting on this childcare should know, they canceled my contract without giving me even 24hrs notice to find alternative childcare at an unschedule surprise meeting. Their stated reason for terminating the contract was that I had rolled my eyes at the teacher. The school is not conscientious of parents time.
Long version. I had my son here when he was 3, so my mother and I could train for a half marathon. Ms Crystal was a good teacher. She gave good feedback, was clear and professional. She no longer works there.
I brought him back for Primary II instead of sending him to public school kindergarten. At a parent teacher conference in late fall, (which was canceled twice before) months after school had started, they raised extreme concerns about my son. They claimed he was aggressive, anti-​social and disruptive. I agreed to do whatever they wanted, but it took them nearly a half hour to articulate that they wanted an education evaluation. The teacher had given no indication for months beforehand that there was a problem.
I spent $ 2000.00 for this evaluation. I learned my son is in the 99.9% for intelligence. The psychiatrist said the situation was typical. She called it a curriculum mismatch. She also felt the letters she received from the school indicated that it was possible the teachers and administrators were creating a very negative environment for my son. She recommended I observe the classroom to determine whether or not to keep him in the school until the end of the year.
We shared the report with the school. We requested to observe the classroom. They did not initially refuse, but requested an opportunity to speak with the psychiatrist first. We agreed. Two months passed.
In those two months, I had two very negative experiences with my son’s teacher. In one case, she told the administrator she had called me. Since nowadays a phone has perfect record of who called, it was clear this was untrue. She later called me and apologized for not calling. On another occasion she called me to ask if there was anything that had changed in my son’s routine because he seemed extra anxious. I said no. Then she admitted she had been repeatedly questioning him why he was so anxious. She then stated she believed he just didn’t have the words to describe what was wrong, and she believed there was an underlying trauma that was causing my son’s anxiety. When we hung up the phone, I realized she had completely disregarded the psychiatrist report that he was antsy because he was bored.
At this point, I contacted the administrator because it seemed more important that I observe the classroom. When I asked her if she had contacted the psychiatrist, she replied, «Who?» I then insisted that I be able to come in the classroom and observe my son and his teacher, or I would terminate our contract.
The administrator asked me not to terminate the contract and allowed me to pay to get fingerprinted so I could be allowed on school grounds. The day before I was schedule to observe the classroom, I was called into an unscheduled meeting. The culmination of a very long, passive aggressive conversation was that they were terminating the contract immediately. Stated reason — I had rolled my eyes at the teacher.
This experience had a negative impact on my son. Before my son started at this school, I had received nothing but positive feedback from other teachers. After attending this school, he was less excited about the idea of school. He also seemed to just generally have been less happy during the nine months he was there. Not to mention, they completely failed to provide any challenging curriculum to him for this entire time. He has since enrolled in another school and again, I get nothing but positive feedback from his new teachers. Although now they are armed with the knowledge from the education evaluation, so they are a little better prepared for his curriculum needs. My son has also returned to a positive attitude toward school.
This experience was honestly hurtful to myself and my son. I wish the school had just admitted they either would not or could not provide my son with the curriculum he needed after we got the report. On a more personal note, they were indirect and unprofessional in the way they handled the situation. First blaming my son and labeling him an emotional problem. Then when another professional disagreed with there assessment, refusing to undertake an analysis or allowing outside observation. instead resorting to personal attacks against me based on gossip.

Both of my girls have attended Casa. We’ve been there for 4 year and just signed up for next year as well. It is a lovely little school. I couldn’t be happier with our time there. The teachers are loving, nurturing, and I know my girls both have received a wonderful Montessori education. My oldest was there for 3 years before attending Kindergarten and she is now the most advanced in her class at both reading and mathematics. She also has such an amazing love for school and learning and I know Casa had a lot to do with that. Every day I walk in and out of there knowing how lucky I am that both my girls have attended this school. If you are looking for Montessori education for your child this little school is the way to go.

My son has gone to Casa for about 6 weeks now and we are more than pleased with the entire school. My son is in primary 1 and his teacher and teachers assistant are absolutely wonderful both professionally and on a personal level. They are caring, kind, smart, and exactly right for the job.
My boy was already reading when he started Casa, but he is definitely excelling in other areas now as well.
The school is very clean and they have lots of after school aides. I can always call or email and ask how my son is doing and I get a response within minutes. We do pay a bit more to go here and we do bring snacks once a month. Its a small price to pay to be happy at school, plus you are told exactly what to bring and its always healthy. My son was at another Montessori where they provided snacks and it was bulk non nutritional foods. This method is much more preferable.
I really can’s say enough good things about casa. I have seen about 15 schools while looking for a new school and this is by far the winner.

it’s almost 2013 and I figured we have over come Brown Vs. BOE (i know it a private school), but man if you want your child to experience diversity keep looking.
Note to the Shannon, I own my business (estimated at 3.2 mil) and the wife is a full time professional, so we can easily afford your tuition and we pay on time, actually I can pay 10 X what you are asking with no concern, Enough about me…
Let’s get back you, 90+% lil cute white kids are seated in what felt like a throw back to the 50’s. a lady name Shannon counting the $ coming in and cold cold reception awaited us at Casa Montessori de Carlsbad. When we walked in the front door, the look on Shannon’s face reminded me of a DJ skipping a record at the newest and hottest night club. Almost begging the question how dare you walk into my facilities.
When we asked about kids of different background, we were told there is a black kid but rest assure she is adopted by white parents. Oh good I was worried!
The Director made my wife and I feel very uncomfortable and could not wait for us to leave. We sat on the other side of the office very inflexible and short with the answers. I was there to sign my 2 year old up for day care so I had questions about tuition. I asked about getting in for one week before we sign a year contract, she was not okay with that and even made it seem as if I was asking for welfare voucher. She stated several facts that were not true about her school, including the fact she does not discount registration fees (we know she does), she has a 6 to 1 ratio of kids to teachers in the 2year old class (not true), she is very hands on with open door policy (No, the only hands on here is her hand on the money).
When we went down the street (only 3 blocks), we saw Asian, Black, Latino, Indian kids, play together in one school. How is it that another school down the road is so open to enrolling all these kids, but this school is so close minded? The tuition is almost the same, the setting is almost the same, the facilities are almost the same, so why is it that one school has 99% Caucasian student body and the other is about 50%. It’s a shame to have to write this and it’s sad to see this BS still practiced here in San Diego. I feel bad for these poor kids and these parents who have no clue where they are sending their little ones.

If you are researching for daycare then you will need to read this review. My experience with the teachers was good. My husband and I talked with the Manager (Lisa) very nice lady for 90 mns during our first visit. When we started talking about the school fees to enroll our daughter, Lisa said we would need to make an appointment with the Director Shannon to figure out how much we owe and we did. Well, this is when it all went downhill.
Every question we asked Shannon, her answers revolved about MONEY. Money money money! It’s what everything this lady thought and talked about. I usually read people very well, and I felt she was so cold and uncaring. For example, I asked why doesn’t the school provide snacks or lunch since my daughter will have a better chance eating her food when she sees other children eating the same snacks as her. Shannon’s answer was to keep the cost down. This is the only daycare that doesn’t offer snacks. They actually have parents bring the snacks for the whole classroom on a schedule (cheap much. huh?)
The registration fee is a yearly $ 350, and on our first visit, Lisa put an X on the $ 350 on my handout and said that no parent pays that much but Ms. Shannon was very clear that the $ 350 is very reasonable as she needs it to pay for supplies and earthquake kit. I did my research, even the most expensive Montessori school in OC charges $ 175 first time registration fees and $ 100 to re-​register. and in CA parents are required to pay for earthquake only once in kid’s lifetime! not yearly you liar!
School hours– 8.30a-2.30p. the worst hours comparing her to all the Montessori schools in the area.
Another thing I didn’t like about the school was the 2 week Christmas vacation. that’s one week more than all the Montessori schools in the area.
Fees $ 8,350 for 40 weeks with 23 business days off … the most expensive in the area
Our biggest concern was that she wanted us to commit to a whole year without testing her school which seemed so wrong and that’s even before giving a tour to my daughter.
AGAIN, NO OTHER MONTESSORI IN THE AREA ASKED ME TO SIGN A CONTRACT COMMITTING FOR A WHOLE YEAR!!! So let’s say, day 1 and I discover that you lied about teacher/​student ratio, or that the teacher is rude to my kid, or that my daughter is coming home with a diaper rash because she’s not changed enough, I would owe still them 9K!
but here’s the best (or worst part), the whole school is Caucasian. hmmm. teachers and the students. When we asked about this, (fearing our daughter would get teased), we were told there’s a black kid in our school, but it’s ok he’s adopted by white parents! shake my head. what a shame. people like that still exist.
The Montessori down the street had a good mix of all races, so how is your school all Caucasians. oh gosh, could it be because you turn down non Caucasians and tell them «your daughter isn’t a good fit my school»? yes that’s what she told me on the phone. and let me remind you that she’s never my daughter
Google the school name and read on school review websites how other parents feel about new ownership and also read up on La Jolla Montessori to see how much other parents don’t like her school.
Other reviewers sated that she forces kids to cut their hair, posts huge signs everywhere to remind parents to pay their tuition, and that she has a closed door policy.

As an actual parent of a child attending this preschool, I have to completely disagree with the comments below. The school is very clean, well organized, and the teachers are definitely educated and passionate about Montessori methods. But WAY more important than that… our 3-​year-​old is excited about school and learning. He loves his school «work», talks constantly about what sounds particular words start with, lives for picking out sharing, and has developed new skills already. All this and he is just 2 months into Primary 1. We previously had him at a different preschool that was perfectly safe, clean, with wonderful patient, happy teachers. But we wanted him to be pushed a little more to develop the early skills necessary to really excel in school early. Of course ABCs and 123’s are important, but there is much more… responsibility, respect, grace and courtesy. I believe if you create a pattern of doing well and feeling good about your success you can create an early drive and life-​long passion about learning and positive behavior. This school supports that belief.