Chase Ranch Montessori School

This school is run by a couple who only care about money. We had the worst experience dealing with them. We were harassed into paying upfront for a months tuition and registration fee to «hold our spot» well we got our forms to start. I was then told a day before starting that they would be transitioning into summer school so it’s a whole new registration and different amount. We decided we would just go the one month since we had paid for it 2 and a half months earlier. I told Jill after our second week we would not be continuing on past this month because our other son would be out of school and we had summer vacation plans. I then got some nasty emails from her saying I owed $ 850 by tomorrow on the 23^rd of May when we started on the 2^nd. She also said that if we did not pay that we could not attend the next school day. She claimed I hadn’t paid for May that we started in April (obviously doesn’t know how to keep accurate books). When I told her to check her login book and our doctors forms that were dated by the doctor she finally realized she was incorrect she couldn’t argue. We had already been told we could not attend and missed one day of his 3 part time days he goes and had four days left to attend. I told her we were not comfortable sending our son, that now things were very awkward and we would rather we just be refunded those five days. She has her husband send us an even more nasty email about again how we owed them money and we were crazy to think that they owed us anything. I did not respond I had my husband call and speak with him. He told us that our «monthly» amount was only good till the 20^th of the month because that’s how they weed out the flakes who aren’t going to pay for the following month. They cut them off and don’t let them finish past the 20^th. He could not explain how the hell paying a monthly payment only allowed us to attend till the 20^th? So it’s not really a month you pay for? Does this logic make sense to anyone? He also said that we couldn’t credit any emails from wife because we started reading him some of the many nasty emails she had sent. She is the one who runs the school and we aren’t supposed to listen to her emails because they are not from him? His wife is basically out to lunch and either doesn’t know what she is doing or he doesn’t know what he is doing. They are not on the same page at all! I DO NOT recommend this school. There will more than likely be issues with the owners and they are not nice people. All they truly care about is that dollar sign not their customers. I should have paid more attention to the first red flag. Jill literally called and emailed at least 5 times after our tour asking me to drop off his tuition and registration fee to hold his spot knowing it would take at least 4 weeks to get a doctors appointment. Money hungry! These people are not worth what you pay to go to this school. When we told her we would look into private school because her prices were ridiculous she insisted we try out for her scholar ship program. I told her my husband makes over 90k a year I doubt we will qualify. An hour later she emailed me saying we were approved. Umm ya she decides who gets that scholarship and she didn’t want to miss out on our money so of course now all of a sudden we were approved. Such a joke! These people are ridiculous!

This review is long overdue. Both of my children have attended Chase Ranch Montessori for a total of three years and my husband and I could not be happier. The staff is so understanding and caring for the individual needs of our children (psychologically and educationally). Both kids love attending school and I truly believe that the Montessori philosophy has instilled a deep desire of learning. I’m astounded by what my children retain and bring home from their lessons on a daily basis.
Bravo to the teachers at Chase Ranch! I’ve found it to be the top preschool/​kindergarten option in east county after trying a few others.

Chase Ranch Montessori is a happy memory for our family. Our boys– now 14 and 12– attended for pre-​school and kindergarten. We couldn’t have asked for a better to start to their education than the Montessori method and Miss Jill’s wonderful way with children! We reminisce fondly about manners parties, cooking, summer camp fun, classroom pets, and so much more. Each of our children transitioned into elementary school confident and well prepared to meet new challenges.

We love CRMS. My oldest have been attending the school for 2 years now and my second daughter just started there this year. They both, love going to school and adore their teachers, especially Ms. Jill the Director. Ms. Jill is awesome, full of energy with great values. They always have a fun project going on. Ms. Jill and the teachers know how to keep the kids entertained while learning. The school has a safe playground, well fenced with a nice shaded area for the kids to have outdoor lunches. The classrooms are clean, well organized, and have plenty of learning resources. My husband and I researched many schools before we decided to have our kids attend CRMS. When you send your toddler there, you know that they are not just being babysat and they are actually learning. My almost 5yr old is now reading and writing small words. It is rewarding to see that! Thank you Ms. Jill and staff for all the hard work.

This School and Its Teachers are Great! I have taught Martial arts in the El Cajon area for 28 years and have seen the product that Chase Ranch and Jill Lutz Produce. So it was a easy choice for me when it came time to pick a preschool for the two most precious little people in my life. Jill Is Passionate and skilled Educator who takes the trust you put in her very seriously. It been 2 years since my youngest graduated from Chase Ranch and I have to say I am very pleased with the foundation and skills both my daughters acquired while attending school there. This school is a Great Investment into you Child’s future! I have continued to recommend this school to the family’s in my studio … Sifu Martin Ferreira Chief Instructor White Dragon of East County

Outstanding «guides”/teachers, excellently run by the Director (Jill), and a wonderful set of classrooms filled with great prompts & lessons — oh and they have frogs, salamanders, a guinea pig, and more: Last month they had a large netted-​display set up in the classroom with caterpillars who turned into cocoons and then became painted lady butterflies — the kids got to release them into their lovely yard to fly away. It was so cool and my daughter was enthralled! She talked about the progress of the butterflies every day.
Lovely shaded yard with loads of imaginative play structures. Check out this school and be ready to put your name on the waiting list!