Liberty Montessori Schools

I understand the positive message of other parent as we at first also though we had found a nice nurturing school for our kids. Unfortunately it didnt work out that way. I guess I only started taking a closer look at the school and how it functions when I found out that my son had been hurt badly repeatedly by an other student. He was to young to tell me what went on and the teachers told me he was misbehaving in class and how poorly behaved he was. At the end of the year when my son was finally old enough to tell me what had been going on he told me about the abuse (and abuse it was) No wonder he had anger outbursts: it was the only way he could express himself at the time. When trying to understand how it was possible that this could have gone on for such a long time I came to realize it was because the majority of teachers are not qualified to teach and/​or not qualified to teach in the US. So I maybe they didnt understand why he was angry. (Im really hoping they didnt understand it and therefore didnt help my son). When I took my son to another school I saw the damage: he was terrified of teacher and other boys. It really broke my hart so see this and I felt so guilty for not having picked up the signs earlier. The other thing is, is that this is a for-​profit business. So the unqualified staff is underpaid. I thought that if I would fork out so much money for a private school my child would get top quality care and education. Not so. Than they claim to be a montessori school and yes they do have montessori materials in the classroom but it’s not being used. Kids make art-​work with prefabricated cut-​outs so that they get to take home something that will impress the parents. This has nothing to do with letting them develop their creativity. They try to impress the parents by teaching the kids songs in different languages trying to make it look like a positive thing that most of their teachers are foreigner not qualified to teach in this country. Sorry but learning to sing songs in 5 different languages is not going to do anything for your child developmentally, being taught by unqualified teachers will but it’s not going to be a positive thing. Kids are not allowed to run in the playground because as one of the teachers told me: we don’t want to get sued. Mrs Jagoda the owner is an impressive figure but this place is not about children this is about money. I found that there are several not-​for profit school in the neighborhood most of them affiliated with a church or temple that charge less than half of what this place charged but they do have qualified teachers and offer a truly nurturing environment dat does prepare children for Kindergarten better than them. The other thing I found odd: they refuse to give out a contact list with other parents. I’m guessing it’s because they don’t want to make it to easy for parents to share experiences. Altogether this was a really bad experience for us.

In response to Dara L’s completely inaccurate review.
I have two children in Liberty Montessori. My 3.5 yr old son and my 2 yr old daughter. One morning it was snowing and we were driving by and saw Mr. Jagoda and a staff member clearing out the driveway when we stopped in there. Mr. Jagoda was one of the nicest men and set me up for an interview the next day (if there was no more snow!). We went Tuesday and we fell in love with Dr. Jagoda and staff that we started him Thursday! He was 2 when he started but when our daughter turned 18 months we couldn’t wait to start her!
The school has given my children the best education that kids their age can get! The staff is the absolutely BEST staff any Montessori can have! Dr. Jagoda is one of the most accomplished and educated women I have ever come in contact with and she hand picked each teacher in the school!
The atmosphere is clean in all aspects and my kids feel at home when they go each day. Both kids skip their way in to school (this speaks volumes to me!!) to be greeted by the happiest teachers!
Every day my kids are coming home singing a new song or reciting a new story! My husband and I made one of the best choices as parents sending them to Liberty! We are so excited to send our month old son their when he’s 18 months! Anyone looking here for reviews for Liberty Montessori do not let Dara L’s review taint your decision as its a big decision of where to send your kids and you will NOT be making any mistake by sending them to Liberty Montessori!

The decision to send my pre-​school aged son here was thus far the worse decision that I have made as a parent thus far. I wish I could give zero stars. The school is tiny, antiquated, dingy and smells like mold. As an example of their antiquated viewpoints, the literature used to describe their school actually says «retarded children». When I spoke to Dr. Jagoda about how this language might be construed as offensive, she replied that the literature was old, and that if I had a problem with it, I should not have signed my child up for their school. Mr. Jagoda, whom I was told I needed to contact to discuss partial refund of my nearly $ 4,000 paid for two weeks of school, told me that they didn’t write it, but copied it from a book (not cited, btw), so it’s not their fault.
Liberty Montessori made my bright-​eyed, enthusiastic little boy sad to go to school each day. The school fed my husband and I a bunch of lines before we signed up, none of which turned out to be true. After only two weeks, I pulled my son out of their school and sent him elsewhere. I am happy to say that he has now returned to his normal, cheerful self. I am STILL waiting for Dr. and Mr. Jagoda to return my calls regarding partial refund of the $ 4,000 we paid their school and it is three months later.
Buyer beware! Stay away at all costs.