This is my family's second year at Desert Garden Montessori, and my son continues to grow beautifully in his understanding and awareness of the world, himself, and how he relates with others. He is still quite young, and the kindness and emotional nurturing he receives every day from his teachers and
... Read more everyone at the school is incredible; I feel it's a second home for him, and he loves going in each morning. The staff are friendly and professional, responsive to feedback, and really seem to welcome the ideas of parents. There are many involved parents who make the community strong, and the teachers really know how to reach students as individuals. Every child should have the chance to learn and explore in a school like this! Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/25/09
My children attended this school for a few years in both primary and elementary programs. Our experience was very disappointing. DGM is very weak academically. Now, at a Kyrene school district, they are learning a lot more then they ever did at DGM. There was never any homework and the teachers were
... Read more not willing to give more challenging assignments to kids who where strong academically. In addition to this, DGM raised its tuition last year to pay for its 'organic garden', for which most parents did not care for. I never liked their lunch program. Kids would eat outside all year long, in the heat with temperatures of over 100 F in the summer time, and in the winter time, when it was too cold to do so! I know many families that left the school this year. Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/06/09
My child attended this for the elementary program. There was a different teach each year. Also, after we transfered to a new school our child was academically behind all of the o the students. After talking to othe ex-DGM parents their children were also behind. I am very disappointed in the education
... Read more standards at the school and feel like I was ripped off. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/12/09
My son has attended this school since infancy and is now in his third Primary year. My husband and I have felt so blessed to be apart of Desert Garden. I admit that your experience does improve when you become involved and educated. My son is well adjusted, loved and respected. I can't wait for his Elementary
... Read more journey. On a side note, all the teachers he has had are still there. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/09/09
I'm puzzled by comments that this isn't a good school for kids with working parents.? I work -- a lot. Yes, you have to drop off and pick your kids up on time. Town hall meetings r no more than once a month. If your children r important to you, I suspect you can find the time to make it. We've been at
... Read more the school going on 4 years. Parent involvement has gone way up. May be expensive compared to other options, however here are some of the trade-offs...DGM has an organic hot lunch with wonderful vegetarian AND meat options, unbelievable Spanish Language program, & a great after school program that lasts until 6 pm. I'm not a 'high profile' client & I'm a full-time working mom -- never felt ignored or neglected by the administration. Challenges I agree with: elementary program -- needs to up the quality to retain students. Read less
Posted by a parent on 11/02/08
I have two children that have been there from preschool through 5th grade and it has been an oasis. The teachers are all very active and positive in the childs development. The school really does live the environmental path and the children grow up with it as part of their life. They are shown respect
... Read more and taught respect for each other. it is a kind and intellectually stimulating environment. Read less
Posted by a parent on 10/28/08
DGM is a great pre-school for infant and todler except the tuition cost. Elementary program is way below the standard and very poor environment. I saw elementary kids got boor, have not much activies like other elementary school. Town Hall meeting time is a pain for working parents. 4pm is not a good
... Read more time. For working parent, school website is the only tool that they can browse to find school information and their kids activities information. DGM website is very basic construction. Poor information. DGM website should have more dynamic tool such as teacher/parent forum so working parent can keep track/know what have been happened for their kid in DGM. Finacial team is very poor skill set. Should hire a professional accountant. Read less
Posted by a parent on 06/10/08
I really think this school is the best in the area, however the cost is too high! I gladly pay it because I absolutely love the teachers and quality of education my children are getting. It really is a true Montessori, which is very hard to find. It can be a little cliquey but so can everywhere
... Read more else. I myself am a working mother (how else could I afford it!) and have found friends at the school that are like me. As far as cons go, I do not like having to pay extra for lunch and extra-curriculars given the very high tuition, and the fundraising is a bit extreme. All in all, I wouldn't send my children anywhere else! The infant and toddler program far surpass anything I've seen! Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/13/07
I wish we had paid more attention to the comment about the teachers never being wrong and the financial part because those are both very true. We had 2 children there and the cost is very considering all extracurricular activities are an additional cost as well as lunch. The school moved toward a very
... Read more 'high profile' type of parent and every thing cost extra. As for the teachers, there are some great ones but if one of them does something wrong, no matter how wrong it is, DGM is not in support of the parents at all! They will easily watch you walk away rather than hold teachers accountable. The parent involvement is very click-ish if you are a working parent. If you are a non-working parent, you will love it. Read less
Posted by a parent on 08/21/07
My son has been at DGM for over 3 years now, and I can not say enough about the quality of education that he is receiving. He is not yet 4, but can count to 20, knows the alphabet by site and their sounds, and can write his name. He is very confident, independent, & loves to learn. The staff is very
... Read more loving and dedicated to making the children's experience the best it can be. There are some exciting changes happening at the school. This is not a daycare; this is a school even at the Infant level. If you want your child to be independent, self-confident, and love learning, look no further. If you do your homework and understand what Montessori is all about, you will soon discover the value that lies behind the Desert Garden Montessori doors. Read less
School Profile for Desert Garden Montessori School
Test scores
Enrollment
Programs
Resources
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Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Homes for sale near Desert Garden Montessori School
Phoenix schools — Desert Garden Montessori School is located at 5130 E Warner Rd, Phoenix AZ 85044. 5130 E Warner Rd is in the Ahwatukee Foothills neighborhood and 85044 ZIP code in Phoenix, AZ Desert Garden Montessori School is a Private school that serves grade levels PK - 8.
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Test Score Ratings
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