Amberwood

My son transferred to Sirrine Montessori Center as a former Montessori pre-K student, but he had also been at one of the top-rated Kyrene elementary schools for years prior. His kinder and first-grade teachers were amazing, but in the second grade he became very down, lost all his self-belief, and frequently told me he was the slowest and dumbest in his classes at the former Kyrene school. I asked him why he felt this way, or who had said any of that to him, and he would say it was just obvious. We spoke to his teachers and sent him to a counselor there, but no one seemed to know what we were describing. From a teaching friend I have, I learned I could ask to have him evaluated in case he had any learning disabilities or needs. I asked at least three times, and was told it would be arranged, but never was. Meanwhile, every single day when we picked him up he was unsmiling, worn out, defeated. I'd had him on waitlists at public Montessori elementary schools all during his second grade, and when we learned he was accepted at Sirrine I was beyond happy and relieved, not just for the Montessori elements, but also due to the smaller school and classroom sizes overall.He loves this school! (Well, as much as he will ever love going to school.) When I say he literally looked like his old self with the reduced stress, and no more of that completely defeated demeanor that first week, I'm not exaggerating. It was like he was a kid again, smiling, lighthearted, and at ease. As the year progressed, his teachers were both incredibly kind and encouraging to him, and they never waivered in giving support. His lead teacher stayed in regular contact with us (without us reaching out first) and I realized this is what it feels like to actually be partners with his education. He had some rough quarters grades wise, and she gave me tools and suggestions that made all the difference.And then, in the winter when he had the worst repeated/ongoing illness he's experienced by far, not only were his teachers there for him, but his school's office and health staff were incredibly supportive. I was so concerned about him, but not once were they anything but genuinely caring and calm while I was seriously worried.I am eternally grateful for SMC's staff and environment; it is truly an amazing group of people that make it so great.Caleb J's mom