Julington Creek

The teachers and administrators do not know how to teach or communicate. They are completely out of depth to manage the energy of young children and mold creative minds to positive channels with the right attitude. I guess that's what we as parents get for a state that can't attract talent into the teaching field.

Our experience at this school was heartbreaking, and withdrawing our daughter was one of the best decisions we made for her well being.We chose this school because it advertised the Montessori philosophy, fostering independence, following the child, and allowing children to learn freely in a respectful environment. Unfortunately, our experience was very different.From our perspective, the school placed a much greater emphasis on compliance and unquestioning obedience than on nurturing independence, curiosity, or confidence. Our four-year-old daughter.was healthy, bright, curious, and full of personality, yet she was repeatedly singled out for age appropriate behaviors.She was asked to sit on a bench during outdoor playtime. During lunch, the children were expected to remain completely silent for about 30 minutes so the schedule could stay on track. When my daughter tried to talk with classmates or be playful as many 4 year olds naturally do, she was separated and made to sit with a teacher instead.The most concerning part was the change we saw in her. She began saying negative things about herself, such as that she “doesn’t have good listening ears.” She started biting her nails, grinding her teeth in her sleep, crying before school, and waking up multiple times at night crying. These behaviors were new and deeply concerning to us.We also felt she was beginning to be labeled rather than understood. No healthy 4 year old should come to believe that their personality is a problem because they need developmentally appropriate guidance.After we withdrew her and enrolled her in another school, the difference was remarkable. She flourished. Her confidence returned, her joy came back, and the emotional distress gradually disappeared. That experience confirmed for us that the issue was not our daughter, it was the environment.I intentionally waited seven full months before writing this review. I wanted time to reflect, separate emotion from fact, and ensure my review was thoughtful, fair, and truthful. After watching my daughter thrive elsewhere, I remain confident that this review accurately reflects our family’s experience.