The Mount Vernon School

Great teachers, great STEM learning, great clubs, and wonderful and kind administration.

This is, without question, one of the worst schools I have ever encountered. I am a mother of two, with my oldest child graduating from college soon, and I have never experienced such gross negligence, lack of accountability, and disregard for a child’s well-being.My younger son is on the autism spectrum—Level 2 for social communication and Level 3 for repetitive behaviors. He struggles with sensory overload, large crowds, and social interaction, yet he is an exceptionally bright, kind, and academically gifted child. Despite his clearly documented needs, this school repeatedly failed him at every level.From the start, there was significant resistance and pushback regarding his evaluation, even though a private evaluation had already been completed. Teachers, administrators, and staff directly responsible for my son showed a dismissive, unconcerned attitude toward his challenges and needs. It was evident that supporting a neurodivergent child was viewed as an inconvenience rather than a responsibility.My son was bullied at this school. He came home with visible scratches on his hands and face caused by another student. He was targeted in the cafeteria, mocked, and had his lunch knocked out of his hands. These incidents were either minimized or inadequately addressed, leaving my child unsafe and unprotected in what should have been a nurturing environment.When it became clear that my son was not receiving appropriate services or protection, I hired an educational advocate. Instead of correcting their failures, the school became increasingly resistant once they were held accountable by someone knowledgeable about the system. My son continued to be denied necessary supports and accommodations.As a result of these ongoing failures, I filed a formal complaint with the state. An investigation was conducted, and the school was found liable for multiple gaps and violations in their systems and services. Ultimately, I was forced to withdraw my son to protect his emotional, physical, and developmental well-being.I would never recommend this school to any family—especially those with children who have disabilities or require specialized support. The treatment my son received was unacceptable, inhumane, and deeply disturbing. This school failed not only my child, but its fundamental duty to care for and protect vulnerable students.

Excellent school with excellent and caring teachers. Both our boys go there. They are known by name to everyone and are not just a number. Hope it stays part of our community for many more generations.

The staff at this school are great! The students are very racist. My son had issues with racism the entire school year. It is a predominately Hispanic school, them not liking African Americans is new to us. We dislike no one. I did everything throughout the year to get my son switched out of this school, the board did nothing even with doc notes! My son has never had any issues being in school until he came to this one. This was truly heartbreaking newly moving to this town, and having to deal with this everyday. It was my mistake even moving to this zone not knowing you can’t do anything about it. But this was also my learning experience moving forward in life. Staff done some things to end what was going on, but what honestly can be done when it’s the upbringing of the kids in attendance.

Finding a school where your children are not only educated but truly understood is rare, and that is exactly what Springmont Montessori School has been for our family. Both of our children attend Springmont, and the sense of belonging they experience there is immediately evident. The teachers and staff create an atmosphere of warmth, respect, and genuine care that makes children feel safe, confident, and valued from the moment they arrive each day.One of the greatest strengths of Springmont is how deeply the Montessori philosophy is embedded in everyday learning. Children are encouraged to develop independence, take responsibility for their work, and explore subjects that spark their curiosity. Learning is never rushed or forced. Instead, teachers carefully observe each child and guide them at a pace that honors their individual development and interests. This approach has allowed our children to grow academically while also building confidence and intrinsic motivation.What truly sets Springmont apart, however, is its emphasis on character and community. Kindness, empathy, and respect are not treated as add-ons to the curriculum—they are lived values. Teachers model these behaviors consistently, and the children naturally learn to support one another, resolve conflicts thoughtfully, and contribute positively to their classroom environment. We see these lessons carry over into our children’s daily lives in meaningful ways.As parents, nothing is more reassuring than seeing your children happy and excited about school. Our kids genuinely love learning, feel proud of their accomplishments, and take joy in helping others. Springmont is a place where successes are celebrated, challenges are met with patience and understanding, and every child is seen for who they are.We are deeply grateful for the Springmont community and the dedicated educators who make it such a special place. The school has given our children a strong foundation not only academically, but emotionally and socially as well. We wholeheartedly recommend Springmont Montessori School to families seeking a nurturing, intentional, and inspiring learning environment.