Morehead Montessori

I have 2 kids at the school and another who will be joining next year. 1 in dual language, 1 not. Is it perfect? No, of course not, but in not being perfect it is the school I want for my kids. Learning that everything may not go to plan, truly connecting and working with folks of many different backgrounds, thinking of what’s good for everyone instead of what’s only good for you, and learning about the different perspectives and cultures of families in our neighborhood are all wonderful things Lakewood offers. Teachers care a lot and the principal and AP could not be better. The parent community is open and welcoming and there are many ways to engage in helping the school. Breakfast and lunch is free to all (lunch is actually good!) and the community schools team brings in resources from all over the city. Tier 2 and 3 kids get great services on both sides. Wish DPS would budget for a better playground (we’re due!!!) but besides that the kids are happy, confident, and kind. We love being Bulldogs!

Burnt out teachers and admin that can’t solve problems.

This is review of admission and communication process. One of two of my kids were accepted and offered admission. Zero empathy or response from the principal, impersonal and canned communications from admissions director. Would absolutely NOT recommend this school.

I am giving two stars because the school is inclusive and welcomes children with a wide range of needs. That is the only positive I can offer.What I witnessed regarding student safety is deeply alarming. A serious incident occurred involving a younger student and an older student something of a physical and deeply personal nature that no child should ever experience at school. The school's response was a failure. There was no meaningful accountability. Communication with families was almost nonexistent. The affected child's safety and well-being were not prioritized. Instead of hearing from the school, parents learned what had happened from their own children. That is unacceptable.Even more concerning: the student responsible faced no consequences I am aware of and is still attending the school. Any parent sending their child here needs to know that.I also found a troubling lack of independent oversight. The staff is very small, and many have close personal or professional ties to leadership. This makes it nearly impossible to trust that serious concerns will be handled fairly or transparently. The school appeared understaffed, and staff seemed burned out.Academically, the school fell short as well. Education did not feel like the priority. For younger students, there was little consistent instruction mostly chores and free play. The outdoor area is a backyard with mulch and milk crates. Children regularly escape through holes in the fence. The nearby park is often occupied by homeless individuals, making it an unsafe option for young children.For older students, learning was largely self-directed on laptops with minimal direct teaching. I saw no evidence of a strong academic foundation being built.Families considering this school: ask very hard questions about how they handle incidents of a serious personal nature between students, whether any independent oversight exists, and what real consequences look like. Based on what I witnessed, I cannot recommend this school to anyone who values their child's safety, transparency, or a real education.Please talk with your children. Ask them about their safety and anything that may have happened to them that felt wrong or uncomfortable. Do not assume the school will tell you the truth.