Village Montessori School

I truly believe Poe was a good school at one point. My parents and sister have lived in this neighborhood for over 25 years and a lot has changed. And if you have a child with any type of learning difference, please run; and, make sure that your future school can provide interventions.

Absolutely outstanding school. Our daughter learned a ton in the gifted / talented program.

St. Stephen's is a hidden gem within the sea of learning environments in Houston. It is holistic, child-centered, and eager in its growth goals. Always learning, the teachers are phenomenal. They will soon feel like family. Children are deeply loved here, and they thrive as a result. The education is rooted in Episcopalian values (one being - all are welcome), while living within an unwavering commitment to Montessori pedagogy. On a spiritual level, all 3 of our children are developing a strong sense of empathy, inclusivity, tolerance, and loving kindness. On an academic level, all 3 of our children are challenged appropriately in an environment that encourages curiosity and fosters a love for learning. St. Stephen's is a one-of-a-kind school, truly a place that all children deserve.

The school has potential to be excellent,but as of now they are average. Some of the faculty and administration in the lower school need to be more educated and update their knowledge. Curriculum and expectations are outdated for young children. Things should not be the same as they were in 2001 or 1980. There are some kind and loving teachers. We very much enjoy the other families.

We moved from New England in the summer of 2020. One my wife's new colleagues suggested SHMS in lieu of our ability to go tour schools due to Covid. We signed our 2 year old daughter up believing that we could move when everything opens up. She is now in Kindergarten at SMHS and our son, who wasn't born at the time, is now there as well and we couldn't be happier. caveat - Neither of our children are disabled or have major behavioral problems. Things of note - 1. We are paying almost $1000 less PER MONTH than we did in New England. Now that we've been here for a while, there are cheaper options for sure, but it felt like a MONSTER discount when we got here. 2. For additional fees, they offer soccer, ballet, spanish, and piano lessons during the school day. 3. There are schoolwide events - Fall festival, spring rodeo, Halloween, Christmas programs, etc. 4. They do offer kindergarten. It is small, 2-4 kids per older classroom, 3-4 classrooms, who combine together for "socials," field trips, and lessons together. 5. Siblings often cannot be in the same classroom so that they do not distract each other and can develop their own identity. 6. I have only seen 4 of the classrooms, 3 younger and 1 older, but every single teacher I have met cared a great deal for my children and helped them through potty training, teething, tantrums, learning to read, learning to do math, working out problems with other children, etc. 7. They have a FANTASTIC summer program which includes a pool! Older children get to swim, there are lifeguards. 8. One downside, other schools we have seen provide digital pictures or video of your child on a daily basis. This school does not have an app or (at the time of this review) even a website. It definitely feels like a word of mouth restaurant. 9. There are multiple parent-teacher conferences throughout the year. There aren't grades (before kindergarten) but they do give you written feedback on behavior, learning milestones, etc.