Ballard High School

We are incredibly grateful for the Northwest Montessori Community and truly LOVE having our children be part of such a rich, multimodal, engaging, and child-led learning environment.Our first child began in 2021 at two and a half years old in the primary multi-age classroom. It has been wonderful to witness how the older children naturally care for and mentor the younger ones. As each child grows, they are thoughtfully observed and guided with developmentally appropriate lessons that gently challenge them toward greater independence. It is amazing to see children helping one another tie aprons, thread sewing needles, practice counting, sweep the floor, play sound games, and engage in meaningful conversation. The classroom culture fosters confidence, collaboration, and genuine joy in learning.The teachers are exceptionally well trained and committed to ongoing professional development. They are passionate about Montessori education and truly take the time to know each and every student as an individual. They also organize frequent parent partnership events that help families better understand the Montessori approach while building strong connections within the broader school community.When our second child turned two and a half, he was welcomed with open arms. Even before officially joining, he already felt connected to the school. Now in his second year, he is thriving. Our oldest is currently in the lower elementary program and is always excited to go to school each morning. He often wants to stay late to take full advantage of the enriching afterschool offerings, from comic book creation and cooking to putting on plays with friends.Northwest Montessori has nurtured not only our children’s academic growth, but also their independence, confidence, creativity, and compassion. We feel deeply thankful to be part of a community that supports the whole child and creates such a joyful foundation for lifelong learning.

We've had two kids at the Wedgwood campus and have known several families at Woodland Park, all in the primary program (ages 2.5 to 6, including Kindergarten). Our experience with Northwest Montessori has been overwhelmingly positive. The teachers are fantastic, striking a thoughtful balance between structure and play. My kids are constantly engaged in learning—without even realizing it—and developing new skills in ways that other play-based programs we've tried couldn't quite match.One of the things we love most is the mixed-age classrooms. Younger children get to learn from older peers, and it's incredible to watch them develop independence and leadership skills. There's something really special about seeing a 3-year-old patiently help a younger child put on their shoes.As for safety and behavior, the school takes a thoughtful and proactive approach. Preschoolers—no matter where they are—will sometimes struggle with social conflicts, but what really matters is how teachers handle those moments. At Northwest Montessori, the staff are skilled at anticipating and de-escalating conflicts before they become bigger issues. They provide kids with the tools to manage their emotions and navigate social situations, rather than resorting to punitive measures that don't actually teach the right skills.We've been at a school before where conflicts were met with isolation or discipline that didn't fit a child's developmental level, and the difference here is night and day. The teachers are engaged, responsive, and quick to step in when needed. I've personally seen a teacher—normally calm and composed—jump into action when a situation escalated unexpectedly.This school creates an environment where kids learn not just academics, but also emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and respect for others. We've been so grateful for the teachers and staff who make that possible.