The Meridian School

My two sons studied there after we moved from Azerbaijan to the United States, and at that time neither my children nor our family spoke English.The staff and teachers showed incredible care, patience, and support. Within just six months, both of my sons became fluent in English, which was an amazing achievement and a life-changing experience for our family.It has been almost three years since we left Seattle and moved to Philadelphia, yet both of my sons still remember Green Lake Elementary School with great love and appreciation. Ms. Nash (Rachel) continues to stay in touch with my son, and as a parent, this means so much to me. It shows how deeply the teachers truly care about their students.We are extremely grateful to Green Lake Elementary School for the kindness, dedication, and support they gave our family. I highly recommend this school to any family, especially those new to the United States.

We are in our fourth year as members of the UCDS community and it's been a great fit for our family. Our second grader is happy to go to school, in part because the teachers are really good at making learning fun. Her teachers have done so much to scaffold her emotional self-regulation skills. The school has also helped her a lot with developing pro-social and conversational skills, especially via the oracy curriculum for first and second graders and also lots of ad hoc conversations the teachers facilitate between friends to work through disagreements. The school intentionally gives kids lots of opportunities to get to know other students outside of their primary classrooms. My second grader is extroverted and does well with this aspect of school. It can be a lot for some kids, definitely, but I'm told that by the time they get to fifth grade everyone knows everyone and it's a strong, close-knit group of kids.One highlight for my child was when she got to go to all school meeting. Each kid gets to take a couple turns at some point in the year going to all school meeting, which is a weekly meeting with representatives from each classroom in which they discuss important issues facing the school and faculty help them decide what actions to implement. My kid felt so empowered getting to raise a topic that her classmates had been discussing in their class meetings.The former head of school retired at the end of the 2024 school year. Jen, who was assistant head of school for many years became the head of school, and they brought in Deborah as the new assistant head of school. This leadership change has brought wonderful refreshing energy to the school. They listened to families and are introducing a revised and more robust math curriculum for the third through fifth graders this year. There are now two teachers in each classroom instead of one, which helps the teachers have more bandwidth to support students.

Our child is just finishing up her Pre-K year at University Cooperative School, and what a year's it's been. The kids are exposed to music, Capoeira, visual and performing arts, and more. They indulge in cooking projects, explore nature with outdoor play every day, and go on many field trips learning to navigate our city. They interact with the other grades, recognize other cultures and norms, and welcome families to share what is unique about them.All that said, what really stood out to me was not just that the teachers guided our kids with enthusiasm, expertise, and love (which they absolutely did); but they also supported the families. They lent a kind ear, provided knowledge and resources, and lent relevant moral and physical support as our kids went through their ups and downs throughout the year. Beyond the amazing teachers, we also feel like we belong to a real community at U Co-op where the faculty, staff, and families care for each other. Finally, to briefly address the Cooperative aspect of the school, the school needs are varied and there are many different ways to fulfill a "family job" and still meet your other work schedule. They welcome families to participate in their child's experience during this time that can go by all too quickly, but ultimately you participate when it meets your needs and wants.

Northwest Montessori has been an incredible experience for our family. What stands out most to me is how much the school focuses on building the foundations of learning, not just short-term academic results.The philosophy is very child-centered and rooted in curiosity, independence, and experiential learning. What might appear like simple activities are actually very intentional building blocks. For example, when my son started at age three, he spent time polishing wood, metal, and leather. It might seem trivial but those exercises taught focus, care for the environment, and even fine motor control: using the same three fingers needed later for writing. The curriculum is designed to compound over time so skills introduced early resurface later in more advanced forms when the child is developmentally ready.I’ve been equally impressed with the academics. The reading program is grounded in strong phonics instruction and students build a deep understanding of math through hands-on materials like “Racks and Tubes,” which makes long division intuitive and tangible so kids actually understand what they’re doing instead of just memorizing steps.The school also places a strong emphasis on character and interpersonal development. In the elementary classroom, there is a structured conflict resolution process that helps kids learn how to work through disagreements. The school is also screen-free, which I’ve really appreciated, and kids are encouraged to use books, classroom materials, and even real-world experts. I heard a story where students independently (under the guidance of teachers) reached out to a local university professor to deepen their learning, which says a lot about the confidence and initiative the school fosters.Overall, Northwest Montessori is not just preparing students for the next grade. It’s helping them become independent, curious, and capable people. It’s hard to think of anything more valuable in today’s world.

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.