Whittier Elementary School

My son is a Kindergartner at North Beach and also attended Pre-K there. I honestly have only wonderful things to say about our experience.North Beach is a small school (around 300 students), which creates a strong, close-knit community. Just a few months into the school year, I knew most of the Kindergarten students and parents by name. A group of parents even runs a weekly “bike bus,” where kids ride bikes to school together. The PTA hosts several fun, well-attended events throughout the year such as the Harvest Carnival, Movie Night, and Culture Night. I got involved with the PTA early in the school year and have been really impressed by the level of parent engagement and commitment to supporting the school. The PTA also runs a robust after-school enrichment program with activities like chess club, basketball, theater, drawing, and more.Academically and socially, our son is thriving. We love his teacher, Mrs. Niemeyer. She sends a detailed weekly newsletter and regularly invites parents to volunteer in the classroom. She’s also been very clear about how our son is progressing with reading and math. We haven’t done a lot of reading practice at home, and very little math, but thanks to Mrs. Niemeyer’s teaching and the strong parent and volunteer involvement, his reading skills are developing right on track.We’ve been thrilled with our experience at North Beach and truly can’t imagine our family being anywhere else.

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.