Waikato Montessori Education Centre

I waited two years to write this review Because the community is so small and it affects so many people that I was nervous of how it would affect us. First, the good. They care. They really really care. The teachers and administrators breathe their life and soul into this school and you can tell. It is absolutely beautiful, stunning grounds, excellent equipment, and supplies. It is a good price for what you get and I was there during Covid and they did everything they could to keep the children safe and in school. The cons for me: Like most schools in New Zealand they don’t teach science. Wearing uniforms is not Montessori and that was hard for us. Because of the philosophy, my daughter was not allowed to write fiction stories, which is her passion. It seemed like such a small thing but being there for three years, had it significantly affect her development as a writer. My daughter became creative and started writing fantasy poetry because that didn’t count but again she was stopped. It ended up having quite an effect on her education for 3 years of being thwarted. She was also struggling a bit with math and my thought was that she was bored and I let her move up to algebra homeschool course online. She thrived. But through several meeting cautioned me against teaching her algebra away from the Montessori method, which also put her behind because of how strict they are on their particular philosophy. She also had a friend there with brown skin that left because Racist the other girls. Several meetings were made with administrators with a very poor outcome for the little girl of color leading them to leave schools. Their school plays are very bad. And while I don’t care at all really it’s more that they are not encouraged to be joyful and enthusiastic. The teachers and administrators say that the children need to be calm and they really, try to make them very subdue. I found it a little eerie. I found this displayed in the school plays with such lack of expression that made me uncomfortable to see children in such a state. I was happy for what it was able to get me for my daughter, but I didn’t understand the subtleties and I would not go back for I know, nor would I recommend it for the same reasons. Too restrictive. Some bullying and cliques. Missing the point of education in areas that they feel don’t match up with Montessori at the same time not strictly following Montessori.

Not too sure how good this school is BUT when i called up to ask for information, I had been treated by a rude person on the phone, she did not want to help or answer the questions.

Reviewing just to counter the one star with no explanation. It's a fine place to send your children.

Lovely atmosphere with happy children and teachers.

The one only authentic Montessori School in Waikato.