Winston-Salem Montessori School

We have two very active children at TMS and they have thrived in this environment. The teachers are all dedicated and loving individuals, who truly care for all their students. Because the curriculum is child-led, it works very well to encourage self-direction and self-motivation. I have seen this focus develop in my older child (who has been here three years), and beginning to develop in my younger child (who has been here 1.5 years). They both love the school and look forward to going every day!

Our child is finishing up her first full year at Montessori preschool. Here is what we saw thus far. Dedicated, positive and engaged teachers; welcoming atmosphere; many new practical and social skills acquired; and a kid who loves the school.
Looking forward to next year.

Our oldest son, a 3.5 year old, is nearing the end of his first year at The Montessori School of Winston-Salem, and our family looks forward to all three of our children eventually attending TMS.

Our son is in a children's house classroom with a diverse mix of other 3-6 year olds. He so admires his kindergarten friends and can't wait to do kindergarten work of his own! He also enjoys seeing the older students' research and art displayed in the school hallways. We have witnessed so much growth in his observation skills, his focus, and the kindness he shows toward others. He loves community sing practices, where the whole school gathers to perform music from traditional to the occasional pop song.

His teachers offer parents ways to be authentically involved in the classroom, so the people our kids spend the majority of their days with are anything but strangers to us. From helping keep the outdoor classroom spaces planted and mulched, presenting group lessons about recent travels & family traditions, or reading with students one-on-one, parents' faces are genuinely welcome throughout the building. The administration, too, provides a multitude of ways for parents to learn more about Montessori education through once-monthly parent education evenings and the occasional Friday morning curriculum presentation by the talented elementary teachers.

We are so grateful to envision our family as a long-term part of this community. Thanks, TMS!

My 5 YO son has been a student at TMS for three years now and we love it. He has absolutely thrived in this environment and it is delightful to watch his world expand with every passing day. He has a true love of learning and has developed outstanding social skills on top of it This school is true to the Montessori methods. The faculty is very caring and knowledgeable about the Montessori Method and there are a number of very informative parent education classes that help parent understand this method works. The head of school Jon Churn is very committed to ensuring parents understand the spiraling curriculum that is the hallmark of Montessori and how each level builds on the next. This is key to understanding for example, why children learn to write in cursive (yes!) before learning print. Or why in the toddler class they start learning the principals of writing by painting water on a fence with a paint brush or picking beans and dropping them into a container. There is a purpose and function to everything children learn at each level. And rather than focus exclusively on testing, the emphasis is on mastery so children understand a lesson so well, they can teach another child (the true hallmark of understanding).

Parent involvement is required and you will see that some parents critique this in other reviews. This is the best way to understand how and what your child is learning as well as contribute to the Montessori community. Montessori is often thought of as a great place for pre-school but I would urge any parent considering our school to take a look at it closely for pre-school and beyond. Visit, tour and talk to the teachers and other parents. Most importantly talk to the children to see the positive impact that a Montessori education has had on them.