My family is relocating to south Minneapolis from Chicago and I'm looking to enroll my children in a Montessori school/preschool full-time in the fall. I've been online, but I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations?
My son will be 2 (he might not be able to start in a program at this age) and my daughter will be 4 1/2. She been attending a Montessori school here since she was 2, and is thriving, so I'd like to have her continue in that environment.
Many thanks!!
Thanks so much for everyone who responded to my request for recommendations on Mpls Montessori and preschools schools. I've contacted most of them and have been visiting them this week. I really appreciate your help!!!
My children went to Child Garden Montessori in the Uptown/Loring Park area, and it was a terrific experience.
Two of my children are or have attended Bernie's Montessori in downtown Minneapolis. I am not sure if this location would be accessible enough for you but it is definitely worth a look. The program is wonderful (typical Montessori education along with lots of field trips and extra curricular activities), the classes are small and the Director, Judy, has an exceptionally kind, caring and supportive staff. In this environment, my children have excelled both socially and educationally.
Good luck with this very important decision and welcome to Minneapolis!
Oh, by the way, they accept kids 30 months of age and older -- as long as they are potty trained.
My nephew and my son (who's now 9) went to Sunny Hollow Montessori which is just across the river from south Minneapolis on the River Road in St. Paul. It is an AMI accredited school and I would highly recommend it. My son was there for 2 years of preschool and then kindergarten and still goes back to visit and do 'work' when he has an early release day at his grade school. There is a preschool / kindergarten program and they've been expanding to elementary for several years (I think they're up to 4th grade). The preschool program takes children 33 months and older. For more info you could call ###-###-#### or check their website: http://www.sunnyhollow.com/. Good luck with your relocation...an early welcome to Minneapolis!
It may not be convenient for you, but Little Flowers in St Louis Park, (Hwy 100 and Minnetonka Blvd), is a good, AMI school, if accreditation matters to you. Otherwise, I've heard good things about Sunshine Montessori in South Mpls, as well as one in the Lake Harriet neighborhood, (I couldn't find it in a quick search, but I think it has Lake Harriet in its name).
Good luck... We've got a few other friends who have made the move from Chicago and they really love it here!
PS Lake Country is the best of the best but it has a waiting list 8 miles long and is notoriously hard to get into.
Hi J.
I would like to recommend two Waldorf schools in the Minneapolis area, which may be similar to the Montessori environment you're looking for. The first is Spring Hill Waldorf School in Excelsior, a western suburb of Minneapolis. springhillschool.com
The second is City of Lakes Waldorf school, in South Minneapolis.
Welcome to the Twin Cities!
B.
Hi J.,
I work at an Insurance company that is WELL KNOWN for daycare Ins. Here is a few good daycares.
Montessori Day ###-###-####
If you want to check out the Primrose schools are good too!
Primrose of Eden Prairie ###-###-####
Primrose of Savage ###-###-####
Primrose of West Plymouth ###-###-####
Primrose of Woodbury ###-###-####
I too moved here from Chicago but was born here. GOOD LUCK and Welcome....my kids go to a great Kinder Care but these are great schools!
My daughter has been attending a Mpls. public Montessori magnet school since Kindergarten (in 4th grade now) called Armatage Community and Montessori School on 56th Street near Penn Avenue. The school has 2 schools under one roof - Montessori and Community - and is relatively seamless except that Montessori kids are always in Montessori classrooms. Otherwise, they share specialist teachers and facilities. It is a strong, wonderful community with very active parents, great teachers, and a wonderful principal.
In our area there are any number of great Montessori preschools; Lake Harriet, Sunshine, Southwest, and many more (we went to Lake Harriet).
Welcome! Please feel free to contact me in private email if you need/want to.
There are only a few AMI Montessori schools in the Twin Cities area, though there are many AMS schools. The best in south Minneapolis is Lake Country School, although they often have long waiting lists. My daughter attends Oak Hill Montessori School in Shoreview, about 10 miles from Minneapolis. I also am a teacher there and would be happy to answer any questions you have or to send you information about our school.
We also have a Toddler program, which begins for children at around age 2.
Good luck, and welcome to Minnesota!
J.,
I would also HIGHLY recommend Concy's Montessori. I know her personally - I went to high school with her son and daughter and have known her for over 15 years. She is a WONDERFUL woman who has such a BIG heart for kids. I have also worked and volunteered at her school. It's a great place for kids. Would be happy to give you more info if you want it - just shoot me a message back.
Good luck!
And Welcome to MPLS!
Lake Country school is located in South Minneapolis and is probably one of the best Montessori schools in the state. My Aunt has been working there for over 20 years and here is the website.
My kids are not in pre-school yet, and I don't live in Minneapolis, but a co-worker had his kids going to Concy's Montessori located at about 46th and Lyndale S in Minneapolis. I just checked with him and he highly recommends it - says the lady who runs it is great!
Good luck!
