“Our son has been a student at MOLR for 4 years, 2 in preschool and 2 in elementary. We have been so impressed with the level of education and care he has received. The teachers are talented and have really fostered his love for learning. He wakes up every morning excited to go to school and often asks to stay late to play with the wonderful friends he has made at MOLR. I have been involved with the PTU (Parent Teacher Unity) for 2 years and have enjoyed working closely with the teachers and administration. It is apparent that their number one priority is doing the best for the students. We have really enjoyed our MOLR experience and will be sending our daughter when she is ready to start preschool.”The Solomon Family

“One day we took grandma to the doctor. While in the waiting room, our 4 year old son picked up a book and began reading it aloud. The doctor asked, “Is your son in Kindergarten?” We said, “Not until next year.” The doctor replied, “Where does your son go to school? My children need to go there!”Bob Slinker

“We have been at the Ladera Montessori now for 4 years and I cannot express how much we have enjoyed the program that you offer. I appreciate the personal attention that the children receive, the safe environment that they have to grow as individuals and the dedication that the teachers have to each child and their specific strengths and or weaknesses. We work very hard at home with our son on manners and personal skills and I appreciate that it is enhanced in his school environment and encouraged. We can only hope that he will have the option to stay with your program through 8^th grade, because I know there is no better option for him and us as parents!”Jena Schuster

“My daughter, now almost five, enrolled at Montessori of Ladera Ranch at age 2. I am so thankful that she has access to such a nurturing and educational environment. I could go on and on about how wonderful the teachers are, how amazing the curriculum is and how much my daughter loves going to school. I am amazed at how much she learns each day. While watching a tv program on Asia the other day, she shared with dad and I why the Great Wall of China was built, what the red circle on the Japanese flag represents and how she was making a painting of Mt. Fuji, inspired by the artist Katsushika Hokusai. During a recent trip to Disney World, we were in line for a dinosaur ride and she told us about how certain dinosaurs were carnivores. On MLK day, she told us about Martin Luther King Jr. and how everyone should be treated equally regardless of their color, religion or gender. Each day, she surprises me with her big vocabulary and awareness of the world around her. As parents, we always want the best for our children. I am confident that enrolling her in Montessori has sparked a love of learning that will serve her well in the future.”Indi Lombardo

“Montessori of Ladera Ranch has been a huge part of my family’s life for the past 6 years. We have 3 children who have attended MOLR and loved every moment. The teachers are kind and caring and treated each child as an individual. Each one was loved and nurtured in a special way that made them enjoy school and learning. Not only have our children excelled academically they have become respectful, social and independent people. MOLR has instilled a passion for learning that is amazing to see. Our children can’t wait to go to school and love seeing their teachers and friends each day. Not only has MOLR been great for our children, it has been great for our family. We have learned so much from the staff, they have always been there to hear us and answer any questions we have beyond the curriculum. We have met many of our friends from MOLR who are still very important people in our lives. We would recommend MOLR to any families that want a truly unique and comprehensive learning experience that fosters a love of school in their children and a sense of community for the entire family.”The Lines Family

“This is our sixth year at Montessori of Ladera Ranch. I want to express my sincere gratitude for all the efforts the entire staff has taken during each academic year. From the day one, both my children have enjoyed each and every class and look forward to going to school every day. Each day my boys arrive home with tales of mad scientist experiments, fantastic fiction books, new sign language or Italian words, a new math skill, or an amazing art project they couldn’t be more proud of. The classrooms are so inviting, impeccably clean, and organized. They are filled with hands-on activities and lessons of all levels. There is always something new and exciting to learn. But besides building skills they are building self-esteem more and more every day. The low teacher/student ratio is wonderful. The one-to-one attention that my children received from the teachers has made them confident in their abilities and sparked their interest and curiosity in many different subjects. They have been taught discipline and teamwork as well, traits that will serve them well throughout the rest of their life. The Montessori experience has truly created a wonderful start to a lifelong love of learning and an interest in the world. Thank You.”Shannon Rubin

“The most wonderful thing about Montessori of Ladera Ranch for our family has been that it is a home away from home and every staff member is nurturing, as well as educating students left to their care. I’m a working mom and I always felt that my children received the best education in the most nurturing environment possible. My son who is now a graduate of Montessori of Ladera Ranch, learned to love learning, work well with others of all ages, patience and the most important thing, love of self. Academically, he excelled in every subject because he had the opportunity to learn in a way that tests and textbooks will never compare. I’m glad we chose this school for our children and very sad that my daughter will soon graduate from Montessori. As for me, I have gained a family, friends and really a place I can call home. I love every moment I am at the school either volunteering or talking to parents and staff. My children may move on but I will never leave!!!”Niki Rafatjoo

“My favorite thing to do in class was when I learned something new and I got really good at it, then I got the chance to teach other kids. I also loved it when I finished the Lady Bird books and got to go to lunch with Ms. Melissa; just the two of us.”Nicholas Rafatjoo 9 yrs old

“I love working on math, art and cooking and making lego buildings with my friends.”Kylee Rafatjoo 5 yrs old

“Our daughter is in her second year at Montessori of Ladera Ranch and we are so glad she is there! The school has been a great fit from the moment we first walked in the door. From the warm and welcoming administration to the fabulous, knowledgeable teachers, we have had a fantastic experience at MOLR. Before my daughter was enrolled, we visited MOLR and took a tour. My daughter was 3 at the time, and they took us to see the classroom where she would be placed. When we stepped into the classroom, I could not believe how a room full of preschoolers was that quiet…all of the children were working, seated around the room in their own little areas, and they were all completely focused on what they were doing. I thought it was just set up that way because they knew people were coming on a tour! Yet I have come to learn that the classrooms work that way on a regular basis. Every time I am at the school, I am amazed at what a wonderful learning environment the school provides. Children are happy, attentive, and engaged in every classroom I’ve seen. My husband and I are both elementary school teachers, and we put a lot of thought into where to place our daughter for preschool. We wanted to be sure that she was in a place where she would be loved and cared for, but also a place that would prepare her for elementary school. MOLR has provided all of that and more. She loves school and the wonderful teachers, and we cannot believe how much she has learned. She comes home from school enthusiastic about what she is learning, and can’t wait to share a fact about a continent, teach us what she learned in Spanish, or read a new list of words. There’s always something new!”Liza Dembiec

“As a parent, I have been a firm believer in the Montessori school system for the past 14 years. In the summer of 1996 I was looking for a comprehensive private schooling institution that would be able to challenge my 3 year old son, Greg. The Montessori system proved to be the right fit not only because of its ability to get the best out of its pupils, but also for the love of learning their curriculum inspires. Greg reflects that the critical thinking skills he developed as a result of his experience at a Montessori put him on the intellectual high ground when we eventually put him in public school (a decision that was only made because he had graduated from the Montessori he had been attending). If Greg’s personal testimonial isn’t enough, I have seen similar results in my other three children and three grandchildren that have received a Montessori education. Over the years I followed the directors, Ms. Lisa, Ms. Melissa and Ms. Karen, to Montessori of Ladera Ranch. I currently have four family members at the school. Overall, I have enrolled a child in every age appropriate classroom, from toddler to first grade. I am pleased with our daily routine. Every morning my young ones wake up excited to go to school. Upon arrival, the staff welcomes us with a warm “hello.” When watching classes, it is evident that every teacher at the school truly enjoys working with children. The teachers not only instill a love of learning, but also teach the kids how to learn. When I pick up my children at the end of the day they are happy and proud to share their daily accomplishments. Each member of my family, with his or her own unique personality and learning style, has thrived in the Montessori environment. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to watch my children, and grandchildren, grow with this wonderful learning experience. I look forward to many more years at Montessori of Ladera Ranch”.Shelly Williams-Slinker