The Hills Montessori School

I cannot speak more highly of this school and the incredible staff at The Hills Montessori School. All of my children have been or are currently in the infant program, preschool, primary school and middle school. The level of care and support that has been given to each of my children along the way has been outstanding, and as for what is provided academically, students could not ask for more. There is such a strong sense of community at this school and our family is so grateful to be a part of it.

I've been a part of this school for three years (and plan to be a part of it for the rest of my children's education). It has a fantastic community feel and I have watched my children's confidence and ability grow in this caring environment. I would highly recommend this school.

Having moved around with kids, within Australia and abroad, this school far exceeds any other. For me it is the most best investment I've made in my children's future.

I love the school, students, and the teachers here. It's so green here and good space for parking.

Great natural location for learning and superb facilities too.

Enrolled my three year old in their pre-school program and took him out a term later in horror of how he'd changed from his happy-go-lucky self into a silent and anxious child. My child was consistently shamed and isolated throughout his time there. He was - at three - routinely sent to the principal's office, apparently for "stern talking to"s. The teachers regularly misrepresented his behaviours in what seemed an effort to deflect from their own lack of attention to escalating situations and their poor training in positive behaviour management. Despite there being two adults for less than ten children and them charging many thousands of dollars per school year, they said they didn't have the resources to school my son (who we had assessed by a psychologist after pulling him from the school and found that his only "issue" was that he had a very high IQ).

The school repeatedly implied there was something wrong with him - certainly not with them or their approach. When we sent him to a psychologist and then, a few months later, a new school, our suspicions were confirmed - it was The Hills Montessori and whatever went on there that was causing these behaviours, not just "a problem child". Our son is *thriving* at his new school, well-loved, well-adjusted, happy and on good terms with everyone, his teachers especially. The psychologist assessed that the way The Hills Montessori treated him was the source of the newfound anxiety and the escalation of "bad behaviours" he developed there. Further confirmation seems to be in that we're all happy and harmonious both at home and at his new school now that The Hills is out of the picture.

To add insult to injury, the school refused to refund the $500 enrolment fee we were assured was there to cover the entirety of his schooling there from pre-school through to grade 12. We were there 10 weeks, paid full term fees and an application fee, and the school admitted they didn't have the resources to accomodate him - yet the board denied a written request for a refund and kept that enrolment money on top of the thousands of dollars we'd already paid for the term and care.

This school seems to be about money first, education second, mental health last. Having described our experiences there to others, I've been told they don't follow "true" Montessori principles. I have no expertise on that, but I'd just like to say - be very careful if considering this school. It was an expensive lesson in learning to trust our child, learning that educators aren't always well-trained, and learning that you should do a lot of research into a school before you enrol - not just one visit like we did. Also of concern is that teachers and their pedigrees are not listed on the website (at least, I couldn't find it) - without that, you don't know exactly what kind of training and experience the teachers have.

We've put in a complaint to the Department of Education and hope the school will improve its teacher training and behaviour management soon. From one parent to another, I suggest looking elsewhere for your child, particularly if they are very young. The Hills Montessori caused us an unbelievable amount of anxiety and grief.