Reviews of Puddletown School- Montessori Preschool and Elementary (Kindergarten)

Caroline Jackson

I have two kids at Puddletown and we are so happy with our experience. The administration and teachers are so bright, dedicated, and they help each child thrive. They hold us all to a higher, better standard. They are doing amazing things at that school to create kind, curious, and empowered young learners. We couldn't ask for anything more.

J HC

We love Puddletown! Our daughter is in her 3rd year in a primary classroom at Puddletown and she has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of her academic skills, social skills, and emotional development. She is happy to go to school everyday, and we love that she's part of a community where everybody knows her name. During a recent classroom observation, I watched my just-turned-5-year-old do a 4-digit addition problem (!!!) using the Montessori materials, which make these abstract concepts so concrete. The academic preparation that Montessori provides is really quite remarkable. But perhaps even more remarkable is the skill-building they provide for emotion regulation. Our daughter had a challenging relationship with another child and her guide (teacher) was completely on top of things. She armed our daughter with empowering language and she created situations in the classroom where our daughter could practice not allowing another child to control her. It was remarkable! It was a challenging situation, but she came out of it with self-confidence and a set of skills for asserting herself that will be invaluable to her in the future. What struck us from our first time observing at Puddletown was how much her guide (teacher) exuded a peaceful joy while interacting with the children. The guide has that unique ability to see the best in each child -- to see through the complicated behaviors to the hidden gem within. We've seen a spirit of acceptance and validation in every observation since, even when a child is having a tantrum (in which case the guide calmly and non-judgmentally helped the child to control his flailing body and stayed with him in an adjoining room until he was calm enough to re-join the group). In short - the guide seems to have limitless love and expectations for growth in the frame of very clear limits on acceptable behaviors. Our older child went to Portland (formerly Providence) Montessori School (about 5 years ago) and we were happy with his experience there. That said, we are much happier at Puddletown! Puddletown is equally serious about the Montessori method, but just seems so much more joyful. We seriously haven't talked to a single set of parents who are unhappy with the place. This place is a gem!!!!