Dobson Montessori School - Mesa Campus

"My twin boys were enrolled here for Kindergartner and 1st grade. Although we had an overall good experience while the kids were enrolled, as soon as we informed them we would not be coming back for 2nd grade we were informed that our tuition deposit for May 2023 would not be refunded even though the 2021-2022 school year had not ended. I can only imagine how often this happens to so many other families every year. In our case it was $1200 + $400 for “material” fees While in my opinion it seems unethical I can understand why they need to secure the $$$ for the upcoming year. It’s consistently expressed there’s an extensive waiting list in the weekly newsletter during registration time but I don’t think that’s true or they wouldn’t need to pocket deposits. Now at the beginning of 1st grade we were advised to get additional tutoring for our boys at $75 an hour to catch them up with the rest of the kids. For most of 1st grade we spent about $2000 per month on their tuition combined with tutoring. Now the principal pointed out that our boys had received extra attention and extra help which I strongly disagree with. They were tested to enroll in public school for 2nd grade and both scored below where they should be. This Montessori school is a bit different than others, THE HOMEWORK LOAD IS HEAVY. The teachers in both kindergarten and Mrs. Debbie in 1st grade are very nice and my kids have grown to love them. This issue just left a really bad perception of how I view the administration of the school. It really seems to be about financial gain."

"My son has attended for 7 years. Every single year I feel blessed we were able to find a school that encourages a love of learning. He struggled mightily in public school, branded as difficult. He was bored and can be fairly excitable. Suzanne, trevor, Heather and the rest have given my son a home where if he can dream it, he can do it. His classmates are his best friends. He is now in their new high school and I couldn't be happier. This is a wonderful school for open minded free thinkers who want to be their best. PPlu, they have goats!"

"My son attended from February to May and he learned so much. We weren't able to continue his going due to financial issues but the time he was able to spend there, he enjoyed it and he loved his teacher Teresa. At first he had a hard time going into the class room because this was his first time attending any school. But each of those days he had a little struggle they were there to help him and let him know it would be alright. Eventually he was excited to leave my hand and go on into class with the new peers he had made. As a parent I am glad my son was able to have this experience with great staff."

"I have a 3 year old son who has been home with me his entire life. We are in the beginning stages of finding the right school/facility for him to thrive in. I was told a Montessori school would be a great start to his social life....what I'm about to write is for your information only. We had an appointment with this school. We sat and talked for about an 1hour, while my son explored their environment. The director, Michael, assured me that this environment would work extra with energetic children. (Which my 3 year old boy happens to be.) By the end of that hour, he gave me all the necessary paperwork needed to enroll him for the summer program and for the following academic year. We were thrilled and excited! A couple days later I received a phone call, by Michael informing me that my son will not be a good fit for their community. When I asked why this is what he said... Based off of that short 1 hour interview he said, "I just changed my mind" and said that my son is 'too active for them to handle.' My son was never even given a chance! By using a method of teaching that allows children to be who they are and for working closely with children to help shape their behavior for the better, they judged my son, me and us as a family way before given a chance to thrive. Now, I have teacher friends, they informed me it takes little ones 6mos to a year to show improvement in a classroom, especially for those fortunate stay at home kids. A man, who also works for this family owned school, Trevor, also assured me that they would help us transition him into the social world and helped me get in contact with Michael the director. We are shocked and are left wondering how people could be that judgemental. We feel as if they took one look at us and said, "Nope!" "They won't belong." In the 34 years on this planet, I have never met people like this before. They made me felt like there was something wrong with my son. When after being seen by a behavioral therapist, my son is a normal healthy 3 year old boy. In the end, I'm so very pleased that my son is not going to apart of what seems like a very specific cult. Proceed at your own risk."

"Good school, good people, Great environment!"