Summit Montessori 3035 South Russell Street, Missoula, MT 59801

"Last year we moved from the Seattle area where our 2 older children had attended Montessori. I am well versed on the benefits of a true Montessori education, and the philosophy, as my mother was an early childhood teacher and I myself attended early child hood and elementary Montessori till age 7. Originally we had only intended to at least have our kids in Montessori for Preschool ages and Kindergarten but after seeing how wonderfully our sons responded to a Montessori education in the early years we fully committed to continuing Montessori with our kids for as long as it was available. We were SO glad to find Garden City Montessori in Missoula, Montana and after emails and phone conversations and a special trip to visit the school we decided that this was the right place for our sons. We enrolled our new 4th grader and 1st grader in elementary school at Garden City Montessori. We initially intended to have our 3 year old start preschool (primary) part-time as he adjusted to going to school, having never been before. But our 3 year old loved it so much that he demanded to be allowed to go all day M-F the first week he was there! I have seen great strides with him this year, going from a toddler who wasn’t really focused or independent and not interested in writing or letters or drawing to being interested in tracing letters, doing art and really exploring his love of learning! My first grader has gone from a very beginning reader into an incredible reader in just a few months in his first elementary year and all my children express a deep love for math. My 4th grader is enjoying algebra! (Very unlike MY elementary experience with math in public school in 4th grade!) In addition to the basics, Garden City provides our children with many other learning opportunities in music, art, and even swimming and ice skating! This is how early childhood and elementary education should be. Digging deep into a world of discovery. Learning through play and hands on experiences, joyful, fun and exciting. My children love their school, love their amazing teachers and love learning. Thank you Garden City, and all the amazing staff, for your direction and guidance with my children as we work together to build skills, competence, curiosity, and independence, while inspiring them to become engaged and inspired life-long learners."

"Our children are enrolled at Garden City Montessori, and we have had nothing but positive experiences. A wonderful environment for learning!"

"Garden City Montessori has been one of the best decisions we have made for our two boys. One five and one three, they have exceeded our expectations for these ages. This past year they were in the same primary class however were still able to grow individually. This coming fall one will be in Elementary and the other will remain in Primary; it will be exciting for us to see them reach their potential and grow even more in their individual environments. One of my favorite aspects of Montessori is the ability for the children to choose what they will work on and be responsible for putting it away; they can work in groups or individually. I am also a huge fan of the multi-age mentoring. The older children are so gentle with the younger and are excited to help and share their own knowledge. It is a very respectful environment with positive reinforcements abound. Garden City Montessori is excited to work with your child(ren) and is constantly reviewing their 'works' to offer the best and most effective learning tools. I would highly recommend Garden City Montessori to anyone who is looking for a positive, respectful, and enjoyable place for their child(ren) to grow as individuals."