Riverstone Montessori Academy

I’d give it a 10/5 if I could. I’m a former student that attended from the age of 4-15 and am currently about to be 21. I went through their full program and to this day (actually this week), I still talk about how much I LOVED my time here. I haven’t been able to visit often, but it’s one of those places that just makes you feel very at home whether you’ve been there for years or a few months. Being here made me into a person I didn’t realize the school had shaped me to be. The environment was SO nurturing for me personally, as I along with my classmates were able to fully be our authentic selves. Because of that bullying was zero or close to none. If there was it was very mild and because the adults treat the students with such respect at all times the students almost ALWAYS accepted the reprimanding well and stopped which was something I didn’t see often in some of my years of high school. The thing is the students didn’t stop because the teacher told them to, starting in the primary classrooms they facilitate conflict resolution with what I had at the time was called a peace flower and the students handed it back and forth to each other so they could speak and the other student would decide if they accepted the apology (you had to say what you did, why you’re sorry, and what you could do to make things better/agree to stop). If the apology was accepted (most of the time it was), but sometimes the kids decided they needed more space and did at again at another time. Children as young as they can be do get into arguments and not having a voice raised at me to be quiet or behave, but rather being taught how to resolve my own issues, has led to be being comfortable with conflict resolution which I believe to be a valuable skill. I think this school is so essential for young people because you gain so many leadership skills and have a freedom to enact that leadership at ANY given moment. Interested in a topic and want to research it with a support system? The teachers will HAPPILY assist anyone on their private research because it’s honestly hard for young people to know what resources to access and how to use them. This in particular has helped me immensely in university because what is university and grad school if not pursuing a passion? From the young age of 6 I had my curiosity cherished and nurtured and I still remember all the little projects I was interested in and got help with. My public speaking skills were being developed beginning in 1st grade, my classmates and I held multiple fundraisers to support countries struck by natural disaster, we planned our own field trips, and learning accounting skills running our own business that i’m literally going over in my college university class. I could go on and on about how dear this school was to me I hope it stays around until I have kids of my own and can send them here because it’s honestly the happiest place I’ve ever been in my whole life I am so happy life took my parents to this school and enrolled me in it. There’s no way any other place on earth could have made my childhood as amazing as it was. As many skills as we learned it was always fun, creative, and free. They taught me to value my progress and push myself to do as much as I wanted. When a child has the freedom to do almost anything they want in a nurturing academic environment like this; it removes the shame of failure, asking questions, speaking up for yourself, listening to others, treating people and your community with respect, and so much more. This was something I wrote on a whim as I am reminiscing over my school life and still can say that this was the best “investment” my parents ever put into my education and development as a human being. I am so happy so was able to attend through their entire program which while it was a commitment for them, was worth it. I hope this positively impacts someone, their child, or family member. For anyone still deciding, let me be the voice in your ear that tells you to try it haha

This place is amazing. There are so many things about this school I love. The teachers are so good. My granddaughter learns all history, all math and how to think on her own. She is a settled well behaved teenager! They supply all school supplies and field trips. She wears a uniform but there is no "I have to have this" thinking about clothes, shoes, etc. She is growing to be a strong, capable, woman.

I can not say enough good things about this school. They truly care about each and every student as an individual. Every staff member goes above and beyond to make sure the students get what they need academically, emotionally, and socially, to become their best self. Your child will not come home with the traditional worksheets and grades. This may be a challenge to get used to. However, they will come home with so much more. In addition to academics, they learn how to work as a community, how to take on responsibility, how to share ideas , and a true love of learning. They have gardens and amazing classroom pets. I wish I could spend my days in these amazing classrooms.

Absolutely amazing! The staff are friendly and understanding, and the curriculum is perfectly tailored. All of the students are very nice, and the entire place just feels lie a huge family. The animal care/micro farm are also a perfect place for growth. Overall, I completely recommend.

One of only two AMI certified Montessori schools in Cobb county and we are happy to make the 25 minute drive each way to send our kid here!

xyfrph