The Glen Montessori School

The Glen Montessori School on Perry Hwy is one of the best schools in Pittsburgh. I believe they've changed my daughter's life...she's been attending for three years now. I love their teaching philosophy. This is an excellent alternative to most public and some private schools--the foundations of which at times appear to be crumbling. I highly recommend the Glen. The teachers care for and love the students, and the kids there learn how to think critically for themselves. This place produces critically conscious thinkers and leaders.

In the world of education, where nurturing young minds is paramount, the recent actions of Glen Montessori stand as a glaring example of negligence and disregard for both two prospective students and our family. The administration and teachers of Glen Montessori have demonstrated a shocking lack of professionalism and compassion, turning what should have been a hopeful transition into a nightmarish ordeal for two qualified students and their dedicated parents.Maria Montessori herself once said, "The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind." It is with a heavy heart that I must highlight how far Glen Montessori has strayed from this ideal. Two weeks before the school year was set to commence, this school denied contracts to two well-qualified students whose family had gone above and beyond in their commitment. Despite the expense and stress of traveling back and forth from out of state on multiple occasions for interviews and a tour, and receiving nothing but positive feedback from the school throughout the past year, our family was abruptly informed that the students would not be admitted.The circumstances surrounding this decision are nothing short of disgraceful. While it may be the right of any private school to reject prospective students, the school administration's refusal to provide a clear explanation or even return communications regarding their denial is both unprofessional and unethical. This review will have to serve as our closure. It is a deeply disappointing display of incompetence and insensitivity that has left the students with scant options for appropriate education in their new state, just as they are about to face significant transitions in environment and culture.In the words of Maria Montessori, "The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'" Instead of embodying this ideal of fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment, Glen Montessori has chosen to operate with a disconcerting lack of transparency and empathy. The frustration experienced by our family cannot be overstated. We trusted Glen Montessori to provide our children with an environment that values and nurtures their potential. Instead, we have been met with an administration that is seemingly indifferent to the impact of its actions.It is truly shameful and unexpected that a school purporting to uphold the values of the Montessori method would fall so egregiously short. I urge prospective parents to consider these grave missteps when evaluating their educational choices. The failure of Glen Montessori to honor its commitments and communicate effectively reveals a profound disregard for the very principles it claims to champion. We are happy for other families who may have had much better experiences than we were offered. God bless them and forgive them for what ensued but we are confident that this may have saved us from some unbeknownst tragedy that may have occurred to our children while under their "care."

This school is opposite of nurturing, Non supporting of special needs of children, discriminate parents who challenge them and question their rules. They are so clumsy and non transparent. 4yrs back we took our 2.5yrs old shy and non English speaking child for their interview at this school. We were later informed that the spot has been taken and we cant get in. When we fought back asking for explanation why they interviewed us if the spot had been taken? They apologized and "qualified" my daughter to attend their 3-6yrs program. My son has been attending their birth-3yrs program last couple of years and be 3 soon. Last month we are hearing that our child is not ready to move to next class 3-6yrs in fall while they also wnt keep him in his current classroom few extra months after he turn 3yrs till he "qualifies". I have never heard of such a thing where a daycare kicks a toddler out unless the child is showing violent behavior like hitting kids, teacher, using foul language, damaging and breaking their property and refuses to follow rules, things of that nature.. Our child is none of that. All this time it was never communicated to us that there are such great concerns in his development. Last year we started questioning their policies on masking everyone 2yrs and older in school. We requested the school to provide transparent masks to teachers and make exemptions if the toddlers 2-3yrs old who are showing delays. They didnt accomodate any of our request nor addressed them with valid reaponse. They didn't like parents questioning the rules they make and are acting narcissistic. Because of us fighting for our child rights now our son is getting kicked out with invalid and made up excuses. The school has no moral or ethics. The school head is explaining to us that they 'don't want to work with us-parents', which is fine. But how could they put it all on my 2yr old child and say he didn't qualify to move or even continue there a bit longer? Such discrimination!!

I receive an invitation to the Glen Montessori School every year for their spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Every person I've become acquainted with has been extremely kind, hospitable and attentive. My sister in law is a faculty member and my nephew is student. I've witnessed firsthand the unique learning experience and approach adopted by the Montessori curriculum and would recommend this school to anyone interested in exploring educational options for their children!

I have two children enrolled at The Glen (beginning in 2014, the second starting in 2015) and could not be more pleased with the care each has received. I have found the teachers and administration to be extremely welcoming and responsive to my inquiries. Their focus has always been on my child and what is in each child's best interest. They do have a strict security protocol and follow safety measures carefully, but I see that as a necessity and a positive for the world in which we live. It is hard to leave your child--especially an 8-week old infant--with someone else, but the Glen has been a good fit for our family and taken excellent care of our children.

Please do not send your child to this school. We had a horrible experience since day one with everyone we encountered. On the first day, one of the teachers who came to the door to "welcome" us was so rude and acted like we were bothering her to open the door. No one greeted our child with any pleasantries. The director leaves a lot to be desired. The teachers were very uncooperative when we wanted answers about what our child was doing on a day to day basis. I have had better care and communication at a doggy day care. Don't do it. There are plenty of other good preschools in the area.