Lane Montessori School

My child attended Lane a few years ago. I'm hoping this review helps someone whose child does not fit into Lane's approach of child learning. I do believe Lane cares for children and provides a clean and reliable learning environment. Many children will thrive with their teaching techniques. What I do want to tell you is that not all children fit their mold for learning and Lane might not be the right fit, but that does not mean there is anything wrong with your child. At around 3.5 years old the teachers starting telling me my child was not participating correctly and they had a consultant come in and tell me there was something wrong with him - one note said he was too silly. The main problem, my child just needed to change schools - any school except Lane. After changing schools he has never had any issues from daycare centers or other caretakes. Now in elementary school my child is a strong student and very outgoing and has had no academic learning issues. I'm sorry it didn't work out with Lane but it was deeply destressing to go through their process and I hope that no one else has to feel the distress that something is wrong with their child, when it is really the strict learning style of the school that is not going to work with their kid. They have a long wait list and the ability to 'let go of kids' that do not fit the mold. Don't feel bad if you give Lane a try and it does not work out.

Nice school and staff. My daughter loves it there!

Lane is by far the best most caring environment for kids on the Main Line. Everyone in the school knows your kids' names. They are greeted every morning with a hand shake from Mr. Joe and hugs from all the staff. Water play in the summer, foreign language classes, dance and music are some of my kids favorite things to do at Lane. You will be blown away by how fast and smart your kids become from the education they get at Lane. My daughter could read words at 3, books by age 4 and math seems easy for her. She is even multiplying already. My 2 year younger son is also having just as much success with this program. Most people that write reviews write negative reviews. Look for yourself. This is an amazing program filled with needed structure and supported by a knowledgeable loving staff. My experience is shared by the other Lane parents. At birthday parties of social events it is easy to figure out which kids go to Lane which do not. Lane kids are leaders in game and play, share freely and laugh more while also teaching others kids and doing so in a non-humiliating way. I mean all Lane kids not just mine. Lane builds strong smart and giving kids.

Update- while my original post remains true we did end up leaving. I felt I needed a more compassionate environment. Toddlers need lots of support and affection. And it seemed my son, with an October birthday, was in an odd place with their schedule to provide enough classroom differences in the coming year. Original post from spring 2013- We have been very happy with Lane Montessori. Our son started at age 2 and is currently 3 1/2. He enjoys going there and talks of many friends. He likes his teachers. He is learning sign language. Every month they have new learning topics- last month they were learning about space, this month about the ocean and ocean animals. The school is amazingly clean. I like that during the summer program you can choose the weeks your child attends so if you miss a whole week for vacation you don't have to pay for it.

Incompetent management - do not be fooled by the nice building and low tuition. The owner has replaced both 3 different Directors and 3 Assistant Directors in 3 years. Another major issue is the concept and discipline of "Montessori". This school does not follow traditional "montessori" or what is described as more than one way to learn. If you have an easily adaptable child, they will likely do just fine. However, the teachers are either not trained or are not instructed to work with children who do not fit that proverbial "perfect kid" box. While there are some decent teachers who are doing a good job educating, this school lacks basic nurturing and acceptance. And lastly…make sure you are well aware of their discipline policy. While researching other local preschools through the years, I have found Lane Montessori's method is different from just about every other preschool in the area. Kids are swiftly removed from their classroom and sent to the office to sit it out, as if they are in solitary confinement. I have seen toddlers in there which is bewildering considering it is a preschool, and they are just children! I actually overheard one teacher saying "I just can't deal with this kid right now so office". It's remarkable why that teacher would choose a profession that requires dealing with children all day, every day. This may be a hard question to ask yourself, but what is your priority for preschool…. reading by kindergarden or well-adjusted and socialized for elementary school?

LOVE THIS SCHOOL!! My son has been going to this school since age 3 (He is now 5) and the whole experience has been wonderful. He learns so much and throughout his time at the school has been surrounded by loving teachers (Miss Kathy and Miss Caroline are amazing!). He comes home happy in the afternoons and teaching ME things (spanish, science, sign language). He is reading, doing simple math and loving everything he is learning. We are moving 10 miles away, but I will gladly commute back here for my second child!! Thank you Lane!!

I cannot say enough good things about Lane Montessori School! We are so blessed to have our son (4 years old) at Lane. He has attended this school since he was 2 years old. He has been in two rooms there, and all of the teachers he has had there have been amazing (Miss Kathy, the other Miss Kathy, and Miss Caroline). His teachers not only provide comfort, care and warmth, but they also provide him with an excellent education. Lane's special offerings, such as Spanish, French, Sign Language, and other special instructions cannot be beat. My son comes home and teaches me things! They are extremely flexible with schedules, it's a newer, very clean building, and the office staff is also wonderful. We love it at Lane Montessori, and with the changes going on inside Haverford School District's Kindergarten and K-Club, we're planning on keeping our son at Lane for Kindergarten, as well. Highly recommend it. We've tried one other daycare in the area, and Lane has been a much, much better experience for us. I wish I discovered it sooner.

Our 3 year old son has been at the Lane Montessori School for over a year now. We love it! The teachers are all warm, caring, and kind. The school is very clean, bright, well secured and safe feeling. They have a wonderful big auditorium in the basement that the children can play in when it rains or is too cold to play outside. There are constantly new toys and new experiences. Our son has french, spanish, sign language, and movement classes, each on a different day. This is all included in the cost of the care. I cannot imagine having a better program or facility, and so we are thrilled. Our son asks about school and his teachers on the weekend; we are all so happy there. We did not have the same positive experience at his first school, so I am so thankful that we found this wonderful choice. When I read the bad review from Anonymous W. 12.3.10, I feel compelled to post about our experience. It is funny because the 1st school I had our son at was such a terrible match for him and for us. I didn't find the teachers kind or caring, and the atmosphere was dark and dingy. I hated leaving him there and he cried every day. But I met other parents who loved that school and didn't love the Lane School. So my take away from that is that we all have different needs and what is a perfect school for one may not be the best match for another. I recommend bringing your child when you see the school and see how they feel there in the atmosphere and in interacting with the other children and teachers. See if your child and you feel like you belong there. That will be very telling. Good luck!