From the Parents of Students enrolled in Maria Montessori School of The Golden Gate
Cassie B.
South San Francisco, CA
Feb 18, 2026
We started at MMGG with Ms Tara in January and we couldn’t be happier. My 4yr old adjusted quickly to her new school thanks to the welcoming environment that Ms Tara creates. Thank you Ms Tara!
Denka M.
San Francisco, CA
Jun 5, 2025
We just graduated the preschool. We spent two years with ms Tara in MMGG and we LOVED it. From the time we had the tour we knew this was the right place for us. Ms Tara is nice but also has authority and kids need that. Within couple of days our daughter was in love with the school and the teachers. She would ask when she is going back during the holidays (or camps).
She grew up so much and learned so much in this school. You can see all the kids were thriving. I am attaching a picture from the graduation party in the park when Ms Tara showed up and all the kids run towards her and hugged her. If that’s not proof of love I don’t know what is. We will dearly miss all the friends we made there and the sweet teachers. Ms Jessica and Ms Tiffany have mad hair braiding skills. I will send my kid with half loose hair and she will come home with princess hair!
Anyway, I cannot recommend enough this school. Your kid will be taken care of and thought some serious writing, reading and math skills. My daughter can add to 20! She is not even 5!
We will be sending our second when the time comes as we know this will be the best place to her too!
Jay O.
Los Angeles, CA
May 23, 2025
As a parent, finding a preschool that feels safe, nurturing, and enriching can be overwhelming–but we truly struck gold with Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate. From the very first visit, we were impressed by the warmth of the 3 teachers (no teacher turnover over many years) and the joy we saw in the children. Our child has blossomed socially, emotionally, and academically in ways we never expected at a young age.
The curriculum is thoughtfully designed, communicated to parents ahead of time, and balances play and academic teaching in a way that keeps kids excited to come each day. Less considered is the fact that selecting a preschool is also choosing other children your child will spend the majority of their week with, and in that regard, we feel that the other children have been a positive influence in our child’s life. The staff communicates clearly and often, and it’s obvious they care deeply about each child.
Every day, our child comes home happy, and as the months past, new thoughts, ideas, and skills that clearly come from their time in school–what more could we ask for? If you’re looking for a preschool that truly partners with parents and celebrates each child’s unique strengths, give Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate a shot.
Zara R.
San Francisco, CA
Oct 23, 2024
I love this school and the teachers that are part of it. I put my 4 year old daughter into another school prior to this and she cried every day. I found this school and really liked Tara the director/teacher and can’t rave enough about it. I provided her with a kinder requirement prep sheet for a school we were trying to get into and she has been amazing at getting my daughter prepared. My daughter goes in happy and comes home happy and says she loves the school. 10/10!
Kwashi H.
Soledad, CA
Feb 25, 2025
I am amazed at the amount of attention the children receive. I never have to worry about the safety of my child because I know he’s in good hands. I wanted to put him in home school but I would never have been able to teach him as much as he has learned so far this school year. Thank you Miss Tara and the team at Maria Montessori School.
Mitchell M.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 24, 2025
This school was such a welcoming and nurturing place for our daughter over the years. I can’t recommend it more. Tara and her staff were so supportive, I’d recommend this school whole heartedly without reservation.
L H.
San Francisco, CA
Jan 18, 2024
Our experience with Ms. Tara and her staff has been amazing. I feel confident leaving my little with her each day. There is rarely a day where my child is not super excited to run into the class.
Ms. Tara is Covid-conscious and makes all efforts to keep the children safe.
We would have been lost without this school, its staff and Ms. Tara the past two year.
Jen B.
San Francisco, CA
Apr 7, 2022
Where to start…..As a stay at home mom I knew I was not able to give my child the consistent mental simulation or social/peer interaction that is needed for a toddler to thrive. So after 15 months of sheltering in place, and finding out I was pregnant again I knew I had to find a preschool for my 2 year old. My hubby and I interviewed at a few school and felt MMSGG would be a good fit for our family.
My biggest fear was my baby girl would scream her head off and not interact with the other children. To my surprise there were no tears on the first day of school, instead all smiles. Two “big” girls held my daughters hands and walked her into the room to show her around. Ms. Tara does a good job of pairing an older child to a youngster to act as a mentor. It’s a win/win for everyone. The best part has been watching babygirl form strong social connections with her classmates and her confidence skyrocket.
In the year that my ,2 year old, daughter has been at MMSGG she has learned the days of the weeks, sings about the continents & oceans, improved her hand eye coordination, and recognizes numbers out of sequence.
Savita N.
San Francisco, CA
Aug 28, 2022
Our son just recently graduated from MMSGG this past June (we started during the pandemic).
Given the uncertainty of the city environment we were in, I was amazed that he adapted so quickly and felt at home with the consistent and loving staff. The teachers really seemed to understand each individual child and their needs for learning. Our son is very interested in reading, music and geography which this school had a huge role in contributing to. I could also tell he was happy learning and interacting with the other kids. I also have to applaud the staff on ensuring kids are well behaved – his manners improved greatly over the course of his attendance. I had full confidence he would be prepared for kindergarten and he is; Thank you Ms. Tara, Ms. Ali and Ms. Tiffany!
Lastly, a side perk was meeting such a genuinely amazing family community that I know I will keep in touch with throughout my time here in San Francisco.
Y S.
Parkside, San Francisco, CA
May 23, 2022
Our son has been attenting the MMGG for almost a year now and we are happy with his progress. When he started, he had not been exposed to English much and we were worried he would struggle to adapt. On the contrary, after an expected transition period with some tears at drop off, our son is happy, learns a lot, has made many friends that he tells us about, and loves his teachers. We started there in the thick of the pandemic, and I’m grateful that the school has been very careful about it.
I’m also grateful to Ms Tara for always listening to my concerns, suggesting solutions, and answering my questions timely. Overall, we’ve been happy with the experience and plan on bringing our younger here in a year or so
Phil L.
San Francisco, CA
Apr 4, 2022
Our son attended Montessori of the Golden Gate a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. As parents, we thought Ms. Tara did an excellent job with the students and worked hard to foster curiosity and growth.
I was especially appreciative of how much she worked with our family when it came time to apply to Kinder, and she helped with the various recommendations, observations and applications that we needed to fill out. I believe our son entered Kinder ready and excited to learn and very much at an appropriate educational level relative to his peers.
To this day, when we walk past the school on the way to the West Portal playground, my son always looks out for Ms. Tara and will wave and say hi if she is there.
Christina C.
San Francisco, CA
Mar 17, 2022
Teacher Tara has been instrumental in our child’s development. Before we started at MMGG we were very worried with our daughter adjusting since she did not get much socialization due to the pandemic. Tara, Ms. Tiffany and Ms. Allie made sure to take certain steps with our daughter to insure her an easy transition without being overwhelmed or over bearing on her. Within the first couple of weeks she was holding hands with her classmates, playing interacting in circle time and snack time. We saw a huge boost our child’s confidence which now we have seen huge leaps in our child’s development speech, social skills, and independence.
We appreciate the great community Teacher Tara has built at MMGG and are so happy to be a part of it.
Tyler I.
Evanston, IL
Feb 18, 2020
We moved here from the Midwest in the summer of 2018 and started our daughter at MMGG in the Fall of 2018; she’s been there since and will continue for one more year before she starts Kindergarten.
We are often impressed by our daughter’s progress academically and socially. She loves going to school. We know she feels safe and comforted by her teachers when she needs it, and is stimulated to learn and play by her environment. We often play school at home and reenact all of the fun games and activities they do together at MMGG.
Additionally, Tara has been great about working to accommodate our various needs as working parents who are also in graduate school. We didn’t (and still don’t) always know what to expect from businesses and people in San Francisco, but Tara has been accommodating, warm, open, understanding, and kind at every turn. She has made us feel at home here, and we are so thankful
Michelle F.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 18, 2022
This preschool is amazing to preparing your child for kindergarten! My daughter started during the pandemic, but she has made friends and learned so much. She practices her numbers and her letters and she is trying to read thanks to all the teachers at the school. There is a HUGE backyard where the kids can play. We were on the waiting list and got into the school sooner than expected. I have tried co- ops and other play based preschools with my older son, but we will be sending our youngest to MMGG when he is potty trained. I would recommend this school to anyone that wants their child to learn the essentials for kindergarten while making new friends and playing in a Montessori environment.
Alan M.
San Francisco, CA
Nov 1, 2021
Ms. Tara completely changed our lives and the lives of our twin boys for the better. She helped our boys through potty training, and has exponentially accelerated their growth in the short time they have been at MGMM. Tara truly cares about her kids, and I don’t know how she does it, but our boys listen to her more than us!
Ms. Tara and Ms. Tiffany must be doing something right, because our kids wake up in the morning and say: “Where are going? Ms. Tara? Ms. Tiffany? Go to school? We are going to school? Yay!! Friends? Go to school!”
Tara spends a lot of time preparing creative activities for her kids, and we have seen an amazing development in our boys’ vocabulary, attention span and problem solving skills. Also, I like the fact that Tara doesn’t talk to her kids like babies… she respects them and they respect her…. We are lucky we got in when we did so get yourself on the wait list!
Thank you Ms. Tara!!
Maryam M.
Newport Coast, CA
Mar 29, 2018
Our son has been with Tara for the last two years.
We are so pleased with the individual care that our son has received. Our child is always happy to go to school.
The curriculum is so well prepared. This is not just a daycare. This is a school.
There are a few unfair comments that I have seen on here. I’m shocked.
I have never seen any of the behaviors as stated in some of the reviews.
Montessori is a specialized learning .
Not all children are ready for a Montessori classroom. Montessori uses special materials that only belong to the Montessori Method.
Tara always states that if the child is not ready that you may wait a year. In a year you may enroll again. (Deposits are refunded if your child is not ready to start.)
I highly recommend this Montessori to anyone who is looking for a great preschool.
Casey D.
San Francisco, CA
Jul 14, 2022
It has been years since our daughter went to MMSGG and she still has very warm memories of the school, Ms. Tara, and the other staff. And thinking back, the way she grew and developed is truly mind boggling. She’s an avid reader for starters. I believe the school played a key part in her emotional and cognitive development. It’s hard to summarize but she was taught to pursue her curiosities and interests, play an active role in life’s exploration. During pick up and drop off we saw an active environment with the kids busily involved in their activities. It’s very apparent that Ms. Tara has the experience and expertise to guide the kids, and she also has a certain way with the children. It’s obvious they love her. Our child ended up going to elementary across the street, and sometimes she would ask to come by to visit after school. And was totally welcome of course. It was interesting to watch her..she seemed to kind of melt into the environment again, picking up the materials and toys and play with them again, as if connecting to old memories. It’s definitely a magical place and we hope to send our second child in a few years.
Amanda G.
San Francisco, CA
May 31, 2022
My now 5 year old daughter began attending MMGG in June of 2020… after a few months of shelter-in-place and everything that went along with it. She’s graduating this week and feels ready and excited for Kindergarten! Prior to the pandemic, we had looked at MANY preschool options, but none of them felt like the right fit, or honestly just seemed too competitive to feel comfortable for our family or then 3 year old. Ms. Tara was welcoming from the moment we met her and exuded excitement for our daughter to attend her school. We were also able to view the classroom and meet the other teachers and some of the other students (prior to shelter-in-place), and everything just felt warm and welcoming.
Throughout the last two years, my child has genuinely enjoyed going to school. She’s made great friends at MMGG, both younger and older than her, and she loves her teachers. She is always surprising me with the new information she brings home to share (especially all of her new words in Spanish!) and will randomly break out into song about things she is learning at school.
I believe that Ms. Tara has implemented great safety measures during this pandemic and has never had to shut down the school over the last two years. Somewhat miraculously for a group of 3-5 year olds, there have been no COVID exposures at the school since we started at MMGG. Ms. Tara keeps in communication with the parents (mostly through a private FB group) about safety measures, reminders for upcoming holidays, and shares pictures of the children throughout the day. It has been really nice for me as a working parent to be able to see the pictures of my child learning and playing with her classmates throughout the day. At pick-up time, my daughter is always happy and appears well taken care of. Ms. Tara has consistently called me to give me the heads up whenever there’s been any kind of incident at school, which I’ve appreciated. When my daughter was found to be taking items from the school home without permission, Ms. Tara called me and talked through some actions we could take together to address the issue while still supporting my daughter and not making her feel “bad.” It was resolved quickly, kindly and positively.
Overall we’ve had a great experience at MMGG and feel that our daughter is well prepared for Kindergarten and had a lot of fun along the way.
Dan W.
San Francisco, CA
Jan 18, 2018
Our three-year-old son started at MMGG about six months ago, and we’re very happy with how things are going. He is always happy to go to school, and often comes home telling us about what he’s learned and singing new songs. The Montessori model of letting him learn at his own pace seems like a great fit for him.
As a parent, I appreciate that extended care is available to cover a full workday, and I like that the school also sends home a lesson plan each month. This lets us reinforce and expand on the lessons at home.
Se Young S.
Tenafly, NJ
Jun 4, 2022
MMGG is a wonderful school with great teachers. My daughter loves going to school and loves her teacher and friends. Also the location is fantastic, West Portal playground is across the street and West Portal public library is in the same block. Sometimes we ran into her friends from school in those places, it’s super cute that the kids are so excited to see each other again even though they were in the same school literally five minutes ago.
mira c.
San Francisco, CA
Apr 8, 2022
Our daughter started MMGG in Fall 2021. We love the school, and our daughter is always happy to go to school in the morning. She repeats the songs that she has learned at school and is very excited to show her artwork that she brings home with her. The teachers are great, and our daughter loves her teachers.
Maggie S.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 22, 2022
Our youngest son will be finishing his preschool years at the Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate and our older son graduated a few years ago. We have had a wonderful experience with Ms Tara and all the teachers. The environment is warm and kind but there is also a gentle emphasis on respect and learning how to interact with others. Both our boys have learned the foundation of letters, numbers and our oldest made the transition to kindergarten very easily. One of my favorite things about MMGG is that as our boys got older during preschool, they naturally took on a big “sib” role to the younger preschoolers. This is a great preschool without any pretentiousness and really focuses on what matters!
Jennifer G.
Southwest, Denver, CO
Apr 16, 2022
I love the Montessori philosophy and the great teachers there really do care about the kids. Ms Tara has always done an amazing job with my children and I would recommend this location to anyone who is looking for great care.
Murrahh S.
San Francisco, CA
Jan 5, 2015
This school was based on reccomendations from 3 other families that don’t know each other. I toured 4 preschools including this one. Myself and my brothers are product of montessori preschool teaching. I find the teachers to be compenent and communicative. Ms. Tara is excellent at what she does and Ms. Annie & Ms. Tiffany really are fantastic.
This is a very great community school and it helps my daughter excel. She absolutely loves attending and her skills she has learned are tremendous.
There is a waitlist and it’s for a reason. The communication is very open and as a parent I enjoy that very much.
Gregg A. J.
Carle Place, NY
Feb 7, 2016
My daughter attended this lovely little neighborhood school from the time she was 3, until she was 5. She started part-time, and it became obvious that this was a loving, caring, competent and very special place for kids. and even upon graduating, my daughter loves stopping by the school and meet up with Tara, the schools Director. She’s always met with warm, loving hugs, and knows she’s always welcome.
We were quite hesitant to send our daughter to pre-school, as we were very protective parents, but from the moment she sat down with her new school mates, she was openly embraced by her classmates and the staff.
I remember tears welling up in my eyes upon seeing this occur, and knowing that she was in a great place.
2 more years went by, and each year kept getting better and better. Her friends from school became our family friends, and we felt we had a sweet little community around us, and that was nice also.
I think the Montessori method is really great for many children, due to how interactive and multi-dimensional the training is for the kids. You can read reviews on line for this school, but I also suggest you read other line descriptions of the Maria Montessori method because IT IS NOT for all children. So save yourself a lot of grief and trouble by spending time reading about this, and speaking to the School Director Tara. She will be more than happy to share with you, and handle your Q&A. I HIGHLY recommend this for you before making such a big decision.
Reading and math were things that our daughter was much more advanced at when she started kindergarten, as compared to kids from other preschools and methods, so that’s something that we thought was important, but we realize that many parents don’t care much for this, and just want the kids to be in a safe and caring place. with Maria Montessori School of the Golden Gate, you get all this and more. As a cute, sweet and family run school, you get some of the longest duration preschools and great methods (The Maria Montessori Method) along with a stable, caring, committed and certified instructors.
I hope you do your research, both online and in person at the school observing, and if it’s a fit for your philosophy about preschool education, and for your child, that you attend this lovely school, and give your child a beautiful and very sweet preschool experience.
Jessica G.
San Francisco, CA
May 13, 2016
Our family has been attending MMSGG since January 2014, when my daughter turned 2 1/2. My son started when he was a little over 2 and not potty trained, yet. Tara and the staff have been flexible with the needs of our children, and our family. Behavioral needs are observed carefully, and addressed appropriately. The kids are safe, engaged, and loved. We have always kept open lines of communication to ensure that the good things that are accomplished get celebrated and encouraged, and the not so good things get dealt with consistently at home and school. It’s been a team effort that has worked well for us.
I will say to all parents considering preschools: 1) Have a list of the non-negotiable needs of your family to measure the schools by, 2) Understand that preschools are a business that require the school to evaluate each family and how they fit into the community of children and resources of the school, 3) Understand that sometimes the first school chosen is not the right fit, and that’s okay.
Stephanie A.
San Francisco, CA
Oct 7, 2020
This review is long overdue. Both my boys went to preschool here and loved it. Ms. Tara and her teachers are kind, caring, and patient people. The teachers foster a safe and inclusive environment for play and learning. We were especially happy with the Montessori curriculum, and both our kids knew their abcs and could count to 100 by the time they graduated from here. We also met some really nice families with whom we are still friends with today. My kids are now in high school, but they still fondly remember Ms. Tara. Highly recommend Maria Montessori of the Golden Gate!
Jamie P.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 5, 2016
First off, the whole San Francisco pre-school thing is beyond ridiculous. Why does a pre-school need to know where I think my 18 month old wants to go to college? All I know is, he’s trying to climb out of his crib, and I don’t like that! We did our due diligence, went to the hardcore Montessori, asking all the ridiculous intake questions. We saw the no rules, meet-your-child-where-they’re-at, hippie school. We went to the info nights and school tours. Then we saw MMGG. It’s a no frills, straight-up pre-school. Sure, you have to provide your kid’s lunch. The website’s not fancy. There’s still a lot of paper that gets sent home with the kids. There are a ton of pre-schools in SF, but this was the one that worked for us.
My kid just started there this fall. He was the crier. Everyone knew him because he had a fierce case of separation anxiety. And why wouldn’t he? I’m awesome *wink*. The reality is, this was his first time in a new environment, alone, without his grandma or parents. The kid needed to transition. Ms. Tara was real with us. He was having a tough time transitioning. Let’s try going a 1/2 day for a month. Let’s see how that goes. It sucked hearing that he didn’t magically want to stay at school forever. But Ms. Tara was real. If he didn’t improve, then maybe this school wasn’t a good fit. That’s real life people. If it didn’t work out, then we’d find a new school.
Then my kid started pretending he was at school at home. He made us sit in circle time. He came home proud of his drawings. He’s singing songs he learned at school and he runs down the hill now every morning. If there was something wrong with this place, I’m pretty sure my kid wouldn’t want to go here every morning.
Ward E.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 4, 2018
Our son attended Lenox Montessori and it was a fantastic experience.
The Montessori approach was new to us, but the upshot is learning-based play (they’re solving a puzzle, and hey look – it’s a map of the Earth; they’re celebrating a kid’s birthday, while learning the increments of time and how the calendar works, etc). There’s guidance and structure for sure, but it’s fun, age-appropriate learning.
Miss Tara runs a tight ship and is clearly very caring and dedicated. Her assistant teachers were all very professional and great with the kids (we even poached one or two of them for emergency babysitting – your mileage may vary). And the school is right across the street from a very nice little park and playground, where the kids get to enjoy fresh air and exercise on a regular basis.
If the proof is in the pudding, our kid is now thriving as a freshman at UHS – and we formed some wonderful and lasting friendships with a number of families in his preschool class. So while I don’t envy any parents who are staring into the mouth of the SF school system these days, we could not be happier that our journey began at MMGG, and we would choose it again in a second (“…which turn into minutes, which turn into hours, which turn into days, which turn into weeks…”).
Liz B.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 11, 2020
Our daughter started preschool here about 6 months ago and we couldn’t be happier. The school offers a warm, engaging atmosphere; the teachers are caring, experienced and warm. Our daughter comes home happy, confident and excited to share the things she has learned.
M M.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 28, 2013
When we returned to San Francisco a few months before my daughter was to start pre-school we became very concerned after hearing oft-repeated stories about how difficult it was to find a good school – not to mention one that you could actually get into. We had left a similar situation and it was with some trepidation that we began to investigate our options.
Maria Montessori has been one of the best parts of our life back in the city. From the moment we first walked in the classroom we were struck by the energy in the room; kids contentedly playing and learning, extremely calm and well-behaved. .
After almost a full year there nothing has changed that first impression. My daughter has made so many new friends and we are thrilled at her development and pace of learning. The credit certainly has to go to Miss Tara and her staff, Miss Annie and Miss Tiffany. I think their approach and style is very effective; the kids really seem to respond to the teachers. That – coupled with a great group of kids – makes it a very special environment. And one that my daughter looks forward to each day, which makes her parents very, very happy.
Kathleen M.
San Francisco, CA
Aug 25, 2016
I sent all 4 of my boys to Maria Montessori School and was VERY happy with the experience. I had 4 small boys (they are in elementary school now and getting BIG) very close in age and really put no extensive research into the “Selection of Pre-School Chaos”. I have numerous family and friends whom had had kids before me and I took their advice. “Find a place that works for your family life/schedule/location … visit a couple of schools … go with your gut feeling…. Your child should be in a place where they are safe and nurtured.”
When I first walked into Maria Montessori, I knew it was the one. I loved the single class and the small school size. There was a nice mix of kids ranging from 3-6 and plenty of activity. Ms. Tara and her staff (I have experience with Ms. Tiffany, Ms. Annie and Ms. Mandy) were outstanding. Having read a few other reviews…. I can tell you that my boys were NOT perfect angels. However, Ms. Tara was able to work individually with each of my boys as they went through her school to develop each child’s particular strengths while encouraging them to try activities that were new to them. She is a true believer in the Montessori method but also uses her classroom to adapt to particular needs of particular kids.
My boys continue to see Ms. Tara and her staff in the neighborhood and love to catch up as “alumni”.
I have and will continue to highly recommend this school.
thu b.
San Francisco, CA
Aug 30, 2013
My older son attended the school for 2 years and my 4 year-old is there now. We have had a wonderful experience and my son was well-prepared for getting accepted into our top choice schools. Caring teachers and we especially enjoy the musical performances.
Flavia N.
San Francisco, CA
Apr 28, 2013
Updated review
My youngest daughter attended MMGG for a year and we were extremely pleased with it. The only reason why she is no longer there is because she got a spot at our local public preschool and that gives us a better standing during kindergarten lottery. Miss Tara and her assistants are very attemptive to the children and tailor their class to each child’s age and needs, a true reflection of the Montessori teaching philosophy. I highly recommned MMGG to any parent looking for a Montessori school in San Francisco.
Jennifer T.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 5, 2013
Our son is in his third year here and we’ve been really happy with the program. Our older daughter attended two other preschools so I feel I have something to compare it to. Ms. Tara is kind and caring with the children. They have a lot of fun and are fully prepared for kinder when they leave.
Wilfred B.
San Francisco, CA
Nov 7, 2016
Our youngest son went here prior to St Brendans School. He came from another pre-school in SSF where we felt he was floundering. His year-long experience left him with an advanced reading ability and the confidence needed to face the rigors of an academically charged environment like St Brendans and other private schools in the area. I felt my child was well cared for and was very prepared for kindergarten.
Eileen M.
Concord, CA
Aug 9, 2016
Where do I start…my daughter attended Maria Montessori from the time she was 3years old and continued on to kindergarten with Ms. Tara and her staff. It was a very difficult time for us…she cried everyday for about two weeks..or at least it felt that way..lol…before I knew it I would come to pick her up from school and she would cry because she didn’t want to leave. Tara was one of the best teachers that we have had. My daughter is now 15 years old, has been an exceptional student now attending private school at Carondelet High School/De La Salle..she has never had anything under a 4.0 in school yet far, she is a sophomore in high school and continues to excel in school and I truly believe that the base of her education at Maria Montessori helped her to be a great student and also taught her to be a respectful individual with the ability to learn hands on. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a great start in education and socialism for their children. To this day my daughter still keeps in contact with Ms. Tara, who often checks in on my daughter. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to provide my daughter with the great experience.
Jennifer F.
San Francisco, CA
Aug 30, 2016
We love MMGG. We have had a great experience and our child is very happy at the school. The teachers are involved, caring, and dedicated to the kids. The mixture of ages combined with the individual attention each student gets creates a nurturing environment and the kids thrive. I’m amazed by how much our child has learned and grown at this school and the teachers provide an excellent foundation for kindergarten. The kids have so much fun on trips to the library, the zoo and the park. They also learn songs and put on shows for the parents that are adorable and very entertaining. They celebrate each child’s birthday in a unique and special way. I would highly recommend this preschool to other parents.
Barry K.
Orinda, CA
Feb 20, 2013
My older daughter has attended the school for 2 years and, based on that experience, our younger son recently joined her as a student. We have been nothing but happy with the learning progress that both children have made and with the patience of the teaching and administrative staff. Additionally, we have appreciated the openness of all of the teachers and the willingness of Miss Tara to help supplement and support some of the child behavior focuses that my wife and I have tried to initiate and foster at home.
My wife and I know many of the other parents (as well as stay in touch with others through an online message board used by the parents) and can safely say that we have never experienced nor heard of anything like the negative behavior described in the other review.
We have two younger children who will absolutely attend this school when they are older and I would recommend it to anyone.
Amanda Y.
Tenafly, NJ
Mar 14, 2013
My oldest daughter attended MMGG for 2 years and graduated in 2008 at the age of 4 1/2, and upon leaving, I’m happy to report that she had a very healthy happy outlook, a fond relationship with all three teachers and was academically very skillful. I owe this to the wonderful program they have at the school. It is a fantastic combination of a cheerful, warm environment with just the right amount of discipline. The program is structured in a way that fosters comraderie between both the older and younger children (which is the traditional Montessori way), from which the younger children obviously gain much benefit by learning from their older role models. There is a balance of learning academically (much like they will in Kindergarten), responsibility and creativity. There is no question this has had a positive influence on my daughter. She is now in 4th grade and is doing amazingly well. Much to my great satisfaction, there was also a heavy focus on reading books together with the teachers as well an an encouragement to read independently, and my daughter was an avid reader upon graduation. Studies show that all the great leaders in the world were avid readers as children. I currently have twin daughters who are in their 3rd year at MMGG and have been receiving equally rewarding experiences. Over the past 12 years Ms. Tara has been the head teacher at this school and she has always given us very individuated attention…we are far from “just another kid”. You can expect feedback on your child’s progress and daily activities, positive and negative, on a regular basis. She also makes a great effort to continually make improvements to the school, both to the facility itself (new lights, fresh paint and new flooring), festive holidays decorations throughout the year and “upgrades” in the teaching methodology. Most importantly, you and the children are always welcomed with warm, smiling, caring open arms and for your 2.5 to 5 year old children, what more could ask for!!!
Mary G.
San Francisco, CA
Aug 10, 2016
My family has has a very positive experience with MMSGG. Ms. Tara is trained and certified in the Montessori method and has been teaching for many years. Her assistant teachers are also good with the children – who are a happy bunch. My daughter has thrived here since beginning at 2.5 years old and enjoys going to school everyday. The facility is well suited for the mixed age class, including a newly renovated outdoor space (without sand) that promotes large motor skills in addition to all the indoor learning. Tara keeps parents informed about day to day life at school in order to be aligned with families for maximum growth and learning of the students and address the needs of each child appropriately. Tara cares very much about her students. MMSGG has extended hours to accommodate parents, but the primary school day is Montessori work which promotes independence and a peaceful atmosphere – that being said, Montessori learning is not for every child. Each parent should be concerned about finding the best fit for their individual child within the framework of a school! For us, we couldn’t be happier with this school and the interaction we have had with each individual involved.
M R.
San Francisco, CA
Apr 5, 2016
Ms. Tara is amazing as well as her sweet staff! She guided us through a difficult time with our son as he struggled with speech and attention deficits. We ended up going to public school for the resources, but she always kept in touch to see how my son has been doing. She has also helped work with him (like a private tutor) before he took an entrance exam to our parish grammar school. She is very loving, and this has shown through her steadfast commitment to my child even after he left her preschool. The curriculum is awesome and child centered too, which is a major plus for early childhood education. I highly recommend sending your child to Maria Montessori School.
Josy A.
San Francisco, CA
Dec 4, 2012
My son will be graduating this year from the 3 year program at MMGG and my daughter just started in the Summer program in July. I can not say enough about the program here. Not only is one of the more affordable preschools in the city — it is a focused program to help develop the emotional, social, and intelligence of a child. I have seen my son develop into a studious, gentle, and polite little man over the 3 year period he has been with MMGG. I believe that your school choice needs to feel right and not every environment is a perfect for every family – but this has been a great fit for our family and both of our children. Tara and staff have been extremely flexible helping us during family emergencies, holidays, etc.. The environment is warm and both of my kids are thriving and safe. The Montessori program is not overly rigid but really prepares the kids to enter K. MMGG is truly a wonderful school and a gem found at the top of the hill.
Celeste P.
San Francisco, CA
Feb 5, 2013
We have been very happy at MMGG. Our daughter is in her third year and has been continually challenged and motivated by Ms. Tara, now beginning to read. She will be very well prepared for Kindergarten. Our second child will start at MMGG in the fall. We’ve enjoyed the other families and children at the school, many local to the neighborhood and all great people.
