The right school for your child isn’t always the obvious choice. Even though factors such as tuition or the appearance of a facility may impact your decision, sometimes hearing from other parents is a great way to help you decide. So, if you’re looking for Montessori schools in San Jose, there are many options to choose from.
No matter how old your child is, finding the right school for them doesn’t have to be a complicated process. From preschool to elementary, San Jose has Montessori schools for a variety of age groups.
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What is the Best Age to Start Montessori?
If you think Montessori education is the best fit for your child, you might wonder at what age you should enroll them in a Montessori program. In your search for the right school, you’ll likely notice most programs are for preschool or elementary-age children.
Children in a Montessori program are usually placed in multi-age classrooms, instead of only learning with children their age. Though there are some secondary Montessori programs for teenagers, Dr. Maria Montessori acknowledged that the time between birth and 6 years old is when children absorb the most. You can start Montessori activities at home with your child at any age, but most programs start accepting children at 2.
Top Montessori Schools in San Jose
San Jose is home to a number of private Montessori schools for young children. To help you choose the right one for your child, here are the top 7 Montessori schools in San Jose.
San Jose Montessori School
- 979 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA 95126
- Highly rated for caring staff, quality education, and positive learning environment
- $1188-1820 monthly
San Jose Montessori School was founded in 1970 and offers a primary program for children from 3 to 6 years old. Like most Montessori schools, children learn and grow in multi-age classrooms. San Jose Montessori has an indoor Montessori classroom and an outdoor environment for gardening and other activities.
A typical day at San Jose Montessori includes working with the Montessori materials in the classroom and engaging in child-centered activities, storytime, and lessons. There is a focus on movement and self-discipline to help children grow in independence.
One World Montessori School
- 1170 Foxworthy Ave, San Jose, CA 95118
- Highly rated for its supportive environment, dedicated staff, and quality teaching
- Primary: $14,150-$25,850
- Elementary: $18,200-$27,300
One World Montessori provides families with a primary, elementary, and summer school program. For over forty years, this school has brought the Montessori method to children in San Jose. All of their teachers are Montessori trained and committed to continuous professional development.
The founder of One World Montessori School is also the co-director of the Maria Montessori Teacher Training Center, a center that offers quality teacher education courses.
Orion Montessori School
- 1001 Greenbriar Ave, San Jose, CA 95128
- Highly rated for authentic Montessori teaching, family environment, and respectful staff
- Toddler: $1,295-2,060 monthly
- Primary: $1,165-1,730 monthly
- Elementary: $1,765-1,840 monthly
Orion Montessori School has a program for toddlers, primary children, and elementary students up to 12 years old. Their motto is “empowering tomorrow’s leaders” and they offer an authentic Montessori experience. Along with their academics, they also have a thriving community of families who are committed to the educational experience. Their traditional Association Montessori Internationale program focuses on practical life and culture studies, as well as core academics.
Reach Montessori Preschool
- 2490 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95122
- Highly rated for its clean environment, knowledgeable staff, and excellent preschool program
- Toddler: $1,095-$1,650 monthly
- Preschooler: $995-$1,550 monthly
The toddler and preschool programs at Reach Montessori focus on practical life learning and sensorial learning. Children learn at their own pace and are offered grace and courtesy as they develop in the classroom. Parents who are considering enrolling their child in Reach Montessori are offered a free trial and assessment class. This helps prospective parents ensure it’s the right fit for their family.
Santana Care Montessori School
- 383 Spar Ave, San Jose, CA 95117
- Highly rated for ethical values, caring teachers, and clean environment
- Contact school for tuition
The Santana Care Montessori School has trained and certified teachers who provide excellent care for each child. Santana Care is a Christian Montessori Preschool and Daycare center. They have programs for children between 18 months and 6 years old. In addition to the Montessori principles, they focus on character building with values such as service, thankfulness, and humility.
Over the Rainbow Montessori
- 880 Hillsdale Ave, San Jose, CA 95136
- Highly rated for attentive staff, clean facility, and strong community
- Contact school for tuition
Over the Rainbow Montessori has a year-round program for children from 2 years old to kindergarten. They teach based on the principles of the Montessori method and believe each child has unique potential. Further, part of their vision is to help each child who comes through their doors reach their full potential.
Children stay busy throughout the day with the school’s daily schedule of activities. There is a variety of activities for children to choose from during both indoor and outdoor play. In addition to their program during the school year, they offer a summer program for enrichment during the summer months.
7 Magic Flowers Bilingual Montessori Preschool
- 1975 C, Cambrianna Dr, San Jose, CA 95124
- Highly rated for top-notch facility, caring teachers, and excellent curriculum
- Contact school for tuition
7 Magic Flowers Bilingual Montessori Preschool has three campuses in San Jose. The main campus offers a program for children 18 months to 6 years old. Children at 7 Magic Flowers participate in a unique bilingual environment where they learn in both English and Mandarin.
Each age group has its own daily schedule, and throughout the week, children can participate in enrichment classes such as dancing or kung fu.
Notable Montessori Graduates
If you're considering a Montessori education for your child, then you're likely curious about the famous alumni of this popular education style. A number of notable figures attended a Montessori school, including:
Taylor Swift – Award-winning singer and songwriter
Jeff Bezos – Billionaire, Amazon founder, and founder of Bezos Academy
Steph Curry – NBA MVP and player for the Golden State Warriors
Chelsea Clinton – Daughter of Hillary and Bill Clinton
Will Wright – Developer of the famous Sims video game series
Larry Page and Sergey Brin – Founders of Google
Unfortunately, a number of online sources claim that Beyoncé, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg attended a Montessori school. The American Montessori Society has been unable to verify these claims. Be careful trusting sources that claim these figures are Montessori alumni. With Montessori education only growing in popularity, the list of false claims to a Montessori education is likely only going to grow.
Conclusion
It’s normal for any parent to be concerned about the education and care provided for their child. There are many excellent choices in San Jose when it comes to Montessori daycare centers, preschools, and elementary schools. We hope this list helps you find the right Montessori school for your child.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Daria Kolpakova.