Testimonial
March 29, 2011
To Whom it may concern,
In 2005, just after having relocated to Parker, we interviewed a nanny to care our nine-month-old twin children. Just by happenstance, this nanny had previously worked at Renaissance Montessori Academy (RMA) for Director Chhaya Vora and spoke very highly of the schools’ philosophies, academic excellence, and teachers. When the twins were two-years, six-months old, and having had numerous enlightening and informative conversations with our nanny about Montessori schools versus public schools, we called RMA and set up an appointment with Ms. Vora. When we arrived at the school, we were cheerfully greeted by several staff members, to include Ms. Vora, who gave us a tour, explained the Montessori philosophies, and then encouraged us to leave for a short while to allow our twins the opportunity to have a one-hour interactive session with teachers and to co-mingle with the other children already in attendance. Hands down, that was the best hour and best cup of coffee! The twins had a great time. Within a short while, we had them enrolled and a few short weeks later, we walked them to school for their very first official day of pre-school. They were so proud!!!
It is now three years later and the twins, who just turned six, are soon to graduate from RMA kindergarten. We have enrolled them in public school for the 2011/2012 school year. We considered public school for their kindergarten year, but believed the education they were receiving was leaps and bounds ahead of what public schools could provide at that age, and chose to leave them at RMA for kindergarten.
Over the course of the past three years, we have been amazed over and over again with what our children have learned, the things they have accomplished, and who they have become. The teachers are very interactive and engaging with the children and exercise a tremendous amount of poise and patience. It was amazing… every day, the teachers would take about 30 “nappers” downstairs where they would lay side-by-side on cots and have nap time. How they orchestrated the enormous feat of getting 30 children to be quiet and nap at the same time and in close proximity of one another is beyond our belief, but they did it, and did it well.
We frequently saw large numbers of children moving from one area of the building to another in single file with their mouths closed and their cheeks puffed out – much like an inexperienced trombone player. When they needed the children to be quiet and attentive, the teachers taught them, “Bubbles in your mouth.” We also saw children of different ages interacting with one another on a daily basis.
When the twins were three years old, they learned their continents and were studying the African culture. They soon began speaking Spanish as a second language and learning sign-language. They also learned the planets and had a display hanging from the ceiling. Of course, the alphabet, and numbers are greatly emphasized. When our son was four, he was able to recite the alphabet backwards – something he learned on his own because he was given permission to think freely. Additionally, they learn communication, respect, discipline, patience, tolerance, confidence, praise, love, emotion, creativity, expression, listening skills, social etiquette, art, music, language, reading and writing, and aspects of other cultures. In a non-judgmental manner, each child is allowed to be unique, different, and their own individual.
The RMA staff has a structured program, but the minute-by-minute time is free-flowing. The older children help the younger ones. Children are given the choice of what activity or work they would like to do. The teachers monitor their progress and encourage each child to take on new and different challenges each day. Our daughter complained over and over again that she did not know how to tie her shoes. We encouraged her to do the “tying board” work. The next week, she ran across the play yard and excitedly stated, “I can tie my shoes!!! I can tie my shoes!!!”
The educational experiences and growth opportunities provided by RMA to our children has truly been an enriching endeavor for our family. Due to the fact that we have only touched the tip of the iceberg in this letter of recommendation, we welcome further communication from you, either over the phone or in person. If you have questions, concerns, or would simply like to speak in more detail, please feel free to contact us by leaving your name and contact information at RMA.
Sincerely,
Lori, Gaela, Brandon and Emily
