REVIEW OF Hopscotch Montessori School BY parent, Beata Igaz-Gedo

(5) Student Experience

Aron greatly appreciates the warm and welcoming community at the school, both among the children and the school team. From the very beginning, we felt that he was surrounded by kindness and encouragement. At first, he felt quite uncomfortable because he did not speak English, but the supportive environment helped him open up and feel secure. He quickly settled in, gained confidence, his English skills are expanding, and he now cannot wait to go to school each day. He enjoys feeling capable, helpful, and becoming more independent every day. He loves his classmates and talks about them with us daily at home. He is especially proud of the new skills he learns at school and loves applying them at home and with his friends. It has been wonderful to watch his confidence, independence, and enthusiasm grow throughout the year.

Why Hopscotch Montessori School?

We chose this school for the supportive and attentive environment, the individualized care each child (and family) receives, along with the professionalism and dedication of every member of the school staff. Each teacher has extensive experience in early childhood education. Before enrolling our son, I was fortunate to know several children who attended the school and had the opportunity to observe their growth and development over time. After joining Hopscotch, they became more articulate, better able to communicate their needs and thoughts, more independent, more confident, and more capable of managing their emotions. These are all important life skills that we hope our son will continue to develop as well.

Expectations vs. Reality

It absolutely aligned with my expectations. In all honesty, the school has even exceeded them. One aspect that stood out to us was the support we received as parents and as a family. Our daughter was recently born, and the school team went above and beyond to support our son during this significant transition period. Their attentiveness, care, and understanding made a meaningful difference during those first weeks. We also greatly appreciate the sense of community that the school fosters. They regularly organize events for families, creating opportunities for parents and children to connect, socialize, and build relationships outside the classroom.

Your Advice

If families have the opportunity, I would highly recommend enrolling their toddler at Hopscotch Montessori. The school staff goes above and beyond to reply to any questions or concerns parents might have, and they are always willing to work collaboratively to find solutions to any situation.

(5) School Leadership

Both the school owners, the leadership and the administration are approachable and responsive. They go the extra mile to communicate with us through regular emails, newsletters, photos, messages, and updates that keep us informed about school activities. We receive regular feedback about our son's progress, strengths, and areas of growth. They work in partnership with us and work to understand each child and family. Just one example, after our daughter was born, they showed great sensitivity to my son's emotional needs and helped him navigate this big transition. They foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, and a strong sense of community through family events and celebrations (eg, family events, birthdays, inviting parents to share important traditions and holidays from their cultural backgrounds).

(5) Teaching

Each of my child's teachers has extensive experience in both early childhood and Montessori education. They are warm, supportive and attentive towards children. One thing that always stands out to me is how well they know each child and family as individuals. They work in partnership with the parents and make every effort to support each family's goals for their child (be it language development, potty training, etc.). They communicate with us regularly to keep us updated on our son's development. We see the impact of their work every day. Our son has become more and more independent (dressing himself, managing potty time with less help, helping to prepare food, etc.) and responsible for his environment and belongings. The teachers make a great effort to teach them social and teamwork skills as well. My son always comes home happy, and he feels confident applying his skills in other areas of his life. We notice him develop new interests in subjects and activities he encountered at school.

(4.5) Academics

Their academic program introduces various subjects in age-appropriate ways. We really like that topics are not taught in isolation; instead, to understand how they relate to one another and to the world around them. The lessons usually develop multiple skills at the same time, such as soft skills, communication, language, hand-eye coordination, and responsibility. They often work on projects that span several weeks, which teaches them so much at such a young age. Their program is built to gradually develop the skills they need in older classrooms as well as in everyday life.

(5) Extracurriculars

At this stage, I find that my son is still relatively young for extracurriculars. However, from what I have seen in older classrooms, the school offers engaging and enriching programs. Moreover, I find that my son's program absolutely prepares him for extracurriculars later on by laying the foundation and teaching him all the skills he'll later be able to use and build on.

(5) Students

My son's class is composed of children of different ages, which I really like, as it helps him learn how to relate to both younger and older children in appropriate ways. The students were very welcoming from his very first day: they approached him and invited him to play. Over the course of the school year, we had the opportunity to observe the classroom, and I noticed how naturally kids played together (and alongside each other) when they shared an interest in a toy. This type of play was also encouraged by the teachers. When conflicts arose between children over a toy, the teachers calmly and effectively guided the kids. Children are also encouraged to celebrate one another's successes, and the older ones are encouraged to care for the younger ones and to lead by example.

(5) School Life

He loves it and looks forward to going to school and to seeing his classmates. The school team has created a community where children feel they belong. The classrooms and common spaces are clean, orderly, and well-equipped with high-quality materials and toys. The outdoor play areas are well-equipped. Children have a consistent daily routine, and in various ways, they also participate in caring for their environment. They are provided with nutritious meals, while parents also have the option to send their own food. The school environment is safe and child-appropriate. Drop-off and pick-up are managed in a very structured and reassuring way. Their policies (illness, general health and safety) are well developed and consistently enforced.

(5) Community

The school does a wonderful job of making parents feel welcome and part of its community. Our family always had a wonderful time at their events, such as family gatherings, school celebrations, Mother's Day brunch, and school picnics. We are also given the opportunity to observe the classroom during the school year and to have one-on-one conversations with the teachers and school leadership to discuss our observations and our son's progress. Another thing that stands out is the genuine interest the school team shows in our family as a whole. We are also always greeted with kindness and many smiles, which makes drop-offs and pick-ups such a positive experience.

(4.5) School Location

Great location: easily accessible by subway, tram, and bus. The neighbourhood is very walkable and stroller-friendly. There are a few reserved parking spots available for drop-off and pick-up. My son's class is the youngest, so they mostly spend their days within the school environment. However, older classrooms regularly go on outings.

(5) Admissions

The application process was very easy to navigate. We received all the necessary information and support, and our questions were answered promptly and clearly. Their communication was responsive and transparent. The school was also very flexible and supportive throughout the admission process. Their scheduling options are adaptable, giving parents the opportunity to find a fitting schedule for their family's needs.