“The number one thing I appreciate is that the children are able to work at their ability level. My son has learned to be a good organizer of time. The teachers are fantastic.”
-Barb Masters, WSM Parent
“We enrolled both of our daughters at WSMC at a very early age (3 years and 18 months respectively). Our experience at Perrysburg was so positive that we moved up to McCord and eventually Bancroft. I can’t imagine our kids anywhere other than West Side. We will remain committed thru the 8th level. Both the staff and other kids have become their second family. Even after a very long day, our kids are NOT happy to leave after school care - they want to be the last ones out the door!”
-Gary Whitacre, WSM Parent
“The challenging and nurturing environment created for the students is truly extraordinary.”
-Stephanie Cihon, WSM Parent
“It is a testament to the knowledge and dedication of the teachers and their adherence to the Montessori method that neither one of my children wants to leave school at the end of the day. Students at WSMC are not only taught, they are nurtured and supported and given guidance tailored to their individual needs. Most important, they develop critical thinking skills, which will serve them well throughout their lives.”
-Bonnie Rankin, WSM Parent
“At West Side, our children are encouraged to think and communicate with understanding and imagination.”
-Frank & Lauren Reynolds, WSM Parents
What Do Parents Think About the Little House Program?
“When my husband and I moved to Toledo with our, then, 8-month-old son, we chose a neighborhood with a school routinely ranked “excellent,” anticipating that we would send our children there beginning in Kindergarten. Then we found West Side. For four years we watched happily as our son and his peers flourished in West Side’s Little House and Pre-Primary programs. By then, there was no question we wanted our children to stay at West Side through Kindergarten and beyond. West Side’s strong academic program is exceptional because it is rooted in the school’s holistic Montessori approach to education. To see the students thrive in an environment that focuses on trust, respect for self and others, peaceful conflict resolution, creativity, global awareness, and interdependence is not only inspiring, it is part of what keeps us fiercely committed to West Side. Our own children’s love of school and their teachers underscores our allegiance.”
-Sally Gladwell, WSMC Parent
“My favorite thing about the Little House program is how it challenges the children with everyday tasks (such as pouring their own drinks) in a non-imposing way. This promotes the child’s self-confidence, sense of accomplishment and ability to contribute to the world around him laying the building blocks for higher learning.”
-Brian O’Neill, WSM Parent
“The Little House program at West Side has been a wonderful experience for my family. The teachers there are so patient and caring and show genuine concern for the children and their well-being. The practical life skills they teach are wonderful and promote a true sense of community. The children are encouraged to be independent so as to develop their confidence and self-esteem.”
-Sara Shelton, WSM Parent
“We were impressed with the teachers and care givers in the Little House program. They were all very nurturing, thoughtful and extremely respectful of our children and their feelings. We feel very strongly that the years our girls spent in The Little House built strong learning foundations, inspired their independence and promoted their creativity. We love The Little House program.”
-Mindy Vesoulis, WSM Parent
What Do Parents Think About the Pre-Primary Program?
“The WSMC Pre-Primary program has exceeded our expectations. Our daughter’s enthusiasm for school is without a doubt priceless. We feel the unique learning activities and materials help keep her interested and allow her to have fun while still learning the process. My husband and I are very pleased with the levels she has reached with reading, writing, arithmetic and vocabulary skills. The ethnic diversity and introduction to multiple languages is indispensable in today’s and tomorrow’s world. We see a bright and exciting future for our daughter at West Side Montessori Center.”
-Tammy Krichbaum, WSM Parent
“My wife and I have two children who have experienced the Pre-Primary program at West Side Montessori, and the experience has been extraordinary. The teachers, programs and environment did more than help them develop the skills necessary for school; even better for them was the development of skills that will help prepare them for life.”
-John Wagner, WSM Parent
What Do Parents Think About the Lower Elementary Program?
“My girls love West Side. Love it! The time management skills and public speaking confidence they developed in Lower Elementary is unparalleled. The rich ethnic and religious peer diversity offers my children an education that most people need to travel the world to gain. The academics are rich and rewarding, but we chose West Side because it is the right environment for learning beyond the text.”
-Lisa Tarquinio, WSM Parent
What Do Parents Think About the Upper Elementary Program?
“Upper Elementary has far exceeded our expectations. Our daughter is thriving both academically and socially. She is being challenged in so many ways. We’re especially thrilled at the way her peer group interacts. Because the group is small, the kids know each other so well and support each other academically and emotionally.”
-Debbie Kaplan, WSM Parent
“The Upper Elementary program develops their organizational skills and ability to plan work. My son is more independent. I love the teachers.”
-Kelly Riordan, Former WSM Parent (children attended through 8th grade)
“My son attacks work with confidence. The work is challenging, but he likes it. The parent-teacher communication is great. The Upper Elementary program is wonderful. My son likes it.”
-Mary Wendt, Former WSM Parent (child attended through 8th grade)
What Do Parents Think About the Middle School Program?
“The Middle School program nurtures the independent thought processes of the students, which, in turn, develop their sense of self and self-confidence. My son benefitted from this in many ways, particularly in his ability to work within a group, both as a team player and a leader. And the assigned long-term projects taught time management...an important life skill!”
-Penny Kice, Former WSM Parent (child attended through 8th grade)
“I would recommend the Middle School program for its rich and integrated curriculum, close relationships with teachers, responsible and important tasks with good supervision in a safe atmosphere.”
-Elaine Sheehan, Former WSM Parent (children attended through 8th grade)
What Do the Parents of Our Alums Think About West Side?
“My son was consistently challenged by a thoughtful and imaginative curriculum and also consistently nurtured by a secure and compassionate environment. I was deeply impressed by the highly committed teachers and their level of expertise. My son and his classmates were given plenty of room to be their insane adolescent selves, but also creatively directed to grow academically, socially and spiritually. Several of his fellow classmates have told me since their graduation, ‘I know who I am’. For a 17 year old, this piece of knowledge is rare and critical in successfully navigating high school life. I know their middle school experience was elemental in their discovery. You will not find any middle school program to rival the one at West Side!
-Chinda Misra, Former WSM Parent (children attended through 8th grade)
"West Side helps develop leadership and self-direction. The academic quality is tremendous and it’s absolutely caring and secure."
-Tim Sigman Former WSM Parent (children attended through 8th grade)
Here's What Our Students Are Saying About West Side...
"In the Upper Elementary you learn to be more independent and responsible."
-Fourth Level Student
"I like the way teachers treat us. They don't treat us like little kids or big kids. They treat us just right."
-Sixth Level Student
"West Side is like my second home. Every one is like family and you will never have such great, dedicated teachers as you do here."
