Amelia Island Montessori School

This is our second year at AIMS and we couldn't be more happy with the education our daughter is getting. The teachers there are wonderful, caring, nurturing, and experienced. We started in the toddler program and we are now in the primary class as a 3 1/2 year old. Taking the time to learn the Montessori method through parent education opportunities at the school has given me an even greater appreciation for this school and method as it is quite different from a conventional child care/public school methods. The children are allowed to grow and learn at their own pace, but are never left behind. They spend quality time outside and cherish the "friends" in their classes. One aspect that I was nervous about was the fact that before and after school is with kids of all ages but I learned quickly that this is a blessing. Having the older children available to teach and befriend the younger children, should they choose to, has enhanced my daughter's experience beyond what she learns in the classroom alone. I would definitely recommend Amelia Island Montessori School.

This is a wonderful school! My daughters have been there for two years and its exactly what my wife and I wanted in a Montessori school. The teachers for kind, compassionate, and caring. Its unlike any other school you can find in the area. We would definitely recommend it if you are wary of common core or just traditional curriculum based education, AIMS is children driven not curriculum driven.

My children have been at Amelia Island Montessori since they were toddlers - we are currently in our 7th year there and will continue to be. This school not only cares about its students, it allows them to blossom by teaching them HOW to learn, rather than WHAT to learn - in true keeping with the Montessori method. It has long been recognized that one size does not fit all in education, and we are fortunate that our children have the opportunity to learn in a manner that allows for maximum retention and understanding. Teachers truly take the needs of the individual child into consideration when helping them to develop work plans, they guide without dictating, and carefully prepare the learning environment to be challenging where it needs to be, yet helpful in areas requiring attention. Any issues are dealt with and solved in a collaborative manner, with full consideration given to the individual needs of the child, in addition to the family itself. Indeed, the school is one big family.

The school did hit a few bumps in the road a few years back, but those of us who stuck with it can report that between a new school administration and an evolving Board of Trustees, the enrollment is higher than it has ever been and parent satisfaction is overwhelmingly positive. Teachers are experienced and properly credentialed, and very invested in the success of their students without the always-present pressure of high test scores. The head of school is a veteran public school educator who has truly embraced the Montessori method and is adept at helping parents understand the inherent differences between the two methods. The parents are committed and involved in the school and help to keep it successful. Most importantly, the children are happy and thriving.

If you are considering an alternative to traditional education for your family, I encourage you to take a tour, speak with the administration, with alumni, and with other parents. Observe in a classroom. You may be pleasantly surprised to find such a rich environment on our little island.

My son has attended Amelia Island Montessori School since he was two years old and is now in first grade. If you are curious to know if the school is right for your family, I'd recommend setting up a visit. The classrooms are probably very different from anything you've ever seen, with children concentrating on their work in a peaceful, beautiful, quiet setting, with their teachers moving in the background from student to student. The academics are impressive (ask any of the children to show you what they are working on and get ready to be surprised) but the way the Montessori method cultivates creativity, collaboration, and problem solving skills is equally so (the founders of Google and Amazon were all Montessori kids.) It's a joy to drop off your child and see them run into the classroom, because they can't wait to get to school!

The campus on the south end of Amelia Island is wooded and quiet, class sizes are small, and there are regular social events and opportunities to volunteer. There are a number of military families and families who travel from a good distance to attend. The school is also happy to connect you with current families if you want a parent's perspective.