What Parents Say

Angela& Kris Killinger

Our story is much like the three little bears...you see, 3 years ago we were desperate to find the perfect place for our daughter.  We started at a small home-based preschool...but it was just too small.  We
then moved her to a large chain Montessori preschool...but it was just too big.  Then we found MSSR and it was just right!  I have had two children graduate and both have gone on to be in the highest reading levels in their new schools.  I now have my third daughter thriving under their care and a fourth
that can’t wait to start!  It really is special when you find a school that is an extension of your home.  We are a team and the teachers at MSSR work with our family in a partnership to give our children the best academic, social and emotional care.  We are forever grateful for their loving guidance and I know that
we are truly lucky to have found such a special place!

Danielle Clay

I cannot believe the growth, maturity, and knowledge that I have seen from Reagan since he began with you all at MSSR.  I actually almost cry when I realize how this has changed his life.  He really has made leaps and bounds maturity wise.  He loves you all so dearly and I could not be happier with how wonderful this experience is for him.  I just wanted to tell you all how much you mean to me.  I think Gloria may have thought I was nuts at Tuesday class when I thanked her for loving Reagan, but I really mean it.  You all treat all the children at MSSR like they are your own and especially to a working mom you have made all the difference in the world to me by making this happen for Reagan and my family.  You have another future student in Declan.

Kelly Young

My daughter Lindsay is the 4th child and the first girl in our family.  She is very strong
willed, determined and quite frankly, a bit spoiled.  I was in search of an environment that would provide structure,  keep her busy mind stimulated and allow her to be the strong, creative and independent being that she is.  In addition to Lindsay wowing me on a daily basis with all that she was absorbing at MSSR, she was so well nurtured, that it allowed her to learn in a way that I did know was possible at such a young age.  The thing that I really appreciated the most was that her teachers truly understood Lindsay, how her mind worked and how she would thrive the most. Sending my daughter to MSSR was a gift.  I believe the foundation for success has been set and what she has learned and the
confidence she has been given will help her tremendously in her elementary school years
and beyond.

Shirley Sanchez

Montessori School of South Riding has given my daughter not only a great preparation for life but tons of love, respect and a wonderful sense of community. I still remember the time when I was looking for a school for Mia. Observing at MSSR was a magical day. There was lots of concentration, lots of great work, everybody was engaged doing something, and best of all, they were all having fun!! I made the decision that day. I knew then, that my daughter was going to be in the best of hands. Thank you MSSR for making my dream a reality. The love, work and quality of education that you keep giving my daughter since 2009 has been the most beautiful of gifts! Gracias!!

Sandra Lopes

As soon as we walked into the doors of MSSR in 2015, I knew we had found THE place. My son attended Montessori School of South Riding for almost 6 years. He began when he was 2.5 years old and completed 2 years of his KG year. He began 1st grade virtually at a public school due to covid and by Thanksgiving I knew something had to change. He wasn’t engaged in the online classes, his love of learning was dwindling and he missed the social aspect of being with other children. I turned to Carmen and asked if he could join the children at MSSR and without hesitation Carmen agreed! She worked with another accredited Montessori elementary school to create a second and third grade curriculum for my son. Wow!
Finding Carmen at such a delicate time in our lives was such a gift. We are so fortunate to have had all those years at MSSR…I would’ve kept him there until elementary school if she would’ve let me! And if this wasn’t testament enough, my 9yo son still asks to go visit the school for the day during the summer. Most of children he knew have graduated but what continues to call him back are all experiences and loving memories he created within the school.

Soona Lee

Wonderful teacher, beautiful classroom, authentic Montessori teaching method and materials, and sweet friends! I couldn’t be happier. This school is dreamy and I wish I could be young again and attend this school! Under the pandemic situation, teachers have sacrificed themselves to maintain clean and safe learning space. They truly care and love kids like their own. Head teacher, Carmen is
always ready to talk and give good parenting tips as a teacher, mother, and grandmother. Kids are so sweet and friendly each other. My kid is thriving in so many positive ways and I am 100% satisfied with our school. Also, parents are so supportive one another and become true friends. Choosing MSSR was one of the best decisions I made!

Noosha Arjomandi

GREAT, FRIENDLY, KIND, UNDERSTANDABLE, CARING, ...., and I can just go on and on about this school and the staff. I visited quiet a few Montessori schools before choosing this one for my son. I know we as parents are so picky when it comes to our kids, this school proved me that they Care for my baby just as much as I do. My son started this school when he was only 3 years old. So attached to me and he had separation anxiety. The kind staff made it so much easier for me and my son to
pass this transition with their open arms and heart. ❤️ Now it’s been 3 years that my son is attending MSSR happy and proud. We have been so happy with MSSR that now my daughter has joined the school too. Even though we have moved from Chantilly and now live about 35 minutes away from school we still take the kids to MSSR. Highly recommend MSSR if you are looking for a CARING, EDUCATIONAL, CLEAN and FRIENDLY environment for your little ones. The school which completely follows the MONTESSORI rules and regulations.

Neal Kravitz

I wish I could give them 10 stars! We have used MSSR with Carmen Arenas for the past 4 years for our sons Jack and James, and we will soon bring our daughter. My wife went through the Montessori school system as a child. Our children are taught life skills as part of their curriculum. Most importantly, the love, affection, and attention by Carmen and her teachers is remarkable. We are the biggest ambassadors for MSSR!

Neardey Trinh

The best school and best teachers in all of Loudoun County! This gem of a school is like no other and you just won’t get the love and nurturing environment the way you do with Carmen and all the teachers at MSSR. Carmen’s extensive experience and knowledge of not only childhood education
but the Montessori teachings is truly one of kind. I have had two kids in the school since 2016 and my last will be graduating this coming spring. What a difference MSSR has made in my kids. Their hunger to learn and independence to explore is due to the environment they have been exposed to
the last few years. MSSR is also the only AMI certified school in Loudoun County. visit at the school and see for yourself. Best decision we’ve ever made! ❤️❤️❤️

Allison Koons

MSSR came highly recommended to us from several friends and family members, and my husband and I can certainly understand why! Not only is the staff extremely trustworthy and welcoming, but our son absolutely loves it there. Furthermore, since starting, he has blossomed into a kind, smart, compassionate young man who at the age 4 already meets all Kindergarten checklist criteria. I am certain that his time at MSSR has contributed immensely to his development of these attributes. We could not be more thrilled to have him there and will be excited for her to have a similar experience when the time comes to enroll our daughter!

Maryanne Roy

As a parent, I believe one of the most important gifts we can give our children is that of a quality education.  I had been looking for the perfect place for my daughter that would provide her with a loving and safe environment with which to build her social skills, self esteem and ultimately the
foundations for academics.  I searched high and wide and in MSSR I found all of this and more.  The transformation in my daughter in a very short period of time was remarkable.  She loved the quiet of the classroom as it allowed her to think and focus. She developed close relationships with her classmates and her teachers, and had fun going to school every day. The Montessori method that Carmen uses so skillfully allowed my child to blossom and develop in a natural and intuitive way.  And most importantly,
the love, kindness and individual attention that Carmen and her staff show to all the students is something I have not seen in another preschool.  I am so glad to have been able to give my child the gift of MSSR.

Zumra Thweatt

Montessori School of South Riding is hands down the best Montessori School in the area! Being new to the area, and being parents of a pre-school child, we knew that we wanted the best for her. We live in an area where there are so many different choices and we felt a bit overwhelmed. In our gut we knew we wanted a place that will foster organic learning, encourage the sense of self- esteem,
introduce her to a sense of community and belonging as well as kindness and sharing. A lot of the places that we visited felt that all the children were doing things at the same time, “circle time”, “music time” etc. and for us it did not foster the individual growth that was important to us. MSSR was recommended to us by two of our close friends. We did not know a lot about Montessori Schools and did not understand what Montessori meant but knowing our friend’s amazing kids we
immediately scheduled a visit. The minute we entered the classroom to observe a day in the life of a Montessori child we knew it was the place where we wanted our child to go. It was calm, the children were doing challenging but fun activities, they were working in teams of two, there was no yelling, running or chaos. They seemed like little grownups. It was a sight to be seen. In addition, the environment created by the director Carmen Arenas and the amazing teachers was of support,
guidance and love. We immediately could see our child enjoy this school. We walked out and we knew this is where we will apply. We felt like we finally found the perfect place. This was our experience a year ago. Our child since then has finished her first year of pre-school and we see such an immense growth in her. She is learning so much, she is a self-sufficient and independent person, she is kind and she has made amazing friends. We look forward watching her continue her journey
at Montessori School of South Riding. Last, but not least, another thing for us as parents that is different from other schools is the level of engagement we have with the school. We participate in activities and events; we feel part of a larger community and we have met some incredible parents that we call friends now. We would not change a thing in this educational journey and look forward for our second child to join in a few years.

Shrita Sharma

Magical to see how kids work together in this school. My kids love the school so much that they wished they could go back to school on weekends too. Ms Carmen, Ms Claudia, are so special to all of us. They all live by the principals laid by Maria Montessori and we can see how this is being passed onto our kids as every day goes by. Thank you Ms Carmen.

David Hish

Our children are thriving at this amazing school that follows the Montessori method very thoroughly. Many schools put Montessori in their name, but few actually follow it. At a time when some schools are sending homework for children at the preschool level, we are grateful to have found such a
loving and enriching environment for our children to explore and grow in that isn't focused on worksheets and tests.