I have so many things to say that I don't know where to start! I am a VERY protective mom who was anxious and nervous about sending the daughter to preschool for the first time. However, Garden of Joy Montessori International School won me (and my husband) over quickly and allayed all my fears! This month marked one year since our daughter started at Garden of Joy Montessori International School and we could not be more pleased with our decision to send her here. As working parents, we try to be realistic about the amount of time that we have to consistently teach our daughter the skills that she needs to be successful when she enters school. Garden of Joy Montessori International School is the perfect blend of academics, culture appreciation, and socialization. They foster independence, creativity, and a genuine pride in learning in all of their students. Ms. Sierra, the Founder, is completely committed to providing a warm and nurturing environment for children. Beyond our happiness with the school is our daughter's, which is most important. She cannot wait to leave for school every morning. We are absolutely thrilled to have found an environment that is allowing our daughter to flourish and preparing her for her future education, while at that same time providing her an opportunity to have fun with the friends she has made. We look forward to watching her continued development as she continues her pre-school years at this school. We highly recommend Garden of Joy Montessori International School.

My daughter attended GOJMIS for 1 year until she turned 5 years old. Ms. Sierra has created an excellent environment which is conducive to learning, but also incorporates many fun activities in her program. Even during fun activities, I can see the thoughtfulness that went into planning them to still help teach the kids while they are playing. My daughter enjoyed school so much that she wanted to stay even when the school day was over! On top of the academic skills taught in the school, the kids learn independence, manners, social skills, problem solving, the list goes on! It’s apparent how much Ms. Sierra cares for the kids, but she also knows how to strike a balance of keeping the kids to an organized regimen while also ensuring a good amount of playtime. It's clear how much work and thoughtfulness goes into developing the vast programming at the school. With the quantity also comes a level of high quality in the curriculum. I am amazed at how well Ms. Sierra balances all parts of the curriculum while also managing to give personal attention to and keep track of each child's development in detail. In addition to all this, Ms. Sierra also does a wonderful job balancing the requests of parents with her understanding and willingness to work with the parents. I’m very happy to see the progress my daughter has made, how her confidence has grown, and continuing to see her reach more of her full potential as she moves onto elementary school equipped with the many skills she learned at GOJMIS.

I am beyond thrilled and grateful that we have found Garden of Joy Montessori! ​ Our search in the East San Jose area for a nurturing, safe, and compassionate school was extensive and exhaustive. We toured half a dozen preschools in the East San Jose area, and each time were met with disappointment. ​ My son had quite a few challenging experiences in a few schools before we found Garden of Joy (being bitten and bullied at one preschool, and outright neglected at another). As a result, he had been experiencing a bit of social withdraw and apprehension about the school environment. In a very short amount of time with Ms. Sierra and her wonderful support staff, he has blossomed once again back into the little boy I know. Confident, outgoing, playful, and excited to run to the door every morning and greet his friends and teachers. ​ Upon first meeting Ms. Sierra Tan of Garden of Joy Montessori, I was immediately impressed with her extensive knowledge of not only the Montessori method, but also of children. I come from an educational background myself, and was really pleased with how much Ms. Sierra's passion for educating young minds showed through in our initial conversation. ​ The space the children spend their days in is filled with enriching materials that ensure they are kept busy learning through play and exploration. I love getting photo updates throughout the day of my son engaging with a variety of materials that are geared towards encouraging his own curiosity in the world around him. Planned field trips and outings that include parents and caregivers are an added bonus that lend themselves to the community feel of the school, and are a wonderful way for everyone to get to know each other, and enjoy time observing how the children interact with one another, and their teachers. ​ Words cannot express how truly grateful I am to have found Ms. Sierra and Garden of Joy. Ms. Sierra is completely dedicated to every single one of the children in her care, and it is apparent in her unwavering desire to see them each succeed at their own pace, through love, support, and compassion. ​ Thank you Ms. Sierra and the rest of your amazing team for everything you all have done to help my son regain his confidence, reignite his love of learning and exploring, and bring out the best in him! You are such an integral part of our lives, and an extended member of our family. We are forever grateful for you!

My daughter is currently attending and thriving at the Garden of Joy Montessori International School (GOJMIS). Highlights of GOJMIS: The curriculum is designed around the needs of your child. Ms. Sierra and the staff at GOJMIS understand that children have an innate desire to learn new things. The program of studies is balanced and covers an expansive array of topics, including: Language Mathematics Music and movement Arts and crafts Science Character education Practical life skills Cultural subjects The school also takes the children on field trips to a nearby park about once a month. This gives children the chance to explore nature and develop a greater interest in topics such as botany, geography, and zoology. The two available programs include a pre-primary program for children between the ages of two and three and a primary program for potty-trained children between the ages of three and six. The classes are taught in a welcoming, family environment with a qualified staff of instructors and childcare professionals. Why Choose GOJMIS? GOJMIS is a bona fide five-star choice for parents in the South Bay. Children receive a well-rounded educational program. However, the main strength of the school comes from the work of its founder - Ms. Sierra. Ms. Sierra is also a mother and understands the importance and influence of early childhood development. Along with an extensive background in education, Ms. Sierra is a compassionate individual who truly loves all her learners. She has built a team of equally dedicated instructors to help give each child a superb start on their education. Some of the advantages offered by Ms. Sierra and her staff include: Compassionate instructors Excellent teacher-student ratio Bilingual learning environment Curriculum tailored to your child Voluminous variety of learning materials Ability to monitor child's progress Ms. Sierra also offers a two-week adjustment period and recommends that parents schedule a tour to reduce the risk of separation anxiety. The adjustment period helps ensure that the program is the right fit for each child. Compassionate Instructors and Supportive Staff: Ms. Sierra is dedicated to her work and gives each child the attention and focus they need. The school also maintains an exceptional teacher-student ratio. In most cases, the ratio is higher than 1:5. With more attention given to each student, the staff can teach children in a fun, inventive way. This gives my daughter the ability to swiftly and effectively develop social skills, critical thinking skills, and a love for learning. Tailored Curriculum with Bilingual Approach: The course of studies is tailored to the needs of each child. As mentioned, the topics include mathematics, science, art, music, and more. However, GOJMIS is one of the only bilingual Montessori programs in the area. My daughter receives an education in English and Mandarin, along with a foundation for learning Spanish (with Vietnamese at home). Learning a second language at an early age is known to boost critical thinking, listening, and problem-solving skills. It also improves concentration and gives children more confidence, in my humble opinion. These aforementioned elements are distinctly and vividly apparent with my daughter within a short period of time with GOJMIS, a truly remarkable feat. Mobile and Desktop Apps for Monitoring Progress: Ms. Sierra utilizes modern technology to keep parents updated on their child's progress. Tracking the development of each child is a significant focus at GOJMIS. Parents gain access to daily updates via mobile and desktop apps. Intuitive software is used for everything from recordkeeping and lesson planning to messaging and progress tracking. I positively and wholeheartedly value this. My Two Cents: GOJMIS helps children develop a strong foundation of skills to help them flourish as they enter primary school. The combination of a made-to-measure curriculum and dedicated staff keep children engaged and inspired. Ms. Sierra loves her students, and they love her back. The variety of learning materials has children entertained and constantly learning. My daughter cannot wait for the next school day to arrive and anticipate each new experience. If you are searching for a program to give your child the best start on their scholarship, consider contacting Ms. Sierra at the Garden of Joy Montessori International School to discuss enrollment. My sincere gratitude and appreciation to Ms. Sierra and her team of epic staff for their energies and devotedness to shaping and fortifying my daughter's future.