Woodward Montessori is a special place. Our child attended for 2.5 years before graduating to kindergarten. Teacher Elizabeth is warm, thoughtful, and communicative. She puts extra effort into creating a close-knit school community. Teacher Julia is gentle, patient, and empathic. We’re very proud of the growth that we saw in our child’s confidence both socially and academically. The teachers are amazing! Our younger child is now attending and we are thrilled to continue our time with them. I highly recommend Woodward Montessori!

We LOVE Woodward Montessori. Both of my children attended preschool here starting at age 2.5, continuing right up until kindergarten. The environment is nurturing, while doing a great job getting the kids ready for elementary school. They meet kids where they are, help them develop as little people, and create a wonderful community for all participating families. Elizabeth and Julia have been teaching together for over 20 years, and it shows. There is so much stability, kindness, and support at Woodward Montessori. We highly recommend it!

My child had her first experience and a child care space outside the home starting at 2.5 in this beautiful school community. She just began kindergarten after three wonderful years at Woodward Montessori, and I miss it dearly. The teachers nurture an environment in which each child is seen and held in this tender time of childhood. They build community amongst families through gatherings and welcome families to share about their cultures and backgrounds, fostering a web of connections for these young learners. Highlights include the custom birthday crowns made for my child's 3rd, 4th, and 5th birthdays, seasonal art projects sent home, Mother's Tea Party at the end of the year, monthly newsletters, and trick or treating at Teacher Elizabeth's house aka school. I highly recommend this school community for your 2.5-5 year old!

My daughter spent three years at Woodward Montessori, from toddlerhood through preschool, and I can honestly say it shaped who she is today. When she started, she was shy and unsure of herself. By the time she finished, she was confident, curious, kind to her classmates, and excited to learn. The kind of transformation you hope for as a parent but don't take for granted. A huge part of that comes down to Teachers Julia and Elizabeth. They have a rare gift for meeting each child exactly where they are. Being patient without being permissive, structured without being rigid. They didn't just teach my daughter her letters and numbers; they taught her how to problem-solve, how to be a good friend, and how to trust herself. Every day she came home with something new she'd figured out on her own, and it was clear that came from an environment where she felt safe to try, fail, and try again. I've watched a lot of preschool and daycare setups, and what Woodward does, and what Julia and Elizabeth specifically bring to their classroom, stands apart. If you're considering Montessori education for your child, I can't recommend them enough. My daughter's foundation, socially and academically, started here.

We love Woodward Montessori! The absolute best part is how much fun our kids have every single day while getting top-notch, attentive care. Our kids genuinely look forward to going to school and always come home buzzing about the cool activities and projects they did. Thanks to the small class sizes, the teachers really get to know each kid's personality and make sure no one feels left out. The daily schedule and programming are super reliable, which gives the kids a great sense of routine and comfort. There is no teacher turnover, so the kids get to build real, solid bonds with the same teachers all year long. It is just a wonderful, secure little community where we know our kids are happy, learning, and thriving. If you are looking for a preschool that feels like a second home and keeps your little one smiling, this is absolutely it!

We’re in our fifth year at Woodward Montessori, and we couldn’t be more grateful to have found this school. Our older child spent three wonderful years here, and our younger child is now in her third and final year. The teachers are truly exceptional. They have worked together for decades, and it shows in the thoughtful, consistent environment they create. They’re communicative, deeply experienced, and clearly love what they do. The children are treated as capable, empowered learners and they learn so much. Many students leave Woodward reading, without families needing to do much extra work at home. Woodward is also a genuinely beautiful community. We’ve formed lasting friendships with many other families, and the school has been an important part of our children’s early years. Scheduling is remarkably flexible, including the ability to add days when neede, even for our Kindergartner during the transition to full-time school and on PPS half days. Tuition is also very reasonable compared with other preschools in the area. Woodward Montessori is truly an institution in inner Southeast Portland. We would wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a warm, nurturing, and enriching preschool community.