Northeast Iowa Montessori School

We had three daughters attend Northeast Iowa Montessori and each benefitted from their time in NEIM in different ways. This is because NEIM encourages children to be independent learners, so each of our children were able to explore their own interests and begin to discover their unique gifts.

All of our children still talk about the fun of choosing their own work. The Montessori method allows children to take ownership of their learning and we still see the effects of this several years after their time at NEIM.

As parents, we especially liked how the younger children were mentored by the older kids and then, as they became older, had the chance to be mentors themselves. The older children develop confidence and become comfortable being leaders, and it is great to see friendships form between kids of different ages.

They let us choose what we wanted to do and experience things on our own.

I still remember cutting pickles. I mean, who learns to cut pickles?

We see our children growing and transforming before our eyes, building upon skills to mastery. They are so much more than what we’ve been told children are, simple sponges; we’ve found at NEIM, they are creators, thinkers, artists, writers, singers, builders, givers, and advocates for peaceful community. We beam when our children feel compelled to share their works with us and feel they have the time and space to relish in what they discover there. Our expectations of what we thought they would get from this simple early education program have been exceeded. We are eternally grateful!

I did more challenging math with Ms. Christine. She helped me do harder things.The base ten blocks helped.

I made friends with people I never would be friends with on my own – like little kids.