"HDMS has been a great fit for our family, and we are so grateful to be members of the community. We recently relocated to Reno from a larger city where our daughter attended a Montessori program and the transition was rather seamless. We love that the HDMS Montessori program is a charter school, available to all families across Reno. Our daughter is enrolled in the Primary program and her teachers are everything we could've hoped for-- caring, respectful, communicative, and well-educated in the Montessori pedagogy and approach. Our daughter adores them, and we deeply appreciate the positive learning environment they create for her. Beyond the amazing teachers and curriculum, we have been so impressed with the school's leadership and administrative staff-- everyone at HDMS truly cares for the children and their families (especially during this tumultuous pandemic, which they've handled very well). The principal and executive director issue thoughtful perspectives and updates weekly via the school's newsletter which also includes updates from all grades/programs, keeping families well-informed and feeling like a part of a bigger community and mission. On top of all of that, the lunch program offers freshly prepared hot lunches made with wholesome ingredients. All said, we look forward to the years ahead at HDMS!"

"Thank you High Desert for challenging my children academically and teaching them social responsibility. Both my oldest and youngest son are able to work at a level that challenges them academically in every core academic class and then some. The ability of my sons to thrive and grow is only possible because of a highly-skilled, caring group of teachers, parents, and students."

"I drive about 20 minutes just to take my child to this school. I really appreciate the teaching methods, love the teachers and staff, and the parents and the children too. The parents that bring their kids here CHOSE to put them in this school. They seem hands-on and involved in their children’s lives. Overall I’d give the school a 10 for all the things that I’m looking to get from a school: a safe positive place for my child to learn and grow in the way that works best for him."

"We feel so thankful that we found this Montessori school when we moved here. Our son is in kindergarten and started in the primary program when he was 3. His teacher is amazing with the children and is always responsive and available to meet or discuss anything. Our son has thrived in this school environment and we are excited that our daughter will also have the opportunity to go there in the fall. We live in the NW and feel the 20 min drive is well worth it for our son to get such a great education."

"This school as given my son the best opportunities to be a gracious, caring, empathetic, and curious human. We have loved every second of his 7 years at this school and the lifelong memories he has made."

"Our kids have been attending HDMS’s primary program for 2 years and we absolutely love it! The teachers have been amazing, and wonderful Montessori learning is taking place. My son has fallen in love with math and because of the philosophy about independence and learning at your own pace he has been able to go so far (compared to what is typically taught in kindergarten) and has really started gaining a love for learning. My kids have also learned more kindness, patience, and peaceful Interactions from this school. Plus, it’s a charter school so we are extremely thankful to have free, quality Montessori education through middle school!"

"It's a great school for families looking for a more comprehensive approach to education than what can be offered in the traditional public school system. I like the sense of community within the school and also the amazing teachers who are incredible leaders in their classrooms and always looking out for what's best for each student."

"HDMS was the answer we were looking for when we discovered traditional public school was not the right fit for our family. Our children were bored in school and frustrated with hours of homework after school. There had to be a better way! Six years later and we have three thriving Montessori children who love going to school each day. They are independent, self-motivated children who love learning! We are forever grateful to have found a Montessori Charter school that serves ALL families, as we could not have afforded a Private School."

One of the things we love about HDMS is that it is a green school! We love that our children are learning responsibility on how everything they do and everything humanity as a whole does, MATTERS and has a lasting impact. It has taught them to really think before they act. It has taught them to care and to have desire to contribute and make clean clear choices. The way that our boys are learning to live with eco awareness has been a blessing to our family!! It has initiated such a special dialogue that we get to share together that has been so enjoyable and rewarding. We are so so PROUD that they are learning to be eco literate! I believe this has broadened their thinking and overall experience in life and connection to the earth and connection to the world around them. Having consciousness and care for the earth makes them feel good. And it makes us feel good too. It has inspired them to participate and engage in their own offerings in making a difference in caring for the earth through their own ideas and actions. Our boys are inspired to live these ways at home and out in the real world. They have both displayed a genuine love of the topic and they share it with anyone who will listen; their aunties and uncles, grandparents, cousins and friends. It’s remarkable to see how impressed people are, and that they leave an impact in inspiring others to be more green and eco literate. I am so pleased that they are growing up to understand the importance of having and displaying / modeling expansive consideration in protecting the natural world in which we depend on. This fills my heart with such gratitude and joy!! Brings so much HOPE!! Can’t say enough good things about the eco/green exposure they are learning at school. I believe it is going to help them to be the most wonderful versions of themselves for sure!! Now and later in life.

HDMS has supported our children beautifully as they transition after a big move. The social and emotional support that HDMS teachers provided was outstanding. The guides really care about the children. Academically, one of our children does not do well with authoritarian instruction and classroom management. HDMS guides have inspired them and provoked internal motivation to learn. Another child of ours does well academically and he is performing well above grade level, which is beautifully supported in the multi-age class that individualizes education. So much is offered as part of the curriculum and by bringing in outside experts: music, environmental education, social justice, archery, soccer... As for areas of growth, we would love to see HDMS include more second/foreign language instruction and serve an even more diverse population. Overall, we are extremely happy with HDMS - so happy that when presented with an opportunity to relocate again, our children thriving at HDMS was the main factor in deciding for our family to remain in Reno.

This school has made my son and wife feel like family for many years. The staff is committed to teaching children not just to be good test-takers, but to be critical thinkers and prepares them not just for college, but for life. My son can look at a problem and suggest ways to solve it, or just solve it without needing me or my wife to hold his hand. He is comfortable talking with adults in a respectful way and truly cares about people. I think the school does a great job keeping us informed about what's going on and makes us feel welcome all the time. We really love this place.

I attended High Desert Montessori School for 7 years and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Before attending HDMS, I attended a public school for 2 years and it was never the right fit for me. I felt trapped and like I wasn't free to learn or do what I wanted to. HDMS completely changed that for me. I felt free and like I was learning things that were important. The openness of the classroom allows for students to develop a sense of independence. This is because they are not being told what to do every minute of every day, they are allowed to work on topics that interest them while getting a full education at the same time. High Desert Montessori School was not just a school to me, the school and everybody inside became my second home and my second family. Being in the same classroom for 3 years at a time allowed the students the chance to make deeper connections and relationships with each other. Since the school is small, you end up knowing all of the people in your grade which, in my case, made us all feel like a unit. The staff at HDMS are amazing, they are always around to help you and there is never an unfamiliar face. All of the teachers and admin are always willing to help. I loved going to HDMS, it was an experience that I wouldn't trade for the world because in that time I was able to make friendships that I hope will last a lifetime and I was able to get the enriched education that every child deserves.

My 3 children have thrived the past 4 years at HDMS. The focus on social emotional development has been evident and my children have also shown so much growth in their independence, internal motivation and love of learning, not to mention doing very well academically. All of their teachers have poured so much love into them and seem to really have a passion for “following the child”. We love this school and are so grateful to be a part of the community.

High Desert Montessori is a hidden gem in our community. I have been associated with the school for many years and have found the teachers highly knowledgeable and caring. The school promotes students taking initiative, problem solving, and an overall love of learning. The real-world projects they take on, especially in the upper elementary and adolescent grades are inspiring. Exiting 8th graders are well prepared academically and emotionally for high school, and most attend local signature academies. The culture and community of the school remains genuine.

My child spent several years at HDMS and graduated last year. She is now at one of the Washoe County Signature Academies and is absolutely thriving. She is getting all A's with a full load of honors classes. I truly believe that HDMS gave her the perfect foundation for high school and beyond. She has learned to think for herself and I think she is much more self-directed than her peers from traditional elementary and middle schools.