The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori School, Blaine | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

This school is a hidden gem in the northern suburbs. It has everything that children need to thrive – inspiring teachers, excellent academics, strong faith formation, and a student culture of friendship, respect, and inclusion. It also has everything that parents need to thrive – friendly and collaborative staff, parent education nights, uniform swaps, tuition assistance, and such a welcoming and loving parent community that it feels like an extended family.

Two years ago we moved from Blaine to Isanti and thought that the distance was too great to continue to attend the Way of the Shepherd. After a year struggling with public schools we realized that a 50 minute round trip drive each morning and afternoon was a small price to pay for such a treasure. Past WOS families have come to the same conclusion as us and happily driven almost twice that distance to attend the school.

About the previous reviewer who complained about the lack of academics, I can only be puzzled. WOS is a very authentic Montessori school and the Montessori method has proved itself in scientific studies time and again as a superior education method. My son has combined-type ADHD (both hyperactive and inattentive), yet tests at and above grade level because of his fantastic teachers. WOS alumni consistently go on to success in higher education.

As for the worry about things being “too Catholic”, I think that criticism is a little misplaced. They wouldn’t be a very good Catholic school if they were watering down their faith. If you are looking for a purely secular education, there are plenty of other places to find that. But the faith formation is just another part of the child’s development, in addition to the other academic subjects, not instead of them. As I mentioned before, the academics are very solid, even for students like my son with learning issues. But if Catholicism is something that you take issue with, WOS may not be the school for you, because they do in fact teach the children about the faith. That being said, there are several families at the school who are not Catholic, yet still find great value in the kind of education, both spiritual and academic, that WOS has to offer.

There is no doubt in my mind that Way of the Shepherd is preparing future nuns and priests, as well as future astrophysicists, neurosurgeons, and presidents.

This place is the worst i had my 9 year old come here because we were looking for a nearby school sinces we moved keep in mind my son has autisim and i told the school that and they completey ignored me they kicked my son out because he couldnt keep up with the learning the other kids were and they told us to take him to another school and they should of took my son in the special ed class or somthing then this lady has the odacity to say to me that my son is kinda stupid her name is ms.stevesons i hate this place dont come here parents!

So intimate and caring, great teachers and staff, very involved parent community. Great learning environment for our independent and curious kindergartner. I love the blend of Montessori + Faith! The head of school (Tricia) has done amazing things here over the past several years. She is a force of nature and I hope she never leaves! (PS… We are liberal Methodists and don’t have a problem with the Catholic approach here.)