LEAP International Montessori School, Rio Rancho | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

Our experience with LEAP started as a “Five star loved it” google review, which LEAP owners asked us to write. At the time we were very happy to support LEAP School with a positive review. Our child was enrolled in the Toddler and Primary Classrooms for 13 months. There were several concerns and reasons why we left; management issues, high staff turnover, treatment of children, and curriculum.

When we met LEAP School and owners we were thrilled they were a small family owned business. Within 2 months of our child’s enrollment there were red flags with the management and Head Teacher. The Head Teacher (who was the only “Certified AMI Montessori teacher”) had many responsibilities and this seemed to be causing her extreme stress which lead to my concern of the way children were being treated. My child has a nut allergy and there were 2 incidents with her exposure to peanuts in the classroom which was a concern of safety. The school has had a high turnover of staff in the Toddler and Primary Classrooms. We were attracted to LEAP School by the vast areas of curriculum claimed to be covered and studied. The schools curriculum became an issue when I realized that the list of cultural and international studies were more of a marketing tool to attract new families but were not actually being implemented.

I write this critical review cautiously because we were highly involved with the school for many months. As much as I wanted to believe in the mission of LEAP School I found that I could not confidently and comfortably trust my child’s well being in the classroom there.

I’ve known Ms. Griffin for almost 15 years. I attended University with Ms. Griffin and have followed her incredible career ever since. She is one of the smartest people I have ever met and I have always admired her desire and love for teaching children. She is extremely passionate about Montessori education and helping children find their own passion for learning. When she told me she was opening a school of her own, I knew I had to visit her and the school after it was up and running. I have visited her small but growing school and I was very impressed in what she has created. The classrooms were well stocked with learning tools and well organized. All the children were so happy and excited to learn. The staff was so kind, courteous, and soft spoken with the children. In fact never heard them raise their voices once with any of the children, like I have in other schools I have visited. Even when I saw a child misbehave, the staff never raised their voice. They were firm and strong with the child when it came to discipline but never harsh and definitely never over the top. After seeing this school in person I highly recommend LEAP Montessori School to any perspective parent wanting to send their child to an amazing school run by people who love teaching and helping children achieve all they can. I invite all perspective parents or anyone in the community who wishes to support the school in some way to go and visit LEAP Montessori in person and see first-hand what happens in the classrooms!