The Montessori School of Raleigh, Raleigh | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

I’ve attended the MSR Upper School before, in early 2019. I can’t speak on the elementary and middle schools.

This school definitely will fit some people, but it didn’t for me. It’s worth noting that many schools didn’t work for me and I’m now doing best in an online school program, so I’m not sure what that says about me.

Anyway. I really liked the idea of the intramurals this school had, which are where you get to work in a field for a week, that it sponsored internships, and the trips. I also liked how some of the classes were discussion based. That’s about it though.

I didn’t really fit in with the other students attending this school for quite a few reasons, and this quickly became a problem. I’m usually introverted, and fine with not having many friends, but some of the teachers in this school were the ones who weren’t, and pushed me to talk to people in the Upper School, while my only real friends were in middle school. I don’t think the students were particularly bad, they were just cliqueish due to having gone to the same school with the same people for many years so it was hard to insert myself in there, and I’m not usually one to do that. They were also, naturally, primarily rich people due to it being a private school, and there was some comments made making fun of a suicidal student who had formerly attended that school.

There were also these student led conferences where you had to explain what you contribute to the school community and the like, and while a good idea in theory, it’s hard for people who have trouble in social scenarios or are new. Also, for some reason, to some of these teachers, people playing games on computers while talking with other students is acceptable, but social media use isn’t. It seems very hypocritical. The focus on connections definitely works well for some people though, depends on how you are.

However, most of the teachers were alright, from what I saw. I’ve definitely had worse teachers. The music class was really interesting, and I wish I could’ve been in that for longer. I also liked the music club, naturally (different teachers but they were both cool). And the English teacher was solid as well, he made Shakespeare interesting. I don’t have as much to say about the others.

Admittedly, when I attended this school, I was going through some hard times, and they didn’t seem prepared to support me at all (which isn’t completely the job of a school, but they should be able to deal with all kinds of people). Their ‘counselor’ was pretty terrible and not all that understanding at all. She never really had anything helpful to say to me, whether it was about managing my depression or navigating life with my parents. I feel like she didn’t have much experience with people of color and issues that are more common in our households, but I can’t say for sure. She could’ve just said she wasn’t qualified and left it at that honestly, or directed me to someone who would be.

Warning: They will kick you out and not refund your tuition for expressing suicidal thoughts.

Hope this helps!

My son attended MSR from Pre-K through Middle School. He just missed the cut off for the new Upper School by one year. I would have loved for him to go all the way through and get the IB diploma. He attended a public high school, but their IB program wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. The education my son received at MSR was stellar. The academics were excellent and the social and emotional development was so incredible. He is a thriving and independent young man who, thanks to what he learned at MSR, is ready to take on the real world! I would recommend MSR to anyone who is looking for an education to develop the whole child.