"From the moment she met her kindergarten teacher Mrs. Brittany Lawrence, to today's rewards from her teacher Mrs. Kerri Bechtel, my daughter has thrived among the caring staff of Gettysburg Montessori Charter School. Having previously worried that my child would fail to follow directions from other adults, the kind, patient, and academically-deft faculty have put my mind at ease. Because of Montessori methods, directed by the capable Dr. Pleso, my daughter has fostered a love of reading, immense confidence in her math skills, an insatiable appetite for all art, music, and physical education subjects, and an independence that can't be bought. Additionally, the extra recess time gives her and her peers the necessary unstructured time to express themselves as kids often need to. Please consider sending your child(ren) here. I can't recommend it enough."
Sincerely,
Mrs. F.
Sincerely,
Mrs. F.
"Four years ago my husband and I began researching schools for our almost kindergartner to attend. We had the option of public school, parochial school, home school, or charter school. We researched teaching philosophies, we observed classrooms, and we talked to parents, teachers, and students.
We realized that the Montessori teaching style was best for our child, and we moved forward with enrollment. Little did we know, that all these years later we would be enthusiastically championing GMCS to our family, friends, and acquaintances.
The teachers and staff take the time to get to know each and every student and family member that walks into the school. There are always smiles and genuine concern about one's day being exchanged in the morning and afternoon. One of my favorite things is that parents and faculty are always working together, looking for new ways to create a sense of community and add additional fun ways to learn.
When rare issues occur, they are handled promptly, with the best interest of the children placed at top priority.
I have high expectations for the education of my children, and I would not recommend this school to others if I did not think it to be top-notch."
Sincerely,
Megan Matson
We realized that the Montessori teaching style was best for our child, and we moved forward with enrollment. Little did we know, that all these years later we would be enthusiastically championing GMCS to our family, friends, and acquaintances.
The teachers and staff take the time to get to know each and every student and family member that walks into the school. There are always smiles and genuine concern about one's day being exchanged in the morning and afternoon. One of my favorite things is that parents and faculty are always working together, looking for new ways to create a sense of community and add additional fun ways to learn.
When rare issues occur, they are handled promptly, with the best interest of the children placed at top priority.
I have high expectations for the education of my children, and I would not recommend this school to others if I did not think it to be top-notch."
Sincerely,
Megan Matson
"We'd always been interested in a Montessori education, even before our kids were school age. Once we looked into it, we liked the idea of a charter - they still must meet PA requirements - and also that of a small school. It is beyond wonderful to personally know all the faculty and admin and have them know us and our kids! Small class size, blended grade bands, and no busywork/homework are just some of the unique benefits besides traditional Montessori ideas like independence, personal responsibility, peaceful environment, and mindfulness. I’m so impressed with the school’s growth in such a short time - it now has so much to offer under extraordinary leadership - and with the new school building project, it's only going to get better. There is a beautiful, rural campus and the potential for that to spark students' interest and curiosity in the environment and nature is really something to look forward to as well. We now have four children attending the school and have been a Montessori family for five years. The individualized attention to my kids' education has been wonderful - there is support for their emotional growth as well as specialized academic support. Whether my kids have needed support temporarily or long term to address a learning disability, the teachers, administration, and specialists there have been proactive, flexible, and responsive to all of our needs. I think of the school as a "start-up" in many ways, yet I'm amazed when I think about how many of the dedicated teachers and administrators have now been there for six, seven, eight years, how many have advanced degrees, and how there are so many art and music opportunities for students now, too."
- Jill Clinton
- Jill Clinton
"When considering the type of education we most desired for our sons, my husband and I were leaning heavily towards Montessori. We appreciate how the children have the freedom to learn in a variety of settings and felt it was superior to the traditional "sit in a chair and listen all day" alternative.
Since deciding upon GMCS as the best choice for our children, we are further encouraged by the communication we have always had with each of their teachers. There is a vested interest in parent-student/student-teacher communications. We have nothing but positive comments to make in regards to each of the teachers our sons have had in their combined time at the school.
On a school-wide level, the student/teacher ratio is encouraging, as we believe that the teachers are truly able to get to know their students and, as in our experience, the teachers have even gone out of their way to know the remainder of our family as well!
We feel quite welcomed at GMCS and are proud to be involved in the school's philosophy as well as under the school's leadership."
Grateful, the McConnell Family
Since deciding upon GMCS as the best choice for our children, we are further encouraged by the communication we have always had with each of their teachers. There is a vested interest in parent-student/student-teacher communications. We have nothing but positive comments to make in regards to each of the teachers our sons have had in their combined time at the school.
On a school-wide level, the student/teacher ratio is encouraging, as we believe that the teachers are truly able to get to know their students and, as in our experience, the teachers have even gone out of their way to know the remainder of our family as well!
We feel quite welcomed at GMCS and are proud to be involved in the school's philosophy as well as under the school's leadership."
Grateful, the McConnell Family
"My children attended public schools for many years before we found Gettysburg Montessori. They would have homework every night that was frustrating for them and for myself when I tried to help them. They were falling behind in class because the teacher was moving on to the next lesson, and my children weren't ready. I remember saying to myself, 'There has to be another way' as I debated homeschooling my children. However, homeschooling would simply not work for my family, because I have to work as many of us parents do. That's when I found GMCS and I haven't looked back.
The classrooms have a better student to teacher ratio with the teacher's aid in the classroom. This means that if my child has a question, is struggling in a certain area, or there is an issue that needs immediate attention, the teacher does not have to be interrupted, or wait the address the student. This also allows for the classroom to break up into small groups to work on lessons.
One of my children's favorite things about our school is that all of our teachers get to know our family and individualize each child in many ways. They take the time to get to know each student's abilities, likes, dislikes, needs and more. This makes my children feel more confident and comfortable in their classroom.
We highly recommend GMCS to any family who wants the best education for their child. GMCS inspires a love of learning that we have never seen anywhere else."
Sincerely,
Megan Freeman-Parks
The classrooms have a better student to teacher ratio with the teacher's aid in the classroom. This means that if my child has a question, is struggling in a certain area, or there is an issue that needs immediate attention, the teacher does not have to be interrupted, or wait the address the student. This also allows for the classroom to break up into small groups to work on lessons.
One of my children's favorite things about our school is that all of our teachers get to know our family and individualize each child in many ways. They take the time to get to know each student's abilities, likes, dislikes, needs and more. This makes my children feel more confident and comfortable in their classroom.
We highly recommend GMCS to any family who wants the best education for their child. GMCS inspires a love of learning that we have never seen anywhere else."
Sincerely,
Megan Freeman-Parks
"As we were filling out the exit survey we realized we'd much rather put our thoughts and feelings into the form of a letter.
Our son has been a student at GMCS since kindergarten and has grown into an incredible young person over these years. To say the school has been a highlight of his life would be a sincere understatement given the degree of absolute joy, enthusiasm and comfort it has given him throughout his childhood.
White he already had an academic spark within him, your school, teachers and staff have not only nurtured but grown this spark into something more than any of us could have ever hoped for. The encouragement and support he's received through each of his years have been treasured by us as parents and we want to express a deep gratitude for it. The two of us know on very personal leaves the long-lasting scars that a destabilizing and unkind primary education can leave, and to see for ourselves that our child has been spared this (let alone given the antithesis of) is gift beyond words.
He will now be moving into Middle School with knowledge of who he is as a student, what he loves, and how to approach learning from a curious and dedicated place in his heart and mind. The foundation that GMCS helped him cultivate will be the solid ground on which he continues to build his interested and academic pursuits, and he couldn't have a more stable one in our question.
So thank you for everything you have offered him over these years and continue to for our daughter as she on her own path through GMCS. You exemplify the strengths and rewards of Montessori education and our children have benefited immensely from it.
Our son has been a student at GMCS since kindergarten and has grown into an incredible young person over these years. To say the school has been a highlight of his life would be a sincere understatement given the degree of absolute joy, enthusiasm and comfort it has given him throughout his childhood.
White he already had an academic spark within him, your school, teachers and staff have not only nurtured but grown this spark into something more than any of us could have ever hoped for. The encouragement and support he's received through each of his years have been treasured by us as parents and we want to express a deep gratitude for it. The two of us know on very personal leaves the long-lasting scars that a destabilizing and unkind primary education can leave, and to see for ourselves that our child has been spared this (let alone given the antithesis of) is gift beyond words.
He will now be moving into Middle School with knowledge of who he is as a student, what he loves, and how to approach learning from a curious and dedicated place in his heart and mind. The foundation that GMCS helped him cultivate will be the solid ground on which he continues to build his interested and academic pursuits, and he couldn't have a more stable one in our question.
So thank you for everything you have offered him over these years and continue to for our daughter as she on her own path through GMCS. You exemplify the strengths and rewards of Montessori education and our children have benefited immensely from it.