Parent Testimonials
My son has been involved with the Arrowsmith program since it was piloted a couple of years ago. Having such a wonderful program come to Lakeview Montessori was a dream come true for us. Our son has excelled in so many areas since becoming part of this program. Our son has become more social and wants to actively participate in school activities of which he’d never shown an interest before. We have also seen progress in comprehension, fine motor skills and math. The learning environment is incredible! The Arrowsmith P trained teachers are very passionate about their job and ensure that our children receive the most out of the program. Their compassion and patience with the children provide a most enriched experience. I would recommend this program to anyone.Our child has received interventions since she was 18 months old. School was a struggle even given maximum support. Finally, while on an overseas assignment, we proceeded with an Ed. Psych evaluation to assist the Learning Support team and our family to increase school success. We were given a thorough report and an informal comment on how it was too bad there was not an Arrowsmith Program in the host country we lived in as she felt it would be the best chance of future success. It was the first time we had heard of Arrowsmith program.Fast forward a few years and there was a move to Windsor. After several months in Windsor, we found the program and within a week, we were part of Lakeview and the Arroswmith Program. Our family is almost two years into the program and are now looking at Secondary Schools and little Learning Support. Academic success has finally come our way. I have hope for a future filled with potential, independence, academic success and more choice post-Secondary school. I do not think we would be this successful or hopeful without Arrowsmith.Our daughter began Arrowsmith in September of 2015. As soon as we heard that Arrowsmith School was available in Windsor-Essex County, we immediately contacted the school and asked for enrolment. Previously, my husband and I had researched this amazing program and only thought it was available in the Toronto area. Moving to Toronto was not feasible for our family, so you can only imagine how thrilled we were to hear it was now in our community.The Arrowsmith School provides unique and individualized cognitive brain strengthening exercises for grade school and high school aged children with learning disabilities. Our daughter was diagnosed with 3 separate seizure disorders in 3 different areas of her brain. We felt that if she was entered in a program that was based on the science of rerouting the brain (neuroplasticity) from damaged pathways, to a better functioning pathway she would function at a higher level and perhaps reroute away from the seizure affected areas that were causing on-going concerns. Honestly to understand our enthusiasm about the program, you need to understand a day in the life of our daughter. Her learning abilities became inhibited by sensory overload, and depending on the auditory and visual stimulus on any given day, it would affect her ability to understand, process and retain information. Both her fine and gross motor skills could be affected differently throughout the day and differ from day to day as well. Some days she was right on the mark, other days not so much! In everyday life that would translate to an inconsistent understanding of what was being taught, difficulty with everyday sequencing problems in math and language arts, terrible handwriting, concentration and memory problems. All of which were leading to anxiety about who she was as a child and where she fit in amongst her peers. We know we have a child who has the motivation to learn, and believed that if she was taught in a certain way, with specific adaptations made to how "HER" brain functioned, we knew she could retain and learn. Most importantly, she knew it too!Now going into the 2nd year of Arrowsmith, we can factually state and with great enthusiasm the huge strides our daughter has made as a direct result of enrolment in this program. The first and greatest accomplishment is the change in her seizure patterns. We had been told that because she was born with them, the likelihood of ever growing out of them was not going to happen. She would be on meds her whole life and that as she matured as a female she would probably need more. As she progressed through the Arrowsmith programming we have noticed the exact opposite is happening! The visual stimuli that could and often did trigger seizure activity was not bothering her anymore. Her ability to cope and sustain in environments that generally would cause her anxiety were now becoming tolerable. That was a stunning! We believed it had to be a direct result of her brain training exercises, after-all her meds had not changed. When we discussed this with her neurologist he believed that something different was definitely happening in her brain. We are thrilled to say that our daughter has been seizure free for over 7 months now! Although she still takes medicine for them, her neurologist is now talking about easing back the dosage and if this pattern continues, perhaps taking her off them completely in the near future.Other changes our daughter has experienced and continues to experience include: less anxiety about schoolwork because now it is becoming easier for her to understand and retain information, huge strides in sequential memory tasks, i.e. improvements in math and problem solving, she loves putting together puzzles now, she also enjoys reading and writing more. Her ability to journal, compose and plan story outlines is truly a joy to witness. She loves going to Arrowsmith and school now because as she has stated "they get how my brain works and it's working better mom!" As parents we all want the best for our children. We want to be able to provide them with the tools that will help them cope and live happily and successfully in the world. If you have a child who is struggling to learn and you know deep down, and they know deep down, that there has to be a better and different way for them to learn, then The Arrowsmith School and it's programs are something that you should seriously research and look in to. We believe in their programming and the passionate commitment of The Arrowsmith School, and the educators teaching our child. They are educated, professional, compassionate and passionate about all the children they work with! For our daughter, the changes are dramatic, life altering and we have no doubt will continue to progress, assisting us with preparing her for a bright future.Arrowsmith has made a huge difference in our son's life. Two and a half years ago when he started the program in grade 5 it was a challenge for him to be able to pick up a pen and get his thoughts down on paper even though he was capable of describing things in great detail verbally and is extremely bright. Now he is completing work in his regular class by hand instead of using a computer or having someone write for him. His letters are more legible and the amount he can write at one sitting isn't even comparable. Before Arrowsmith I thought that the difficulty writing was partially a physical problem but now I realize how complex a process writing is and how far he's come. Prior to Arrowsmith I used to think that our son was being disobedient when I sent him upstairs to brush his teeth and get a sweatshirt. I didn't understand how hard that was for him to keep in his head. Since Arrowsmith he's become more responsible with his belongings and can remember multiple tasks at once. He's even started sorting things and certain parts of his room have some organization which was never the case before. More important than that though is the change in his relationship with his younger brother. Before Arrowsmith the interaction between my sons was often negative with a lot of fighting and not a lot of tolerance on my older son's part. Now, the boys play together all the time and even band together against their parents. The positive change in his relationships and interactions is amazing and will serve him for the rest of his life. This year our son who used to avoid large groups and social situation has asked to go to summer camp on his own! The program is a HUGE commitment and a lot of work and patient both on the part of the child and the parents but the difference between this and programs that help kids compensate is that the changes will be there with them for life long after we are not around to help them. It's made a huge difference to our son's self-confidence.Lakeview Montessori School has offered our son a positive and nurturing learning environment that has aided in his personal and academic development. The teachers are very Montessori-competent and provide a comforting approach to care, while maintaining constant communication with the parents. My husband and I will always be grateful for all the smiles Lakeview Montessori School put on our son's face - he learned so much in such a short span of time. All in all, the organization is well structured and organized, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who aims to foster a healthy education for their children.We have registered William in Phoenix Montessori School here in Toronto (Etobicoke). We will miss you all very much.Thank you once again,Razane and Matthew.We've had some challenges with our little girl going to school for the first time this year. She is three and is in her first year of Casa program. Needless to say there have been several crying days, several stubborn resistance days, several excuse days when it comes to getting ready to go to school. However, there have been more great days, fun times, new friends, lessons learned, new language learning, developmental leaps. Once our girl is at school she has a great time. The teachers have been supper patient with the transition from staying at home with mama and little brother to self regulation and autonomy. The guidance and support from Ms. Cinzia, who was our daughter's first directress in Casa 3; Ms. Eda, her current directress in Casa 1; Madamme Magda and Miss Gaby, French and Physical Education teachers; and Miss Sonia has really helped reinforce our decision to send our children to Lakeview Montessori. We look forward to September when our son will be able to attend as well. Ms. Kristin has been a world of support to me each day when I seem distraught and frazzled. I can not say enough good things about Principal Maureen. What a great team of people helping my child become all that she is meant to be. I can not forget Ms. Carol for her kind words every time I see her. Those words are so uplifting. Ms. Denise and Ms. Janice are special to us as well for cooking and serving wonderful snacks and lunches that sometimes do not get eaten and most of the times do. She has tried several new foods and we are grateful for that opportunity. Thank you!LMS is a wonderful place for children to learn at their own pace. It does not feel institutional at all, it feels like a small family. The teachers are so amazing and caring. I am pleased to have my son be a part of and study in this environment!The decision of where my children should begin school was not as difficult as I had thought. Knowing that children are like sponges and absorb almost everything they are introduced to I knew that Lakeview Montessori School was the place. I was impressed with what my children were taught and introduced to in the Toddler and Casa levels and amazed with the knowledge level in the Junior class. The Junior level is where I as a parent saw my child soar. I knew that choosing Lakeview Montessori was the right choice.We have found a home at LMS. The quality of education as well as the dedication of the staff have exceeded our expectations. We are so glad we made the switch from the public school system!, ParentAt our last school we felt no one really cared for our child's needs despite being involved at the school. At Lakeview we are overwhelmed by the attention and support he receives not only from his teacher but all of the staff and students. The result is that he is a much happier and more confident child. It makes me think of the quote "It takes a village to raise a child". Lakeview is our village., ParentStudent Testimonials
My experience at Lakeview Montessori was truly amazing and I feel that it really prepared me well for the IB Programme. I would definitely recommend it to anyone else who wants to take part in the IB Programme as well., AlumniMisc. Testimonials
This is our son's first year at LMS. We are are thrilled with both the teachers and the creative curriculum. Each day our son comes home from school inspired by yet another amazing day at school! There could not be a better endorsement for a school. We researched the other private schools in Windsor and LMS is by far superior both intellectually and creatively In my view, comparing LMS to other schools is like comparing Harvard University to a Community College. We recommend LMS without reservation for children of all ages. Run, don't walk, to attend an observation day!I would like to commend your school on implementing the Arrowsmith Program. It is a wonderful program and your students are so lucky to be able to benefit from it. I am a parent (10 yrs now) and have two children attending Montessori school in Ontario. We also travel two hours each way for my daughter to attend the part-time Arrowsmith Program in another city. My hope is that more Montessori schools, and other private and public schools, will follow your example of being current and relevant in education today. I truly value Montessori education and do believe that Arrowsmith program is a great addition to it. The closest Arrowsmith program for us is two hours away and my hope is that will change in near future. So please, spread the word in Montessori communityGreat environment for learning and a passionate faculty who love what they do., Mayor Town of Tecumseh