Nicole P.
Mission Viejo, 2022
My son began his Robin Hood journey at just over 1 years of age. He is now almost 4. With it being my first child, I toured many schools in the area and Robin Hood was definitely a standout! It's impeccably clean and thoughtfully organized. It was immediately clear to me that the staff took great pride in their school - and that continues to be the case to this day.
During his time at Robin Hood my son has exponentially grown educationally, socially and emotionally. I honestly couldn't be happier with the education, care and love he has received from the Robin Hood staff. He even asks to go to school on weekends that's how much he loves his time there. :)
As a parent, I've always felt like I'm a part of bigger family at Robin Hood. The other families are kind and welcoming too! The Robin Hood staff organizes special events throughout the year for both the kids and parents to take part in. They really go all out and put just as much care and attention into these events as they do into every other aspect of their business.
I know my child is safe in their care and that's something I've never questioned. If you are considering Robin Hood as the school for your child, I can say that you will never be disappointed and that you will feel so fortunate that you found this place. Their waitlist is long, but that's for good reason. It's because they provide a truly exceptional experience.
We are relocating out of state and are heartbroken to leave our Robin Hood family. However, I know our son will take all the amazing memories and education from his time at Robin Hood with him. We absolutely cherished our time there and will greatly miss their amazing team.
Jaclyn H.
Laguna Niguel. 2022
As a mother of 15 month old who attends Robin Hood and a high school teacher this last week has been tough due to everything happening in the news nationally. It's exhausting for all teachers and especially those of us who have children. My fellow colleagues mention how they worry about their young children at school and if they are safe. Each time they turn to me and ask me how I feel about my child in school and I have always said, "I know my child is safe and with the best teachers." I can do my job well as an educator and not worry because I drop my child off each day at Robin Hood and know she's not only safe but loved, growing and learning.
My child has been attending this school since they were six months and we have loved every minute of this school. My child loves being dropped off each and every morning. My child's face lights up when they sees their teachers and realizes they are at school.
I have been in education for a very long time and have worked and interacted with a lot of varying programs and organizations and by far this school is not only wonderful because they help student's grow but each student is treated and loved like their own. Robin Hood goes above and beyond for each of their students.
My husband and I spent months visiting and speaking with other programs and nothing compared to Robinhood. This school is so special and important to my family that we are staying in the area and looking for housing in the area solely so we can remain close to the school. I guarantee you will not find a stronger program in Orange County that goes above and beyond like Robinhood.
Thank you Robinhood for setting the standard and for loving each student that walks through your doors. Students don't forget educators who impact their lives and are better individuals because of it.
Kayla B.
Costa Mesa, 2022
My two kids had the pleasure of attending Robin Hood for 2-4 years. Both started at five-months old in the infant room and were well taken care of by the staff. As they progressed into the Montessori program they embraced activities in practical life and math, and took a noticeable interest in music and historical figures. I am grateful we had the experience at Robin Hood!
Tyler W.
Laguna Niguel, 2022
Both of our kids go to this school. The teachers are amazing and filled with love for every one and every thing they do. Both my kids are a grade further than others in the area because of this school. So many preschools are much more just babysitters, this is a classroom where they learn all day. My kids also love the evening "kids night out" like they had last night on 5/28/22. An evening of fun. They get to play game, yell, scream and just be kids! They cherish these nights and I know we enjoy a date night too.
Can't recommend this school enough.
K. M.
Mission Viejo, 2022
Our family grew since my last review and our 10 month old started at RHM in January in the infant program while our daughter still attends the Montessori program. We are very appreciative of the loving care that our baby has received from the infant teachers. When we drop off in the morning he is so excited to see his teachers and happily reaches for them. It was very hard going back to work after maternity leave, but I know that he is well cared for and loved during the day.
Our daughter, now 4, continues to thrive academically, emotionally and socially in the Montessori program. We loved going to the Open House recently to be able to see some of the work she's learning. She was so proud and confident!
My children love going here. My husband and I are so thankful they are safe, loved and receiving the highest quality of care we could imagine in a preschool!
Mark B.
Mission Viejo, 2022
My daughter attended Robin Hood Montessori school for the past two years. She likes it very much here as well as my wife and myself. Teachers do really care about the children, school and facilities are very clean, information from the school personnel is always prompt and detailed. Besides regular hours lots of activities are arranged for both kids and families like Kids Late Night Out, Father's and Mother's day celebration activities, holidays parties etc.
My daughter has attended two pre-schools previously and Robin Hood is undoubtedly is the best in my view.
You can see how parents bring here young siblings af attending kids so it tells a lot about the quality of care and liaisons of school with the families.
Andrew A.
Los Angeles, 2022
We started our oldest child at Robin Hood Montessori over two years ago. Rarely does a day go by that we don't hear about her activities and coursework. Yesterday, she came home very excited to tell us that she was starting a new math chapter! She frequently asks if we know how to say a word or phrase in Spanish that she has learned.
She has made many friends at Robin Hood and is especially fond of her teachers. We know that everyone at Robin Hood cares deeply about her development and character.
The rooms are kept impeccably clean. They designed the layout to encourage experimentation and exploration while helping children learn to make good choices. We jumped at the chance to add our son to the Robin Hood family -- it has been a wonderful experience. At just under a year old, he is cheery and well-cared-for.
Robin Hood occasionally schedules special extracurricular events that the children love. These events give parents a welcome break for a few hours. The people of Robin Hood are thoughtful, safe, and caring. We love sending our children there.
Mellissa D.
Rancho Santa Margarita, 2022
I have 2 children that went through Robin Hood, from the infant room up to the 2-3 year old, and 1 child that made it up from the infant room to almost the oldest (she was pre-kindergarten) before we moved away.
Robin Hood was a school we chose by chance and proximity to us, and it was the best choice we made, for our family and our children. The teachers are all very warm and genuinely care for your child, with daily paper progress reports for the infant room, and a verbal note for the older children. Communication was important to me, and I feel that the staff was always great at letting me know what was going on with my children.
They also retain staff for long periods (years VS weeks/months), which has not been my experience in other daycares. My children all grew with one or two teachers over the years, not new faces every month. Staff retention is important in an industry where burnout is common, and Robin Hood had it down. The child room head counts were small enough that my children received very individual attention, not just by what the state mandates for children to teacher ratios.
They do not nickel and dime you to death as other daycares will with fundraisers and requests for additional money throughout the year. The childcare prices were reasonable, and always explained with exactly what was being used and where. Little extras like "kid's night out" and seasonal feld trips (before the pandemic) were fun additional things my kids could participate in, and made special memories for my family.
We developed a small community with the other parents and children from here, which feels so hard to do in Southern California.
Robin Hood was our extended family during that time period, and made the first years of my children's lives very memorable, and we are eternally grateful for that experience.
Sheila S.
San Jose, 2022
Our daughter went to Robinhood Montessori for 4 years since she was 3 and recently graduated from kindergarten there and moved on to start school in August.
We all truly missing Robinhood and all the staff and my daughter misses the love and attention she received there every day.. she still asks me to take her back to visit soon.... Robinhood had become a family and a second home for my daughter.
The director, Ramona, is very caring and loving while being disciplined & firm at the same time. She is very communicative and follows up on how the children are doing in at home and in life in general. The teachers and staff are all super caring and loving with a welcoming smile on their faces every morning...Class environments are filled with art, creativity, love, colors and joy... kids laugh & play while at the same time learn about basic manners, chores and activities that improve their motor skills, discipline and how to respect and care for others.....it's just the perfect place for a child to learn so many things.
Academic wise they are very structured, especially in preschool & kindergarten years , they have firm rules on "work time" which is basically learning to read, write and do math... My daughter is now reading her own books, writing in her journal and does basic addition and subtraction before starting first grade!
But thats not all, they learn about nature, geography & science through creative project, artworks and songs - which was always my favorite part to see what my daughter will come home with next.
Honestly the amount of creativity put into these activities and projects are just fabulous.
Last but not least, I can't say enough about how clean and organized everything is, I am always in awe how that is even possible with this many kids, but somehow they manage and everything is super tidy and organized.
Thank you Ramona & Friedhelm for such a great home you have built for our kids.
Peace & Blessings,
Sheilaj
Maria N.
Ladera Ranch, 2022
My 5 yr old daughter has been at Robinhood for almost 2 yrs now and I can assure you that it's one of the best schools in the area. I have witnessed my daughter's huge improvement the moment she began attending this Montessori. The teachers really do care and love working with children. They go out of their way to make learning fun everyday.
Masoum S.
Mission Viejo, CA
My daughter graduated from Robinhood Montessori, she still loves to go back to see the amazing teachers any opportunities she gets. On 5/28/22 Robinhood provided such a fun and welcoming kids night out for the kids to play games, laugh, dance ..etc while giving the opportunity to the parents for date night. What an amazing idea. Thank you Robinhood.
Sridhar K.
Brooklyn, 2022
We have two daughters (9 mos and 4 yo) enrolled at the school. The owners and teachers put in a lot of effort to teach the children through the Montessori program. They engage the parents to learn about the Montessori approach and they help us with tips at home to reinforce what our children are learning at school. We recently moved to the area and were commuting from Irvine while our house in MV was being renovated. They were very understanding and accommodating knowing that we moved across country and hadn't settled into our house yet. The owners are passionate about education and treating everyone as a family. They have helped us find reputable professionals in the area for my start up business because they are genuinely interested in supporting their students as well as the parents.
Navid O.
Mission Viejo, 2022
Both my kids went to Robin Hood. My son from 3 to 6 and my daughter from 2 to 6. We couldn't be happier with their services. After a few months, it was like an extended family. It is super clean, very organized, and disciplined in a good way. The owners put their heart and soul into their job and are very passionate about it. Their staff are also very professional and friendly. Although our kids are graduated from Robin Hood, they still talk about them and we still consider them like our family. I highly recommend it.
David C.
Lake Forest, 2021
We realized after our first meeting with Ramona that RHM was the right school for our twins.
RHM is a great place for children to learn how to care for and respect all things. It's a place where firm, fair, consistent and structured teaching flows simultaneously with love, respect, patience, guidance, individualism and creativity for a well rounded whole person Montessori education.
The twins had already been to 2 other, not so great, Montessori schools and we were desperate to find a better environment for learning. Our children flourished at RHM and Ramona worked diligently to promote a love of learning in our little ones everyday.
We only wish we found RHM when the twins were born so we could have started there. Our only regret is that since the school only goes through kindergarten age our now 7 year old children need to move on.
Thank you RHM for an amazing experience and for being such an important part of our family for the last 2 plus years. We will never forget you!
David and Jody Case.
Ben M.
Newport Beach, 2021
This school is amazing. My 4 year old daughter loves attended. The facility and staff are top notch. Pricing is competitive with anything else I found locally. I highly recommend!
Janet Z.
Lake Forest, 2021
Both of our kids grew up at Robin Hood and have now both graduated from the school. I still remember 7 years ago when we started
searching for a preschool for our first child. We have done much research online and visited several other facilities before we found Robin
Hood. The moment we walked into the classrooms, we were intrigued by the calming and neutral tone, shelves full of different activities, and
wicker baskets filled with books.
Today we look at our kids, they are so different yet they shared the same curiosity. Their curiosity sprung from being exposed to many areas of
knowledge and information. They talk about composers and their music. Our older boy would comment on the structure and tone while our
little girl likes to talk about how the music makes her feel. They talk about famous painters and their art. One would comment on the lighting
and focal point of a picture while the other likes to guess what the painter was feeling while working on it. They would both draw the solar
system. But one would focus on the accuracy of order, relative size and color, while the other want to make sure they are lined up and looked
neat and beautiful. I think this is the beauty of the Montessori method Robin Hood preserved so well. The kids are guided through many areas
of learning. The environment is structured, yet within that structured environment, the kids initiate much of the learning. They are free to
explore different aspects of a subject, and are encouraged to find their own answers. There are many different activities to choose from, while
training the same skill sets.
Being parents, we always wonder what we should instill in our kids when they are little. Robin Hood has been a great partner through our
journey. The teachers at the school showed our kids to respect others, to work hard, to stay curious and be passionate about life and the world
around them. With our little girl graduating this year, Robin Hood and its loving teachers will always have a special place in our heart. It is a safe
haven and a land full of great memories for our kids and our family.
Neda A.
Mission Viejo, 2020
Robin Hood Montessori school is the best! 6 years ago when I moved to California from Virginia with 2 little kids my biggest concern was to find the perfect place for my kids. My kids were going to my parents daycare in Virginia and that was making me very picky about my school choice. After of all research and visiting all the daycares and schools on the area Robin Hood Was my last stop and BEST choice. The minute I walked in the school on a tour day I knew I found what I was looking for. My son graduated from Robin Hood 2 years ago and my daughter will be in kindergarten this fall there. Robins Hood is a safe, clean fun environment with loving , caring and educated teachers. Mrs. Klymko and her team are like our second family and Robin Hood is our second home.
K. M.
Mission Viejo, 2020
Our family has been incredibly happy with the care and education that our almost 3 year old has received at Robin Hood. She loves going to school and loves telling us all about her day. We have noticed changes in her at home since starting at RHM -- she has become more organized with her toys and personal belongings and she seems more focused when we do crafts or activities at home. Our daughter is VERY spirited and energetic and the school seems to embrace that and give her an outlet for her excitement and passion.
When we initially toured the school, we were very impressed by the cleanliness and organization of the classrooms, as well as the knowledge and passion displayed by the director, Ramona. It seems like the environment and classroom materials are very well cared for and respected by both the children and the teachers. The teachers here are educated and professional, but they are also so nurturing and loving towards the children. It's truly a wonderful combination and we are so happy about our decision.
Thank you for everything!
Aria's family
Janet Lu
Mission Viejo, 2020
"Both of our kids grew up at Robin Hood and have now both graduated from the school. I still remember 7 years ago when we started searching for a preschool for our first child. We have done much research online and visited several other facilities before we found Robin Hood. The moment we walked into the classrooms, we were intrigued by the calming and neutral tone, shelves full of different activities, and wicker baskets filled with books.
Today we look at our kids, they are so different yet they shared the same curiosity. Their curiosity sprung from being exposed to many areas of knowledge and information. They talk about composers and their music. Our older boy would comment on the structure and tone while our little girl likes to talk about how the music makes her feel. They talk about famous painters and their art. One would comment on the lighting and focal point of a picture while the other likes to guess what the painter was feeling while working on it. They would both draw the solar system. But one would focus on the accuracy of order, relative size and color, while the other want to make sure they are lined up and looked neat and beautiful. I think this is the beauty of the Montessori method Robin Hood preserved so well. The kids are guided through many areas of learning. The environment is structured, yet within that structured environment, the kids initiate much of the learning. They are free to explore different aspects of a subject, and are encouraged to find their own answers. There are many different activities to choose from, while training the same skill sets.
Being parents, we always wonder what we should instill in our kids when they are little. Robin Hood has been a great partner through our journey. The teachers at the school showed our kids to respect others, to work hard, to stay curious and be passionate about life and the world around them. With our little girl graduating this year, Robin Hood and its loving teachers will always have a special place in our heart. It is a safe haven and a land full of great memories for our kids and our family.
Laura L.
Mission Viejo, 2019
I visited multiple schools in the area trying to find a "home" for my then one year old son & three year old daughter. The moment I walked into Robin Hood Montessori, I felt at ease. The cleanliness, professionalism & friendliness is something I noticed right away. Flash forward five and a half years and nothing has changed. They are always tidy, friendly, loving, and professional. This is a very personal decision for every parent to entrust someone with the care of our children and make it a "home" away from Home. Robin Hood Montessori has always had the best interest for my two children. They have absorbed so much in their short time here and I will very much miss the days at Robin Hood. I would highly recommend scheduling a visit when looking into school/daycare options.
Tyler W.
Mission Viejo, 2019
Such an amazing school, staff, family! Our kids have been able to excel here in ways they never would have been able to to other schools. I can't recommend this place enough. There is a reason there is a wait list!!! These teachers are like family to us.
Dustin and Lisa Larson
San Juan Capistrano, 2018
We couldn't be more grateful for the for experience our children had at Robinhood under the care of The Klymko's and the caring teaching staff. While discipline and structure guided their days, fun was infused to teach our children the right balance. Our kids graduated from Robinhood this past summer and started at their new school today and my husband I could not help but give thanks to Robinhood for being a pillar in their foundation. Thank you, Robinhood! So grateful! We miss you.
Atosa Kaviani
Irvine, 2018
I would give this place more stars if possible.
As a parent, I am a harsh critic of any school I tour and I usually avoid writing reviews. But I feel like I should share the great feeling I got from this place. Unfortunately, I find nowadays it is very difficult to find people who truly care for others and not for their money. This is a rare gem and so I felt they should be appreciated.
I took a tour of this school after I had been to about 10 other Montessori and non-Montessori schools in OC. I was very impressed with how different this place was compared to the other schools. While in other places the tour would take 10 minutes maximum and I had to deal with cold-mannered directors, in this place Ramona, the director took about 1hr to go over her school philosophy and make sure it matched what I was looking for. She was very warm and well-mannered, and very knowledgeable. The place was SUPER clean, and still she said it is not clean enough for her. All staff were very friendly. Everything was neat and tidy.
Apart from the cleanliness of the place, this school felt more like a HOME to me than any of the other schools I have been to; they all felt like a business to me. I truly admired the level of care Ramona showed talking about children and what she wants to teach them and how she does that. It showed her true love for the children, something I did not notice in any of the other schools. It seemed to me that this was not a business to her, but as she put it herself " it was her child".
Even though I live in Irvine and my son is very difficult in a car seat, I was willing to take my son there b/c I knew I would have peace of mind that he is being cared for by people that truly want to be there and truly care for my kid. Unfortunately, because of how amazing this place is, there was no immediate spots for my child and I am not able to take him to this amazing school. I wish I had placed him on the waiting list earlier.
Now I will have a difficult job finding a place for my son, because now I have seen the most perfect place and finding a place to match will be impossible, anywhere will be a downgrade to this place.
Setara Guajardo
Mission Viejo, 2017
The day Robin Hood had an opening for my daughter to be enrolled into the sunshine room, was the day my family experienced the biggest blessing! Unfortunately prior to the opening at Robin Hood, we had two horrible in-home daycare experiences after we thought we had vetted the caregiver to the best of our ability. For months, we picked up our daughter from the in-home daycare where she had been crying all day. It was awful.
Today, I tell my family and friends that my 20 month old daughter thinks Robin Hood is her family, and we are just her caregivers. My daughter looks forward to going to Robin Hood every single day- I watch her run to the door and greet her teachers with a hug. We pick her up, and she is all smiles- happy and healthy. Now let me dive into her development since she has attended Robin Hood (she started in August 2016). She has interest in animals, books and drawings. She does not need tablets, phones and screen time to be entertained, rather she loves her books and animal figures. She is social, polite and loving- these are all attributes she has developed at Robin Hood.
My husband and I are constantly complimented on how well mannered she is for a toddler and we always respond with, "We can't take the credit, she attends an amazing Montessori." The toddlers at Robin Hood are more well mannered than adults I come across in public places- it's pretty impressive!
The Staff is absolutely amazing- hands down, the most loving, kind, patient Teachers I have witnessed. They will wave hello to you even if they are in far distance and every teacher knows your name even if your child is not in their classroom. We are so proud to say Robin Hood is our family, it is truly a privilege and honor to have our daughter attend a school with such great, respectful and academically/socially well rounded environment. We never have to question the safety or well being of my child there, we have never been at such ease. Thank you Robin Hood, for taking such good care of our loved ones! I wish I could rate this review more than 5 stars, we are SO lucky to have our daughter in your school!
Nicole Nelsen
Ladera Ranch, 2016
Best learning environment for our two boys to find themselves and explore the world around them. Robin Hood has become our home away from home quite literally, because we consistently relocate across the country with my job. The staff provides patient, attentive concern to each individual child to find their moments of brilliance as they discover their strengths. We are relocating again away from Robin Hood, and our saddest moment on this move will be saying goodbye to the school where our sons grew to become the individuals they are today. If you are looking for care and love within an environment that has been meticulously planned and executed, Robin Hood is the only place you need visit. Ramona and Mariam have become family to us, and we will never lose touch as we continue to explore the US on our journeys.
Heather Fabregas
Aliso Viejo, 2017
Robin Hood Montessori is our safe haven. Balancing a family and a career is challenging, but knowing that your children are good hands, excited to go to school, talk about their friends and teachers at home and want to return to school as soon as you pick them up...You know you found their home away from home. It makes the balance easy. The classroom setups are precious and organized. The cleanliness is outstanding. The daily routine is remarkable.
As a first time parent searching for childcare, how do you know you found the right place? One, Mrs. Klymko sent pictures of our six month old son throughout the first day (which puts any worries to rest) and two, upon pick up your child is excited to see you, hugs you, and then turns around with their arms out reaching for their teacher. You know that is trust and comfort. We cannot wait for our second child to begin her journey at RHM.
Jeanne Burnett
Laguna Hills, 2016
Today my second son graduated from RHM's kindergarten. We've been with the school for 6 years, since my eldest was 2, and the school has been good to us. We've met great friends and teachers there. They've taught my boys to be loving and kind, to be confident and respectful, and the academics can't be beat. My oldest has just tested into the GATE program at his elementary school and I am sure that it is due in part to the nurturing environment and the love of learning that they have given both my children. It's a tiny school that doesn't cater to the lowest common denominator. Expect your child to be pushed to do and be his best at all times. It might not be a good fit for everyone but I believe it was a good fit for us. Both my kids did well and I have confidence that they will continue to excel socially and academically. I truly believe in the Montessori way of teaching and RHM stays true to Maria Montessori's values and ideals.
Xinxi Tao
Ladera Ranch, 2015
I have to give this school 5 stars! :)
My son was graduated from the excellent Kindergarten program, and his learning ability and good habit gained from Robin Hood Montessori made him the best student at his new school.
Maybe to some of the parents, this school looks like has its own rule - but I should say, the careful teachers there are 100% dedicated, and it is a lovely place.
I still have my daughter there, and I suggest visit and judge by yourself - you may like or dislike it, but to me, it is the one I am looking for.
Teri Ramirez
Ladera Ranch, 2014
This school is absolutely wonderful. I have been sending my daughter there since she was five and a half months old and she actually doesn't want to go home at the end of the day. The staff sees all of the children as their own and would do anything for each one of them. The school is spotless and well maintained. Each year, the staff works tirelessly to flip out the curriculum and make everything new for the children. The owners have literally put their lives into this school and would do anything for you (including calling your child on the weekend to praise them for something they did well in school). They have set the bar high and maintained a true Montessori format. The state is ABSOLUTELY NEVER in there unless it is for a regular annual inspection. There are no marks against them, and they are very careful about who may come into the school unannounced (wouldn't you be if you were in charge of 51 children under six?!?!?!?). When I was pregnant my husband and I looked at several schools and Robin Hood was by far our first choice. Students who graduate from Robin Hood start first grade well ahead of their peers. I'm a teacher so I know what I'm talking about!
Cristian Ciobanu
Ladera Ranch, 2015
This place is amazing, Wonderful, careful teachers and the owners are 100% dedicated. I have both my sons attending this school and never had any problems. I suggest paying them a visit and judge for your self as this is not a product or service you buy by review. Note that they have a quite long waiting list so you might want to allow sufficient time for your registration.
Elena Vasilescu
Aliso Viejo, 2015
Highly recommended!! This is not the standard “cookie cutter” school!
I came across Robin Hood Montessori 6 ½ years ago after carefully touring and interviewing most daycare centers and preschools between Irvine and Mission Viejo for my oldest son who was 7 months at the time. This school stood out from the bunch as one of a kind and it was definitely love at first sight! None of the other schools my husband and I looked at came even close in academics, cleanliness, dedication and one-on-one personalized attention as this school did. In addition, this school encourages healthy nutrition and teaches the children about healthy eating habits. Our children eat only organic food that they bring from home and the staff always was very supportive and respectful of this.
The teachers are firm but loving, with great attention to detail for all aspects of life. This guided our son to discover respect, honesty, independence, leadership, neatness and compassion, just to name a few... Their program is very carefully designed to satisfy children’s natural tendency to imitate, become independent, self-confident while persevering and solving problems. Usually the children who graduate from this school are well ahead of their peers when they start 1st grade. Ramona, the owner of the school, has always proved to be a great partner for us, as parents, that listened and guided us through any rough patches. During our oldest son kindergarten year, she helped us choose a new school that continued the academic foundation he got so far in a similar manner, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
Our youngest son just turned 2, and will be starting there beginning with January. Throughout the 2nd half of this year, Ramona and the staff were very kind and loving in helping us with occasional child care for him and slowly help him transition into the school program with the least emotional distress possible. This school is an absolutely wonderful place to learn and grow!!
Sabrina Grioni
Ladera Ranch, 2016
My oldest daughter started at Robin Hood 3 years ago and is now in kindergarten. I was 7 months pregnant with my second child and had just moved to Mission Viejo from New York when I first visited the school. Ramona immediately made me feel at home. My second daughter started 1 year ago and I could not be happier. Both of my children have flourished and grown tremendously. I have not only found a great school for my children but also found a lifelong friendship with Ramona and Friedhelm. If you are wanting a school that is clean, structured and committed to your child's well being then this is the place for you. They are very passionate about their jobs and go above and beyond to make sure my children are having a great educational experience. My children never want to miss school and are always looking forward to going to school.
Jason Boss
Ladera Ranch, 2016
My wife and I have been sending our now 2 1/2 year-old son to RHM since he was 9 months old and it is one of the best decisions we ever made. We initially chose RHM because of the developmental programs and mentoring (children mentoring other children) system it implements, and because of the multiple cameras throughout the school that put our mind at ease. However, we've come to see RHM for much more than that. It is our second home and the owners Ramona and Friedhelm, and the many teachers are family to us. When my son was hospitalized in October, they were there the first day he could take visitors and my son's face lit up when he saw them and his teacher that came to visit. Even after being released, they welcomed him and his mom back so that he could be implemented back in slowly while at the same time continue to feel at home with his friends and teachers.
Our son's development, not only mentally but socially, physically, and emotionally, has grown leaps and bounds and when he is around children not from RHM that are his same age, we see a notable difference. At 2 1/2 years old, he already knows his ABCs, to count in both English and Spanish, and why certain things are done the way they are. We recently attended the school's habitual open house. We watched as our son was excited to show us what he has learned and why certain things go together the way they do. His excitement and love for learning is a credit to RHM and its staff. We love RHM and wouldn't have him go to school anywhere else. I used the word "school" because that is what this is. This is not a daycare or a typical preschool where the kids are managed and watched. They develop real-life skills and learning that will be with them for the rest of their lives. But even more, we as parents have learned so much from our son's learning and from the people at RHM, who are never afraid to offer advise, recommendations, or even analysis of things to do at home; all of which reinforce what he learns every day. If you are considering sending your child to any school, RHM is it. You and your child will be so blessed if you do.
Dovile Castillo
Aliso Viejo, 2015
My baby boy (now almost 7y) and baby girl 4y started here at 2y. Like all new parents I was very nervous to leave my firstborn with anybody. So finding the school I liked and trusted was a key. But no matter how much you read, it has to FEEL right, and Robin Hood Montessori did. Although it was the furthest school from us that I looked into, now that I know, I would drive even further for it. You probably read all the other positive reviews about it and it's all true. All of us RHM parents talk about how wonderful our kids are turning out and what great care they get. It's a very warm and cozy environment. All families are great friends, and it’s such a melting pot! Individuality, tradition, different languages and customs are very encouraged. My kids come home speaking all kinds of languages! They all share and talk about where everyone is from.
Healthy meals and nutrition are also a big deal at RHM. We pack kids lunches, but parents and kids are encouraged to choose healthier options. If your child has a different diet, the teachers are very good at helping with that, I speak from experience.
Security is a high priority here. You can't just walk in and out. There's a whole procedure, but it's easy to get used to and it's there for a reason. That's why I wasn't surprised to see the review by some lady trying to force her way into the school and being denied the access. It's a small family school and teachers are busy teaching our kids. There's no time to attend to strange people. And also might not be safe for our kids. Everybody had to make an appointment to see the school, it's just common sense. Mrs.Klymko is a woman with a big heart for anyone, but she is a lioness when at school protecting her cubs. And thank goodness for that!
Mrs.Klymko is the principal as well as the teacher. And she is wonderful! She is sort of a kid whisperer :) I could write stories about her. I don't know how she does it! She tells me such details about my kids, how my daughter eats her rice and pats it with the fork, how she needs a hug and attention, just for her, when she first steps into school. For a nervous mom like me it was very comforting. You can be sure there's always a pair of eyes on your child at this place. They take their job seriously here.
The crown jewel of this place, in my opinion, is the education. If you’re looking for a day care, where kids run wild screaming, it's not a place for you. It's not a day care, it's a school. Even the little ones begin to learn and respect "the work". It's a structured environment. There's time to learn and time to play (kids do get to play outside quite a bit at their big tree shaded playground). Kids learn to respect others and their work. When it's time to work everyone is quiet out of respect. Even teachers whisper, so not to disturb the concentration. Within the structure, a big freedom is encouraged. Kids are in encouraged to pick their own work. Nothing is forced onto them. And there's a ton of options and things to explore. Kids learn by example. Smaller ones watch bigger ones, bigger kids teach the little ones. It's truly amazing to see. What Mrs.Klymko created is really wonderful and rare. I never seen kids working like that. They are still funny and silly kids, but they are somehow grown up when it comes to certain things. They have a lot of respect and confidence. A big sense of pride is instilled about their work and who they are. Kids finish the kindergarten here at 1st or 2nd grade level. I'm always surprised at how much they learn. And it's not a fleeting knowledge. They really, truly learn. Due to Montessori method and Mrs. Klymko's method. I saw Montessori methods done badly. RHM is an example of an excellent implementation of Montessori methods. It's also amplified by Mrs. K special touch :)
Also administration is run without a hitch by Mr. Klymko, aka Mister, who the kids just love!
It’s a school, where your child's wellbeing and education are taken very seriously. I'm happy I chose Robin Hood Montessori for my babies.
Irina Gabor-Ciobanu
Ladera Ranch, 2015
My children have been enrolled at Robin Hood Montessori for over 2 years and I wanted to share our experience with all families that are looking for a great school to start educating their children..
I strongly recommend everyone to go take the tour of RHM.. After we checked out a kindergarten and we were sickened by the amount of dust there was in the carpet and how many (very used and old) toys were laying on the floor, I met a mommy in the park, who recommended us to go see RHM.. I still remember the first day when we went there, we were mesmerized by the sparkling clean facility, where all the tiny things were in a perfect order.. Then we got to meet Mrs. Klymko, and with her warm smile and sweet kindness, she went straight to our hearts.. We immediately knew we found our extended family over there and we could rest assured that our children are loved and given the best care and education.
I think that at this young age, children need to be closely kept under observation and loved and encouraged to discover their abilities.. These years will define their personality later on and we couldn't be more grateful to all the teachers at RHM for all their hard work and patience to always be there for them.. I look at the graduates from the past couple of years and all of them, with no exception, they are confident, very smart, polite and loving ( they always shake hands and give the teachers a hug before they leave for the day :)
I have friends who are saying that at their school, children who are being pushed, yelled or who knows what else, are left alone to handle their problem on their own... Then we wonder why they end up bullying and being mean to each other or not well mannered?!
Of course the child who bit needed to be let go if he didn't understand that it is not okay to have that type of behavior.. I would definitely not want to see that my boys are learning to express their feelings in that way.. Or the intruding lady who rushed in and disrupted the classroom activities.. Of course she had to be asked to leave immediately.. We really don't want to put our children's safety at any risk, do we?! We will go and thank the director for the immediate actions they took in these isolated cases. :)
I honestly wish there were more teachers like Mrs. Klymko or Mrs. Mirnezam!! Their dedicated work and unconditional love are inspiring to all of us and we are beyond grateful for the tremendous care and excellent education they are providing to our children every day. I truly believe that they are helping us raise better people!
With love and gratitude,
The Ciobanu Family :)