CareCompass
Lake Hills Montessori
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About Lake Hills Montessori
Lake Hills Montessori Private Austin Preschool
Established in 1999, Lake Hills Montessori serves the Westlake and Lakeway areas with a traditional curriculum rooted in grace, courtesy, and respect. The program is designed as a 'House of Children' where multi-age classrooms encourage older students to guide their younger peers. The school emphasizes 'Learning = Play,' allowing children to master subjects at their own pace using purposeful materials. The facility is distinguished by its extensive outdoor learning environment, which includes an organic vegetable garden, a faerie garden, and nature areas. Children spend significant time outdoors daily, integrating environmental discovery into their academic routine. The program also includes Spanish language exposure, supporting bilingual development alongside core Montessori work in a calm, organized atmosphere.
What Parents Say
5 reviews from parents
Our kids just finished up the year here and absolutely LOVED it. Shannon is such an organized school leader. Our kids were in classes with Ms. Tiana and Ms. Maria. We saw so much growth in their Spanish, independence, reading skills. The afternoon teachers Ms Fran and Ms Hope kept the kids busy and energized in the afternoon. The classes are small and focused. It is one of the calmest preschools we have ever toured. Parents are really engaged. We truly wish this school was closer to us but cannot say enough good things about the leadership and teachers!
My daughter attended lake hills from age 2.5 to age 5. Every teacher there gave her support, love, and understanding but also structure. She had the same teacher the whole time in the under 3 classroom and the same teacher when she moved into the 3-6-year-old classroom. She is now going to elementary school but still wants to visit her teacher on the weekends. We had a wonderful experience and I would recommend to anyone.
5 stars for the actual curriculum and my children’s experience. The Montessori curriculum is fantastic. The facilities are sweet and engaging. The families are diverse and intelligent. However, I am giving 4 stars because the turnover rate for the teachers and staff was outrageous. The common denominator for these departures was the owner. I hope she’s become more generous or that there is a new owner.
We LOVE Lake Hills Montessori! My five year old has been attending LHM since Fall 2017 and has had a great experience. We've noticed a very positive change in her attitude about school, her confidence and independence, and her happiness. She even asks to go to school on the weekends! The teachers are extremely knowledgeable, kind, and open to working with us on anything that we need. The school is clean, organized, and well run. The entrance and playground are AMAZING, with a faerie garden, play houses, swings, vegetable garden, trees for shade and more. It's just beautiful! We love all of the after school events that make LHM not just a school, but a wonderful community. Delete review
Unfortunately, the Westlake & Lakeway area is very limited with Montessori and full-time childcare options. LHMS boasts a great facility and a well-trained staff. The children are mostly happy and that is top priority. Most of the parents have grown increasingly frustrated with the school - particularly the administration staff and owner. The classroom size continues to grow and the quality of education is suffering as a result. 27 children to one lead and an assistant is far more than what any parent signs up for. Lake Hills Montessori would not be my first choice for preschool but, given our family's needs and preference for Montessori, it fits the bill. We will not be returning next year.
Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
In April 2024, state inspections identified one medium-high risk deficiency. Historically, a 2017 lawsuit involved a former director who alleged she was terminated for reporting suspected child abuse to the state; while the school was cleared of abuse allegations, it was cited by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for failing to self-report the incident. No other major safety incidents or news mentions were identified.
Parent Reputation
Overall reputation among parents is positive, with reviews frequently praising the caring teachers, the focus on independence, and the high-quality outdoor facilities like the organic garden. Some community discussions on platforms like Reddit reference the 2017 legal dispute with the owner, though recent feedback remains largely favorable. Common themes include appreciation for the nurturing Montessori environment and the school's preparation for elementary education.
Staff Insights
Employee experiences are notably marked by a 2017 wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former director against the school's founder regarding whistleblower retaliation. Parent reviews consistently describe the current teaching staff as patient, loving, and dedicated to the Montessori method. Specific recent ratings on Glassdoor or Indeed were not found to verify current internal employee sentiment.
Quick Information
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