CareCompass
At a Glance
Trust Score
Based on comprehensive analysis of reviews, safety records, and operations.
About Austin Montessori Sunset
Austin Montessori School Sunset Trail
Founded in 1967, Austin Montessori School is a long-standing institution in South Austin, operating across multiple campuses including the Sunset Trail location. The program is deeply rooted in the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) pedagogy, emphasizing child-led exploration in meticulously prepared environments. The school serves a wide range of ages, from toddlers through middle school, fostering a community that values self-discipline and respect for the natural world. The Sunset Trail campus offers a variety of scheduling options, including part-time and full-day care, as well as after-school programs. The facility is designed to encourage movement and independence, featuring warm, light-filled classrooms and dedicated outdoor spaces for play and discovery. Administrative leadership is centered at this location, managing a large staff dedicated to the historical application of the Montessori method.
What Parents Say
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Web Report
Aggregated insights from public records & parent discussions
Safety Record
Austin Montessori School is the subject of a pending lawsuit in Travis County (Cause No. D-1-GN-25-002212, filed March 2025) alleging negligence, fraud, and ADA violations following student expulsions. Recent parent complaints in late 2024 and 2025 claim the school intentionally withheld student testing information regarding dyslexia and special education needs. Some parents have reported a large exodus of families due to ethical concerns regarding current leadership.
Parent Reputation
The school has a divided reputation; long-term families describe a life-changing, supportive community, while recent reviews (2024-2025) on Reddit and parent forums are highly critical. Critics cite a lack of academic support for reading and phonetics, a 'judgmental' 200-page parent handbook, and poor communication from administration. Positive reviews emphasize the school's historical success with the AMI Montessori method and its ability to foster independence.
Staff Insights
The school employs approximately 70 staff members, but recent independent feedback mentions low staff support and unreasonable student-teacher ratios. While the school's website describes its leadership as supportive and collaborative, parent reports suggest that staff communications are frequently hampered by administrators. Niche reports a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, though classroom configurations vary.
Quick Information
Varies by age and schedule
