Worst school I’ve been to I have gone to four different schools and high desert has got to be the worst I had switched to that school halfway through my 1st year grade year the teacher wouldn’t let us go to the bathroom and they had put me in a class where the person wasn’t able to teach in my 2nd to 3rd grade year the teacher wouldn’t do anything about bullying as I had been picked on for talking to 2nd graders or just being different I had done school/homework and when I turned it in got a missing for that assignment with me knowing full well I had done the work same thing happened through out the rest of my time there they didn’t do anything about the display if pda which was more like a couple grinding on each other they didn’t teach properly and yeah hands down not the best school I’ve gone to

HDMS has been a great fit for our family, and we are so grateful to be members of the community. We recently relocated to Reno from a larger city where our daughter attended a Montessori program and the transition was rather seamless. We love that the HDMS Montessori program is a charter school, available to all families across Reno. Our daughter is enrolled in the Primary program and her teachers are everything we couldve hoped for-- caring, respectful, communicative, and well-educated in the Montessori pedagogy and approach. Our daughter adores them, and we deeply appreciate the positive learning environment they create for her. Beyond the amazing teachers and curriculum, we have been so impressed with the schools leadership and administrative staff-- everyone at HDMS truly cares for the children and their families (especially during this tumultuous pandemic, which theyve handled very well). The principal and executive director issue thoughtful perspectives and updates weekly via the schools newsletter which also includes updates from all grades/programs, keeping families well-informed and feeling like a part of a bigger community and mission. On top of all of that, the lunch program offers freshly prepared hot lunches made with wholesome ingredients. All said, we look forward to the years ahead at HDMS!

Our kids have been attending HDMS’s primary program for 2 years and we absolutely love it! The teachers have been amazing, and wonderful Montessori learning is taking place. My son has fallen in love with math and because of the philosophy about independence and learning at your own pace he has been able to go so far (compared to what is typically taught in kindergarten) and has really started gaining a love for learning. My kids have also learned more kindness, patience and peaceful Interactions from this school. Plus, it’s a charter school so we are extremely thankful to have free, quality Montessori education through middle school!

My kids have gone there for 8 years, great school, and well managed during this trying time.

This is not a school, it’s simply a babysitter. This school is way below average on the record in every single subject. Student attended kindergarten there last year and isn’t ready for first grade. What a waisted year. My granddaughter has to repeat kindergarten. Luckily she is in a school that caught it in the first couple of weeks.

One of the best public charter schools in Reno. Highly recommended.

I love this school, but its not for everyone. My daughter goes here, and as a teacher myself I appreciate the emphasis on community, peace education, the organic school lunch program, and the child-led pedagogy. My daughters teacher has been absolutely amazing, and the admin is generally responsive and supportive. My daughter is gifted, and the school has met her needs so far through a differentiated and advanced curriculum. If you are a parent who values high standardized test scores lots of homework, and extrinsic motivators then this school is NOT for you. If you want your child to have a peaceful, progressive, and child-centered education, then this may be the right school for your family.My only complaint is about the Before/After Care program...its not always properly supervised and they need to provide more structured activities and care.

Best school in reno/sparks

I was hit in the head with a card by a wannabe card thrower and so was a teacher. Do not come to this school the food is not fresh. Plus a kid had an orange thrown at them.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL!My step-daughter went to this school for 5 years, and I can say it was the absolute worst thing we could have done. They do not teach properly and kids are not ready to move on to ANY other school. Most of the teachers there are disrespectful to the parents. My ex wife hates this school more than she hates me, and thats saying something. If you value you childs education, do not send them to this school.

Most of the 1 stars are because of the students, but so far its a good school.

Excellent, highly academic, peaceful and is like private school but FREE!!

We have been part of the Montessori community off and on from Kinder to now going into 8th grade in different states. It is just that a community that teaches the whole child, pouring over into home life. As a Lower El family we had to be fully involved with the school and home projects. I loved the dynamics of the Lower El. I was hesitant coming back into 7th grade after being in brick and mortar school for so long, but I have a student who does not follow along well while working out of structured books. He does better when he has to formulate his own inquiries about a subject. So we gave it a try and love it. He not only did well with the school year, but he learned skills on how to learn, focus, and stay on task. These are things that are not taught in other types of schools because the kids are spoon fed information and required to learn by memory. I recommend Montessori for any parent who knows that their child can not learn in that way.

Beware of the bullying in Upper El. At first I was excited to have my 4th grader in a class with older kids as I naively thought it would be a good exposure to mentoring and a chance at leadership my child grew up in the class. But sadly the reality is the 6th graders in the class take advantage of the younger kids and bully them. I tried working with the school but after a time the staff seemed to give up on the situation. I really think the school was hoping we would just move on, and that is what we ultimately did. I had to start homeschooling as a result of removing my child mid year, but I am now so glad that happened. My child had no study skills and had had virtually learned no spelling. From what I can tell, HDMS strives to replicate the Montessori model but falls short. My students 3 hour uninterrupted morning work period, designed to preserve concentration was constantly disrupted by the chaos of the large class. I think its just the same story at this school as elsewhere in WCSD, which is it is an overcrowded school. We were sorry it did not work out, Lower El was quite a beautiful little school. Whole different animal across the street.

Had a terrible experience. They transferred my child into a classroom with a very unexperienced teacher. She was unable to handle any challenges. When I contacted the principals to change the classroom, they never got back to me. After all the money I spent, my child learned nothing and I had to find a new school.

My kids have gone to school here for 8 years and I could not have asked for a better education for my children. From the teaching staff to the administration everyone cares for my kids it really is a community experience.

My son no learn well. he read bad and no techer help. we move here dos year ago and he still not smart.thank, have good day

Awful school

Didnt work for us at all

Helpful staff

Kiss