About a year ago Roots and Wings Montessori school in El Sobrante was recommended and I want to note that they are now closed. After some research I had decided that their program was going to work well for my two-year-old, but then found out that they were no-more. I thought I might share that I 'discovered' that their former site in San Pablo (where they were before moving to El Sob) has been taken over by Bayside Early Learning Center ...

I just thought people might want the website address for the school. rwms.org

And actually the ''and'' in the name should read Roots & Wings Montessori School (sorry, I'm a bit picky about details).

Our two children have been with the school since they were four years old. They are now in the elmentary class and enjoying the learning experience. This is the only school that we have trouble extracting our kids from at the end of the day - they would rather stay at school than come home.

We've really enjoyed the cooperative aspect of the school. The parent involvement is exceptional and it shows. The children really feel connected to their school. The teachers do a very good job of using what ''works'' for the children rather than taking a dogmatic approach. Bob

Re: Culturally Diverse Montessori School
Hi....... Have you come across Roots & Wings Montessori School yet? It is located in El Sobrante/Richmond on San Pablo Dam Road.....a 5 minute drive off of hwy 80's San Pablo Dam Rd exit. It is highly culturally diverse.......both in the student population and the faculty population. It is very inexpensive because it is a cooperative.........for a 3 hour a day/5 day a week preschool class it is under $300 if you elect to ''co-op'' and under $400 if you elect not to. I believe they are having an open house on the 15th of January, but I'm sure you can get a tour earlier if you call. I believe their number is 243-6721. Feel free to email me directly if you have other questions. ----lucia

About a year ago Roots and Wings Montessori school in El Sobrante was recommended and I want to note that they are now closed. After some research I had decided that their program was going to work well for my two-year-old, but then found out that they were no-more. I thought I might share that I 'discovered' that their former site in San Pablo (where they were before moving to El Sob) has been taken over by Bayside Early Learning Center (510-724-8858) which is also a parent participation Montessori preschool. It's a morning program, Monday thru Thursday, and because it is still new, they have openings. My daughter goes two mornings/ week and really enjoys it. She especially loves the practical life materials and the freedom of choice that's offered. She responds well to the structure of having several groups with singing, movement and presentation of 'works.' I enjoy watching her develop friendships and have fun; I also like that it is truly multi-cultural, and I can't help but notice that she's learning cool stuff like sign language... The head-teacher, Tina Campbell, worked at R & W for five years, but she has been involved since enrolling her son 12 years ago. Parent

Roots and Wings Montessori School was previously in Pinole and has now moved to El Sobrante. It has taken over the site of East Bay Montessori School, which closed at the end on the last school year. The phone number for Roots and Wings is 510-243-6721.

Our 4-year old son has been attending preschool at Roots and Wings Montessori School since September and is very happy there. He loves his teachers. I am not a Montessori expert but the child-driven approach seems to work well with him and I can say that he is extremely enthusiastic about learning, especially anything with numbers. He is learning at a far quicker pace that I would have expected. Kids are also given "fun" time as well. It is a co-op school and my wife participates in classroom activities one morning a week and occasionally attends meetings in the evening. The benefit of this, aside from us feeling more a part of the school, is that tuition is much lower than all of the other schools in the area that we visited prior to enrolling him here. Greg

October 2002

August 2002

East Bay Montessori sold to a cooperative called Roots and Wings. I believe they are pre-school thru 3rd grade and are planning to expand to the 6th grade. They are making the transition over this summer. I'm interested, too, in knowing if anyone has comments on Roots and Wings...... ---lucia