Why do parents choose ELM as the first choice among schools to begin their child's educational journey?

"I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all the effort that you and your staff put in to the learning environment at ELM. I have been impressed with the learning theories you apply in the classroom and believe that there is no other school in the area that comes close to what you do. I have enjoyed watching my son change under your tutelage, and he has loved going to school at ELM."
- Anne V.

"While many schools strictly follow or revolve around one type of curriculum, it seems to me that ELM encompasses a variety of teaching/learning methods to provide a well-rounded and complete program to their students. ELM keeps its programs updated with the latest research on educational applications of the executive function theory while also relying on some traditional Montessori-based theories."
- Elsie G.

"We chose ELM for our son largely because of the smaller class size and the security. The newness and the care taken of the educational tools and the classrooms also spoke a lot about the values that would be passed on to the class. We appreciated the education and continuing research that the director and the teacher's participate in and liked the calm atmosphere. The teachers are very welcoming and kind with the children as they are learning to separate from their parents."
- Stefanie S.

"The teachers are not only credentialed in various fields of study and reliable, but they are kind and make the children feel comfortable."
- Kelly R.

"First and foremost, the staff! I was thrilled with the diverse knowledge and experience in each of the teachers. My son's teachers have reached out and supported my family in ways that I cannot repay. Their compassion and willingness to team together to give my son exactly what he needs is a true blessing. In addition to the staff, the program at ELM is brilliant. I cannot say it any better than to state that this school just gets it. Some of the things that impressed us the most were the inclusion of sensory integration into the daily routine and the focus and commitment to teaching social skills. My husband and I do not take our sons early life experiences for granted. We wanted a school that was committed to helping him with his challenges and encouraging him to excel in his strengths. That is exactly what we found at ELM."
- Tiaya B.

"The teachers are completely devoted to your child and in helping him/her to succeed. They ask you for your goals for your child and also make goals of their own, which proves to me that they pay attention to your child's needs and are invested in him/her attaining the most from their ELM experience. They keep updated on the latest research on the brain to ensure that your child has the opportunity to reach their maximum potential and they strive to help you understand that information and how it can relate to your child. But, even above that, I feel that the staff of ELM truly love my children and are committed to them. And my children love the staff in return."
- Tyana S.

"ELM offers a holistic approach to learning and focuses on all areas of a child's development. Children learn in an academic sense; as well as developing their motor skills, social skills, and life/behavioral skills (e.g., listening, sharing, respect for others) and have ample opportunity for artistic and music expression. The strong understanding in the latest brain and childhood development research enables ELM to incorporate innovative leading edge techniques; such as finger gymnastics to prepare for writing skills, and cross crawls to exercise both hemispheres of the brain."
- Helen G.

"The caring environment helps children develop positive associations with school."
- Laura B.

What have you noticed in your child that is different since coming to ELM that directly relates to their experience at school?

"My sons are triplets and share a language of their own, otherwise known as "twin talk". Prior to attending ELM, they were not as articulate in regards to phrases and sentences as other children their age, despite their extensive vocabulary. Within less than two months, my husband and I noticed their increased ability to verbally express themselves with longer strings of words. My boys also role-play so much more now than before, which is such an adorable sight."
- Elsie G.

"My son has gained considerable confidence with himself around his peers and teachers during the first four months of his preschool experience at Early Learning Matters. He is a very visual learner and likes to "watch for a while" before he will typically participate in a group setting. The staff at ELM worked slowly with him to help him feel comfortable. He is extremely excited about everything he is learning at preschool...singing songs, practicing his letters, learning "sight" words and art."
- Stephanie G.

"When our daughter first started last year at ELM as a four year old, she was very shy, timid and afraid to express herself. Within the first few months we noticed a wonderful change in her confidence level and her love for learning. As the year progressed, she developed many important skills (both academic and social) we didn't expect for her age- and were thrilled with her progress. Now in her second year at ELM, we are excited to see even more advancement and growth before she enters Kindergarten this fall."
- Jodi P.

"My son has more confidence. I can see him maturing and understanding more. My daughter is learning to write and to read."
- Tyana S.

"Our son has become more outgoing with other children in a variety of settings."
- Stefanie S.

"She now tells stories about her drawings. I feel this started with the teachers engaging with the children and asking them to talk about their art. Our daughter loves the yoga classes at school and likes to show us the yoga positions she learned. She has greatly improved in focus and listening skills."
- Jodi C.

"My daughter seems to have a calmer pace and in a way, designs her own routine/daily structure while at home. She is very clear about time for coloring, time for princess play, time for reading, time for clean-up, etc. This has benefited everyone in our household and we are finding that our time together is more joyous and interesting than before she started school. Prior to her enrollment at ELM, we spent much more time on boundaries, redirection and discipline."
- Kelly R.

"My son is now better at working with and sharing with other children. The use of "sight words" made my son enthusiastic about reading on his own, which he is now starting to do."
- Laura B.

"Confidence! He enjoys going to school! This was so huge for us since the first school experience for him did not go well. At ELM he has made friends and he knows how much the teachers care about him. He is so proud to show us his work and loves to hang them on the refrigerator at home!"
- Tiaya B.

What are some of the benefits of ELM over other schools in the area?

"ELM truly provides learning opportunities for the whole child by including music and movement to the academic curriculum. They re-enact some of what they learn at school at home, and one day they exercised some yoga poses. I thought to myself, "Wow, I didn't even begin to try yoga until I was in my 20's, and I hardly even do it now. I'm impressed!"
- Elsie D.

"I have valued, and appreciated, the observations of the ELM teachers in assessing my son's development progress and in identifying areas for me to work together with him at home to reinforce what he is learning at school."
- Helen G.

"The excellent teaching staff. Child-centered teaching helps your child learn in the best way for their particular learning style."
- Stephanie G.

"There is more one on one attention and goal setting. There is more of a family atmosphere in smaller class sizes and open communication between teachers and parents. The staff is knowledgeable on the kids' ability to assimilate information and the different stages that children can be in. They understand the importance of play and exploration and attempt to stimulate your child's senses and brain. They aren't just focused on the short-term assimilation of knowledge but on opening the gates to greater understanding and learning that will take your child through the rest of their lives in both work and play."
- Tyana S.

"The smaller class size, the attention to class dynamics and willingness to change course, if necessary, the security, the sincere interest in learning."
- Stefanie S.

"We were very interested in finding a brain-based learning program for our son. After meeting with the staff at ELM, we were pleased with their different approaches and personalities-and even more thrilled to find that they had experience supporting children in reaching social goals (as well as working with restricted diets). We were so convinced this was the right school for our son that we moved across the country to enroll him here! He's now thriving-instead of being bullied and ostracized, he's greeted by name with joy by his friends, he's working on academic goals, and he loves school. It's truly a great experience for us all."
- Jennifer L.

"Teacher to student ratio is much better here than other schools I researched. I also appreciate the inclusion of parent participation. Another big plus for us is the amount of music and movement used within the structure of the class. We come from music, dance, and overall theatrical backgrounds."
- Kelly R.

"We feel the most important benefit of ELM is that the Director, Miss Kandy, is passionate about her program she created. Her program reflects creativity and uniqueness you won't find elsewhere. She has an impressive educational background with much emphasis on the importance of brain-based learning. Kandy, along with her amazing staff, have been very much in tune with our child's developmental needs and has been more than willing to always offer professional suggestions, learning materials, and program options to help us create a positive educational future for our daughter."
- Jodi P.

"The staff and the program itself!! In addition, the therapeutic services offered through ELM are incredible! My son loves the listening program and we are very excited to start Interactive Metronome. It is really hard to put into words how it feels as a parent to have all of this wrapped up in one school. Once we found ELM we let out a huge sigh of relief."
- Tiaya B.

"ELM is constantly seeking to improve its programs and brings together the best approaches from Montessori and Reggio Emilio, as well as other leading programs both locally and internationally. Having children of mixed ages in the same classroom enriches the educational experience, exposing younger children to what they have to look forward to as they get a little older and the giving the older kids the opportunity to act as role models and teachers."
- Helen G.