I am one of the Lower Elementary Lead Guides at Desert Sky Montessori. This is my seventh year teaching in public schools, but my first year at a Montessori school. I stumbled upon Desert Sky by chance and was instantly blown away by how similar their values and approach to education are to my own personal teaching philosophy. I have always believed that my role as an educator is to facilitate student learning rather than to impart knowledge on them, and that is exactly how we do things at Desert Sky.

Students learn through working with specially-designed, research-based Montessori materials and all instruction is done in small groups or with individual students. This in combination with our mixed-aged classes allow students to get exactly what they need. Our methods facilitate student agency and build independence from Day 1. Students at all ages are engaged with developing their own work plans and monitor their own learning and growth. This means that at the same time that they are developing their academic skills, they are also practicing metacognition and a variety of life and learning skills that they can apply to any new situation.

As someone who has taught in both traditional schools and now at a Montessori school, I regularly think about some of my former students and how they might not have struggled so much if they were learning with hands-on Montessori materials, especially when it comes to math. Desert Sky is truly a gem and I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to provide a tuition-free Montessori education for the children in our community.

— Lead Guide

“Our family relocated to Bend in the Fall of 2018. We had two small children at the time and school opportunities were at the forefront of our mind when considering Central Oregon. We had researched the Montessori pedagogy and were thrilled to find a tuition-free elementary option available in Bend. It was this opportunity that solidified our decision to make Bend our new home. 

We entered the lottery on the first day we were eligible in January 2021. We had not applied at any other school for our incoming Kindergartener because this was the only school that felt like the right fit. The day we received our offer letter, we celebrated as a family. 

Two years later, we now have a 1st grader and a Kindergartener at Desert Sky Montessori. Our experience so far has been everything we hoped for and more. Our children are thriving in this environment. Their teachers go above and beyond to ensure their success and treat our children as unique individuals. We feel our children are loved and cared for. We feel at home at Desert Sky Montessori.”

— Parent

“I asked my first grader what she loves about DSM. She said:

 ·       The materials, because I learn more deeply working with my hands

·       Kids and teachers are kind and respectful to each other.

·       Kids can learn at their own level of skill and can teach each other.

·       Kids can study what they are interested in, whether it’s bugs or the periodic table.

·       We get lessons in small groups, so I feel less alone if I’m still learning how to do something.

·       Chess club, Spanish, sign language, and "invention convention"

 As a parent, I am grateful for:

 ·       The Montessori work ethic. My first grader already believes that “must do” work comes before “choice” work, and that work gets done during the school day so that we can have family time at night. What a blessing that will become as she grows up!

·       My child’s love of learning. She studies algebra, chemistry, grammar, and mythology on nights and weekends because her teachers have inspired and guided her. Concepts like “homework” and “studying for a test” have no meaning for her, and yet she studies all the more because school is so interesting.

·       A growth mindset. My child is “still learning” and seeking out challenges, not competing with other kids or working towards a grade.

·       Reliable and available after school education and care, an essential support for working parents

·       This kind and expansive community that embraces all of our kids, supporting their social skills and character development

Thank you for welcoming and nurturing my child, as well as all of the kids in our DSM family.”

— Parent

“My daughter joined Desert Sky Montessori halfway through her Kindergarten school year last year. Once she joined the school she was welcomed warmly by her class, teachers, and everyone at the school. She comes home with new social emotional development, as well as academic growth. I have seen a large boost in her self-confidence and ability to express her emotions since joining a school that is focused on peace education and provides a safe environment for students to express their feelings and learn appropriate and effect ways to solve conflict.

I am forever grateful for the peaceful atmosphere my daughter gets to enter daily to grow academically and socially. She is challenged appropriately and has learned so much at the pace she needs to grow with confidence and less anxiety. I am looking forward to watching her confidence grow and for her to have access to all the materials and knowledge she could need; her potential is not capped.”

— Parent

“Desert Sky Montessori is Bend's best kept secret. We are so glad we found it. The teachers truly get to know their students and design a custom curriculum for each and every child, ensuring that no one is ever bored or left behind. Rather than using tablets, the students' understanding of a topic is deepened through hands-on learning activities that use beautiful Montessori materials like bead chains. Through the self-directed learning model, the students develop independence, time management skills, and a sense of personal responsibility. And, from mixed-age classrooms to fun events like the family gathering at the pumpkin sale, there is a strong sense of community.

Our son is thriving at DSM and we could not be happier with our choice.”

— Parent

“I often asked around to other Bend parents, social media, and education staff members about finding a school for our children that seemed to become non-existent. When our family of five moved back to Bend, Oregon in 2020 we were in search of a place that offered a sense of community, diversity, academically challenging, art and nature-focused, and where the children could be themselves and feel welcomed, loved, and supported. We have 3 children in which 2 attend DSM. Our oldest is very intelligent and was getting quite bored in his traditional neighborhood school, while our kinder child needed to have space for her social personality and to find a love of learning. Our oldest was able to work at a more advanced pace since there are blended classrooms. Our kindergartner was able to have help from the older kids in her room. It seems that all the students want the best for everyone and work toward their personal goals while showing empathy and helping others.

We are a unique family with my husband being an injured military veteran. Our children have moved, and seen a lot during the recovery process with my husband. Desert Sky has provided a stable and safe place that my kids adore. The teachers and all the staff have been like a second family and are always willing to listen, communicate, and show compassion. It is such a different feeling in a school. We knew right away this was different when the teacher and Head of School showed up at my 8-year-olds birthday party.

It’s a place of love that embraces what that child is passionate about. I also love that the children are held accountable and are responsible for all their “must do work”. Our kids have become so much more responsible and are showing so much more drive, ambition, and confidence. It’s such a wonderful community of parents, staff, and children. I am so grateful we had this opportunity to give this (tuition-free) gift of excelled education at Desert Sky Montessori. We are so excited for the upcoming year, and the beautiful, large new campus for our children to grow and thrive.”

— Parent