California Montessori Project - Capitol Campus School

Posted: February 25, 2026

Both of my daughters have thrived at this school, and I definitely recommend it. Staff and teachers are caring and proactive. They have made good friends and are excited to go to school most days. There are many opportunities for family engagement and a very strong core of dedicated parent volunteers who go the extra mile to make it a great school. We have been at the school since 2020.

Posted: February 25, 2026

Posted: February 25, 2026

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Posted: February 25, 2026

Posted: February 15, 2024

I HATE THIS SCHOOL I USE TO GO HERE AND IT WAS THE WORST. My wife tried to put our kids here but I stopped her. I told her of the quality of the school which was so bad and the hygiene was even worse. My daughter has cerebral palsy. CP is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. I remember my time here so yeah would not recommend it.

Posted: February 15, 2024

Posted: February 15, 2024

Posted: February 15, 2024

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Posted: November 13, 2019

My son was called a liar by an administrator. His teacher supported him, and I am grateful. Turns out he was telling the truth but even if he wasn't, any one with child development knowledge and proper training would know that calling an 11yrold a liar is a terrible plan of action and totally inappropriate way to treat children.
My daughter was told to sit on a stool in the office and left there for several hours. Apparently the administrator in charge forgot she was there and left me one cell phone voicemail to let me know there was an issue (did not call my work or try to get in touch with me in any other way). When I finally found my daughter (alone in an office) she started crying hysterically because she had to go to the bathroom so badly but was scared because she had been told not to move. She was being accused of something that actually occurred in the after-school which she has never once attended. She was told if she told the "truth" she could get off the stool but she was telling the truth (every child in the school had the same password on their computer so the school was struggling to find out who had typed a bad word and blamed her). I finally got the administrator to apologize to my daughter, with the belief that everyone makes me mistakes, but I had to push for that apology and now that administrator has actually been promoted.
Their technology issues are rampant and they continue to hire staff who are not fully credentialed so the current children are more "guinea pigs" than they should be. Some of these teachers will likely be wonderful teachers one day but every year the new hires are either missing their Montessori credential or their teaching credential, leading to an under-qualified and unprepared staff. A current lead teacher isn't even fully credentialed but has to train the new hires, who also are not credentialed.

Posted: November 13, 2019

Posted: November 13, 2019

Posted: November 13, 2019

Posted: November 13, 2019

Posted: March 25, 2017

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Posted: March 25, 2017

Posted: March 25, 2017

Posted: March 25, 2017

Our daughter is finishing 1st grade and we all couldn't be happier. She is truly excelling. She's not just going to school she is learning to be an important part of a health community!

Posted: October 4, 2014

I have attended three CMP campuses, and have been in the program since kindergarten. I am now a sophmore in highschool, and reflecting on my CMP experience, this was my favorite campus. I started at the Carmichael campus, and loved it until about 5th grade, where my issues were not properly taken care of. I was constantly being disciplined, and falsely accused of things I didn't do. In seventh grade, the school had moved, and my parents found the campus unsafe due to a school for sex offenders right next to the CMP campus, and even though we had security and gates, my parents felt moving me campuses was a better choice. I did not get in to the AR campus, and I was devastated I had to come to capitol. However, looking back, seventh grade was my favorite grade by far. I had a class of 19 kids, the teachers cared, and helped me when I needed it. The kids in the class were all like a family, and almost everyone liked and respected everyone else. We went on several immersion trips (one each of the 5 cycles) and there was almost no drama. Unfortunatley, I only got to stay at this campus for most of the year, due to family problems. I transferred to AR and constantly wanted to come back.

Posted: April 21, 2014

We are in our first year at CMP and LOVE it. The teachers and administrators are amazing. I had heard the principal did not have a great reputation, but she is working very hard to change that. We came from a Montessori Preschool and are very happy with CMP's program.

Posted: February 25, 2014

Our child came to CMP from an aggressively rigid private school. His test scores were top of his class however he was very anxious and being constantly being disciplined. We were cautious about him slipping academically with the switch but he has continued to excel in the montessori environment and most of his anxiety issues have subsided. Children need the space and movement. We recently provided childcare for our child's friend who is still at the private school and his mother asked us to work on vocabulary words for a test. I was pleasantly surprised that my child already knew 80% of the words (spelling & definition) whereas the other child was just learning them. Our child is learning at his peers level without all the tears, phone calls from the principle and massive amounts of homework. The school administration have improved their communication and we feel we are aware about what events are happening and are informed to our child's progress in the classroom. The office staff is friendly, approachable and responds quickly to requests. The principle is visible and seems more personable. Be sure to visit several classrooms as teaching styles vary.

Posted: September 19, 2013

My son started kindergarten at this school and he is now in the 6-9 class. His teachers have been attentive and caring, and his social development has been impressive. There is a strong emphasis upon having the students treat each other with respect which has helped him a great deal. Staff responded promptly to a minor episode where my son was upset with what a couple of other students had done to you. He looks forward to going to school, does his homework and is progressing well in all of his subjects.

Posted: September 11, 2013

We are starting our 4th year at this school and I have nothing but praise for the teachers, staff and parents here. It is not for everyone, of course, but I have found the gentle Montessori approach has been a great help for our son, who tends to be a sensitive to harsher teaching methods at traditional schools. He has learned the importance of self-motivation and organization. Class size is another motivator. The teacher-to-student ratio is much lower here than at other schools and the teachers are here because they believe in the Montessori method... which makes them much more compassionate leaders. They do test here, since it's a public charter, but the difference is they really do NOT make a big deal about it. Unlike Phoebe Hearst, where the STAR test is all important, the teachers here encourage the students to get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast and do their best. That's all. It's a breath of fresh air, as far as I'm concerned.

Posted: August 22, 2012

I strongly disagree this is not a good school for children who are easily distracted. My son was diagnosed with ADHD and has excelled in a Montessori environment. The smaller class size allows for more one on one attention from the teacher and teaching assistant. Students can focus on areas that they excel and love while still learning other subjects.

Posted: April 29, 2012

We are rounding out our first year at CMP Capitol Campus. While I will agree with the previous comment that Montessori isn't for every child, I disagree with the statement that a "normal child desires not to work hard." Our individual motivators & intrisic deires vary from person to person~& I don't think that's a solid theory. Montessori works well for a specific "type" of person. I have been an educator myself for over a decade & I definitely can describe some of the attributes one needs to have a successful Montessori experience. You need to tour the school before signing on. That said, yes, there are parent participation hours. If you don't like participating-or you simply can't, this isn't for you. If you can afford to "buy out" your hours, you can do that too. Yes, there are lots of fund-raisers. We buy/sell what we can, & we've never stressed about it, & never gotten the message or impression that what we've bought/sold isn't enough. We use & appreciate the clothes trading closet, a nice perk about school uniforms here. The staff work well together, planning & coordinating-evident in the festivals & celebrations throughout the year. The older kids are a bit rowdy- I agree.

Posted: April 22, 2012

This isn't the right school for our child. We were very inspired by the Montessori values and teaching methods, and I think this could be very good for students who struggle in traditional classrooms. However, our child needs to be challenged by an authority. The teachers here try, but let the child decide if that is what they want. Our child has too much potential and normal child desires to not work hard. Putting the child in charge, teaching younger students, and conflict resolution skills are some of the high points of the Montessori way. Just isn't right for our child.

Posted: November 5, 2011

My child comes home saying their class is out of hand and the students are becoming more and more disresceptful to the teachers. My child says their teacher doesn't have control of the class and it's affecting their concentration and ability to learn. I've addressed concerns with the teacher and the principle only to be ignored. I;m looking into other options if things don't turn around by the winter break. Crossing fingers.

Posted: October 24, 2011

This is our second year at the Capitol campus. It is a wonderful school with that really honors each individual child. Class size is small-around 20-with one teacher and one teaching assistant in each classroom. Lessons are taught in small groups or individually-based on the students needs/rate, while acknowledging their successes, in this way, the environment is ideal for both the high achiever as well as children who progress at a slower rate. As a parent with kids at both ends, I appreciate that they each have their needs met! . Every year, API has risen and is above state standards-quite amazing when considering around half of the students newly enrolled are also new to Montessori. Classrooms are beautiful-teachers seem to spend a lot of effort in creating an attractive,comfortable, home like environment with curtains, rugs, lamps, art, etc. using natural materials and soothing colors, often when I am volunteering, I notice the teachers playing gentle background music while the the kids are working. It is a really peaceful environment, and the kids are taught good conflict resolution skills, helping the kids to make their own peace.

Posted: September 17, 2011

This is a wonderful school which is dedicated to educating the "whole child" in a warm and loving community. They assess all the children and provide each child with an individualized work plan, instead of teaching everyone the same thing. The Montessori approach is great if your child is academically advanced, interested in learning, and independent. I could not be more impressed with my child's teacher and the enrichment my child receives at this school. My child's attention span, attitude, and social skills have improved greatly as a result of the teacher's patience and classroom environment. I can't believe that this school is tuition free!

Posted: September 10, 2011

So far I'm not impressed, I know it's early on in the school year but I wonder if my child is even learning anything yet. This is not a school for a child who doesnt have self motivation when dealing with school work. Also, if your child is easily distracted by others these classroom might not work. As these are child-driven classes, whereas the teacher doesn't seem to have any authority in the class. Very lax and laid back, go with the flow enviroment.

Posted: July 13, 2011

I'm not impressed with the rude admin staff, teacher and principal was hard to get a moment with/return phone call/email.You re not allowed to come to the class before & after school the teachers have duties or meetings so no time to wait = SOL.There is a lot of turn over with the teachers, it seemed as if my child s teaching assistant 9-12 wasn t up to par, she was often mia . However even with the lack of parent/teacher/principal communication the parents and students are very resourceful and a great community. There is a great amount of parent participation and everyone is always willing to help where needed. Unfortunately the parents are not the ones I want to always hear from. I absolutely loath the afterschool pickup car line which always seems to lack order&consistency. Takes about 15 minutes for my child to be corralled out. Another good aspect is they offered lunch program, after school extracurricular activities,club before/after school care,focus on respectful and environment. My child enjoyed the assemblies,field trips,culture night,science fair,continent party&harvest festival.

Posted: May 8, 2011

I love this school but it's not perfect. In my experience, everything that goes on in the classroom is wonderful - supportive teachers, a curriculum that is challenging and moves at the pace of the child, includes lots of art, science and music and instills a sense of responsibility and community. I have major issues with the principal. She doesn't answer emails, she consistently ignores the parents and it feels like she is running a private school with zero tuition (which is the justification for the repeated requests for donations and the reason many low income families feel marginalized here). I wouldn't move my kids to any other school so I'm hoping that the parents can band together to make the administration reflect the passion, cooperation and sense of community that is present in the classroom.