”Hi, we are the Linsers. All 7 of our children have attended or will attend Sands Montessori. Adelaide and Greta are at Walnut Hills now. Simon is in 5th grade, Harry is in 4th grade, and Josie is in kindergarten. Charlie and Frankie will join them at Sands in the next couple of years.

Sands prepared our older girls for Walnut in ways we could have only dreamed of. They are excelling in high level academic classes, they communicate independently with their instructors and they manage rigorous course loads and extra curricular schedules because of the skills they learned at Sands.

Simon will be skipping 6th grade to join his sisters at Walnut next year. We believe that Sands has made him uniquely prepared for this step. Sands has allowed him to grow to his academic potential while remaining in class with his same age peers.

Aside from academic achievements, the Montessori curriculum at Sands has helped instill kindness, empathy, and a sense of responsibility to community in our children. Whether in the classroom, extra-curriculars, or in athletics, being part of a diverse community like the one at Sands has prepared our children for life beyond the classroom.”

(Have a story you’d like to share about how your child or family was positively influenced by Sands Montessori? Email it to courtneyanneryan@gmail.com. We will pick a new story for each newsletter. Thank you!)

Soren, Mayer, Marley, & Orion Crutcher

”The Crutcher clan at Sands has become a notable size.  We often are asked ‘which Cutcher are you?’  – We are the Crutcher, Inc. clan of Mayer, Marley, Orion and Soren (now at Spencer Education Center).  Mayer and Marley have been at Sands since their 2nd year of Preschool.  Transferring from Hawaii, they wasted no time spreading the Sands Community love with their contagious energetic personalities.  Mayer and Marley are moving on to 7th grade next year, leaving the Sands community and starting new adventures.  Mayer, generally quiet and observant, has been a kind empath through the years and always enjoys being in a leadership role welcoming the younger sets of kids into the classrooms each year.  Marley’s strong, charming personality brightens the room – he knows how to put a smile on anyone’s face.  They wasted no time passing these strong community characteristics, ethics and morals to their little brother Orion (currently in the 1008 kindergarten community).  They don’t lack in the reckless energy department but they are quick to take accountability and lead back to a positive direction (thank you peace corner).  Sands continues to instill these values in our boys – even Soren, now thriving at Spencer Education Center.  Thank you Sands for giving our four such a great foundation for learning.
The boys enjoy spending most of their time outdoors.  We bike, hike, and enjoy snow sports as a family.  The tenacity and drive they display is inspiring.”

(Have a story you’d like to share about how your child or family was positively influenced by Sands Montessori? Email it to courtneyanneryan@gmail.com. We will pick a new story for each biweekly newsletter. Thank you!)

”Niko joined the Sands Montessori community at age 4. He is a current 5th grader and 6th grade math student. It was evident to his 3-6 community teacher that he was demonstrating signs of giftedness in Math. Though in CPS, gifted assessment is not officially administered until 2nd grade, he was referred to the gifted intervention specialist and began receiving services in Kindergarten. Despite his eligibility to attend CPS’s Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students beginning in 3rd grade, we found that the Sands’ community was able to meet his needs within the Montessori environment. Niko continues to stay challenged and supported. Our family has a strong commitment to Montessori learning and the focus on the whole child. Not only are Niko’s gifted needs being met, he is also learning skills in leadership, collaboration, organization and empathy. We’re very grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community.”

(Have a story you’d like to share about how your child or family was positively influenced by Sands Montessori? Email it to courtneyanneryan@gmail.com. We will pick a new story for each biweekly newsletter. Thank you!)