Guiding Light Montessori, Pleasant Hill CA

Between my 2 kids we've been involved with GLM for 5 years. We love this school. The staff is thoughtful and diligent, and the kids learn about respect, kindness, and of course, reading, math and science. Can't recommend this place highly enough!

We have been a part of the GLM community for about a year and a half. We can’t say enough wonderful things about GLM. Ms Justina and all the teachers work hard to make the school feel like a second home for the students. Justina truly sees our daughter for who she is, and constantly supports her from a strengths-based perspective. She has blossomed and grown so much in GLM’s care and I’m just so grateful we found the school.

Our kids have loved going to GLM! Miss Justina and the other teachers have created such a caring and supportive environment, as well as fostering a great sense of community among the parents.

Guiding Light Montessori has been a second home for both of my children, and for our whole family really, for the past 7 years. It is the most loving, nurturing school we could have asked for and I cannot recommend it enough. Ms. Justina and the staff love the children as their own, and keep them busy, happy and learning all day long. We are so grateful for the school and community we've built there!

Our son has attended Guiding Light for 3 years now, and it's been a nurturing and caring environment that has fostered curiosity, learning, and friendship for our son. Ms. Justina and the teachers put in so much care and thought to make sure the environment is safe and open for all students. We love the school so much that our youngest son will be starting there in the fall soon!

My son has been attending Guiding Light Montessori for over a year and my husband and I could not be happier watching his emotional, physical and intellectual development. Ms. Justina has been so supportive, and an enormous resource to our family, always making the time, fostering a great sense of community. I feel so blessed to have my son be a part of such an amazing community of teachers, parents and peers.

Guiding light has been the educational home for two of our kids. Our eldest is in second grade and because of the fundamentals she learned at GLM she's reading at almost a fifth-grade level. Our second daughter is still at GLM and is on the same track.

Aside from academic excellence, Justina and her staff provide a fun and safe environment. We've never worried about dropping our kids off. They manage disagreements between kids in a way that helps build relationships and social skills. Discipline is handled similarly: firmly, but in a way that develops the kids.

The other families involved at GLM are fantastic. It's a great community to be involved with. Justina also hosts parenting development nights that help build relationships and skills at home.

Overall, there's nowhere else I would want to send my kids. I think you'll feel the same way.

GLM has felt like a 2nd home to our family. Our son attended for 3 years and we have witnessed so much social emotional and academic growth in him. He absolutely loves attending every day and is so eager and excited to learn. The culture of the preschool is nurturing, loving and instills a growth mindset. The director Justina is responsive to any needs and supports parents through the challenges of this age group. The parent community is friendly and caring. Our son and us have made lifelong friends here. I would highly recommend this preschool to any family seeking out a safe, communicative, and personalized experience.

Our family has been very pleased with Guiding Light Montessori, and we are happy to be part of the GLM family for many years now. Our daughter started when she was three and stayed through Kindergarten (now in second grade). She thrived in the environment, and she made the transition to public school without issue. Our second child, a son, is at GLM now, too, and has had a similarly wonderful experience.

It should be noted that the woman at the helm, Justina, does an absolutely wonderful job keeping the environment safe, engaging and welcoming. The rest of the staff has also been great, patient and attentive. I had limited exposure to Montessori methodology before our kids started at GLM, and I'm now a strong proponent. Justina does a wonderful job implementing Dr. Montessori's methods, but also understands that we live in the modern world and makes adjustments, depending on the child or situation:)

Lots to consider, of course, when selecting a preschool, and Justina has always been really great about making herself available to answer any questions.

For any family in the area considering sending their child to preschool, I'd recommend checking out Guiding Light.