Parent
Our son attended this school for several years. During the first years, we felt he was in a caring and nurturing environment, and we were fortunate to have an excellent Montessori guide who truly understood the philosophy and supported the children’s development with dedication and respect.
Unfortunately, our experience changed significantly during the final year. We noticed a general decline in the quality of the school. Several teachers appeared to have little Montessori experience and lacked the confidence and skills needed to guide the children effectively.
Cost-cutting measures also became increasingly noticeable. For example, children were not allowed to eat a whole piece of fruit after lunch, and the snacks provided were limited and often unappealing to the children. As a result, our son was consistently very hungry when we picked him up each day.
We also realised that teachers seemed to have very little autonomy. Parents were generally unable to speak directly with them unless a meeting was arranged, and even then, only if the school considered the matter sufficiently urgent. This created unnecessary distance between families and the teaching staff.
Another disappointment was the lack of connection with the wider community. There were no field trips or educational visits, and Portuguese was not taught, despite the school being located in Portugal.
What concerned us the most, however, was what happened after we informed the school that our son would be leaving. His treatment changed noticeably, and he eventually became afraid of going to school because of the director. No child should ever feel anxious about attending school because of the behaviour of its leadership.
Finally, we felt there was an atmosphere in which parents were reluctant to express concerns or offer constructive feedback. Although the school presents itself as open to dialogue, our experience was that any opinion differing from its own was met with a defensive attitude rather than genuine reflection.
We are grateful for the positive experiences and the wonderful Montessori guide our son had during his early years. However, the deterioration we witnessed in the final year means we can no longer recommend the school with confidence.
3 other reviews for Montessori Bright Academy - (Reviews aren't verified )
Parent
Our son has been at MBA since it opened in 2021 and we are continually grateful to have found this school and become part of it’s community. The staff are amazing and it’s been a joy to watch him develop over the past 4 years. We could not have wished for a better beginning to his education!
Parent
Our experience with this MBA has been exceptional from the very beginning. The educators truly follow the authentic Montessori methodology, you can see it in the calm, respectful atmosphere and in how the children are encouraged to explore independently. The classrooms are beautifully prepared, full of real materials and natural light.
One of the things we love most is the location: the school is literally door-to-door with a gorgeous park, which the children enjoy daily. It’s such a gift to see them connect with nature as part of their learning.
The school isn’t too big, which creates a genuine sense of community. Every family is known and supported, and every child’s needs are understood and respected. The after-school activities are also wonderful, creative, enriching, and perfectly aligned with Montessori values. We couldn’t be happier.
Parent
This is our son’s second year at this school, and we couldn’t be happier. He’s making impressive progress and becoming increasingly independent. We’ve always felt at ease entrusting him to the dedicated teaching staff, who consistently show professionalism and kindness. Another standout advantage is the school’s location: it’s close to the city center yet offers direct access to a natural park and outdoor facilities—an ideal combination for children’s development.
