What Our Parents Think.
“Some educators teach. Others inspire. But Katie, Teeter, and April do something far rarer—they transform the earliest years of a child’s life with intention, warmth, and extraordinary vision. Under their leadership, Dahlia has become one of the most nurturing and thoughtfully crafted environments we’ve ever encountered.
The school’s atmosphere truly breathes inclusivity. In this intimate micro-school setting, the three of them observe with exceptional care, listen with genuine presence, and support each child with a level of attention that feels both personal and deeply intuitive. They find the most meaningful ways to share these moments with you as a parent—often with insights that stop you in your tracks.
After touring countless Montessori programs, it became clear that these incredibly trained educators have created something exceptional: a Montessori-inspired space infused with warmth, connection, and intention that sets it far apart. They are the kind of educators who will send a photo or story at any hour, not out of obligation, but because they are truly invested in your child’s journey.
They treat each child as if they were their own—and in doing so, they have quietly shaped us as parents. They’ve shown us that real growth happens when you step back, trust the process, and give a child the space to flourish.
They are Monmouth County’s absolute best, and we feel profoundly grateful to have found this hidden gem.”
-Meera
Two years in, Dahlia has exceeded every expectation I had of what to expect in early childhood education and has been one of the most special places for my son.
What makes it different is the teachers. I feel like Katie and Teeter truly know my son -- from his obsession with tiny objects, to the new Paw Patrol toy he's excited about, to his love of drawing the same Spiderman logo over and over. When we check in, there's never a generic update. Katie and Teeter speak about him with a specificity and warmth that tells me he's truly known here — and loved.
And to watch him go from being a relatively shy kid to one who is now always buzzing with stories and confidence has been such a joy— and Dahlia played a big part in that.
The academic growth has been equally remarkable. The Montessori curriculum, in the hands of Dahlia's highly trained teachers, is simply amazing. Because this is a true micro-school, the individualized attention is real — children aren't moved along as a group, they're guided at their own pace, with intention.
Dahlia's inclusive approach deserves its own mention. There's nothing surface-level about it — they create genuine space to celebrate the different cultures and traditions in the classroom, and actively bring parents into that.
But the truest measure of how special this place is? My son has informed us, with complete seriousness, that he will be attending Dahlia forever! How we wish that were the case!
-Idil K.
“As the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to helping public schools implement Montessori programs, I could not have been more thrilled to find Dahlia class for my own 4-year-old daughter, who has no options for public Montessori at this time. Those of us working in Montessori education both understand the genius behind the curriculum, but also the importance of highly trained teachers, and high fidelity classrooms. Renee and Katie are true masters of their craft! But even more important than their impressive resumes, they are also wonderful human beings! Our daughter thrived with them--both academically and socio-emotionally. And we became better parents, because Renee and Katie gave us so many opportunities to learn from them and bring lessons from the classroom into our home.”
-Angie S.