Principal's Welcome

Hello Current and Prospective Parkside Montessori Families, 

My name is Nima Tahai and I have been Parkside Montessori’s Principal since 2019. What attracted me to Parkside was the dedicated staff, active parent community, and the unique gift a Montessori education provides in helping a child reach their potential. San Mateo is also my hometown and I love that I can give back to this vibrant community and also raise my kids here. 

If you are a prospective parent considering Parkside for your child's enrollment in the 2024-2025 school year, please visit our enrollment page and sign up for a school tour today!

Our commitment to a Montessori education
As we expand our program from Pre-K to 8th grade, our first commitment is to implement this Montessori program with fidelity. This involves a commitment to the five essentials of a Montessori classroom including multi-age classrooms and uninterrupted work periods. We are also striving to ensure our teachers are all trained in the key fundamentals of Montessori teaching such as responding to students need with appropriate individualized guidance and instruction. Finally, we have taken the steps to supplement our program to meet district and state public school standards.

Our students
Our program emphasizes the development of every aspect of a child's intellectual, social, and creative abilities, using hands-on materials and structured learning environments. Importantly, the Montessori method emphasizes attitudes and skills which inspire lifelong learning and help our children navigate an ever-changing world. These are just some of the reasons why I enrolled my son and daughter at Parkside.

If you come into any of our classrooms, you will see students learning how to collaborate, complete math problems using hands on materials, making their own pollinators in a science lesson, or writing a personal narrative about a day in their life. More importantly, you will see them developing independence, concentration, responsibility, and empathy.

Our families
We could not provide this amazing program without our wonderful parent and family community. Their volunteer time, community involvement, financial support and collaboration help Parkside Montessori continue to grow and thrive.