Montessori Schools

[monkeybug]

Can anyone share their experience with the Montessori program? I'm considering putting my kids in one next year. (they will be K and 3rd grade)
The parent to teacher ratio is excellent at the school we are considering, and I like all the hands on activities they participate in through out the year, I just worry about the transition from Montessori to a traditional school when the time comes.
Reading the California curriculum it seems as though my daughter will be a bit ahead for her grade. Many of the math and language skills they learn in 3rd, she is working on in 2nd. I thought Montessori might benefit her because I believe they base what they teach on where the child is, not on a set curriculum per grade.

 

[mnrhannah07]

I cant answer, but I am curious as well..I have enrolled our son into one for next school year, he will be in all day K3. The great thing about the school we enrolled him is, every year they are adding another year of Montessori and they are already up to 3rd grade which means he will have it as long as they keep extending it!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would try and speak to teachers in the public school to see what they think about the transition. I think they would have a very good idea on whether or not a child will do well once they come out of that environment. I would imagine that most of them have seen the results of Montesorri and will offer you a non biased opinion. This way you can get parents opinions and educators opinions.
I will admit I am not a fan of Montesorri at all but I have learned that not all are the same. From what I have read just because they put the sign up doesn't make them a real Montesorri school. It appears that you have to do your homework to insure that you are actually in an accredited (for lack of a better word) Montesorri. Good luck in whatever you chose!

 

[torinsmom]

Make sure the school is accredited or affiliated with either AMI, AMS or NAMTA--those are the three major Montessori organizations.

I teach at a Montessori school(public), and I honestly would not teach in a non-Montessori school. The method is a great one for individualized education. I have kindergartners still learning their teens and I have kindergartners who know multiplication facts and how to add 4 digit numbers, even with carrying. Same thing in language; some kids are still learning to put sounds together, while others are reading far above kindergarten level. Each child has his/her own work plan, which guides them through the curriculum.The Montessori materials really help kids learn in a way that becomes internalized vs. memorization.

The transition from Montessori to public middle school or high school is usually not a big deal. Montessori teaches independence and students tend to be very flexible. They also tend to be ahead intellectually. The last level of Montessori at any good Montessori school will be a transition model, so that students have some exposure to the types of things they will see in traditional schools, such as lectures, fill in the bubble tests, etc. My son was in a Montessori charter school for 9 years (PreK-8) and has done well in high school. He definitely wishes there had been a Montessori high school though, because everyone doing the same thing at the same time just makes so little sense to him(and me).

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

My daughter was in Montessori from age 2 1/2-4. She became very independent because she would go from station to station and work on things herself. She also learned math quickly. I liked the classroom environment, but it doesn't work for everyone.

In hindsight, it was very expensive and I'm not sure if I would do it again. It was $600/month and this was many years ago since she is now 15.

I think ANY education at that age is a good thing. I may have been trying too hard as a first time parent back then.

 

[Mixie]

DD was in Montessori from age 5 to age 8 - I wish I had put her in at age 3! I would have left her in Montessori if they had not changed their elementary program (new teacher). But that's another story.

Check to see if the school is accredited, go for a visit, observe classes if you can (ours had a 1 way mirror observation room - loved that!).

As for the transition to a 'regular' style classroom, DD did just fine.

 

[Jeniferdwn]

Our school only does Montessori from 3K through 3rd grade with 4th grade being a transitional class to show them how to go into traditional 5th grade. My daughter has been in it since she was 4 and my son will start in August. I have been very pleased with it! In 3rd grade, my dd is reading chapter books, doing geometry, multiplication, division, fractions, and stuff I don't even know how to do. I've used the internet alot this year! I like the fact that she can take more time on something if she doesn't understand it, she doesnt get left behind just because she doesn't catch on to something as quickly as someone else does. But then, if she catches on to something quicker than her classmates, she can go on to the next thing instead of waiting for everyone else. I think it'a a great concept for kids! I wish there had been this kind of class when I was in school! I think my middle brother and I would have done very well in this. I'm hoping they'll extend the program into higher grades before my kids graduate!

 

[monkeybug]

Thank you for the great responses! This is a charter school so I guess I assumed that meant it's accredited, but I will check to make sure.
I will talk to some of the teachers at our current school and see what they feel too, that's a great idea.
The only sticky situation is that my Uncle is the Superintendent of schools where we are moving (has been for 15 years, so he's a good one too) and I feel kind of weird putting my kids in a school that's not one of his, but I just think the smaller more intimate setting will make the move easier for my kids, and I hate to have my daughter spend a year working on the same things she worked on this year. (and I'm sure there are some things Ca. kids are learning this year that aren't taught until 3rd grade here)
Ugh...moving was so much easier before my kids were in school!

 

[GirTheGecko]

I was in a Montessori school from k-2. For the most part, it was an amazing way to start my education. I did have a problem with a nun who was frustrated with me since I had speech and hearing problems. I did get speech therapy, but the nun either didn't want to or had no idea how to work with me. All the other teachers and nuns did work with me though.

When I transitioned, I was ahead so I wasn't being challenged and bored. It did lead to a handful of problems for me. I was so used to the system of freedom and being challenged, and if needed I could have one on one time with the teacher to work out issues.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I was in a Montessori school from k-2. For the most part, it was an amazing way to start my education. I did have a problem with a nun who was frustrated with me since I had speech and hearing problems. I did get speech therapy, but the nun either didn't want to or had no idea how to work with me. All the other teachers and nuns did work with me though.

When I transitioned, I was ahead so I wasn't being challenged and bored. It did lead to a handful of problems for me. I was so used to the system of freedom and being challenged, and if needed I could have one on one time with the teacher to work out issues.

I'm going to echo what you said here, because I experienced the same thing. Because of how early I learned everything I actually became very depressed when, by 6th grade, or so, everyone else had caught up to me. I went through some counseling because I didn't feel all that special anymore.

It's something to think about when you have kids who learn at a very quick pace. Of course, now, they have special programs for kids who are assimilating back into mainstream learning, I didn't have such access.

As others have said, do your research, and talk to some of the non-Montessori teachers you may know and see if they've experienced any transition problems.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I did Montessori in 8th grade, it was awesome. If we can afford it, I'd like my kids in Montessori.

 

[Robinrs]

We sent my niece to Montessori in Park Slope Brooklyn till she was in the 8th grade.

When she was transferred to public high school she was SO ahead she assisted the teachers and became a regular tutor. She has since gotten two degrees (and a full scholarship) to Stanford University. She is an amazingly brilliant and independent woman.

I would also make sure whatever school you consider is accredited and sticks to the method. There are as many levels of quality as there are in any other school. When I considered sending my son to the ones here in Atlanta I saw a complete difference from the one we had in NY. Do your research.

 

[Temporaryname]

I'm going to echo what you said here, because I experienced the same thing. Because of how early I learned everything I actually became very depressed when, by 6th grade, or so, everyone else had caught up to me.

I think this is an interesting observation. As someone who runs a non-Montessori preschool inside an elementary school, when I go to visit Montessori's I always see kids doing things like multiplying or IDing parts of speech that my kids have no clue about.

However, when I go look at Montessori programs in the upper grades the kids are doing almost exactly the same thing that the kids in our school are doing.

I don't see any harm in the Montessori method, but if it's not going to end up with kids being ahead in the long run, I'd rather have my kids digging in the mud and dressing up in the housekeeping corner for as long as possible.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I think this is an interesting observation. As someone who runs a non-Montessori preschool inside an elementary school, when I go to visit Montessori's I always see kids doing things like multiplying or IDing parts of speech that my kids have no clue about.

However, when I go look at Montessori programs in the upper grades the kids are doing almost exactly the same thing that the kids in our school are doing.

I don't see any harm in the Montessori method, but if it's not going to end up with kids being ahead in the long run, I'd rather have my kids digging in the mud and dressing up in the housekeeping corner for as long as possible.

I think it's kind of an "ugly" underbelly to some of the new teaching methods, and I'm glad to hear that they are working on easing those transitions. When it comes to foreign languages, and things like that I can see the benefit, but being able to read at a High School level, in Elementary School, became nothing once everyone else was doing the same thing. The same went for mathematics, and other language arts abilities.

 

[torinsmom]

Thank you for the great responses! This is a charter school so I guess I assumed that meant it's accredited, but I will check to make sure.
I will talk to some of the teachers at our current school and see what they feel too, that's a great idea.
The only sticky situation is that my Uncle is the Superintendent of schools where we are moving (has been for 15 years, so he's a good one too) and I feel kind of weird putting my kids in a school that's not one of his, but I just think the smaller more intimate setting will make the move easier for my kids, and I hate to have my daughter spend a year working on the same things she worked on this year. (and I'm sure there are some things Ca. kids are learning this year that aren't taught until 3rd grade here)
Ugh...moving was so much easier before my kids were in school!

If it is a charter school, it will be a mesh between Montessori and standard course of study. Most charter schools have to take standardized tests and assessments, so you may not get the total Montessori experience. That's okay, in my opinion, as this is kind of the best of both worlds. The smaller setting, combined with the hands on learning and meeting the kids' individual needs will be great for your kids!

I was in a Montessori school from k-2. For the most part, it was an amazing way to start my education. I did have a problem with a nun who was frustrated with me since I had speech and hearing problems. I did get speech therapy, but the nun either didn't want to or had no idea how to work with me. All the other teachers and nuns did work with me though.

When I transitioned, I was ahead so I wasn't being challenged and bored. It did lead to a handful of problems for me. I was so used to the system of freedom and being challenged, and if needed I could have one on one time with the teacher to work out issues.

A NUN? I don't think I have ever heard of a religious Montessori school. I guess there's a first time for everything.

I think it's kind of an "ugly" underbelly to some of the new teaching methods, and I'm glad to hear that they are working on easing those transitions. When it comes to foreign languages, and things like that I can see the benefit, but being able to read at a High School level, in Elementary School, became nothing once everyone else was doing the same thing. The same went for mathematics, and other language arts abilities.

at "new teaching methods"! The Montessori method of education just celebrated its 100th year anniversary 4 years ago. And actually, kids are not forced to read(or do anything else) at an advanced level in Montessori. We just expose the kids to fun learning materials and when they show interest, we guide them. I swear, my students think they are playing all day long, but they are doing so much more.

 

[badblackpug]

My kids go to traditional school, but I went to Montessori from K-3. It really was a bad fit for me. I have ADD, and it just didn't offer the structure and redirection I needed. In addition, all the activity of kids at different "stations" was much too distracting. By the time I went to a regular classroom, my reading was way above grade level, mostly because of my parents reading habits at home, but I was utterly clueless (and still am) in math.

My ex's daughter had the same problem being ahead, though not in Montessori. She was ahead K-3, then the other kids "caught up." Suddenly she wasn't "special" and had to work for grades and she interpreted it as she wasn't "smart."