Montessori schools?

[njfamily]

I am looking for anyone that has experience with Montessori schools. The good and the bad. Especially interested in experiences transitioning into and out of Montessori schools from traditional schools. Our DD is now in 1st grade in a public school and our DD is in Pre-K at the local YMCA. We are seriously considering enrolling both of them in a K – 6 grades Montessori school.

 

[nativetxn]

My son attended Montessori from age 18 months to age 10. It was wonderful. He had no problems entering public school for 5th grade.

I would observe the classroom before moving your daughter, though.

 

[njfamily]

Thank you for your response. DD is not happy in a traditional school. We think part of the problem is she is not aggressive and likes to do things on her own, at her own pace. From what we have seen at one of the local Montessori schools, this might be a better fit for her. For children transitioning to the Montessori 1 - 6 programs, they require that she attend their program for 3 days prior to being accepted for admission. I actually am comforted by this idea, it gives her a chance to try it and them a chance to evaluate if it is a good fit from their prospective. We were also encouraged to come and spend time observing the classroom, I expect that we will try to do that after New Year's as I am out of vacation time in '03. (To much time spent at WDW.)

Lynne

 

[Trib]

Overpriced
over rated

 

[hookedondizney]

My daughter has been attending a Montessori school since she was 2 1/2. She is now 4 and has learned so much! For instance she knows all of the states, all letters and sounds each one makes and tons more that is just the start. The independence that they teach would not be found in a public school. I want to continue her into her elementary years but we have another child who is 1yr and will also be needing school shortly too. So that amounts to ALOT of money each month....But I feel so strongly about the education that I will probably continue her there and make the funds just stretch a little!!!! It is really worth it! My daughter is very shy and is very much NOT an extrovert and in the Montessori environment she really thrives because she learns at her own pace. I feel that if I were to send her to a public school I would be throwing her to the "wolves." Well anyway, that is my 2 cents worth!

 

[hookedondizney]

overrated-NO WAY! Have you seen how a class is run in a Montessori school? Excellent education for the right child-like mine, who does not do well with 25 other kids running around like animals.
overpriced-just a little!

 

[Crazy4mandms]

quote:
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with 25 other kids running around like animals.
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I know this isn't the debate board, but that is an unfair statement. The majority of students in any classroom are very well behaved and eager to learn. Yes, there are a small percentage who do tend to ruin it for the bunch on many occassions, but not "all 25 kids" are "animals". I'm sure you meant no harm by your post, but kids in public schools have enough of a bad wrap (partly because, unlike a Montessori school, a public school is not allowed to pick and chose who attends..we have to take all the "animals"). Its unfair to assess every child in a public school that way. Anyone who feels differently should attend a high school play, a Science Olympiad, an Odyssey of the Mind competition, a HS debate, a middle school art show/talent show, etc. etc.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Crazy4mandms
quote:
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with 25 other kids running around like animals.
--------------------------------------------

I know this isn't the debate board, but that is an unfair statement. The majority of students in any classroom are very well behaved and eager to learn. Yes, there are a small percentage who do tend to ruin it for the bunch on many occassions, but not "all 25 kids" are "animals". I'm sure you meant no harm by your post, but kids in public schools have enough of a bad wrap (partly because, unlike a Montessori school, a public school is not allowed to pick and chose who attends..we have to take all the "animals"). Its unfair to assess every child in a public school that way. Anyone who feels differently should attend a high school play, a Science Olympiad, an Odyssey of the Mind competition, a HS debate, a middle school art show/talent show, etc. etc.

ITA

I worked in a public Montessori school for 3 years. (1-3 grade) My son went to the same school when he was in the first grade. As much as I loved the school, I couldn't keep my son there.

The amount of freedom was to much for him. He would spend most days working on puzzle maps (geography) and science. He would go weeks without doing math or english. His teachers would not "force" him to work in other subject areas. They would suggest it, but it was up to him to decide.

The next year I put him in a traditional school.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

The Montessori schools in our area are Magnet schools within our county wide school system. They are free.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I babysit a boy who attended a Montessori school from ages 2 to 4, and then attended public school kindergarten at age 5. The boy certainly enjoyed his time at Montessori, but like a previous poster here wrote, his Montesorri teachers never made him work on certain areas of learning. So this boy graduated from Montessori not knowing his letters, and could not write his name at all!

His parents look back now, wondering what all that money was spent on, as this boy was at the "back of the pack" in kindergarten.

I know other kids who went to the same Montessori school and done very well, so I guess it really depends on the needs/personality of the child.

 

[nativetxn]

I think that Montessori is not always the right school for every child. Just like public school isn't always right for every child.

My son flourished there and particularly enjoyed the peer teaching aspect and cross age grouping of the classroom.

Some children require a more structured classroom, I think. A good montessori teacher will insure that every child does well, though.

Is the school you are considering AMC or Internationale?

 

[BabyTigger99]

We looked into send our DS (then 3 1/2) to Montessori after his day care shut down. Fees were not much more than we were already paying, but the school was shut down basically the whole month of December. What good would that have done us?

 

[hookedondizney]

Yes, you are right that not all children are animals, but the way my daughter stands back to watch the other children I can just see the look in her eyes and I can just imagine what she would be thinking while they are doing activities that she may not have been exposed to. Gosh, I wasn't trying to have a debate......sorry maybe I shouldn't be open so much with my opinion. I will choose my posts more carefully before I respond to something that I can relate to next time.

 

[njfamily]

I really appreciate everyone thoughts. Thanks!

The school is American Montessori Society. They are also seeking certification with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Middle States, and the National Association for Independent Schools.

Nativetxn - I think you are correct, Montessori is not for everyone and neither is public school or some of the other options. I strongly believe in the public schools system and am a product of one myself. But in the case of my DD and DS we don’t think it is the correct fit thus we are looking at the other options. PS – My mother is a native Texan and although she hasn’t lived there in about 50 year, she is still a proud Texas.