Montessori Schools?

[raidermatt]

Was hoping I could get some feedback from folks who have some experience with Montessori schools. We are considering one for our son who will be in 1st grade next year.

Any general feedback, positive or negative?

Any experience with kids who transitioned in from public schools?

What about transitioning out, back into public schools or high school? Any issues?

Thanks!

Matt

 

[swanmom]

My first reaction is that it depends entirely on the individual school and staff. Some Montessori schools are good and some not so good.I did teacher training supervision for many years and saw many schools. There are good and bad in every area with every philosphical bent. What's more important is to check the school through several visits at different times. Talk to the director. If you get a good feel for the director, that person sets the tone for the school climate and the staff. Talk to other parents at that school. Just because it's Montessori doesn't mean it's good or bad.

 

[CindyKansas]

Our daughter went to a Montessori school her first year of school and she and we loved it. I thought the teacher was wonderful and she was great with the small class that she had. We would have preferred to have her continue at the school but the teacher's husband died during the summer and she hasn't continued the school. I feel that our DD learned a lot but it was a very small class (12). When DD continued school we sent her to a rural school so the change wasn't that great. She's in 9th grade and still going to the same school. K-12. Also a small class of 22.

 

[MinnieYC]

I think they can be great. I know it's not exactly recently, but my siblings and I went to a Montessori school for nursery school and kindergarten. We then went to a public school for the rest of our school years, and I don't remember having any transition problems.

 

[kadaten]

My daughter is currently in a Montessori preschool that we both love! That said, I agree with an earlier poster who said some are good and some are not. Most Montessori schools are private (there are a few public ones out there, but they're very rare) and so can and do vary greatly between them. I'd suggest you learn all you can about the philosophy and method, then tour some schools you're considering. See how it's put into practice, how the teachers lead and interact with the kids, etc. This is really going to be a gut decision for you.

Also, it can depend on the child. Montessori allows for lots of self-determination in work, and there are some kids who just can't handle the lack of structure. Many, however, respond very well to the opportunity to do one thing for long stretches of time, rather than stopping math "because it's time for reading", etc. So really be sure to consider how your child might handle it. And this will vary from school to school as well.

As for transition, my aunt has taught in a Catholic elementary school for 29 years, currently 1st grade but has done 2nd and 3rd as well. She has never had a problem with kids transitioning from Montessori. Just as each year brings new classes, new kids, new teachers, and new schedules, these kids had no harder time getting used to it than the others. The one thing that was different was that they had to get used to switching subjects when it was time to....but that was easy enough for most kids to handle. She's always had a fair amount of respect for the Montessori program and is contemplating adding that certification to her credentials.

HTH somewhat
Katie

 

[raidermatt]

Thank you all for your comments.

We have toured the school, and observed a class for about 20 minutes.

Our public schools in the area are going through significant budget cuts... PE and music are all but gone, mandated class size limitations are being rolled back, and a couple of schools are marked for closure after this school year.

We want to support our schools, but know we need to do what's best for our child.

We liked what we saw, but just wanted to gather any other feedback we could.

Again, thank you!

Anyone else have any comments?

Thanks again,

Matt