How Do I Determine Quality of Montessori Program?

[Addy's Mom]

There is a brand new Montessori school just down the street from me and I'm really interested in sending my son there next year. But since it's so new, I have no idea whether it's a good program or not. I met with the administrator and the two teachers for the 3-6 age classroom. I found the two teachers to be delightful, although one has just completed her Montessori training and has no actual classroom experience (other than a 9 month internship, which I'm not discounting at all).

The school is associated with AMS but not accredited. It does, however, seem to follow pretty strictly with the use of materials, etc. (at least from what I can tell after a 2 hour tour/discussion).


I have no practical experience with Montessori, only what I've read (and I've read a lot). I'm just wondering if it's ill-advised to try a brand new school.

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.

[kittykat2481]

We toured a brand new school around here and opted against it for a few reasons, including the fact that it had no track record or reputation. Are they in session right now? So by the time your son starts next year, there will be a set of children who have already been there for a year? I think that's important to a Montessori classroom - for there to be children in their second or third year who can "mentor" the first years. Also, the bran new teacher - is she the main teacher in the room, or is she working with a more experienced teacher? I would just try to tour as many schools as you can to get an idea of what you like and don't like, and then also tour this new school again in a few months when they've been open a little longer, and see if you like what you see. Try to go during work time/circle time. That way you can see the true flow/atmosphere of the classroom. If it is typically a calm yet energetic environment, you'll be able to tell. Good luck!

[ADirrim]

When evaluating Montessori programs, it is important to remember that there is not a trademark on the name, any school can call itself "Montessori" without adherence to her methods or use of her materials. Choosing a school affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) or the Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI) is one way to ascertain the authenticity of the program. AMI schools are visited by a consultant every three years; AMS Accredited schools have been a full member school for at least one year and have been visited by an accredidation consultant (the school that you mention could not be accredited as it has not been in operation for a year so their lack of accredidation is not indicative of quality).

An authentic Montessori program should have a mixed age group, one set of Montessori materials with minimal additional material, a trained teacher who holds an AMI/AMS diploma for the age group that they are teaching (keep in mind that if the school is an AMS school and holds less than a "full" membership- a Associate or Initiate membership- it means that the teachers in all of the classrooms do not currently meet that qualification but the school is working toward it), and a three hour period of uninterrupted work (as you can tell from other posts in this forum, this is probably the single most important way to judge schools- many schools claiming to be Montessori ignore this fundamental aspect of her philosophy and revert to contracts, checklists, large/small group instruction, and break the day into time devoted to specific subject areas).

It is certainly more difficult with a newly formed school. I strongly concur that you should attempt to observe in the classroom (preferably during the uninterrupted work time). Even if you lack practical experience of Montessori, you should be able to learn a lot about the program by watching the way that the guide interacts with the children and their classroom demeanor (if you want to make your observation even more worthwhile, try to visit another Montessori for a point of comparison, even if the one you choose is too far away to be a practical alternative). You might also want to ask the school to put you in touch with an existing child's parents (to inquire about their experience).

[Addy's Mom]

Thank you! Both of you have been very helpful. I really appreciate the insight.

[eepster]

Originally Posted by ADirrim

and a three hour period of uninterrupted work (as you can tell from other posts in this forum, this is probably the single most important way to judge schools- many schools claiming to be Montessori ignore this fundamental aspect of her philosophy and revert to contracts, checklists, large/small group instruction, and break the day into time devoted to specific subject areas).

State regulations (particularily in the preschool years) often prevent a school from having a real fully uninterrupted 3 hour work period. They often require a designated playground time every X hours. Also meal and nap times may be required by the state. So, a great school with people who are otherwise very authentic to the method may have interrupted work times simply to meet licencing regulations.

[Addy's Mom]

Interesting. The school I'm looking at has a 2.5 hour uninterrupted work time (only one all day), and I was holding that against it. I'll look more into the regulations in our State (which is a heavily regulated state in the first place).

But it might explain why they only have one period each day, since the kids get a nap in the afternoon. It doesn't really allow for another 2.5 or 3 hour work period.

[Lillianna]

Montessori herself said that one test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.
I am currently at a school that makes certain compromises (Montessori-light) for various reasons but were I to be evaluating programs, this is what I would look for:
AMI trained Guide
Full set of materials
No "specialties" but art, music, foreign language and movement all thoroughly integrated in the classroom
Beautiful environment
Spacious and carefully arranged
A large group size (35+)
Children happily engaged in productive activity
Access to the outdoors, free flow of work between indoors and out

[eepster]

Originally Posted by Lillianna

A large group size (35+)

Access to the outdoors, free flow of work between indoors and out

These also maybe problems in terms of state regulations, as well as simple practicality. States often limit class size, and regulate when children are allowed outdoors. Also, since many schools rent space from places like churches, they just don't have the luxury of a door directly out to the playground from the classroom.

Though, we may all want the perfect Montessori that follows the method both to the letter and in spirit, in an ideal setting with a perfect set up, and for the whole thing to be affordable, most schools end up compromising somewhere.

What is important is that the teachers love their students and believe in the method. We considered a school that in someways was more ideal and perfectly Montessori, but it cost twice as much as the school we ended up sending DS to. The things that made it "better" also made it unaffordable. For example, the directoress talked about how the math materials were made with real glass beads, and the importance of real materials; where as the place DS goes to has plastic ones. While the glass beads are better, the quality of the teachers is far more important, and the teachers at the school we chose seem just as dedicated, but make do with what's available.

[Addy's Mom]

Hi, again everyone.

I just toured this school again, which has now been open a few months. The classroom has 12 students in it, although I guess they will have more by the fall, which is when I want to enroll my son. What are the drawbacks of having a smaller class like this? (I know Montessori is supposed to be larger so that kids have more opportunities to learn from and help one another.)

But I still have really good feelings about the school.

[mamadebug]

I think having really good feelings about the school is really important. I have seen a lot of schools, and as a trained Montessori teacher, I know exactly what I am looking for. I have seen schools that look like perfect Montessori environments where I would never send my child. The school I ended up sending my son to has definite gaps in the implementation of the philosophy, but is so wonderful in so many ways, it is a worthwhile tradeoff in my mind.

I think it is important that the teachers have training from a well recognized Montessori organization.

I think it is important that the children are engaged and happy and making their own work choices. They should be engaged in meaningful, real work.

I think it is important that the teachers are respectful towards the children.

Good luck! I have seen soooo many montessori schools, and it can be hard to find a good fit.

[Addy's Mom]

Thanks for the feedback. I really love this forum for its very useful information on Montessori.

This school seems to be more Montessori-lite, and I was looking for AMI or AMS. But I really like the teachers (the Primary teacher has 25 years of Montessori experience), so I think I'll give it a try.