Would you drive 30+ miles for Montessori?

[saffrongirl]

My 5.5 year old dd has been in local Montessori since she was 3 years old. She has really done well in this setting and I'm looking for something similar for first grade. Her current school only teaches up to age 6 and the nearest Montessori for beyond age 6 is about 36 miles away.

We have fairly limited options in the area. There is one school that is 'alternative' and I have her on the waiting list there - she is 9th on the list for next year. Besides that, we only have public school. At the beginning of the year, I had resolved myself to hoping we got in to the alternative school and if not, just doing public. As I've watched her progress in Kindergarten at Montessori and seen the struggle and stress that the stepkids have with public school routine/standardized testing, etc., I've become more and more resistant to the idea of our public schools. I've thought about homeschooling her as I'm already home/unschooling my little brother (who is 10), but I feel she really needs the socialization in the classroom, as well as time away from me.

So I'm kind of at an impasse. The school that is 36 miles away is a charter school which means it would be free to us (thank the Lord b/c her current Montessori tuition is killing me), but of course there would be the hassle and time and cost of gas to get her to school a half hour away every day. Plus I have a one year old (will be two next year).

Any opinions? Would you drive that far for Montessori school? Ideas?

[mattemma04]

Our local m is 16 or 17 miles so back and forth I do about 65 miles a day. I would consider driving further if I could avoid tuition. I will admit though that on rainy and snowy days I don't even want to step out of the house! I have actually looked at cheap house close to the school,but I am not sure the kids will stay in m up to 8th grade,so moving is not worth it.

I would want to try it and just pull out if I did not like it.We have people all over that drive to our local m school.

[tatermom]

I was going to say, "no way!"... but then I read that it's a free charter school, and it started to sound a little better! If I were you, I would stay on the waitlist for the alternative if you think it's a good setting (we just got in off a waitlist after school started this fall and it was so worthwhile to wait! We were #29 for that school), and really check out that school (what does "alternative" mean? what is its philosophy, what are the classrooms like, etc). But in the meantime, you could drive to/from the M school a few times and see what you think about the commute. When do you have to decide? Can you stay on the waitlist for the alternative school while you are signed up for the M charter school? I would think it's worth trying out the M school for a few months (f you don't get into the alternative school or end up not liking that option), because you could always switch to homeschooling or to your local school if you get sick of the commute. Personally, I'd hate driving so far on a regular basis (which is why I initially thought "no way!"); we tried a commute like that for my kids last year and gave up after two weeks, but that was because we had several closer options and it just wasn't worth it. In your situation, it sounds like it might be worth it!

[RiverTam]

I'd drive that far for a free Montessori school.

I drive 30 minutes one-way now for a private, fee-based school.

[kittykat2481]

Originally Posted by RiverTam

I'd drive that far for a free Montessori school.

I drive 30 minutes one-way now for a private, fee-based school.

I wouldn't but I tend to think I could find something decent in my area, since there are many, many private/charter schools here. In your situation... I don't know. It depends on your lifestyle. What would you have to sacrifice to make that drive every day? I WOH so they extra 1-2 hours of driving a day aren't worth it to me. However, you may find that the library by the school has a fantastic story time for 2 year olds and get double the bang for your buck!

[texmati]

I would, especially if I didn't have to coordinate a lot of schedule (work, other kids school etc).

[elleystar]

The closest Montessori school is 50 miles away from me and I've been tempted, VERY tempted, to sign DS up for a twice a week program and make the drive. I won't...DH would never go for it...but I want to. I just can't seem to get it together homeschooling it like I think I ought, and I want DS to be exposed to that environment.

[zinemama]

I wouldn't. No way. I just can't imagine signing up to drive 144 miles every day (2 round trips) for school.

Are your stepkids struggling in the PS that your dd would be attending, or elsewhere? If elsewhere, have you visited your local PS? Do you know anything about it?

[saffrongirl]

I wouldn't have to do a TON of rearranging - I don't have the stepkids on school mornings so I'd only be getting my dd to school and I wahm so I can start that later. My issue is that we live in MN where winter storms are the norm and it could be such a struggle each morning getting through the snow, etc. Plus, I'm not sure I want to be that far away from her if a storm strikes in the middle of the school day and they are released early. BUT, it's still not entirely ruled out in my mind...

The stepkids go to the same school district but I could open enroll my dd at a different school. The school I'd choose then seems to get rave reviews from parents, but it's HUGE and the parents I've spoken to are not coming from a Montessori background.

I don't know. I struggle because maybe I'm under-estimating/protecting my dd too much. Maybe she needs a chance to flourish in a different environment?? It's so hard.

[2cutiekitties]

Have you done a practice drive yet? Is it on the freeway and an easy drive or through town? Before I considered any preschool, I hopped in the car and did the drive. Some were eliminated immediately simply because I disliked the drive for whatever reason.

I drive 10 miles to take my son to preschool and it takes between 20-25 mins because of the traffic and lights....it is all through town. I am in the car basically 2 hrs a day. That is enough for me, I couldnt do any more than that. It gets old really quick. His amazing teachers and well respected preschool do keep me continuing so I do think your drive could be worth it.

People at his school think I am crazy and I am basically the only one with this sort of drive out of 175 kids.

[choli]

Would the soon to be two year old and the 10 year old have to come along for the drive every day?

To be honest, I would not want my kids to spend that much time in a car every day.

[sora]

Hi
I'm in the same dilema. There is a free montessori school, 20km away - about 12miles. I can get there by free way. In my neighborhood, private m schools tuition are about $7500 a year after the goverment grant so I thought it might be worth it if I really set on Montessori. There is a free baby/toddler program in the same school starting 8:30 to 11:30 so I might try to stay in the school until 2:30 but that thát's a lot of hours to kill with a baby, not to mention baby's nap problems. I considered moving near there but the housing is way too expensive, expensive enough to pay for private tuition in my area.
Dilema!!! Is Montessori worth all the driving?

[texmati]

Originally Posted by saffrongirl

I wouldn't have to do a TON of rearranging - I don't have the stepkids on school mornings so I'd only be getting my dd to school and I wahm so I can start that later. My issue is that we live in MN where winter storms are the norm and it could be such a struggle each morning getting through the snow, etc. Plus, I'm not sure I want to be that far away from her if a storm strikes in the middle of the school day and they are released early. BUT, it's still not entirely ruled out in my mind...

The stepkids go to the same school district but I could open enroll my dd at a different school. The school I'd choose then seems to get rave reviews from parents, but it's HUGE and the parents I've spoken to are not coming from a Montessori background.

I don't know. I struggle because maybe I'm under-estimating/protecting my dd too much. Maybe she needs a chance to flourish in a different environment?? It's so hard.

I did not consider emergencies. Perhaps you could make arrangements with a more local mom in case of a true emergency. My mom worked as I was growing up, so my aunts were my emergency contact.

That being said, I don't think that it's being over protecting to want the schooling that will be the best fit for your kiddo. I live in texas, where 30+ miles doesn't sound that bad, though.

[MJB]

I wouldn't, unless the local schools were really awful.
My 2nd grader is currently in a Montessori magnet and it's great for him, but he did fine last year in a regular public school (we moved to a different state over the summer, or he'd still be there). I think Montessori is great but it's not worth the time and environmental impact of driving for over 2 hours a day. That just sounds crazy to me. Actually, even if the local schools were awful, I'd homeschool before I'd drive that much.

[mamadebug]

If it was a good Montessori, I would do the drive. Is there any chance of finding a carpool so that you wouldn't have to drive as much? Or is there a program your then 2 year old could attend near the school and you could do your work somewhere near the school so that you are only making the round trip once a day? That would depend on the kind of work you do, of course.

[Suki Lu]

Yes, absolutely! 

In fact, we just pulled our 6 yo out of the public school that is 6 blocks away and put her in the elementary M school 35 minutes away. She starts in January.

We are able to carpool with another family, so that will help, but I would probably do it regardless. I have gone back to work and we are cutting our budget to pay for it. I was very disappointed in the PS here, and the whole district gets excellent scores and grades. Many people move here for the schools.

The PS attitude towards children, IMO, is authoritarian, restricting, and I feel it encourages conforming, "towing the line," and external motivation rather than internal motivation.

All those are opposite of what we have been trying to do at home for the last 6 years with our two kids. Everyday I left the PS I felt sad and disheartened, like I was throwing my daughter to the wolves. I kept waiting for it to impress me and it never did.

At the elementary M school, and my son's children's house, I never want to leave the classroom and when I do I am inspired, impressed and feel so confident in my children's well-being. I have great faith that my kids are being treated with respect and intention and genuine care.

Hope that helps!

[Aliyahsmommy]

Absolutely! Free Montessori, that would be awesome as long as the school is a good one.

I drive about 11 miles...approximately 15 minutes away and we pay for our school. If it was free I would definitely drive an extra 20 miles for my daughter to attend that school, heck I might even drive farther. However, being in the car really doesn't bother me much:)

[kathymuggle]

Probably not.  36 miles is going to take at least 40 minutes - which is 80 minutes  round trip.  More if the weather is bad or if there is traffic.  I do not think it is fair to the  2 year old to do that daily.

The only way I would consider it would be if I could get childcare for at least one of the journeys. 

I tried doing the math but it made my head spin - to me it looks like you would be spend 10-15 on gas each day.  

That is a lot of $$ - dollars that may be put to better use if DD can go to a closer school or HS.

[choli]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

Probably not.  36 miles is going to take at least 40 minutes - which is 80 minutes  round trip.  More if the weather is bad or if there is traffic.  I do not think it is fair to the  2 year old to do that daily.

The only way I would consider it would be if I could get childcare for at least one of the journeys. 

I tried doing the math but it made my head spin - to me it looks like you would be spend 10-15 on gas each day.  

That is a lot of $$ - dollars that may be put to better use if DD can go to a closer school or HS.

IMO it is not even fair to the 5 year old. That is an awful lot of time for a 5 year old to be in a car every day.
 

[kathymuggle]

Originally Posted by choli 

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

Probably not.  36 miles is going to take at least 40 minutes - which is 80 minutes  round trip.  More if the weather is bad or if there is traffic.  I do not think it is fair to the  2 year old to do that daily.

The only way I would consider it would be if I could get childcare for at least one of the journeys. 

I tried doing the math but it made my head spin - to me it looks like you would be spend 10-15 on gas each day.  

That is a lot of $$ - dollars that may be put to better use if DD can go to a closer school or HS.

IMO it is not even fair to the 5 year old. That is an awful lot of time for a 5 year old to be in a car every day.
 

Yes.  Many five years old (particularly if it is a full day program) find school tiring, anyways.  You may have a very tired young person on your hands.

Do not just look at it terms of miles - but also in terms of what time you have to get up, etc.

Lets say school starts at 8:30.  You are going to need to be in the car by 7:30-7:45.  You are looking at a 6:30-7:00 wake up time.  If school ends at 3:30, you are realistically looking at coming through the door around 4:15/4:30.  If she needs 11 hours of sleep - you are looking at a 7:30 bedtime - which only gives you 3 hours of home time.  It is not very much.

Alternately, if she is in a public school down the road at 8:30 her wake up time might be 7:30, she might be home by 3:45 and she might not need to go to bed until 8: 30 or so.  You are looking at almost 5 hours of after school time.  

This could very well impact her ability to take extra-curriculurs too.