I can't decide Montessori or public? So much to consider...

[jadensmommy2005]

I have been looking into Montessori for my 5 year old for Kindergarten. He will be almost 6 when he starts. He has had one year of two day a week preschool. He knows letter sounds and we are working in starting to spell 3 letter words and starting to do very basic addition. I was thinking of sending him to M 4 days a week and homeschooling the last day. I thought that would be a good transition to all day every day first grade. It would otherwise be quite a shock to him to go from 3 hours two days a week to all day every day. And yet, I fear he will fall behind. He will most likely be going to public school first grade due to finances. We could MAYBE swing tuition but we would have to cut most everything else (karate, etc.). Since he will not be continuing on in M it is vital that he know all that the other kids know. The teacher assures me that he will (especially if I would send him there full-time for K) but I do I know for sure? When I went to observe it seemed that many kids were just wondering about deciding what to do next or working on sorting beans or something that seemed below the level of work they should be doing. I am not a big fan of public school methods but I do hear the one he will go to uses positive reinforcement and is a "leashership" school which is supposed to put more enphasis on character building. And, sometimes I think if he is eventually going to have to go there anyway what good is one year of M going to do? Well, except for being a transition year. I might also add that he has some speech problems and is a bit behind, as many boys are, in fine motor. I thought maybe a year in M could give him time for therapy to work without the risk of being teased. When I visited the M school I was amazed at how respectful the kids were of each other and kind also. Plus he will be in with some younger kids and his speech won't stand out as much. Thoughts?

[mattemma04]

I think primary is very different AND enjoyable. Your child might like public K.My ds thought it was ok despite the plethora of worksheets required in and out of school. He however loved primary M and I wish he had a full year of it.

I would recommend Montessori,and then for public grade one you can just cover some material over the summer to get him in line with what your local school wants.I would go to the school and find out what is covered in K,and what is the base knowledge expected for those entering grade 1.Even an hour on the weekends during the school year should prepare him. I have come across many families that just do primary,and then move on to public.