Montessori and Higher Education

[OhTheThinks.....]

Hi Guys, I was having a discussion with another mom regarding "what happens to the kids who leave montessori when they graduate"? She was in a 3-6 program and had to make a choice of kindergartens. Some of the kids were considered "gifted" when they went to regular preschool, but I would suppose some went into the "regular" track as well. My dd is going to be going to a m-school that goes through to the eighth grade. I did get a chance to talk to some of the middle school students. Such a nice bunch. One did say he was going to the International Baccalaurate program in high school.
Basically, what do you think you should expect from putting your little one in a Montessori environment? Do you feel it will give them "higher" "better" educational opportunities? Are you feel it is just a better start?
Anybody know of any statistics of the majority of kids from a montessori environment??

[momto1QT]

Hi there! Interesting question. I will be starting my soon to be 2 year old daughter in a montessori school this fall where she will begin in the toddler program and next year will be in the 3-6 preschool. I don't know if montessori is "better" than any other types of schooling but as a physical therapist I do know the importance of sensorial learning in the young child and the importance of 'hand to brain' learning, of which montessori is known for. I really believe too that the emphasis on concentration and independence will be lifelong habits that will serve her well into the future. So in that context, speaking from a strictly personal vantage point, I really believe this will provide the best start for her. After kindergarten, she will however move on to a regular private elementary school so I hope the transition goes well! Overall, it seems a good montessori education will, as probably with any "good" preschool, will help give her a good start for her future! Good luck!

[mamatojade]

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[btlsmum]

Our kids go to a school that goes up to age 12 for now, with plans on expanding through middle school in the next 2 years and a long term goal of going through high school. So, hopefully this is an issue we will never have to think about.

The parents I know whose children completed their Montessori schooling have had varying experiences. They found their children lacking in certain skills (rote memorization being a big one) and excelling in others. They seemed to transfer well socially and did exceedingly well academically but were less than thrilled by the teaching methods of their new environments. That's more than one family's experience.

Honestly, I'm trying to do what's best for my children in the moment. We will deal with the long term when we get there. Kind of a lazy approach, but it's working so far.

As far as what I expect from the education. I hope that I'm giving them a chance to be in a classroom where they get one on one time with their teachers and their peers. And that they are getting a chance utilize the learning styles that suit them best.

[OhTheThinks.....]

So true........at this age we are trying to find out the learning style of our little kiddos for sure. Whether it be montessori, waldor, high touch etc. I did notice when you type in "best preschools" in web searches, you do come up with Montessori schools quite often.
You just try to provide the best education you possibly can.
In my state you have to be so on top of everything, because it does not rate very high when compared to the other 50 states. So alot of people move to the best county they can and then go from there. There is also alot of homeschooling, especially in the early grades.
I took also another approach.........since I knew there was "pockets" of great schools in the area, I tried to seek them out. I posted this on another thread also. I decided to "work backwards". Look at the high school program that my little one may chose to attend and then find out what the "feeder" schools are into that program.
On the nonreligious track - The IB program here only takes 100 students per year by application. Those students are frequently National Merit Scholars also. So I frankly asked them where the students into the program came from last year. They were very forthcoming with any information. I then asked my Montessori school, which now has a middle school program where their students graduated to. It all panned out.......all of their children, if they do not go to a religous high school, all get accepted into the IB program. So that was an interesting positive result.
Now of course I realize I will see how my little one's education pans out over the next many years and also what develops in the county and neighborhood, but at least this is a start.
Interesting conversation I had recently with a friend. She was pulling her little one out of Montessori, because they required all day kindergarten and she felt that was too much for her little one. The interesting thing was that she was having an internal conversation with herself, that was she giving up the "prestige" of providing her daughter with with a Montessori education and was that more of her concern than just leaving the school. I think she is going to try homeschooling. My advice to her was go with her gut !!! Give homeschooling a try and see how it goes. She can always go back to private school..........HA HA they will always take your money !

[OhTheThinks.....]

[QUOTE=btlsmum]The parents I know whose children completed their Montessori schooling have had varying experiences. They found their children lacking in certain skills (rote memorization being a big one) and excelling in others. They seemed to transfer well socially and did exceedingly well academically but were less than thrilled by the teaching methods of their new environments. That's more than one family's experience.QUOTE]

Yes, that is true in some cases, some M-School are into critical thinking skills and teaching the children how "to learn", versus how to memorize. For me I think both are important as it seems some standardized testing is all about "what has been memorized". To that fact I think it will be important to supplement at home with things you want memorized. Now having said that, another little fellow went through 3 years of Montessori, and does not have to memorize anything........he just figures it out !! Basically he "learned" how to learn!" He transfered well to a religious school at 3rd grade as the M-school only went to 2nd. He scored very very high on their placement test.

Also I too have found that alot of parents after having the "Montessori experience" were less than thrilled at the other environments teaching methods that their kids went too. Some have stated that the kids got bored quickly and had to "wait for the rest of the class", and didn't like the less individualization.

Also off topic is having to pay for private tuition and also pay school taxes, but that is a whole 'nother discussion.

[Flor]

I didn't go to a Montessori school exactly, my high school was founded by Montessori middle school parents who wanted a high school but it isn't actually Montessori-- but, it did stress critical thinking, social skills, real world experiences, etc. It was very small and cozy. People were always asking me-- "But what about when you get out in to the REAL WORLD"
I guess that means bubble sheet test, punching time clocks, college classes with 300 students, a suit and tie, an SUV, I don't know.

I loved my high school so much that I found a tiny private college to go to (on full scholarship since my high school made me so smart :LOL ) where we thought critically, wrote essays, engaged inthe real world. . .and people said, "Yes, but what about when you get into the REAL WORLD. . ."

Then I joined Americorps. ..

My point is that your kids might have trouble going back into a boring, mainstream environment but they will likely crave and expect and seek out intersting experiences for themselves.

I highly recommend alternative schooling.

BTW, I made it through college and grad school and now teach in a very mainstream public school where I try to bring a little alterntive thinking to the masses.

[arpace]

I just found this group and have been reading through. My two children have been in a Montessori school for 2 years now and they and we love it. My dd will be in 1st grade in august and can do 4 digit math and do single digit addition / subtraction / multiplication in her head. Is reading on a 1st-3rd grade level (she was barely reading when this school year started - now she is just obsessed with reading). She is an overachiever who wants to do more, ask more, etc. My ds is the baby of the family, with a big sister to do for him. This year, although, he is starting to do more on his own. He comes home from school and says he did do anything in school, but he is beginning to write and can do simple addition / subtraction / multiplication. One think to be aware about with Montessori is that it allows children to learn in their own way. My ds learns more by watching others then by doing. For example, at 3 yrs old he got his first bike, we were trying to teach him how to ride, you know holding the bike while he figured out how to petal. Then an older kids rides by on his bike, my ds watched him doing it and 5 minutes later my ds was pedaling like an old pro… with in 6 months he had the training wheels off and is riding a two-wheeler. A year later he thinks he is a BMX pro (think x-games). Some kids learn by doing, others by observing. The School that they go to, next year will be their 25th anniversary. They currently go up to the 8th grade and we are working right now on building a high school. Every year the 2nd, 4th, and 8th grade students take a national test (I think P-SATs) the students’ average 2-3 grade levels ahead of the score on this test…. The past couple of years, our 8th graders have been scoring post-high school! When these 8th graders move on to traditional high school they have all been in the top 10% of their classes with many as the valedictorian or salutatorian. Every year Duke University gives out awards to Middle school students for academic performance. If one student in your school gets one of these awards that is an unbelievable achievement. Last year, 3 students where awarded! Over half of our graduates have received full-tuition academic scholarships!

The AMI just published an article regarding the long term effects of a Montessori education. You can download the article at http://www.montessori-ami.org/research/outcomes.pdf

Also if you are interested in famous or successful people who were Montessori educated:

•Katherine Graham (deceased), owner/editor of the Washington Post
•Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (deceased), editor, former first lady (John F. Kennedy)
•Sean 'P.Diddy' (formerly known as Puffy) Combs, RAP mega-star
•Anne Frank, famous diarist from world war II
•Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nobel Prize winner for Literature
•Jeff Bezos, financial analyst, founder, AMAZON.COM
•Prince William and Prince Harry, English royal family
•T. Berry Brazelton, noted pediatrician and author
•Julia Child, famous chef, star of many TV cooking shows and author of numerous cookbooks
•Elizabeth Berridge, actress (Constanze in Amadeus)
•Kami Cotler, actress (youngest child on long-running series The Waltons)
•Melissa and Sarah Gilbert, actors
Famous people who chose Montessori schools for their own children:
•Stephen J. Cannell, TV writer-producer-director (The Rockford Files and many others)
•Patty Duke Austin, actress
•Cher Bono, singer-actress
•John Bradshaw, psychologist and author
•Yul Brynner (dec.), actor
•Marcy Carcy, TV producer
•Bill & Hillary Clinton, former president/senator, NY
•Michael Douglas, actor
•Shari Lewis (dec.), puppeteer
•Yo Yo Ma, cellist
Others with a Montessori Connection:
•Alexander Graham Bell (dec.), noted inventor, and his wife Mabel founded the Montessori Education Assocation in 1913. They also provided financial support directly to Dr. Montessori and helped establish the first Montessori class in Canada and one of the first in the United States
•Mister Rogers, children's TV personality, strong supporter of Montessori education
•Thomas Edison, noted scientist and inventor, helped found a Montessori school
•President Wilson's daughter trained as a Montessori teacher. There was a Montessori classroom in the basement of the White House during Wilson's presidency
Sorry for the long post.

AP

[flyingspaghettimama]

Hi,

I also attended Montessori until almost middle school age, at which point I entered a very rural, poor, conservative, public school system. It was absolutely horrible. I switched districts at one point, but I never felt comfortable until I started an alternative HS, and then college a year early. I think if honors tracks or alternative learning tracks would have been available to me I would have been happier. There's nothing like learning you have to ask permission to do a basic bodily function (i.e. use the restroom). It seemed so bizarre to me, combined with a absolute lack of interest or pacing in classes. I tested into the public school system at a 12th grade level in sixth grade. Soo...let's say if my mother had CARED then changes could have been made.

I think the beauty of Montessori is that it really lets you excel and explore where your interests lie, and nobody ever tells you "no, you're not old enough." It does help you to become a critical thinker, to find your own way, and to expect and give respect to those around you. I hope that Montessori will give her the confidence, perseverence, and independent skills I think a person today needs, more than "following directions."

Where my daughter is going to school, we're lucky - there are lots of montessori choices in our town - private and public - and lots of alternative schools, parents, and gifted programs. I would have loooved to live here as a child and teen.

[mamaley]

i have a question--what about the longterm effects for kids who only go through primary in montessori? my ds will probably go to first grade in a public school, though he has been in a montessori school since age 2.5 i'm not even talking about college here, but does anyone here have any experience with the effects of primary in montessori in public school, etc?

[mommy22]

The founders of Google were also Montessori educated. BTW...thanks for that info. I'd been looking for such information!

[Meg_Mom2Rachel]

This is a very interesting thread and I'm enjoying reading all your insights. I have a 9 month old and I am begining to look into the Montessori teaching method so I can start get her started here at home. I went through the 3-6 Montessori program and honestly those years contain some of my best childhood memories. I want the same for my daughter.

Going back into lurkdom.

[funkykat]

meg mom2rachel, i have heard that same thing from a lot of my adult friends who may only have spent a few years at montessori. 30 years later they still can remember lots of details of their montessori schooling! my son is going into his 4th year at a montessori school, he absolutely loves it, and we are always pleasantly surprised at what he knows. (okay more shocked at how stupid we feel- sometimes our 5 year old knows more than us ! lol)

[butternut]

This is a fascinating thread--I loved reading about the famous people in history who were Montessori-educated. I never knew that!
We live in a country where our grade school Montessori will go up through 9th grade, which is age 15 for us. Students are 16 when they start high school here. (High school here is really more equivalent to junior-senior year plus first year of college in the US.) So teachers in high school here think that Montessori educated studetns have an easier time planning and completing their own projects, that they need less intervention from teachers, and less prodding.
I think it should be noted that not all Montessori kids are super "advanced" when you compare conventional reading or math levels. My 7 year old (who has only ever attended Montessori) is not really doing what his 7 year old cousin at a conventional school is doing reading-wise. But I think there is a big difference in how my son thinks and uses his own skills. I think his cousin is good at memory work, but my son is better at figuring things out in his head. Make sense? I don't worry about him being "advanced" as I can see he is making his own progress all the time. Somehow he seems to remember things differently because he learns them at his own pace and in his own way. His cousin can forget skills learned because they are often learned at the wrong time for her own needs. I think Montessori kids internalize information in a different way.