I had no idea it was so expensive!

[cchrissyy]

well, we're a homeschool-minded family and so we didn't plan ahead for this moment, when my 4-year-old son's speech therapist recommended he might be really ready and really helped by enrolling in a Montessori class.

So, I'm checking on it. anything to help him, you know?

Every program I've found is upwards of $900 a month.

We're new to the CA bay area. I called a school in our former town an hour away. their price- 630. their opinion, yep, a thousand sounds right for my city.

Well, I've got to find a way to afford this and see if it help him. So we're pressing forward.
But of course, it's hard to get in (should have waitlisted him years ago) and there might be issues about his special needs (He's got SID and looks like ADHD and Aspergers)

so, that's my vent. grrrrr. sigh.

[1growingsprout]

i feel for you ma'am is there anyway you can send him part time? like 2 days a week... i sure hope the $900/month was full time....

can he be served equally well. or close to equally well by doing play groups? or another type of activity?? art class?? most times the city programs/rec dept have toddler/kids classes

how about some type of karate??

we homeschool but are they any type of financial aid programs?? does the school have a sliding scale?? can you cry poverty??

if there are special needs make sure you are working on an IEP (individual education plan)

[cchrissyy]

yeha, we're trying the public/IEP angle. we had services with the regional center until 3, then he had an IEP for speech but he's doing too well to qualify again on that basis. we're trying to qualify some other way, because the public preschool classes are really good here.

we do lots of "good homeschooler" activities... field trips, art groups, play groups. He has a special needs swimming and gymnastics class.
But he needs something more structured... something every day in a very organized, quiet sort of environment... not like home and not really something I can replicate.


we're definitely going to apply anyway and work the financial aid angle.

[almama]

Where are you in the Bay Area? San Jose has Hammer Montessori as a public magnet school and they used to have a pre-K. I'm not sure if it is still there following their move, but it would be good to check.

There are a few other resources that I know of down here, but if you are elsewhere then I recommend finding out what your school district will do for you. Lots offer services to 4 year olds who qualify.

[mamatoady]

My brother used to live in Arcata, ca which was so friggin' expensive--the house his family ended up renting was $1800/mo! (they only stayed a year and moved back to oregon ) however, his daughter went to a public waldorf school and he said there was a lot of them--could you consider that or are there public montessoris? Also, our montessori has scholarship programs (I am told)

sarah

[LauraLoo]

Originally Posted by cchrissyy

well, we're a homeschool-minded family and so we didn't plan ahead for this moment, when my 4-year-old son's speech therapist recommended he might be really ready and really helped by enrolling in a Montessori class.

What exactly did your speech therapist think that a Montessori program in particular would help with? You mentioned "structure" in a later post in this thread, but it seems that there would be other options to help with this.....

[cchrissyy]

Almama,
we're in Berkeley, and I am trying hard to get the district to provide services. He had and IEP (Speech and OT) but they don't think he qualifies anymore.

Sarah,
we're hoping financial aid will be possible. Our rent is above your brother's, and though there are some magnet schools here for arts and technology, there aren't any public ones based on eductaional philosophy. I'm going to the kindergarten fair this month to learn mroe, though.

Laura,
in order to give him any chance of sucess, the environment would need to be very stable, predictable, and quiet. He can't tolerate much noise/chaos, so play-based schools are out.
we're waitlisted at some co-ops but the parent-participation means too many new faces for him, as diferent people are in the classroom each day.
Montessori appeals because the classes seem more orderly, with kids working quietly.

[almama]

If he has Aspbergers then you should be able to access a lot of services. Several of my friends have kids with autism spectrum and they talk about the "battles" of getting what they need, but it is out there and you should have access to it in California. I know one gets funding to pay for sitters, so that she can have a break from time to time. You should check with a local autism group and find out what you should be able to get for services/ education.

You should check out the Montessori programs to see if they are as structured as they claim too. I have seen them all over the map.

Best of luck!

[cchrissyy]

thanks

[smalltownmom3]

I've never heard of Montessori, but have you looked into any alternatives? The public schools sytem is free for everyone, and most have wonderful teachers trained to help children with special needs.

[cchrissyy]

smalltownmom- if only I could get the district to agree! Actually, he has an IEP and they're out of complaince.

looking at the cost of doing this privately has motivated me to push them for what he deserves, legally. that's why I'm up at 1AM writing an official complaint tothe Dept of Education and the district about how they're not honoring his IEP and formal requests for evaluations.
I'll fix this.