My child (5) is finishing up her 3-6 program in a MOntessori school about 30 min from our house. It is the only M school in our area that goes through 7th grade. we have been pleased with the school and this year we have seen her blossom and the fruits of the 3-6 cycle. However, the school seem s to be falling apart administratively and is having some problems. For example:
School accepted 5 students into the 3-6 program in February that are under the age of three, one who is autistic. These children are not normalized to the classroom, are disruptive to the other kids and often have toilet accidents. I feel that they have accepted these kids only for the money at this late date and it is distracting to the other teachers and interfering with the kids who are working. I spoke with the director and she told me that the kids were too young to start before February and would get used to the classroom. Huh??
Next year my child will be in 6-9 class (1st grade). This class has been taught by two veteran teacher up till this year. Now, one of the teachers will be leaving and another teacher-NOT certified in elementary MOntessori has been hired. She is "working" on her certification according to the director and is a certified upper elementary teacher in traditional school but has never taught at a MOntssori school before. The other veteran teacher who does mainly math and science is staying. I am concerned that my child will miss fundamental skills if the teachers are not on level in their teaching. This new teacher may very well be good, but she is not certified and has no MOntessori experience. The director is comfortable having her as a lead teacher despite this and claims it is impossible to find a teacher certified in elementary MOntessori in this area. Also, the kids in my child's class who will be going up to 6-9 are not the nicest kids- of the 7 kindy students, there are 4 girls, 2 are bullies and one follows them and then there is my girl who often plays alone or with little kids. Not s great social situation and all these kids are staying.
Finally, the 9-12 classroom has an assistant whose two girls are at the school. She is not certified in M and has no interest in becoming certified. She is nice, but makes comments to her daughters in a shouting voice that she will "beat their butts" when they get home etc. and doesn't seem to contribute much to that classroom but a warm body. Director has not problem with this and says she is there only to assist the teacher, not to teach. O.K. Additionally, the kids have been watching movies during recess- the last one was "Daddy Daycare" wth??? that is totally inappropriate and worthless mindless entertainment. Further, it should be the parent's choice if their child sees mainstream films. Director was upset about this one.
In short, my child LOVES this school. She would be sad to leave and go somewhere else. And there are many things I like about the school, but, I feel that the director is really letting things slide.. and I do not see this changing in the future. She is the sole owner and director of the school so she answers to no one but the parents- many of whom are leaving or considering leaving. I cannot say any longer that this is an excellent school where my daughter is getting the best education she could. Its an adequate school that has the potential to be soooo much more. I love the Montessori method and believe in it, but there are no other M schools within an hour of our home that continue past 3-6. So , I would have to try and get my child into a traditional private school (bad public schools in this area) where kids have lots of homework, stay in their seats, have a rushed lunch etc. The private $$$$$ school we looked at has a great art and cultural program and a lot to offer and is a great education, but its not M and has a very traditional and conservative slant. I am so torn and need to make a decision soon as registration is due. Can anyone give me some insight as to how you would handle this. Am I over reacting??? Or do I give up on M right now in the interest of giving her an education that will allow her to compete with other kids after she leaves it??
School accepted 5 students into the 3-6 program in February that are under the age of three, one who is autistic. These children are not normalized to the classroom, are disruptive to the other kids and often have toilet accidents. I feel that they have accepted these kids only for the money at this late date and it is distracting to the other teachers and interfering with the kids who are working. I spoke with the director and she told me that the kids were too young to start before February and would get used to the classroom. Huh??
Next year my child will be in 6-9 class (1st grade). This class has been taught by two veteran teacher up till this year. Now, one of the teachers will be leaving and another teacher-NOT certified in elementary MOntessori has been hired. She is "working" on her certification according to the director and is a certified upper elementary teacher in traditional school but has never taught at a MOntssori school before. The other veteran teacher who does mainly math and science is staying. I am concerned that my child will miss fundamental skills if the teachers are not on level in their teaching. This new teacher may very well be good, but she is not certified and has no MOntessori experience. The director is comfortable having her as a lead teacher despite this and claims it is impossible to find a teacher certified in elementary MOntessori in this area. Also, the kids in my child's class who will be going up to 6-9 are not the nicest kids- of the 7 kindy students, there are 4 girls, 2 are bullies and one follows them and then there is my girl who often plays alone or with little kids. Not s great social situation and all these kids are staying.
Finally, the 9-12 classroom has an assistant whose two girls are at the school. She is not certified in M and has no interest in becoming certified. She is nice, but makes comments to her daughters in a shouting voice that she will "beat their butts" when they get home etc. and doesn't seem to contribute much to that classroom but a warm body. Director has not problem with this and says she is there only to assist the teacher, not to teach. O.K. Additionally, the kids have been watching movies during recess- the last one was "Daddy Daycare" wth??? that is totally inappropriate and worthless mindless entertainment. Further, it should be the parent's choice if their child sees mainstream films. Director was upset about this one.
In short, my child LOVES this school. She would be sad to leave and go somewhere else. And there are many things I like about the school, but, I feel that the director is really letting things slide.. and I do not see this changing in the future. She is the sole owner and director of the school so she answers to no one but the parents- many of whom are leaving or considering leaving. I cannot say any longer that this is an excellent school where my daughter is getting the best education she could. Its an adequate school that has the potential to be soooo much more. I love the Montessori method and believe in it, but there are no other M schools within an hour of our home that continue past 3-6. So , I would have to try and get my child into a traditional private school (bad public schools in this area) where kids have lots of homework, stay in their seats, have a rushed lunch etc. The private $$$$$ school we looked at has a great art and cultural program and a lot to offer and is a great education, but its not M and has a very traditional and conservative slant. I am so torn and need to make a decision soon as registration is due. Can anyone give me some insight as to how you would handle this. Am I over reacting??? Or do I give up on M right now in the interest of giving her an education that will allow her to compete with other kids after she leaves it??
