Feedback/Experiences with PG Goddard Montessori

[Anonymous]

Hi
Looking for feedback/experiences with PG Montessori specifically Goddard since its the only one close to us. We were thinking about applying for the lottery for our soon to be 4 year old for next fall. He would be 4.5 if he were to be accepted.
Im attending the open house next month but hoped for some family input.

My understanding is that the classes are grouped by age and that the teacher (in theory) goes through all 3 years of that age group with them so 3-6 stays together, etc.
I dont see a normal day routine on their website but I wanted to see how much outdoor time and/or recess they have. A large part of Montessori method is interacting and learning with the outdoor world so if they arent getting regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities then it kind of isnt worth it.

Is it a normal school day so 9-230?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi
Looking for feedback/experiences with PG Montessori specifically Goddard since its the only one close to us. We were thinking about applying for the lottery for our soon to be 4 year old for next fall. He would be 4.5 if he were to be accepted.
Im attending the open house next month but hoped for some family input.

My understanding is that the classes are grouped by age and that the teacher (in theory) goes through all 3 years of that age group with them so 3-6 stays together, etc.
I dont see a normal day routine on their website but I wanted to see how much outdoor time and/or recess they have. A large part of Montessori method is interacting and learning with the outdoor world so if they arent getting regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities then it kind of isnt worth it.

Is it a normal school day so 9-230?

Good luck to you. The odds of getting in as a 4 year old are pretty low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi
Looking for feedback/experiences with PG Montessori specifically Goddard since its the only one close to us. We were thinking about applying for the lottery for our soon to be 4 year old for next fall. He would be 4.5 if he were to be accepted.
Im attending the open house next month but hoped for some family input.

My understanding is that the classes are grouped by age and that the teacher (in theory) goes through all 3 years of that age group with them so 3-6 stays together, etc.
I dont see a normal day routine on their website but I wanted to see how much outdoor time and/or recess they have. A large part of Montessori method is interacting and learning with the outdoor world so if they arent getting regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities then it kind of isnt worth it.

Is it a normal school day so 9-230?

Good luck to you. The odds of getting in as a 4 year old are pretty low.

Thanks. We are interested but not panicked. We like his preschool but it would be a 14k savings for us so if we get in we get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi
Looking for feedback/experiences with PG Montessori specifically Goddard since its the only one close to us. We were thinking about applying for the lottery for our soon to be 4 year old for next fall. He would be 4.5 if he were to be accepted.
Im attending the open house next month but hoped for some family input.

My understanding is that the classes are grouped by age and that the teacher (in theory) goes through all 3 years of that age group with them so 3-6 stays together, etc.
I dont see a normal day routine on their website but I wanted to see how much outdoor time and/or recess they have. A large part of Montessori method is interacting and learning with the outdoor world so if they arent getting regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities then it kind of isnt worth it.

Is it a normal school day so 9-230?

Good luck to you. The odds of getting in as a 4 year old are pretty low.

Thanks. We are interested but not panicked. We like his preschool but it would be a 14k savings for us so if we get in we get in.

All money saved ain’t good money. Rethink saving your $14k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi
Looking for feedback/experiences with PG Montessori specifically Goddard since its the only one close to us. We were thinking about applying for the lottery for our soon to be 4 year old for next fall. He would be 4.5 if he were to be accepted.
Im attending the open house next month but hoped for some family input.

My understanding is that the classes are grouped by age and that the teacher (in theory) goes through all 3 years of that age group with them so 3-6 stays together, etc.
I dont see a normal day routine on their website but I wanted to see how much outdoor time and/or recess they have. A large part of Montessori method is interacting and learning with the outdoor world so if they arent getting regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities then it kind of isnt worth it.

Is it a normal school day so 9-230?

Good luck to you. The odds of getting in as a 4 year old are pretty low.

Thanks. We are interested but not panicked. We like his preschool but it would be a 14k savings for us so if we get in we get in.

All money saved ain’t good money. Rethink saving your $14k.

I'm not really sure what's up with the vague answers but I'm really looking for a specific feedback. I'm aware of the odds we made the decision to look into this and that's why I'm asking for feedback- actual feedback from families who have attended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi
Looking for feedback/experiences with PG Montessori specifically Goddard since its the only one close to us. We were thinking about applying for the lottery for our soon to be 4 year old for next fall. He would be 4.5 if he were to be accepted.
Im attending the open house next month but hoped for some family input.

My understanding is that the classes are grouped by age and that the teacher (in theory) goes through all 3 years of that age group with them so 3-6 stays together, etc.
I dont see a normal day routine on their website but I wanted to see how much outdoor time and/or recess they have. A large part of Montessori method is interacting and learning with the outdoor world so if they arent getting regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities then it kind of isnt worth it.

Is it a normal school day so 9-230?

Good luck to you. The odds of getting in as a 4 year old are pretty low.

I’m the previous poster. Look elsewhere. Very disorganized and disruptive kids.

Thanks. We are interested but not panicked. We like his preschool but it would be a 14k savings for us so if we get in we get in.

All money saved ain’t good money. Rethink saving your $14k.

I'm not really sure what's up with the vague answers but I'm really looking for a specific feedback. I'm aware of the odds we made the decision to look into this and that's why I'm asking for feedback- actual feedback from families who have attended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi
Looking for feedback/experiences with PG Montessori specifically Goddard since its the only one close to us. We were thinking about applying for the lottery for our soon to be 4 year old for next fall. He would be 4.5 if he were to be accepted.
Im attending the open house next month but hoped for some family input.

My understanding is that the classes are grouped by age and that the teacher (in theory) goes through all 3 years of that age group with them so 3-6 stays together, etc.
I dont see a normal day routine on their website but I wanted to see how much outdoor time and/or recess they have. A large part of Montessori method is interacting and learning with the outdoor world so if they arent getting regular and frequent outdoor learning opportunities then it kind of isnt worth it.

Is it a normal school day so 9-230?

Good luck to you. The odds of getting in as a 4 year old are pretty low.

I’m the previous poster. Look elsewhere. Very disorganized and disruptive kids.

Thanks. We are interested but not panicked. We like his preschool but it would be a 14k savings for us so if we get in we get in.

All money saved ain’t good money. Rethink saving your $14k.

I'm not really sure what's up with the vague answers but I'm really looking for a specific feedback. I'm aware of the odds we made the decision to look into this and that's why I'm asking for feedback- actual feedback from families who have attended.

Can you elaborate? Mismanagement of teaching? Not following Montessori principles? What was your childs age? How long were they there? Did you end up switching to your local public school?

[Anonymous]

Disorganized. Age 5, left after first year; Did not change to another public school

[Anonymous]

We had a great experience in primary (ages 3-K). In Lower Elementary, our teacher ended up being out for a good portion of the year due to an injury. This proved tricky since Montessori lessons must be presented before children have access to the new materials and independent learning followed by teacher checks. A long-term (non-Montessori) substitute was finally brought in, and the kids did have some time to join us with other classes for new lessons. But ... it was definitely not ideal. Tried again in second and decided to find an alternative by third. The lack of Montessori-trained subs could still be a problem, but I don't know.

That said, I think we may have continued on happily in a different classroom. Friends have done so. Others we know are happy through middle school. The benefit to the K-8 Montessori is the smaller class sizes of the upper grades which happens because of attrition ... as people move or leave the school, new students don't tend to come in as you must transfer from a Montessori program (after K). The smaller middle school also means more chances to participate in extra-curricular activities / teams.

Montessori is the method in primary, mostly in Lower El, less in Upper El, not so much by middle school. It was a much more child-friendly learning environment / style than our local (highly regarded) elementary. The TAG program is a pull-out style and was a favorite of our student. The primary experience really promoted a sense of capability / self-sufficiency, a strong sense of focus, and a caring respect for classmates and their work products. Students were careful not to disturb works in progress, worked well independently and collaboratively. We have some sweet memories of the younger years, and it was hard to say goodbye. But a good choice for our family given the unique circumstances.

A bit more ...
* 3-year-olds only go for the mornings; tricky for parents needing transportation but carpooling happens.
* School day is about 9:15-4 p.m.
* Bus available starting age 4; can be a long ride (hour) depending on where you live.
* Primary has a lead teacher and assistant. Classrooms are a good size so kids can easily spread out.
* The other grade levels are one teacher.
* Students stay with their teacher for 3 years (3-K; 1st to 3rd; 5-6th; then middle is moving around)[/list]

[Anonymous]

Depending on your kid, a small cohort in middle school can be a good or bad thing. One mean kid/bully in a small cohort can be miserable because you can’t have your kid separated from them easily.