What is the Shining Stars experience like
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Anonymous
| We are looking at Shining Stars for our DC entering PK3. We do want Montessori but are also fine with other preschool models, and I have heard that the school is disorganized. Can anyone tell me what the experience is like for the kids, but also for the parents? What does it mean that the school is disorganized? |
Anonymous
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This is my first year at SSMA. My daughter’s guides are great; my son’s are not so great. There was an issue with heat in my son’s class and his guides were out for a week with no substitute. Communication has been sufficient, my kids are happy to have friends again, but enrollment is low and that’s really a concern for me. Parents on DCUM have complained about Dr. R, but I have no interaction with her so I can’t comment on that. My kids like the school and my son is really thriving; nevertheless, we probably won’t be staying long-term.
It’s hard to give much insight into the SSMA experience because parents are not allowed in the school. I think it’s fine for PreK, but I would not rank it very high. If you do decide to attend, request Mrs. O’s class (Chavez Stars). |
Anonymous
| Also, there have been a lot of worksheets this year, which I’m not a fan of. |
Anonymous
The only "worksheets" in Montessori should be blank papers that kids do their own stamp game, sentence practice, etc on |
Anonymous
What? Worksheets? |
Anonymous
LAMB does worksheets too, it is what it is. |
Anonymous
| OP here-- so it's disorganized, sometimes no heat (?!), and worksheets? Um.... |
Anonymous
Yeah we turned down a SSMA seat for pre-K 3. It’s pretty clear it’s on a downward spiral and I didn’t particularly want to get on a sinking ship. Also turned down seats at MV, but that’s a different conversation. |
Anonymous
So you have no idea what experience with SSMA? |
Anonymous
*no experience |
Anonymous
OP here-- A downward spiral is declining enrollment? I do understand that it's free preschool and we can't be too picky, but I am holding out some hope of a school with a functioning heating system. I guess I can rank it last if I don't have other schools to rank. LAMB Lee Langdon Montessori Mundo Verde Calle Ocho Stokes Brookland for Spanish Burroughs Langley Langdon Bunker Hill SSMA Any other ideas? |
Anonymous
This is a good list that clearly takes into account your commute and your preference for Montessori. You shouldn't have to add anymore! |
Anonymous
Yes, this is the first I replied to this. We went to a few meet ups over the summer and spoke to families, and decided it wasn’t worth the risk. It’s helpful to hear what decisions other families made when faced with a similar situation. At least it was for us. |
Anonymous
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We were at SSMA for PK3 and PK4. Half of PK4 was during the pandemic. My opinion was that it was fine for PK3 because of the caring teachers, plus aftercare was great. PK4 started to be a crap show even before the pandemic, as we had a different classroom with different 'guides'. Literally no feedback in parent/teacher conferences -- it was like they didn't know who my child was. Their assessment forms were often blank when they gave them to the parents (me). It turned out my child wasn't actually learning anything in PK4, and seemed to be ignored by the guides.
Then there was a lot of poor communication, even before the pandemic, from the admin. My understanding was that she was making things difficult for teachers, leading to poor retention. Having new guides in PK4 was the outcome of that for us. So we got a better spot via the lottery and left. |
Anonymous
Thanks! Burroughs is our local school and we would be happy with it, but we did really like Langley and Bunker Hill as well. |