Breakthrough Montessori

[Anonymous]

How is Breakthrough Montessori lately and is it still a good option for primary? Are families happy there? How are the teachers/staff/admin?

[Anonymous]

Our kids go to Breakthrough. I feel that it is very well run - the leadership is fantastic. Stuff happens, like anywhere, but they are very responsive and generally have their act together. There is a concern for a lack of teachers for upper elementary, but for primary, nothing to worry about.

[Anonymous]

Thirty percent teacher attrition last year, which is high even in this environment. They are losing the after care outdoor space to developers, which leaves very little outdoor space on campus. 27 kids in one class just seems too big to appropriately run a Montessori classroom. Not a classroom parent, just a prospective parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: 27 kids in one class just seems too big to appropriately run a Montessori classroom. Not a classroom parent, just a prospective parent.

Maria Montessori actually recommended classes be between 28-35. My kid is at a different Montessori with 27 kids in pre-k and it’s very well run

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thirty percent teacher attrition last year, which is high even in this environment. They are losing the after care outdoor space to developers, which leaves very little outdoor space on campus. 27 kids in one class just seems too big to appropriately run a Montessori classroom. Not a classroom parent, just a prospective parent.

Which outdoor space are they losing? Isn't there only one small playground area that was recently built? Do they still walk to the local public park every day for recess?

[Anonymous]

The "soccer field" next to the parking lot, part of the TCS playground. Yes they still go to the park but not until PK4 as I understand it.

[Anonymous]

Any new thoughts on this thread now that the year is underway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any new thoughts on this thread now that the year is underway?

My kid just started PK3 at Breakthrough this year and I have nothing but good things to say about my first impression. Admin/teachers have been communicative and things seem very organized. Above all, the transition has been smooth and my kid is actually excited to go to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids go to Breakthrough. I feel that it is very well run - the leadership is fantastic. Stuff happens, like anywhere, but they are very responsive and generally have their act together. There is a concern for a lack of teachers for upper elementary, but for primary, nothing to worry about.

I wrote this above (I think I did, sure sounds like me lol). True that there was some teacher turnover, but there was no falling out that I'm aware of. The upper elementary teacher situation has totally ironed out. They opened a 3rd UE classroom and it's a strong start! The head of the school is just amazing - she really listens and is super smart. I feel they are doing really well with the confines of a public charter school. Yes, there is limited green space, and yes they use the Takoma field a lot.

New this year, they started an early release on Mondays around 1pm (I think for PK4 and above?), I believe mostly for teacher satisfaction, and kids can then go into an afterschool program-type thing Monday afternoons - art, yoga, breakdancing, outdoor exploring, etc.

[Anonymous]

We are a new family and things seem fine so far. In contrast to the above parent I haven't felt like the communication is particularly good, but it's not terrible. I do appreciate the number of events with leadership they have already had. Our kid is generally happy at dropoff and always happy at pickup. I'm optimistic about how the year will go.

[Anonymous]

Do the pk3 kids not go outside?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do the pk3 kids not go outside?

They go outside, they just don't walk to the big Takoma playground. The PK3 kids do their recess at the smaller playground that's right next to the school (it's a converted loading dock, actually pretty cool)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 27 kids in one class just seems too big to appropriately run a Montessori classroom. Not a classroom parent, just a prospective parent.

Maria Montessori actually recommended classes be between 28-35. My kid is at a different Montessori with 27 kids in pre-k and it’s very well run

Uhhh...she also believed in the adaptability and evolution of her educational philosophy. Her teaching method was grounded in principles that allow for flexibility and responsiveness to societal needs. 28-35 students is NOT optimal anymore (it really never was) She was a human being. She is allowed to be flawed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: 27 kids in one class just seems too big to appropriately run a Montessori classroom. Not a classroom parent, just a prospective parent.

Maria Montessori actually recommended classes be between 28-35. My kid is at a different Montessori with 27 kids in pre-k and it’s very well run

Uhhh...she also believed in the adaptability and evolution of her educational philosophy. Her teaching method was grounded in principles that allow for flexibility and responsiveness to societal needs. 28-35 students is NOT optimal anymore (it really never was) She was a human being. She is allowed to be flawed.

I don’t know the current research on this, so no real argument from me.

Personal anecdote: I’ve done Primary classroom observations at Breakthrough and it seems to run smoothly. Probably varies teacher to teacher — we lucked out with a great one.

With a mixed aged classroom of about 24-29, your kid ends up having about 7-10 peers in the room which is nice.

[Anonymous]

A downside I had not foreseen with Montessori is that if you aren't happy with your teaching team, it's not just one year you have to grin and bare it, but three. Too much for us, we bailed. But happy for those with great teachers, as otherwise it is a well run and unique school.