Seaton or Lee Montessori (Brookland) PK3

[Anonymous]

The little one starts PK3 and we're weighing an offer from Seaton over Lee Montessori (Brookland).

The commute to Seaton is slightly better, and in elementary school its academics seem stronger. Downside is that we think the little one would actually benefit from Montessori, at least for the first few years.

We'd love some opinions from Seaton or Lee parents. What would you choose?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The little one starts PK3 and we're weighing an offer from Seaton over Lee Montessori (Brookland).

The commute to Seaton is slightly better, and in elementary school its academics seem stronger. Downside is that we think the little one would actually benefit from Montessori, at least for the first few years.

We'd love some opinions from Seaton or Lee parents. What would you choose?

The Seaton PK is a magical wonderland where they play in a garden like fairies, and the ratio will be much better than Lee (caps at 16 for PK3).

Later on you may make a different choice or you may not. But PK is really awesome.

I recommend visiting.

[Anonymous]

You can always get into Seaton after about K

[Anonymous]

Both are fine and you can likely switch if you want to, so not a big deal either way.

Look at Lee's upper grade test scores relative to their demographics to make sure you know what you're getting.

[Anonymous]

My kid’s not at Lee, but I have a few friends with kids there- and these friends would have no reason to know each other before Lee- and they are universally negative, with one extremely strong negative (like there’s been melt going from daycare to Lee, which he didn’t think was possible)

[Anonymous]

My kid isn't at either school but have good friends with kids at both, for what that's worth. Plus I work in education.

I am a Montessori fan and think it's great for some kids.

But if you're looking for a well-run school, my sense is that you'll be more likely to find that at Seaton.

Given my lack of first hand experience you can take this with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

"The Seaton PK is a magical wonderland where they play in a garden like fairies" is this sarcastic？ or do you really mean it? as we do care outdoor time a lot. This would be a big advantage that Seaton has.

Anonymous wrote:
The Seaton PK is a magical wonderland where they play in a garden like fairies, and the ratio will be much better than Lee (caps at 16 for PK3).

Later on you may make a different choice or you may not. But PK is really awesome.

I recommend visiting.

[Anonymous]

Seaton. I like DCPS especially for early elementary.

[Anonymous]

Montessori for preK. You can get into Seaton or many DCPS easily later if you wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"The Seaton PK is a magical wonderland where they play in a garden like fairies" is this sarcastic？ or do you really mean it? as we do care outdoor time a lot. This would be a big advantage that Seaton has.

Anonymous wrote:
The Seaton PK is a magical wonderland where they play in a garden like fairies, and the ratio will be much better than Lee (caps at 16 for PK3).

Later on you may make a different choice or you may not. But PK is really awesome.

I recommend visiting.

I'm actually not being sarcastic! It's true. Go visit the garden, it's an incredible asset, and the PK teachers all spend a lot of time there. That drops off in later grades, but is true in PK.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the clarification! and it's great they use the garden a lot. Do you know roughly what time they go there? Morning or after care?



I'm actually not being sarcastic! It's true. Go visit the garden, it's an incredible asset, and the PK teachers all spend a lot of time there. That drops off in later grades, but is true in PK.

[Anonymous]

Friends who were in the know (ie worked for DCPS or OSSE) chose Seaton for their kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the clarification! and it's great they use the garden a lot. Do you know roughly what time they go there? Morning or after care?

I'm actually not being sarcastic! It's true. Go visit the garden, it's an incredible asset, and the PK teachers all spend a lot of time there. That drops off in later grades, but is true in PK.

PK teachers use it on nice days and have lessons in there, and they often have parties there. My kids spent a ton of time out there. They really use it a LOT.

Aftercare does not (mostly because it's actually a very nice garden, so they want kids there only when teachers or parents are there so it doesn't get trashed. They also have a couple days after school when it's open, but the kids have to be with a parent.

[Anonymous]

PK teachers use it on nice days and have lessons in there, and they often have parties there. My kids spent a ton of time out there. They really use it a LOT.

Aftercare does not (mostly because it's actually a very nice garden, so they want kids there only when teachers or parents are there so it doesn't get trashed. They also have a couple days after school when it's open, but the kids have to be with a parent.

*A couple days per week, usually Mondays and Thursdays.

[Anonymous]

Montessori really isn’t for everyone. Some kids do well. Definitely wouldn’t choose over your other option.