montessori / dual immersion (spanish)

[Anonymous]

Any present or recent PK3/4 parents here??

I’m contemplating between Mundo Verde and Shining Stars. ….would love some current feedback.

I am very interested in a Montessori & Dual Immersion Program (spanish).

Any parents in the Montessori life here?

[Anonymous]

SSMA, no matter how they try to market themselves, does neither immersion or Montessori well.

Look at LAMB

[Anonymous]

Well, to me it's not really about Montessori vs non-Montessori. It's that Shining Stars is a really low-performing school academically (especially compared to its demographics), and that people constantly, constantly, constantly complain about its disorganization and poor management. It recently experienced an enrollment drop, which also means receiving less money from the city. So without expressing any opinions on Montessori generally, I really can't recommend Shining Stars at all.

https://dcpcsb.egnyte.com/dl/9rv9ElIrHO/FY_2022_Financial_Analysis_Report.pdf_

Mundo Verde has its own, different set of problems, but I think is overall better than Shining Stars.

I'm curious why you haven't mentioned LAMB-- is this because you're considering two offers right now and need to decide? Or is this for next year's lottery? There's also Bethune.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SSMA, no matter how they try to market themselves, does neither immersion or Montessori well.

Look at LAMB

of course lamb is number 1 however chances are slim. Shining Star and Mundo Verde are the current two options.

Yes, the marketing does look good. How do you know they do neither well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, to me it's not really about Montessori vs non-Montessori. It's that Shining Stars is a really low-performing school academically (especially compared to its demographics), and that people constantly, constantly, constantly complain about its disorganization and poor management. It recently experienced an enrollment drop, which also means receiving less money from the city. So without expressing any opinions on Montessori generally, I really can't recommend Shining Stars at all.

https://dcpcsb.egnyte.com/dl/9rv9ElIrHO/FY_2022_Financial_Analysis_Report.pdf_

Mundo Verde has its own, different set of problems, but I think is overall better than Shining Stars.

I'm curious why you haven't mentioned LAMB-- is this because you're considering two offers right now and need to decide? Or is this for next year's lottery? There's also Bethune.

Yes. I have a 3year old and looking to enroll her now. LAMB is definitely the #1 pick but not an option right now.

It's either Mundo Verde or Shining Stars. Was hoping to get some direct insight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, to me it's not really about Montessori vs non-Montessori. It's that Shining Stars is a really low-performing school academically (especially compared to its demographics), and that people constantly, constantly, constantly complain about its disorganization and poor management. It recently experienced an enrollment drop, which also means receiving less money from the city. So without expressing any opinions on Montessori generally, I really can't recommend Shining Stars at all.

https://dcpcsb.egnyte.com/dl/9rv9ElIrHO/FY_2022_Financial_Analysis_Report.pdf_

Mundo Verde has its own, different set of problems, but I think is overall better than Shining Stars.

I'm curious why you haven't mentioned LAMB-- is this because you're considering two offers right now and need to decide? Or is this for next year's lottery? There's also Bethune.

Yes. I have a 3year old and looking to enroll her now. LAMB is definitely the #1 pick but not an option right now.

It's either Mundo Verde or Shining Stars. Was hoping to get some direct insight.

Personally I'd pick Mundo, but I guess it depends on how high a priority you place on Montessori. It's a personal choice.

[Anonymous]

Mundo Verde

[Anonymous]

Mundo’s PK program is great, would recommend.

[Anonymous]

I am a huge Montessori fan, but you couldn’t pay to send my child to Shining Stars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a huge Montessori fan, but you couldn’t pay to send my child to Shining Stars.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Have experience at both schools and I'd pick MV.

DC enjoyed the Montessori experience for PK, but there were so many administrative and leadership problems at SSMA that we (including many of DCs classmates) moved to MV C8. Not to say MV doesn't have its own challenges as well.

[Anonymous]

As someone who previously sent my children to SSMA for too many years, I can definitely recommend against sending your kids there. As others have said, the Administration is a complete disaster. I had deluded myself to think it wasn't that bad, but my kids had to do a ton of work to catch up to their peers after we switched schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who previously sent my children to SSMA for too many years, I can definitely recommend against sending your kids there. As others have said, the Administration is a complete disaster. I had deluded myself to think it wasn't that bad, but my kids had to do a ton of work to catch up to their peers after we switched schools.

I can understand the anger about a disastrous administration situation but can you speak to how that impacts your kid's academic experience? Are the teachers also admin? What's happening overall?

[Anonymous]

Bad admin = the whole thing is disorganized. They can't retain good teachers, so they're always on a hiring treadmill and the teachers are inexperienced. That is how it affects the classroom. Also, admin deals with the calendar, the building, big events, and tons of other logistical things, which will annoy you if disorganized.

The school is in a downward enrollment trend, which means less money from the city. It's very hard to pull out of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bad admin = the whole thing is disorganized. They can't retain good teachers, so they're always on a hiring treadmill and the teachers are inexperienced. That is how it affects the classroom. Also, admin deals with the calendar, the building, big events, and tons of other logistical things, which will annoy you if disorganized.

The school is in a downward enrollment trend, which means less money from the city. It's very hard to pull out of that.

Also no confidence in leadership translates to classroom. You notice no return for next year, fired