Haynes or LAMB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have personal experience with either school, but I do know several families who are happy at both places. The only thing I've heard about LAMB that would make me think twice is that they teach Montessori with the expectation that the child will remain in a Montessori school all the way through high school. I'm not sure what that would mean for you, or how it would effect your child's education if you were to go to a non-Montessori school after LAMB, but it is a reason why one family we know is thinking twice about keeping their kids there.

That doesn't sound right to me. We're not fortunate enough to be at LAMB, either, but my understanding is that they "pyramid" their classes (i.e., they're shooting ultimately to have four PS-K rooms, two 1-3 rooms, and one 4-6 room) precisely because they expect a significant number of students to leave after each level. And I don't even know where you could continue with Montessori past 6th grade; certainly not at LAMB.

[Anonymous]

PP, you are correct, LAMB's intention is that students will go on to a variety of middle schools -- charters, traditional DCPS or private schools. Those wanting to pursue spanish language will try for Oyster/Adams or WIS. Others will opt for Haynes, Cap City or Washington Latin. Several families are interested in Deal. We're thinking of a private school like Field, maybe. Not sure at this point.

LAMB will have 4 primary classrooms, 3 lower elementary (grades 1-3) and 1 upper elementary next year (4-5). They did plan a "pyramid," and assume that some families would peel off after the primary cycle or the lower elementary cycle -- that is pretty common in Montessori programs. There has been less attrition than projected however, thus one more lower elementary class will be added next year.

There isn't really a middle school option in the area with Montessori methods, much less a high school. Even Barrie switches to a more traditional program after their Montessori lower school.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP that said I heard that LAMB taught Montessori with the assumption that kids will continue with a Montessori education after LAMB. I apologize for the inaccuracy of my statement. It is what I understood someone whose kids go there to explain to me.