CHML…Thoughts? My child will be attending Pk3. Hearing mixed reviews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The principal is the MAJOR problem at CHML. I wouldn't even think of going there until she's finally removed.

.

Can you elaborate ?

She doesn’t lead. There are no consequences for students who misbehave. In fact, they are usually rewarded for their bad behavior and they know it, so they purposely get in trouble so they don’t have to go to class, etc. Student on student violence is a daily norm, it’s not dealt with at all. Students are sent straight back to class. She has no communication skills. She’s been on administrative leave more than once. There’s no behavior team in place. She sets teachers up for failure. The only positive thing I can say about her is she sells herself well. She SOUNDS good when she’s speaking but she has no idea what she’s actually doing or how to implement any sort of actionable plans for change. I could go on, but I don’t want to waste any more time thinking about this woman. Teacher turnover every year is a big problem because of the student behaviors. The classrooms are chaotic and some are just dangerous. There’s one lower elementary classroom this year that was just ongoing violence and I’m not sure students in there learned a single thing because of how unstable that room consistently (constantly) was.

[Anonymous]

Any better there as the school year closed out? I think they're getting a new AP at least. That may make it more stable.

[Anonymous]

Good luck to any AP working with PA (the CHML principal).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck to any AP working with PA (the CHML principal).

Why do you say that?

[Anonymous]

See above. The principal is notoriously difficult to work for parents at the school say.

[Anonymous]

That would be more believable if there was greater teacher turnover but there isn't.

[Anonymous]

Remember that this is supposed to be a Montessori school in elementary and the teachers must be Montessori certified, so one can’t compare the teacher turnover to traditional school. These long term Montessori guides (teachers) are not going to leave a stable and scarce DCPS Montessori job. However, two years ago there was a new AP who left after one year. Then this past school year there was another new AP and apparently based on the above post, she left. Two different APs in two years!

[Anonymous]

I toured CHML over a decade ago and saw disorganization, kids on screens, and none of the busy independent work characteristic of Montessori. It was a pass then and it seems nothing has changed sadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That would be more believable if there was greater teacher turnover but there isn't.

There’s been big numbers in teacher turnover every single year, not sure what you’re talking about. The ones that stay are either Montessori purists (ECE) and only stay because it’s the only DCPS Montessori school or PA’s favorites (which funny enough, are the most ineffective teachers)

[Anonymous]

Not all lower and upper El teachers are Montessori certified. It’s not actual Montessori for the majority of classrooms-it’s chaos. PA is vindictive, a bully, unorganized, lacks real leadership. PTSO has been trying to get rid of her for years after multiple administrative leave she’s put in but somehow, central office keeps her. (Shocker) The school is unsafe in many classrooms due to lack of discipline or consequences for bad behaviors. Many students there cannot handle the discipline that the freedom or independence of Montessori (or in this case- the guise of Montessori) and should not be in a school like this. There needs to be a real leadership shift before things will actually change.

[Anonymous]

Yikes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember that this is supposed to be a Montessori school in elementary and the teachers must be Montessori certified, so one can’t compare the teacher turnover to traditional school. These long term Montessori guides (teachers) are not going to leave a stable and scarce DCPS Montessori job. However, two years ago there was a new AP who left after one year. Then this past school year there was another new AP and apparently based on the above post, she left. Two different APs in two years!

So can only teachers who are already Montessori certified teach there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember that this is supposed to be a Montessori school in elementary and the teachers must be Montessori certified, so one can’t compare the teacher turnover to traditional school. These long term Montessori guides (teachers) are not going to leave a stable and scarce DCPS Montessori job. However, two years ago there was a new AP who left after one year. Then this past school year there was another new AP and apparently based on the above post, she left. Two different APs in two years!

So can only teachers who are already Montessori certified teach there?

Nope. They should have to be. But the art teacher isn’t even certified in art. It’s a mess of a school. Again, I’d stay far away until PA is gone for good.

[Anonymous]

Reminder that ONLY the primary (Pk-K) classrooms are Montessori accredited. Anything 1st and above is not actually Montessori. It’s a disservice to the students and also just disrespectful to Dr. Montessori to use her name like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reminder that ONLY the primary (Pk-K) classrooms are Montessori accredited. Anything 1st and above is not actually Montessori. It’s a disservice to the students and also just disrespectful to Dr. Montessori to use her name like that.

It doesn’t mean the school does a poor job of educating the students beyond K thought. I get it’s frustrating it you’re really into Montessori.