Experiences with Aidan Montessori?

[Anonymous]

Going through the pre-school application process right now, I have say that I can't fathom putting myself through interviews and playdates when there are so many great programs -- including Montessoris -- that don't require parents and children to jump through hoops.

I've had nothing but positive experiences at schools that simply hold open houses and ask you to complete an application; these schools are oversubscribed, so they of course could take the sort of tone that it seems Aidan does, but instead they are welcoming and friendly, even to families that don't gain admittance. I've received personal messages from school directors in response to my questions, and one program where we were wait-listed last year encouraged me to call every month to see if there was movement on the list -- and the director thanked me every time I called.

Why put yourself through a humiliating experience when you don't have to? OP, if you're looking for a Montessori, I've had nice conversations with the directors at Chevy Chase Montessori and Auguste Montessori. If you're open to non-Montessori, check out CCBC, Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, Amazing Life Games, Adas Israel, and Temple Sinai.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Admission at Franklin Montessori is also on a "first come first serve" basis, in terms of when applications are received. They don't use play dates to "interview" the children, like Aidan does. The play dates at Franklin are soley for the purpose of determining if the child is developmentally ready for school. The interviewer at Franklin told me that only one child had been turned away based on the interview because of a developmental problem that the school was unable to accomodate. On the other hand, at Aidan the interviewer actually scolded my three year old when he didn't follow her instructions about how to pick up an item using only two fingers. He scurried away from her and climbed into my lap. I hate that place.

[Anonymous]

OMG, PP. Thanks for sharing that (unnerving) experience at Aidan. I am the OP and I have decided to forgo applying--partly bc of the posts on this board and partly bc it is SO EXPENSIVE. I'd like to apply to one of the schools a previous poster mentioned--one where you visit, apply, maybe have a casual playdate, and then see what happens. Aidan sounds like military school. No, thanks.

[Anonymous]

When we were originally looking for Montessori schools in the fall of 2006, we were highly impressed by both Aidan and Franklin - each for different reasons. Franklin's classrooms and indoor play zone were light-filled, cheerful and uplifting; but their outdoor space was pretty pathetic and they are just for preschool. Aidan had a lot of natural light, but reminded me a lot of the inside of a MoCo public elementary school, and the 18month old space is pretty spartan; however, the outdoor play area was great, the school administration seems quite professionally run, the 'work' materials are in great shape and the school runs to 6th grade.

In the end, we were not even interviewed at either school for the Fall 2007 admissions. So, DS started school last fall at Montessori School of Chevy Chase. Just before he started school, I sent in applications to Franklin and Aidan again, just in case MSCC didn't work out, or if we felt we should hold him back one year (he's a summer baby).

MSCC has turned out to be *fabulous*. DS really loves the staff there. It is an incredibly diverse school and the parents are pretty laid back. So, I forgot all about the re-applications. Until recently, when we were invited for interviews at both Franklin & Aidan. We turned down an interview w/ Franklin - it is prettier than MSCC, but it doesn't go beyond preschool, so it doesn't make sense to uproot DS from friends & teachers that he *loves*.

But we did go through with our interview at Aidan with Ms. Antonucci, and we walked away with a very positive impression of her & the school. It is true that she comes across as a very firm teacher who adheres strictly to the AMI framework - but that is exactly what we are looking for. DS has had a very successful 1/2 year of Montessori already, so maybe that helped set him at ease with the interview. But on the other hand, the interview was exactly at what would have been nap time and he also had a slight cold. Still he performed admirably and Ms. Antonucci was quick to praise him. I imagine that she would be greeted with a healthy balance of love & respect in the classroom. She was kind in giving him breaks to get a tissue, and I found her questions about our family life to be no more intrusive than most of the other Montessori schools that we have visited (we looked at 8 in the fall of 2006).

I'm sorry that some of the other reviewers had a tough time w/ Ms. Antonucci, but I wanted to voice a positive experience too. Good luck with the process.

[Anonymous]

What kind of questions did they ask you and your child?

[Anonymous]

Me again from 11:00am.

At nearly all of the Montessori schools that we saw, the questions ran the gamut of very *very* personal (like, how long did you breastfeed? were there any birth complications?) to more general/understandable probes (like, how does your toddler deal with tantrums? how do you discipline your child? or how long do you plan to keep your child at the school?). They reminded me of how I felt once when asked when I intended to get married & how many children I wanted to have by my prospective employer in France!

The very personal ones can make you squirm, so get ready to deal with them the best that you can. Unlike job interviews, I don't think there is much that is forbidden in terms of questioning. Maybe someone else can answer why they ask such things. But for me, I just rolled with it and still feel strongly that the positives of the education style far outweigh any discomfort in questioning.

[Anonymous]

How long did you BREASTFEED?

What the f*&k?

None of her f*&ing business, that's how long! I cannot FATHOM why this information is relevant to a SCHOOL; in no way is that an acceptable question. I am proud to have breastfed, but I would have told that woman to kiss my behind. But that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone who's been through these interviews explain why the length of time that a child was breastfed is relevant to the school admissions process?

[Anonymous]

I have visited and spoken to directors at several Montessori schools in the area and have NEVER been asked anything like how long did I breastfeed. How bizarre. I have an interview at Aidan in a few weeks for my son and am not sure I should keep the appointment...If I do go, that is not a question I will answer if I am asked. I did breastfeed, but that's besides the point.

[Anonymous]

I just got back from our interview w/Ms. Antonucci at Aidan and had a positive experience. She did ask how was the birth, any complications, etc but after I said it was natural and no complications, we just moved on from there. All in all our interview was just fine. She was not the evil tyrant per some PPs, nor a lovey angel you might get at other schools.

She was professional, courteous and great with our son. When he wanted to climb a piece of playground equip that was too big for him, he gave a little attitude and she just rolled w/it, suggested we get out some balls, then praised him and us for how he handled conflict and that he was able to move on from it.

For those considering Aidan or any school, I would just say - go to the open house and the interview and see how you feel. Dont let DCUM posters dissuade you from any school before you see it for yourself. We all come from different perspectives and different expections so just digest the DCUM info and observe your own! For example, I wouldnt care less about being asked about breastfeeding or how long, but that's just me!

Best of luck to everyone, and thanks for all the advice and insight on this and other Montessoris. (btw, I'm the one who was told by the Franklin director that 1yr olds only belong at home or w/nanny only.) Interestingly today Aidan kinda seemed to think that my son may be less prepared for a big school as their b/c he hasnt been in daycare yet. So you're dammed if you do, dammed if you dont!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from our interview w/Ms. Antonucci at Aidan and had a positive experience. She did ask how was the birth, any complications, etc but after I said it was natural and no complications, we just moved on from there.

8:30 poster here. I wonder how pleasant the interview it would have been had you said otherwise. These questions disgust me thoroughly. I understand we all want the best for our children, but I am suspicious of a mind and a school that "needs" answers to these questions. What is the purpose? Questions relating to developmental milestones, parenting philosophies, daycare/etc--I get it, of course. And I can totally understand any questions related to a child's medical history. If those have anything to do with "birth complications," they will be revealed. But...good grief...does she want to know about my 3rd degree tearing? How soon after birth my son latched on? What color his first crap was? RIDICULOUS. I don't need to meet this person or visit this school--asking someone how long they breastfed is beyond the pale.

[Anonymous]

From an earlier poster: "Still he performed admirably and Ms. Antonucci was quick to praise him. I imagine that she would be greeted with a healthy balance of love & respect in the classroom. She was kind in giving him breaks to get a tissue, and I found her questions about our family life to be no more intrusive than most of the other Montessori schools that we have visited (we looked at 8 in the fall of 2006)."

Reading this depressed me, and I'm a fan of Montessori. But the idea that a child has to perform in an interview and that an interviewer's willingness to let a child with a cold get a Kleenex is somehow an endorsement of her kindness and understanding is just too much. These are 2 and 3 year olds we're talking about. Doesn't this seem insane?

[Anonymous]

Aidan was the only school that actually "interviewed" my 2 1/2 year old. Ms. Antonucci took him over to a barn with a removable roof and animals. She showed him how to take the roof off. She then told him that he could play with the animals, but that he was not allowed to remove the roof from the barn. I know my child, and knew immediately that she had peaked his interest in that roof. Within 30 seconds my son had removed the roof and was peering into the barn. She turned to him and said, in a stern voice, "Didn't you hear me say not to touch the roof of the barn." Basically, it was a test to see if he would follow her instructions. I found the whole process to be sickening. At 2 1/2 years old, my son was not ready for that, and I'm so sorry that I put him through it. I would never do it again.

[Anonymous]

You have got to be kidding me! I absolutely cannot believe that anyone would ask about the birth of the child! that is awful. I would have walked out right then and there.

[Anonymous]

OMG - this thread made me throw up a little in my mouth and think about moving to Idaho to become a potato farmer. You have got to be kidding me. I would never subject my child - or myself - to this Antonucci woman.