APS Montessori Waitlist question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Past year's experience probably isn't a great measure to go off of. They didn't take anyone from the lottery for the lower elementary montessori program for next year and they're not planning to expand the program in the next couple of years given the Henry move, so people who lottery into the primary montessori program will be less inclined to give up their spots knowing it probably means giving up montessori for elementary school. Also, Drew and Hoffman-Boston are not good comparison points because those school have several more montessori classes than Discovery.

Where did you hear that Discovery will have two classes next year? Next year's budget only provided for one Montessori teacher and one Montessori assistant at Discovery, so unless they're switching a class there from another school, I'd be surprised if there are two.

One of the two classrooms is being transferred from McKinley. So only seeing the budget for one makes sense there.

That still only adds maybe four upper income seats at Discovery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question to the experienced parents -- hopefully get some guidance/input.

We have twins of pre-school age and recently got on #5 of the waitlist for Discovery montessori pre-K --

We've heard two theories:

1. Very likely to get in as #5, based on historical experience and because there will be two classes open for the new school year -- however, we may have to wait until July or even past September to know for sure.

2. Not so likely to get in as #5 -- because there are actually only a handful of available spots for pre-K. Although we are at #5 waitlist, we would need 2 spots to be open -- and the chance becomes slimmer as the handful of spots are divided into above/below income limit pools.

We have toured pre-schools in April/May and are already on the edge of signing up for another pre-school. It's going to be difficult to back out of the other pre-school past July/September. On the other hand, Discovery would be a much easier logistic choice.

So, our dilemma is whether we should wait for Discovery and hire a nanny in the interim? How do parents handle the interim period while on the waitlist? What's the chance of actually getting in as #5 on the waitlist?

Thank you in advance for your advice!

Are you sure you want your kids going to public montessori in APS? I have heard the private options in Arlington are much better.

What’s wrong with public Montessori at APS?

Nothing, some people are just don’t want their kids mixing with the poors and browns. If you want elementary Montessori, APS primary is effectively the only route in now.

[Anonymous]

I know one Discovery Montessori kid who is moving out of town before September, fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know one Discovery Montessori kid who is moving out of town before September, fwiw.

At what age level?

[Anonymous]

NP here. Our experience is 3 years old, pre-centralization and pre-Henry drama, but we wanted Drew Montessori and we're 87ish. We were also teen-ish at HB but told it moved even slower. The stress killed me so we pursued and got into Hippo House. Suddenly in August we were told take it or leave it at Drew. We took it and for a few days thought we lost down payment at a hippo, but they refunded when they filled the slot. Again, all during another time in registration and at different schools, but there you are. And to answer the other question, APS Montessori is so good we moved here for it and did not want private (which isn't bad, although there is a sliding scale there so caveat emptor).

[Anonymous]

Any updates on your APS Montessori WL? Did you get off your waitlist?

From what's been discussed it seems like August would be the last hope?