Transition from Kindergarten in Montessori to Public School for 1st grade

[Anonymous]

DS is currently in Kindergarten in a private Montessori school and he would be going to a public school for 1st grade from this coming Fall. He liked Montessori very much and his teacher has nothing but good things to say about him. Just wanted to find out how big of a transition (if any) it would be when he goes to a non-Montessori public school (Flint Hill elementary) this fall. I would really appreciate any advice on things we can do to prepare him for this.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

No prep. He'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No prep. He'll be fine.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

My DS did this and the adjustment period lasted about the first 2 months of school. At the time I didn't realize there was any adjustment at all because DS seemed fine. But simple things like not moving around the classroom when he wanted or taking tests were new. He really just needed some time to understand what was expected of him. By November he was very comfortable with the routine of the day and what he needed to do and we never looked back.

FYI - It turns out that DS hated having to 'choose' his own work, as is the Montessori way. He preferred dong things together with other children in class and was happy the teacher decided when it was time to do math or science.

As for academics, DS was well prepared. Reading was advanced, but there were others in the class that were just as good readers. And despite all the math work they do in Montessori, there were alot of holes. Measurement comes to mind. So there was plenty to learn.

Good luck, he'll do great.

[Anonymous]

The biggest adjustment for my son was paperwork. A few weeks into first grade he asked me when the papers would end, as if they were a special project. The first couple of months were an adjustment period, and he really found his footing by the end of the first semester. He was light years ahead in math, and had some catching up to do in writing. But the catch up phase wasn't lengthy or difficult. He LOVED being around a large, bustling crowd of kids in contrast to the small Montessori preschool/k environment.

[Anonymous]

Our next door neighbor's son has had difficulty adjusting all year. He was used to the relaxed rules and ability to do what he wanted when he wanted (learning-wise). He has not adjusted well unfortunately. I think it will be wholly dependent on how malleable your child is.

[Anonymous]

It was a bit tough for our DS because the classroom dynamic is so different. He was used to choosing work and didn't understand why he had to do the same thing as everyone else, especially when what the class was doing was so rudimentary compared to what they were doing in Montessori. After a few months, he was fine for the most part.

[Anonymous]

My DD had absolutely no issues transitioning from 3 years of Montessori to 1st grade.

[Anonymous]

I have had two sons transition from Montessori to public school in first grade. There has been absolutely no issues. In fact both children have been quite advance relative to their peers. I believe this is wholeheartedly due to the Montessori education. Thank goodness there is differentiated education in each class in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had two sons transition from Montessori to public school in first grade. There has been absolutely no issues. In fact both children have been quite advance relative to their peers. I believe this is wholeheartedly due to the Montessori education. Thank goodness there is differentiated education in each class in Fairfax.

Well, in theory they have differentiation but in reality it is for reading only in the younger grades. My kids were pulled out by the AART teacher 2x week and had different homework starting in kindergarten, but zero differentiation for math.

[Anonymous]

My sons were pulled for differentiated study in math as well. Both performed above grade level in reading and math in first grade.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the feedback.