Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It may seem frivolous to you, but as I stated, "it might work for some, but not us". I grew up in a city where every school had a playground. The conditions might be different but they had one. I understand that every city is different in regards to space but it's a personal choice. You don't have to like OUR decision but don't say it's frivolous because you don't agree. It was a legit concern for us when we don't have to move our child into a school without a playground. Now if our child was older than a toddler (pretty much) we more than likely wouldn't have any concerns but at this young age it is a concern for us. I didn't bash the school or anyone for still choosing Breakthrough. Just stated that we didn't and I hope we made someone happy that may not have another option.

+1. We didn't decline a spot, but we ranked Breakthough very low on our list for this reason, so we got in somewhere else. I just don't like the idea of 3yo crossing Georgia Ave on a daily basis.

Who said they cross Georgia Ave?

As far as I know, they'll walk to Petworth Recreation Center.

[Anonymous]

I think they plan to go to Upshur as Bridges does. West side of Georgia so no major streets to cross

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they plan to go to Upshur as Bridges does. West side of Georgia so no major streets to cross

Still leaves the possibility of forgetting a kid at a public playground, as Franklin did twice.

[Anonymous]

Any way to find out how high the already enrolled families ranked Breakthrough? Just an aggregate like 10% ranked it #1, 20% ranked it #2, etc.. Just to see how far WL might go..

[Anonymous]

They're working on a permit for either rec center based on the email I received. The outdoor play is not in the handbook nor an alternative for wet/inclement weather. Thought that was pretty odd. I ranked it #6 or #7 (if I remember correctly) and got called off the PK4 waitlist with #15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think they plan to go to Upshur as Bridges does. West side of Georgia so no major streets to cross

Bridges does not go to Upshur. They go to the Petworth Park near 8th and Taylor--a shorter walk--and cross Georgia to do it. Maybe not ideal, but it's fine.

[Anonymous]

While his bio looks impressive, the big question in my mind is whether Dr. Whitescarver has any experience actually running a school. As a new school, Breakthrough will no doubt have lots of administrative-related issues that will require an experienced hand.

We've enrolled our child at Breakthrough PK3, and this news won't affect our decision, but it is a bit of a concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While his bio looks impressive, the big question in my mind is whether Dr. Whitescarver has any experience actually running a school. As a new school, Breakthrough will no doubt have lots of administrative-related issues that will require an experienced hand.

We've enrolled our child at Breakthrough PK3, and this news won't affect our decision, but it is a bit of a concern.

As I understand the role of the ED, it would not involve running the school. More like big picture issues like community partnerships, school philosophy, charter modifications, location, etc. So I'm not too worried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any way to find out how high the already enrolled families ranked Breakthrough? Just an aggregate like 10% ranked it #1, 20% ranked it #2, etc.. Just to see how far WL might go..

We ranked it 12th, but only because we live far. Still a bit worried about the commute...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While his bio looks impressive, the big question in my mind is whether Dr. Whitescarver has any experience actually running a school. As a new school, Breakthrough will no doubt have lots of administrative-related issues that will require an experienced hand.

We've enrolled our child at Breakthrough PK3, and this news won't affect our decision, but it is a bit of a concern.

As I understand the role of the ED, it would not involve running the school. More like big picture issues like community partnerships, school philosophy, charter modifications, location, etc. So I'm not too worried.

Do they have an ED and a principal?

[Anonymous]

Have no fear, people, Breakthrough will become HRCS and an upper middle class enclave in no time.

[Anonymous]

If the ED doesn't 'run the school' then who does?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While his bio looks impressive, the big question in my mind is whether Dr. Whitescarver has any experience actually running a school. As a new school, Breakthrough will no doubt have lots of administrative-related issues that will require an experienced hand.

We've enrolled our child at Breakthrough PK3, and this news won't affect our decision, but it is a bit of a concern.

As I understand the role of the ED, it would not involve running the school. More like big picture issues like community partnerships, school philosophy, charter modifications, location, etc. So I'm not too worried.

Do they have an ED and a principal?

They have an ED and a "Director of Curriculum and Instruction."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have no fear, people, Breakthrough will become HRCS and an upper middle class enclave in no time.

I don't think the prospect of "upper middle class enclave" is good, I actually find this post quite appalling... If you are so worried about low income families (which Lee for instance has quite a lot), then you are very welcome to go ahead and find some posh private school that they cannot afford, and I really do hope you will do so

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any way to find out how high the already enrolled families ranked Breakthrough? Just an aggregate like 10% ranked it #1, 20% ranked it #2, etc.. Just to see how far WL might go..

We ranked it 12th, but only because we live far. Still a bit worried about the commute...

How long to commute?
Commute is a biggie for us, just curious of how other's feel about it