Anyone ever give up LAMB for Inspired Teaching?

[Anonymous]

We chose IT as number one for common lottery. We didn't think we had a chance with LAMB. Our WL number with LAMB is pretty promising, but don't want to bank on it. If by sheer luck we get into both, I'm torn. I really like the aspect of language immersion along with Montessori. But I hear wonderful things about IT, their facilities and it is closer to home.

[Anonymous]

Yes. After visiting LAMB I wasn't sure Montessori generally or LAMB specifically was ideal for my kid.

[Anonymous]

If commute weren't a factor, I would definitely choose ITS over LAMB. I would not want to have my child in Montessori past the primary program.

[Anonymous]

No I would not turn down lamb for a tier 2 school.

[Anonymous]

I got into LAMB 2 years ago and gave it up for Creative Minds.

Depends on several factors, do you think Montessori is a good fit for your child? Also, how strongly do you feel about Spanish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got into LAMB 2 years ago and gave it up for Creative Minds.

Depends on several factors, do you think Montessori is a good fit for your child? Also, how strongly do you feel about Spanish?

Are you still happy with your decision?

[Anonymous]

LAMB is not real Montessori, so definitely take that into consideration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is not real Montessori, so definitely take that into consideration.

Close to top of wait list, so curious as to what that means!

[Anonymous]

LAMB is neither AMI nor AMS certified, and has no plans to be. In fact, some of the parents and admin I encountered have no idea what the difference is between the two and seemed confused when I asked quest .about this. They use the term "Montessori" but loosely apply the principles. If you are not a Montessori purist, this may not matter to you. I visited LAMB and am not at all impressed. IMO, if I am going Montessori, I would go all the way where there is evidence that the curriculum is great and works--see Lee & Shining Stars (despite their drama) for ex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I would not turn down lamb for a tier 2 school.

No dog in fight but IT has only had 3 years of testing. They are steadily increasing. Very likely they will be tier 1 in next few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is neither AMI nor AMS certified, and has no plans to be. In fact, some of the parents and admin I encountered have no idea what the difference is between the two and seemed confused when I asked quest .about this. They use the term "Montessori" but loosely apply the principles. If you are not a Montessori purist, this may not matter to you. I visited LAMB and am not at all impressed. IMO, if I am going Montessori, I would go all the way where there is evidence that the curriculum is great and works--see Lee & Shining Stars (despite their drama) for ex.

Were you not impressed by LAMB because of its failure to follow Montessori principles more closely, or did you find it lacking in other ways?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is neither AMI nor AMS certified, and has no plans to be. In fact, some of the parents and admin I encountered have no idea what the difference is between the two and seemed confused when I asked quest .about this. They use the term "Montessori" but loosely apply the principles. If you are not a Montessori purist, this may not matter to you. I visited LAMB and am not at all impressed. IMO, if I am going Montessori, I would go all the way where there is evidence that the curriculum is great and works--see Lee & Shining Stars (despite their drama) for ex.

LAMB parent here. LAMB is about as Montessori as a public charter can be. Once you're in you'll be put in the loop with how difficult the DC bureaucracy makes it for schools to function in accordance with their mission statement. It's false that charters are left to their own devices. There's lots of interfering oversight to "keep it accountable", which is a lot of hullaballoo. When the DC government decided to was time to start testing pre-Kers with standardized test, which is totally inappropriate according to every childhood ed. worth a damn, LAMB tried to fight it. It's anti-child and certainly anti-Montessori. In fact, the children had to be taught how to fill in bubble Scantrons because they'd never seen that before (a non-starter in Montessori). Alas, LAMB was forced to take away from precious education time and focus on this DC requirement. Nonetheless, they still manage to do a fantastic job. Their instructors go to Montessori training in Latin America during summer and they try to make improvements wherever they can (and the conundrum of DC politics will let them). Maybe it's Montessori-lite, but I'll take it. I'd pay $20G on average if it were private. Funny how "Montessori purist" can try to discredit a free bilingual program serving arguably the most diverse pop. in DC- racially and socio-economically. Shameful, really. Or maybe just ignorant. At any rate, it's Tier 1, bilingual, and so much more.

[Anonymous]

We turned down LAMB for MV a few years ago due to location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No I would not turn down lamb for a tier 2 school.

So you base your school decisions on test scores alone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got into LAMB 2 years ago and gave it up for Creative Minds.

Depends on several factors, do you think Montessori is a good fit for your child? Also, how strongly do you feel about Spanish?

Are you still happy with your decision?

Definitely. My neighbor's child goes to LAMB and it's a great fit for her child. My daughter loves CMI and it's a perfect fit for her. I love the choice we made.