Breakthrough Montessori Family Orientation

[Anonymous]

Did anyone attend last night's orientation? How was it? Any insights about the ED, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and families enrolling?

[Anonymous]

No, but we will be on Saturday the 16th. I was wondering the same thing

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

Did anyone attend? Please describe what you learned.

[Yashieka]

I attended the orientation. They went through the time-line for the school year as well as what is required for registration etc. One thing they mentioned that wasn't included in the outreach session was that they now offer half days. The Director of the Curriculum seemed knowledgeable, however, when I asked about incorporating other activities (music, art) into the daily curriculum, there was push back. They want to have a curriculum dedicated strictly to the Montessori method. Coming from Barrie, I'm really excited about attending Breakthrough!

[Anonymous]

If you attend a Montessori school you have to understand what that means. It does not mean that you can come in a demand "specials".

However, most Montessori schools incorporate a lot of music, singing and art into the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you attend a Montessori school you have to understand what that means. It does not mean that you can come in a demand "specials".

However, most Montessori schools incorporate a lot of music, singing and art into the classroom.

I'm confused by your comment. My daughter has been in a Montessori school for the last three years. Majority if not all is the Montessori schools I checked out in NY (originally from NY) and DC (including Barrie) allows the children to visit a "specialist," (to include art, music, and language) during "work" periods.

So, again....I'm confused by your comment.

[Anonymous]

My husband attended and his take aways:
--longer school year than we currently have
--after care and lunches are included
--walk to the play ground is a bit of a hike for the little ones. curious how much physical activity he will get, what will happen on rainy days. Also security and number of staff supervising on that really big playground.
--location is good for us, but facilities aren't that great right now
--no language, but working to recruit teachers and staff with languages and incorporate
--won't have the art program we're used to at our current montessori, and our nature program will instead be more of gardening, etc.
--he was very impressed with the staff. all seemed responsive and professional.

I'm going this weekend. We're really on the fence right now, so interested in hearing from others.

Interested in what others think.

[Anonymous]

I definitely like the smaller class sizes. They will have 5 classes instead of the 4 classes. Each class will have 18 students, 9 PK3s and 9 PK4s. They will be adding 9 additional children per class next year. Instead of the 30 minutes of outside play, they extended it to 45 minutes (I think), I know it's longer than 30 minutes.

I was leaning more towards Lee mainly because of the half day offering, however, Breakthrough seems to be on top of their game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you attend a Montessori school you have to understand what that means. It does not mean that you can come in a demand "specials".

However, most Montessori schools incorporate a lot of music, singing and art into the classroom.

I'm confused by your comment. My daughter has been in a Montessori school for the last three years. Majority if not all is the Montessori schools I checked out in NY (originally from NY) and DC (including Barrie) allows the children to visit a "specialist," (to include art, music, and language) during "work" periods.

So, again....I'm confused by your comment.

For primary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely like the smaller class sizes. They will have 5 classes instead of the 4 classes. Each class will have 18 students, 9 PK3s and 9 PK4s. They will be adding 9 additional children per class next year. Instead of the 30 minutes of outside play, they extended it to 45 minutes (I think), I know it's longer than 30 minutes.

I was leaning more towards Lee mainly because of the half day offering, however, Breakthrough seems to be on top of their game.

Yes, this sounds good (did anyone ask about accreditation - push them to be ami or ams accredited. It's the only way you know you are getting a solid Montessori curriculum) .

But having just gone through the location thing, no way would I go through that again. If you have a choice between a good school with a permanent location and a good school without, go with the permanent location.

[Anonymous]

I think Breakthrough has a longish-term lease at the former Bridges location, with plans to improve the facility and expand in place - and that they may regard the current location as permanent. Does anyone know more about this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Breakthrough has a longish-term lease at the former Bridges location, with plans to improve the facility and expand in place - and that they may regard the current location as permanent. Does anyone know more about this?

Check the minutes / docs from the DCPCSB - I think it is only 2 yrs and they will not have enough space to expand into elementary until and unless they move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Breakthrough has a longish-term lease at the former Bridges location, with plans to improve the facility and expand in place - and that they may regard the current location as permanent. Does anyone know more about this?

That is my thinking as well, from having attended one of their info sessions, but I can't recall exactly what was said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Breakthrough has a longish-term lease at the former Bridges location, with plans to improve the facility and expand in place - and that they may regard the current location as permanent. Does anyone know more about this?

Check the minutes / docs from the DCPCSB - I think it is only 2 yrs and they will not have enough space to expand into elementary until and unless they move.

My understanding is they have only rented one of the several connected buildings that Bridges had on Taylor NW. That's the 2-3 year sublease.

But they are also negotiating with the landlord for the remainder of the space on Taylor which will give them a longterm lease and more space to fill out the school.