What do you expect from APS staff (option/neighborhood) on 4/30?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what Dr. Nattrass did was great. The wealthy Montessori lobby is just mad that puts actual kids in need ahead of the privileged siblings.
Someone needs to FOIA the stats on Montessori. What percentage of the grade 1-8 kids in Montessori (not all of Drew) are FARMS. I doubt it’s very high. How many applicants are there truly beyond the ptreschool/K program. I can’t believe we gave this low demand elementary program prime real estate. APS needs to take a hard look at them.

Lol, hi tara

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While we’re on the topic of Montessori, did anyone notice how low the K applications are? 76?! Why are we keeping that program? No one wants it for K-5 except rich white folks. Let them pay for private Montessori. Offer to ages 3-5 based on income. Can it after that. I’m tired of subsidizing their program.

Was 76 the final total? I remember them announcing numbers 3 days before the deadline, but not after that.

What is the 1st grade application number? I think that's when most who've been in a Montessori program would apply, right?

Montessori had 50. For comparison purposes, ATS had 59, Campbell had 32, Key had 35 and Claremont had 25.

That 50 doesn't count the 45 or so kids who continue from Drew Montessori preschool into the elementary program at 1st grade. And anyway, Tara Nattrass didn't admit any of the 1st grade applicants. Not even the younger siblings of current elementary students. So even though next year will be the most overcrowded year for elementary schools (1000 seat deficit), Drew will have no trailers and a choice program will be artificially capped by APS.

To the person complaining about Montessori application numbers above, there were something like 500 preschool applicants. That's when Montessori begins and the children who get in stay for elementary. So there's your demand.

Yes, I had heard she eliminated sibling preference without notice days before the lottery began. I assume she will do the same for the other option programs sooner or later.

no she didn't. She clarified that kids in APS montessori got preference for 1st grade slots at Drew before kids coming from private preschools- whether or not they were siblings. The Montessori community is loudly calling this eliminating sibling preference, but its just not.

So basically, they're capping the program size much lower than the other option schools? Is this because they know they're going to move again in a few years and want to keep the program small while doing so?

Bingo. The person above is wrong. Sibling priority is gone and as of now all siblings have been waitlisted. All or almost all Drew preschoolers continue to elementary. APS isn't letting anyone in at elementary this year. Last year they tried to do the same. Is PP really saying that choice elementary schools are supposed to admit no one but children who receive free and reduced lunch? That's not how other choice programs operate. (And, kids in APS Montessori preschool always had priority admission over children from other Montessori preschools, so PP misunderstands a lot about APS Montessori).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The largest numbers at Drew are from perceived under-performing schools. I would love to know how many of these people applied to more than one lottery just to get away from their home school, regardless of the program.

Why does it matter?

Because there really isn’t a clamoring for Montessori like AMAC tries to lead us to believe. There are a few Montessori zealots who are happy for Arlington to pay for essentially private school for their kids. The vast majority of Drew is people fleeing under-performing schools. Break up the extreme pockets of poverty, raise school performance levels and people won’t feel the need to leave

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The largest numbers at Drew are from perceived under-performing schools. I would love to know how many of these people applied to more than one lottery just to get away from their home school, regardless of the program.

Why does it matter?

Because there really isn’t a clamoring for Montessori like AMAC tries to lead us to believe. There are a few Montessori zealots who are happy for Arlington to pay for essentially private school for their kids. The vast majority of Drew is people fleeing under-performing schools. Break up the extreme pockets of poverty, raise school performance levels and people won’t feel the need to leave

For f$cks sake, how many times does it need to be pointed out that 2/3rds of montesorri seats in aps preschool are reserved for low to middle income families, and that aps preschool now completely fills the Drew/Henry program? It's by design a mixed income cohort.

[Anonymous]

I believe the reason for the relatively low number of Montessori K applications, is that most children enter the program as 3 year olds. There are very few spots for Kindergarteners. I think they really hammer that point home (at least they did on the Drew tour I took) so it may discourage some Kindergarten families from applying. We applied anyway but were waitlisted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what Dr. Nattrass did was great. The wealthy Montessori lobby is just mad that puts actual kids in need ahead of the privileged siblings.
Someone needs to FOIA the stats on Montessori. What percentage of the grade 1-8 kids in Montessori (not all of Drew) are FARMS. I doubt it’s very high. How many applicants are there truly beyond the ptreschool/K program. I can’t believe we gave this low demand elementary program prime real estate. APS needs to take a hard look at them.

Lol, hi tara

She doesn't have the power to change the procedure. Maybe AMAC dropped the ball and didn't realize that the policy as written would allow current Montessori Pre-K kids to crowd out siblings? I don't think they have the space to let everyone in, and expanding the program this year isn't feasible given that there's a move happening next year, and then probably again in a couple years. Ultimately, I bet they will let in the handful of siblings. But other private applicants are just going to be out of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Key was like, no move to ASFS. APS said, ok, try Barcroft. Key is like, wait, what??

Well, can you imagine being forced to go to school in South Arlington when you specifically paid to go to a school in North Arlington?

Key is no longer a neighborhood school. So, except for those already there and with only a few years to go, it doesn't matter what these people paid to go to Key. If they paid just to go to a school in north arlington, they can still go to a school in north arlington. it just might not be immersion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While we’re on the topic of Montessori, did anyone notice how low the K applications are? 76?! Why are we keeping that program? No one wants it for K-5 except rich white folks. Let them pay for private Montessori. Offer to ages 3-5 based on income. Can it after that. I’m tired of subsidizing their program.

Was 76 the final total? I remember them announcing numbers 3 days before the deadline, but not after that.

What is the 1st grade application number? I think that's when most who've been in a Montessori program would apply, right?

Montessori had 50. For comparison purposes, ATS had 59, Campbell had 32, Key had 35 and Claremont had 25.

That comparison is misleading. As the question indicated, Montessori's age/"grade level" groupings are such that 1st grade is the start of the next grouping; so there is likely to be a higher # of applications for 1st grade when pre K Montessori students complete kindergarten. Claremont is an immersion program which, like Montessori, prefers previous experience in the same instructional focus. ATS is just ATS and I wonder if its 1st grade applicants crossover with the Montessori or other choice program applicants.

So many complaints about the cost-per-student for the new HB Woodlawn facility. Yet, what's the cost-per-student for Montessori?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While we’re on the topic of Montessori, did anyone notice how low the K applications are? 76?! Why are we keeping that program? No one wants it for K-5 except rich white folks. Let them pay for private Montessori. Offer to ages 3-5 based on income. Can it after that. I’m tired of subsidizing their program.

Was 76 the final total? I remember them announcing numbers 3 days before the deadline, but not after that.

What is the 1st grade application number? I think that's when most who've been in a Montessori program would apply, right?

Montessori had 50. For comparison purposes, ATS had 59, Campbell had 32, Key had 35 and Claremont had 25.

That 50 doesn't count the 45 or so kids who continue from Drew Montessori preschool into the elementary program at 1st grade. And anyway, Tara Nattrass didn't admit any of the 1st grade applicants. Not even the younger siblings of current elementary students. So even though next year will be the most overcrowded year for elementary schools (1000 seat deficit), Drew will have no trailers and a choice program will be artificially capped by APS.

To the person complaining about Montessori application numbers above, there were something like 500 preschool applicants. That's when Montessori begins and the children who get in stay for elementary. So there's your demand.

That's historical demand. Much of that "demand" came from the neighborhood while Montessori was co-located at the neighborhood school. So it's still not an apples to apples comparison.

I think it's wise, shows a bit of foresight, to control the #s in the years preceeding Montessori's move. They need to determine whether/how much of the full Montessori program can be consolidated at Henry and how to proceed from there. I'd like to see as many of the preschool Montessori classes moved out of other neighborhood schools as possible. THAT would help overcrowding, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what Dr. Nattrass did was great. The wealthy Montessori lobby is just mad that puts actual kids in need ahead of the privileged siblings.
Someone needs to FOIA the stats on Montessori. What percentage of the grade 1-8 kids in Montessori (not all of Drew) are FARMS. I doubt it’s very high. How many applicants are there truly beyond the ptreschool/K program. I can’t believe we gave this low demand elementary program prime real estate. APS needs to take a hard look at them.

Oh, well then hold on to your hat 'cause they'll be heading for their own brand new shiny (expensive) customized building next. Their strongest advocate now sits on the school board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While we’re on the topic of Montessori, did anyone notice how low the K applications are? 76?! Why are we keeping that program? No one wants it for K-5 except rich white folks. Let them pay for private Montessori. Offer to ages 3-5 based on income. Can it after that. I’m tired of subsidizing their program.

Was 76 the final total? I remember them announcing numbers 3 days before the deadline, but not after that.

What is the 1st grade application number? I think that's when most who've been in a Montessori program would apply, right?

Montessori had 50. For comparison purposes, ATS had 59, Campbell had 32, Key had 35 and Claremont had 25.

That 50 doesn't count the 45 or so kids who continue from Drew Montessori preschool into the elementary program at 1st grade. And anyway, Tara Nattrass didn't admit any of the 1st grade applicants. Not even the younger siblings of current elementary students. So even though next year will be the most overcrowded year for elementary schools (1000 seat deficit), Drew will have no trailers and a choice program will be artificially capped by APS.

To the person complaining about Montessori application numbers above, there were something like 500 preschool applicants. That's when Montessori begins and the children who get in stay for elementary. So there's your demand.

Yes, I had heard she eliminated sibling preference without notice days before the lottery began. I assume she will do the same for the other option programs sooner or later.

no she didn't. She clarified that kids in APS montessori got preference for 1st grade slots at Drew before kids coming from private preschools- whether or not they were siblings. The Montessori community is loudly calling this eliminating sibling preference, but its just not.

So basically, they're capping the program size much lower than the other option schools? Is this because they know they're going to move again in a few years and want to keep the program small while doing so?

Bingo. The person above is wrong. Sibling priority is gone and as of now all siblings have been waitlisted. All or almost all Drew preschoolers continue to elementary. APS isn't letting anyone in at elementary this year. Last year they tried to do the same. Is PP really saying that choice elementary schools are supposed to admit no one but children who receive free and reduced lunch? That's not how other choice programs operate. (And, kids in APS Montessori preschool always had priority admission over children from other Montessori preschools, so PP misunderstands a lot about APS Montessori).

I don't know where you get that the poster was suggesting choice elementary schools are supposed to be only for FRL-eligible students. There was a suggestion that Montessori preschool program (not the same as elementary choice programs) should be reserved for kids who are in greatest need - ie, low-income families who cannot afford quality preschools. Montessori reserve 2/3 for "low-income" but it's debatable how low-income 80% AMI really is. So, like someone else above, I too would love to know the real FRL% of just Montessori students both in and beyond the preK program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The largest numbers at Drew are from perceived under-performing schools. I would love to know how many of these people applied to more than one lottery just to get away from their home school, regardless of the program.

Why does it matter?

Because there really isn’t a clamoring for Montessori like AMAC tries to lead us to believe. There are a few Montessori zealots who are happy for Arlington to pay for essentially private school for their kids. The vast majority of Drew is people fleeing under-performing schools. Break up the extreme pockets of poverty, raise school performance levels and people won’t feel the need to leave

For f$cks sake, how many times does it need to be pointed out that 2/3rds of montesorri seats in aps preschool are reserved for low to middle income families, and that aps preschool now completely fills the Drew/Henry program? It's by design a mixed income cohort.

So, in order to ensure that mixed-income design at every grade level, would sibling preferences take a back seat to lower-income applicants? Why do I think not? And what is the actual income mix %ages, anyway? How closely does it really align to the design? And how will it change with relocation of the program?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While we’re on the topic of Montessori, did anyone notice how low the K applications are? 76?! Why are we keeping that program? No one wants it for K-5 except rich white folks. Let them pay for private Montessori. Offer to ages 3-5 based on income. Can it after that. I’m tired of subsidizing their program.

Was 76 the final total? I remember them announcing numbers 3 days before the deadline, but not after that.

What is the 1st grade application number? I think that's when most who've been in a Montessori program would apply, right?

Montessori had 50. For comparison purposes, ATS had 59, Campbell had 32, Key had 35 and Claremont had 25.

That comparison is misleading. As the question indicated, Montessori's age/"grade level" groupings are such that 1st grade is the start of the next grouping; so there is likely to be a higher # of applications for 1st grade when pre K Montessori students complete kindergarten. Claremont is an immersion program which, like Montessori, prefers previous experience in the same instructional focus. ATS is just ATS and I wonder if its 1st grade applicants crossover with the Montessori or other choice program applicants.

So many complaints about the cost-per-student for the new HB Woodlawn facility. Yet, what's the cost-per-student for Montessori?

When you factor in the summer intercession for Barcroft and Spanish immersion, it's about the same as those programs is what I've heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While we’re on the topic of Montessori, did anyone notice how low the K applications are? 76?! Why are we keeping that program? No one wants it for K-5 except rich white folks. Let them pay for private Montessori. Offer to ages 3-5 based on income. Can it after that. I’m tired of subsidizing their program.

Was 76 the final total? I remember them announcing numbers 3 days before the deadline, but not after that.

What is the 1st grade application number? I think that's when most who've been in a Montessori program would apply, right?

Montessori had 50. For comparison purposes, ATS had 59, Campbell had 32, Key had 35 and Claremont had 25.

That 50 doesn't count the 45 or so kids who continue from Drew Montessori preschool into the elementary program at 1st grade. And anyway, Tara Nattrass didn't admit any of the 1st grade applicants. Not even the younger siblings of current elementary students. So even though next year will be the most overcrowded year for elementary schools (1000 seat deficit), Drew will have no trailers and a choice program will be artificially capped by APS.

To the person complaining about Montessori application numbers above, there were something like 500 preschool applicants. That's when Montessori begins and the children who get in stay for elementary. So there's your demand.

That's historical demand. Much of that "demand" came from the neighborhood while Montessori was co-located at the neighborhood school. So it's still not an apples to apples comparison.

I think it's wise, shows a bit of foresight, to control the #s in the years preceeding Montessori's move. They need to determine whether/how much of the full Montessori program can be consolidated at Henry and how to proceed from there. I'd like to see as many of the preschool Montessori classes moved out of other neighborhood schools as possible. THAT would help overcrowding, too.

No, I don't think demand for montessori was or is driven by UMC in Nauck. The whole neighborhood has been able to attend Hoffman Boston if they choose so there's already been standard alternative. People in the montesorri program are people who really want the instructional model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While we’re on the topic of Montessori, did anyone notice how low the K applications are? 76?! Why are we keeping that program? No one wants it for K-5 except rich white folks. Let them pay for private Montessori. Offer to ages 3-5 based on income. Can it after that. I’m tired of subsidizing their program.

Was 76 the final total? I remember them announcing numbers 3 days before the deadline, but not after that.

What is the 1st grade application number? I think that's when most who've been in a Montessori program would apply, right?

Montessori had 50. For comparison purposes, ATS had 59, Campbell had 32, Key had 35 and Claremont had 25.

That comparison is misleading. As the question indicated, Montessori's age/"grade level" groupings are such that 1st grade is the start of the next grouping; so there is likely to be a higher # of applications for 1st grade when pre K Montessori students complete kindergarten. Claremont is an immersion program which, like Montessori, prefers previous experience in the same instructional focus. ATS is just ATS and I wonder if its 1st grade applicants crossover with the Montessori or other choice program applicants.

So many complaints about the cost-per-student for the new HB Woodlawn facility. Yet, what's the cost-per-student for Montessori?

Actually, my understanding is that Montessori no longer gives applicants with prior experience in primary montessori any preference. That was a surprise to many but im not sure it much matters, since there's not any available slots for those who didn't win the aps preschool montesorri lottery. Those children fill the Drew/Henry program now.