Shining Stars School Growth Question

[Anonymous]

So Shining Stars will have a PK3 class of 60. In the 2012-13 year, the total students was 55 [PK3-3]. 118 for 2015-16 [PK3-5].

As this year's 60 students move forward, and for grades PK3-6, seems like the school will grow to 300-400 in a few years.

Any thoughts on the capacity of the school to handle this amount of students and how that aligns with the Montessori experience?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
So Shining Stars will have a PK3 class of 60. In the 2012-13 year, the total students was 55 [PK3-3]. 118 for 2015-16 [PK3-5].

As this year's 60 students move forward, and for grades PK3-6, seems like the school will grow to 300-400 in a few years.

Any thoughts on the capacity of the school to handle this amount of students and how that aligns with the Montessori experience?

Thank you.

For 17-18 SSMA's enrollment ceiling is 275 students and thereafter enrollment is capped at 350.

If they want to expand beyond that, they need to amend their charter.

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=2014995#anchor

[Anonymous]

Good info. Thanks! 350 does seem quite large for a Montessori.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Good info. Thanks! 350 does seem quite large for a Montessori.

LAMB had 426 last year, and CHML has 361.

I think 350 would be considered large for a private Montessori school, but it's about the minimum needed to make the financing work for a public charter school.

I believe that both Lee and Breakthrough intend to grow to about the same size.

[Anonymous]

I was wrong re Lee which doesn't said it would top out at 200.

Breakthrough intends to gow to about 360

http://www.dcpcsb.org/sites/default/files/report/Breakthrough%20Montessori%20-%20Redacted%20Application%20-%202015-03-09.pdf

[Anonymous]

I suspect that they are banking on attrition. It is a sound model. With such large primary classes they won't need to admit new kids in the upper grades (e.g, non-Montessori kids) to replace those who leave. One or two non-montessori kids in an elementary class are probably fine, any more than that, and all the kids suffer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect that they are banking on attrition. It is a sound model. With such large primary classes they won't need to admit new kids in the upper grades (e.g, non-Montessori kids) to replace those who leave. One or two non-montessori kids in an elementary class are probably fine, any more than that, and all the kids suffer.

Eyeroll. Yes, their suffering is terrible.