Anyone on who has a 3 or 4 y/o enrolled this year at Aidan Montessori?

[Anonymous]

If so, I would love your feedback about the school - and any info about your dc you are comfortable sharing in terms of what type of child is a good fit for the program.

Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

My daughter was there a couple of years ago. It is a great school. The teachers are experienced and committed. The kids learn from a structured curriculum but have flexibility on pursuing what they want -- at least in terms of sequence. If you can get your child in, I would definitely pursue this option. Only drawback for some parents is that school ends at 12 for the kids until they are 5 years old -- then they can stay full day.

[Anonymous]

i thought 3 and 4 year olds can stay until 3 with a rest time? is that not true?

did it feel overwhelming to send a 3 year old to such a big school? i liked the school but worried a bit about that.

[Anonymous]

No, size was not a problem at all. You should call the school to confirm school time and after school care.

[Anonymous]

would love to hear more from parents. i have no idea if my child will get a spot but i'm trying to figure out if aidan is worth the extra tuition if he does...our other options are much less expensive preschools. i was impressed with aidan when i visited.

[Anonymous]

Well, this might inflame everyone but I'll say it anyway. You should pay the extra money (how much extra is it?) because it's a feeder. Simple as that. You'll have more options if you go to Aiden than if you go to some little dinky preschol no one has ever heard of. And you'll be really upset come Pre-K, K application time, struggling to get into a good school if you had the chance to have an easier in and you didn't take it.

[Anonymous]

I agree - Aidan is a feeder school to some of the top schools in the area. If you want to keep your kids in private school, then why don't you maximize their opportunities down the road. Also, I think I am a bit concerned by the mother who wants to save money by sending her kid to a cheaper program because it is cheaper not because she thinks it is better in some way. What are you going to spend the money on -- restaurants and fancy cars instead of your kids!!!??? Now if it is a matter of having a decent and safer place to live, or to pay off debt, I can understand not wanting to pay a higher tuition, but I can't understand it if if you're going to consume it. Education is an investment not a consumer good.

[Anonymous]

whew. i only asked for feedback on aidan. i did not say i was considering sending my child to a cheap preschool i considered inferior. i actually think my other likely option is a very good montessori program. i am trying to figure out if aidan is a "better" program. i also am unlikely to send my child to private school for elementary school (because of the costs) so i am actually trying to find a good preschool for him, not a good feeder school for private school.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

Many thanks to the mom who gave feedback on their experience with Aidan. I would love to hear from any more parents who actually have a child there.

My primary thoughts are around how structured the program is. Our child appeared to thrive in the environment and with that type of instruction when we went to the interview - so it seems to be more my issue than our child's, but I want to be sure that creativity is encouraged as well as specific learning modules. And socialization, of course. So any thoughts along those lines would be helpful.

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

bump

[Anonymous]

i think a problem with this separate forum is that it's mostly read by parents who are applying to schools, not parents who have children at school already and who have moved onto other issues. so it's hard to get feedback on schools from current parents..it's easier to share info among parents who are applying.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

I totally agree with the PP.

I have also felt compassion for those on the TTC board, since it's likely that the most helpful info would come from those who already have children and might not go to that forum.

This is a very awkward format at times.

[Anonymous]

Bump. Still hoping for feedback from parents with children at Aidan. Thanks!