Franklin Montessori in Van Ness?

[KaloramaMom]

Hi all,

Seeking info/intel re: Franklin Montessori in Van Ness. The info on here is a bit sparse and dated. We're moving to the area and are considering it for our 3yo. Is it a true Montessori curriculum, or a dressed-up daycare? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We are considering it for our son when he turns two, so no firsthand experience yet, but I did the tour and believe it to be a true montessori experience. A lot of parents we know with kids there absolutely love it - if the school is willing to share contact information with some parents, they would be great resources. Otherwise, I would advise signing up for the tour, those get booked up.

[Anonymous]

Beware, there are 2 separate occasions where they left kids unattended at the playground.
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/552257.page

[Anonymous]

They had 2 situations in a short time of one another 6 years ago. The JCC left and kid as did Friendship Children's Center.

Franklin & JCC immediately took ownership and put procedures in place.

Friendship's director was above it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They had 2 situations in a short time of one another 6 years ago. The JCC left and kid as did Friendship Children's Center.

Franklin & JCC immediately took ownership and put procedures in place.

Friendship's director was above it all.

The above tell me to avoid these 3 schools when you have many other options!

[Anonymous]

Why not look into Aidan Montessori if specifically looking for a Montessori. At least they have never abandoned kids at a playground.

[Anonymous]

Op, yes Franklin is a true Montessori program. Both of my kids went there. It’s expensive, but our family was happy with it.

[Anonymous]

My third is about to start in the twos. We had a great experience with our older two. Our oldest transitioned really well into public 1st grade in MoCo last year. He was reading really well by the end of his third year and had a lot of academic confidence. The parent community is great and very international. We still socialize with some of the families even after the kids have moved on to various other schools. It’s been a great start for my kids.

[Anonymous]

My 2 kids went thru Franklin, one from 2s and left for K (did 2 years in primary); the other started in infants and did 1 year in primary and left for PK. I think it’s a high quality program that is rare to find because it also offers aftercare and a 12 month schedule with few extended breaks. I didn’t care much about “true” Montessori. Truthfully, my kids didn’t get much long term out of Montessori (kids are in ES now), but they had a great experience while they were there. The class sizes are large so if your kids aren’t self directed, they won’t maximize what they can get out of the program.

Best program there is infants!!! (Though structure is different now than when we were there).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not look into Aidan Montessori if specifically looking for a Montessori. At least they have never abandoned kids at a playground.

Agree. Aiden also has the better certification, AMI.

[Anonymous]

+1 Aidan Montessori. Franklin is more of a daycare.

[Anonymous]

franklin- NO!!!!

[Anonymous]

Who is the owner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 Aidan Montessori. Franklin is more of a daycare.

I'm really not sure what this comment is based on. My kids for various reasons ended up at three different Montessori's (and one non-Montessori) in two different cities, and Franklin was both a real Montessori and easily the best of the four schools they attended.

This is not a knock on Aidan, which I have heard consistently good things about, but its kind of hard for me to read your post and not think you just happen to like Aidan and don't know anything about Franklin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, yes Franklin is a true Montessori program. Both of my kids went there. It’s expensive, but our family was happy with it.

AMS certification is the American version, so no, it definitely is not “true” Montessori.