Lee vs. Breakthrough

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have firsthand experience with both who can give some insight into how they are different and similar? I’m new to the area and considering Montessori for my rising kindergartener but am not able to make many open houses.

[Anonymous]

Lee is by far the more established school, I would rank it above Breakthrough for sure. Unless the commute is much worse.

[Anonymous]

We are in the neighborhood for Breakthrough and I considered it, but the test scores were really surprisingly low for the student demographics. Not saying it’s a lost cause, but we decided to give it a few more years to see if it gets better established.

[Anonymous]

Breakthrough has had at most one group of students who are eligible for PARCC testing.

[Anonymous]

Montessori schools typically score low relative to their demographics, but Lee's PARCC scores were really not good this year-- in some ways worse than the prior year.

Lee is a more mature school than Breakthrough and very well-managed, so if you wouldn't be happy with Lee's test scores, there's no real reason to think Breakthrough will do better even with a few more years to settle in.

[Anonymous]

The highest grade at breakthrough this year is second, so there won't be parcc scores until next year. DS has been there for two years and it's a great community and a great school. The school will consolidate at the Takoma campus, which is pretty far from Lee. Go with whichever school is most convenient for your commute. I work in Silver Spring and DH works from home which is a big reason we chose breakthrough.

[Anonymous]

My child attended both schools. I had no real complaints about Breakthrough other than the lack of an on campus playground. The kids did not get out as much as they should have, which was kind of a big deal at the time. At Lee, most days your kids are getting out twice if they're in aftercare. My understanding is that Breakthrough is going to build out some more outdoor space, so this issue may be solved.

One area I really appreciate at Lee and have no insight into at Breakthrough is special services. When Lee says "whole child" they really mean it. Their screenings, assessment and social services for minor behavioral issues are really on point.

It seems WAY harder to get into Lee Brookland these days that Breakthrough.

[Anonymous]

Breakthrough will have their playground finished by the fall of 2021. Until then, kids either play in an open green space on the block or walk to Takoma Rec Center, which is about at 10 minute walk each way. They get 45 minutes of play plus the walk, which is over an hour of outside time. That might be less than other charters (I don't know), but it's more than most DCPS.

[Anonymous]

I don't know much about Breakthrough, other than aquaintences being reasonably happy, but I will say that my child thrived at Lee. We had to move and the commute became unworkable, but I still miss the great administration and teachers.