3-yr commitment to Montessori - how to respond?

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[Post New]10/23/2013 13:21
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vukhacki
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I am looking at an application for a Montessori school in the area. The application asks if we plan on leaving our child at the school for the full 3 year Montessori program, which includes the K year. I am leaning towards not leaving my child there for the K year as I'd like to start my child in elementary school in the K year w/all the other kids. Should I answer yes anyway? Anyone have views on how best to approach this? Are we penalized and likely to be turned away if we say no?

Likewise, they also ask if we would stay for the elementary program, which is unlikely considering the good public school district that we live in.

Any insights/experiences would be helpful.
[Post New]10/23/2013 13:23
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Anonymous
If they are asking what your plans are, tell them that you are open to a 3 year commitment, if it is agreeable to both you and the school. If they are asking for a 3 year contract, the answer is "no."
[Post New]10/23/2013 13:25
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Anonymous
You might be on the hook to pay for the K year though. Read very carefully.
[Post New]10/23/2013 13:26
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Anonymous
I just faced this quandary.

I think you are probably less likley to get in if you say no. But if they really need numbers maybe they won't care. The montessori programs are very upfront that attending for the kindergarten year is important and part of the deal.

I had several people advise me to just lie and pull my kid out for kindergarten. So clearly people do this. I did not feel comfortable doing so for two major reasons: 1) I don't want to be in a position of lying not only during the application process but for the next two years as I interact with other parents and school administrators. Felt gross for me personally. And 2) I have a younger child that I want to go through the same preschool (whatever I chose) and I figured she would be black balled after I pulled my first one out.
[Post New]10/23/2013 13:32
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Anonymous
Well, you can lie or you can be honest. I'd be inclined not to commit to anything but yes, it may put you down the line in applications.

However, we did Montessori for 2 years in DC and never had any problem when we pulled out. We had an older kid at another school, so they probably realized quite early on that we would leave early. We weren't treated any differently and didn't experience any bad attitude.
[Post New]10/23/2013 13:45
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Anonymous
Our beloved Montessori school never asked this until just before our K enrollment - they operate strictly on a first-come first-serve basis, and probably also know that circumstances change and parents change their minds.

One important point, though: despite the possible attitude problem of forcing parents to disclose their plans, the Kindergarten year of the preschool program is CRUCIAL.

There is significant attrition in the K class for 3 reasons:
1. Cost compared to public school.
2. Parents wanting to send ALL their children to the same school as soon as poss to avoid complicated commutes (if the older ones already attend elementary).
3. Parents not understanding the true value of Montessori K.

I can speak for number 3:
Academically, Kindergartners in Montessori learn so much more than in the public school - the math particularly is light years removed in rigor and depth. Ex: my son did the thousand chain, which besides learning to count to 1000 is also a springboard for cubing numbers. All his classmates could read fluently by the end of the year (my son has a speech delay and was the only one who could not reach that particular goal). The critical thinking involved is much more rigorous than in public school and thus is a much better preparation for academics than public K.

Socially, the Montessori mixed-aged approach really comes into its own for the older kids in the class. After 2 years of looking up to the older children as guides and teachers, they finally get to experience being looked up to and teach! It's incredibly affirming and confidence-boosting for them, and quite precious, as later on in elementary school they'll revert to being the younger set. And as we all know, teaching something makes you understand it on a more profound level, so the Kindergartners develop a rock-solid foundation of knowledge.

Some parents are concerned that their child will not integrate well if they come in public 1st grade instead of K, which makes me smile, because so many families in this area move around a lot, so that there is no guarantee a public K student will see a lot of familiar faces in 1st, and anyway children that age are very flexible and make friends easily.
I moved to three different countries before age 8, and my young preschoolers and elementary-aged children have moved to Europe and back - it has not impacted their ability to make friends or their social life at all.

I have no idea if answering "no" would get you turned away (I hope not!), but you could say yes if any of my arguments have intrigued you. You are also allowed to change your mind.

Most of all, maybe you should look into a different, more welcoming Montessori school
[Post New]10/23/2013 14:28
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
I can speak for number 3:
Academically, Kindergartners in Montessori learn so much more than in the public school - the math particularly is light years removed in rigor and depth. Ex: my son did the thousand chain, which besides learning to count to 1000 is also a springboard for cubing numbers. All his classmates could read fluently by the end of the year (my son has a speech delay and was the only one who could not reach that particular goal). The critical thinking involved is much more rigorous than in public school and thus is a much better preparation for academics than public K.



+1000

This has been my experience as well with my DD who excelled in Montessori.
[Post New]10/24/2013 12:59
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:

I can speak for number 3:
Academically, Kindergartners in Montessori learn so much more than in the public school - the math particularly is light years removed in rigor and depth. Ex: my son did the thousand chain, which besides learning to count to 1000 is also a springboard for cubing numbers. All his classmates could read fluently by the end of the year (my son has a speech delay and was the only one who could not reach that particular goal). The critical thinking involved is much more rigorous than in public school and thus is a much better preparation for academics than public K.



+1000

This has been my experience as well with my DD who excelled in Montessori.


This is so true!! We had the same experience with my son. We actually sent him to Spanish Immersion for 1st grade, because the math material at public 1st grade is much more basic than what he covered in montessori K. At least this way, he's continuing to learn rather than just review.
[Post New]10/24/2013 13:01
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Anonymous
OP here - thanks for the feedback. Certainly making a strong case to stay through the K year.
[Post New]10/24/2013 13:27
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I can speak for number 3:
Academically, Kindergartners in Montessori learn so much more than in the public school - the math particularly is light years removed in rigor and depth. Ex: my son did the thousand chain, which besides learning to count to 1000 is also a springboard for cubing numbers. All his classmates could read fluently by the end of the year (my son has a speech delay and was the only one who could not reach that particular goal). The critical thinking involved is much more rigorous than in public school and thus is a much better preparation for academics than public K.



+1000

This has been my experience as well with my DD who excelled in Montessori.


+2000
[Post New]10/24/2013 13:31
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Anonymous
I walked away from a school like this. It just shows me they are too rigid and probably frightened of students leaving. Luckily I found they were rigid in more things than this so it wasn't a big deal. If you end up not liking the teacher or your child doesn't excel, you will want to walk away even to go to another Montessori. Schools that have no problems replacing children and have well respected teachers, don't make these types of demands.
[Post New]10/25/2013 17:13
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Anonymous
I would make sure the contract does not require you to commit for the full three years, most do not.

Remember that the whole point of Montessori is to nurture the formative years through age 6, which includes Kindergarten.

That being said, we decided to keep our kids through Kindergarten, and I agree with the other posters that they were leaps and bounds ahead when they entered 1st grade. It is expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment if you can swing it.
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