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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Longtime Lee parent here. Yes, the test scores suck. The reason is pretty obvious: much less time is spent learning the narrow academics tested on the PARCC test. I’m not saying those topics aren’t valuable, but it doesn’t mean your kid isn’t learning things, just that they’re not learning as much of those specific things. (I do think some of it is that they aren’t taught math and reading in the form it is tested by PARCC, but I don’t believe that’s the whole explanation.)

Most parents seem think it’s a terrific school and are happy to send their kids there every day. The five-year qualitative review from 2018 is worth reading. (Ok, it’s old, but I think it still applies.) The review is stellar. Lee quotes from it on their website:

“Classrooms were peaceful and quiet, and students were happy; lessons were well planned and taught with passion; students with all needs were fully supported; teachers understood the Montessori model and implemented it with fidelity.”

Report is here: https://dcpcsb.org/sites/default/files/2018-05-17-QSR-Report-Lee-Montessori-_Redacted.pdf

I also think the cliche that a Montessori education isn’t for every kid is true. My older kid probably would have been better off with more structure. Montessori expects kids to be motivated in part by their interests. The older one mostly did as little work as possible and could get away with it more than at a traditional school. Now in middle school they’re struggling with the stricter expectations and would probably have an easier time if those expectations were there since kindergarten.

The younger kid loves Lee and is tearing it up there. They’re able to work a year ahead on math because kids can work at their own level in Montessori. They’re interested in most of the lessons. They love that they can work with other kids whenever they want and talk (quietly) in class and move around. They love writing stories and can spend an hour or more doing that most days - provided it’s balanced with other work. They’re probably going to do great in middle school whether it’s Montessori or traditional.

So, yes, the test scores suck, but the total picture is a lot bigger than that.
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This is all very relatable. We are at another Montessori and with my older in lower El, not totally sure if she is more like your older or younger. Seems to be doing ok but I wonder if more traditional structures would benefit. Looking at test scores is a pretty rough way to gauge an education like this. [/quote]

I guess the question is, what kind of test scores does that rationale allow you to accept.  Because on the last PARCC (2019), fully one-third of Lee students scored a ONE out of five in math.  That's really bad!  Will you be happy at Lee if your child is scoring a one, and other parents are telling you it's perfectly fine?  And if your child is advanced, will they be well-served at a school where the majority of students are significantly below grade level in math?  Will be comfortable with it?  It's easy to look at a sweet preschool, which nobody disputes is high quality, and assume you'll be happy with the upper elementary too.  But that assumption has come around to bite so many HRCS parents in the end.

Lee's PARCC scores can be viewed here:
https://dcschoolreportcard.org/schools/177-0228/student-achievement[/quote]

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