I kept my kids in Montessori for K. It was partially about me. My kids school have been amazing during Covid and I trust the teachers and administrators to be diligent about keeping everyone safe and healthy. I also kept them in because my boy twin has been a struggling reader. My girl twin would be fine is public school--she had solid reading skills in her prek Montessori year. I worried about my boy twin falling through the cracks, so I decided to wait until he was fully and comfortably reading. I have a feeling first grade in public school will be more as about social emotional learning for them since both will be rather advanced (while my boy twin struggles in reading, he loves math and is already doing multiplication).

Honestly it's just K. I would just do whatever is easiest for my family. Yes your kid might learn more in Montessori K but it's all stuff he will eventually learn anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will only see the full, true benefit of the Montessori approach during this kindergarten year the teachers have been laying the groundwork for. It would be a shame to deny your son this blossoming experience. Montessori schools are usually adamant that students complete all three years of the cycle they enter (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12). I'm surprised you're just now learning about it.

Ugh this type of flowery language with zero substance is such a turnoff.

Plus 1
- Montessori teacher

What would you say to answer OP's question, 'Montessori teacher'??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will only see the full, true benefit of the Montessori approach during this kindergarten year the teachers have been laying the groundwork for. It would be a shame to deny your son this blossoming experience. Montessori schools are usually adamant that students complete all three years of the cycle they enter (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12). I'm surprised you're just now learning about it.

Ugh this type of flowery language with zero substance is such a turnoff.

Plus 1
- Montessori teacher

There are lots of factors in play here, OP - quality of "Montessori" schools in this area varies WIDELY, so do you like the school and see your child getting something out of a continuous program? Is the cost a hardship or just an annoyance? And how are the logistics of getting child to/from the school versus your local public? We have a couple neighbor families who had/are having a great experience with their Montessori school academically; one kept their child there for kinder and the other is planning to. However, the family with the currently-enrolled 4 YO has been through 3 Covid quarantines already this year, which for me is a red flag in such a small population.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will only see the full, true benefit of the Montessori approach during this kindergarten year the teachers have been laying the groundwork for. It would be a shame to deny your son this blossoming experience. Montessori schools are usually adamant that students complete all three years of the cycle they enter (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12). I'm surprised you're just now learning about it.

Ugh this type of flowery language with zero substance is such a turnoff.

Other posters contributed lots of evidence.

The public schools in the DMV don’t use an evidence-based early reading curriculum. Better to stay in a high quality Montessori school or other program for K that teaches foundational skills IMHO.

I would suggest you stay for K. A lot takes place the third year. Transition has not been an issue in my experience. Even from 8th grade to traditional high school the kids I know have been fine.

Anonymous wrote:You will only see the full, true benefit of the Montessori approach during this kindergarten year the teachers have been laying the groundwork for. It would be a shame to deny your son this blossoming experience. Montessori schools are usually adamant that students complete all three years of the cycle they enter (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12). I'm surprised you're just now learning about it.

Ugh this type of flowery language with zero substance is such a turnoff.

We made the decision to stay for both of my kids, and it was fantastic.
The leadership and confidence kids gain in their third year really is something to behold. And like a PP said, a lot of the awesome work happens in the afternoon when it's just the big kids. So they get to be leaders in the morning and really delve into more advanced activities in the afternoon.

Both my kids went to first grade at our local public school and did fine. The transition was easy, and there is still plenty of "hand holding" in first grade - more than most Montessori kids are used to. (My DS thought it was *hysterical* that he had to ask to go to the bathroom in first grade. Pretty sure he got great pleasure at telling the whole class that he had to pee.

Our K year got cut short (spring 2020 = schools closed) but omg it was amazing to see the pieces come together. All the bead chains he made in year 1 and year 2 became multiplication manipulatives in year 3. The maps of the continents became learning the countries in geography. His sandpaper letters turned into full cursive writing. Most of all though, his confidence soared. Instead of being the baby of the school in K, he was the big kid and all the preschoolers looked up to him.

It also meant he had a teeny tiny K class. 3/4/5 were together for the mornings, but afternoons was just K.

I would move him to K if that is your long term plan. A lot of connections are made in K for you and for him, and there is a lot more hand holding about new places/faces in K.

You will only see the full, true benefit of the Montessori approach during this kindergarten year the teachers have been laying the groundwork for. It would be a shame to deny your son this blossoming experience. Montessori schools are usually adamant that students complete all three years of the cycle they enter (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12). I'm surprised you're just now learning about it.

My DS is in a 3-5 class at his Montessori school. He is 4 now, turning 5 in early May, so he will be able to attend Kindergarten at our local MCPS school next year. The school is now having a conversation with parents of 4 yos explaining why we should stay for the third year of Montessori. They have provided some reading materials, which are helpful, but I'm curious for the experiences here. If you were in a similar situation, did you decide to keep your child for the last year of Montessori rather than allowing them to start Kindergarten at the local public school? Why or why not?

To the extent it matters, DS did not start Montessori from Year 1 when he was 3, because he was home with us for COVID. He only started this year as a 4 yo. Money wise, would of course love to not pay a full tuition next year, but am fortunate enough that money doesn't have to be the deciding factor.