Anonymous wrote:Hi PP- gentle reminder that our experience was not the LAMB of 2025, it was the LAMB of 2012-2020. At that time, the school was more economically diverse so more than 25% of its population was at risk during the time our child attended LAMB.

Also, Maria Montessori created her educational system to serve disabled and impoverished children who were struggling with social and emotional issues. https://montessorifortoday.com/why-did-maria-montessori-create-the-montessori-method/

Somehow, in the U.S., the method became co-opted by the affluent families in mostly private schools as a status symbol. LAMB’s original mission was to serve the low income Latin American community of DC where the original school resided. I have heard from current families that the school does not seem to have as many children from the LA community which is probably due to the changing demographics of the city. I am grateful that the lottery does allow the opportunity for all DC kids, regardless of their income and geography to have a chance to experience the benefits of Montessori in a public school environment.

LAMB was never over 25% economically disadvantaged. 12% in 2014-2015 according to the OSSE audit.

Hi PP- gentle reminder that our experience was not the LAMB of 2025, it was the LAMB of 2012-2020. At that time, the school was more economically diverse so more than 25% of its population was at risk during the time our child attended LAMB.

Also, Maria Montessori created her educational system to serve disabled and impoverished children who were struggling with social and emotional issues. https://montessorifortoday.com/why-did-maria-montessori-create-the-montessori-method/

Somehow, in the U.S., the method became co-opted by the affluent families in mostly private schools as a status symbol. LAMB’s original mission was to serve the low income Latin American community of DC where the original school resided. I have heard from current families that the school does not seem to have as many children from the LA community which is probably due to the changing demographics of the city. I am grateful that the lottery does allow the opportunity for all DC kids, regardless of their income and geography to have a chance to experience the benefits of Montessori in a public school environment.

Anonymous wrote:
4) Social Emotional: our observation was that in elementary, the LAMB Montessori students tended to be a bit more confident, yet kind, patient kids versus some kids from other schools. We saw that first hand when LAMB and Perry Street students shared a playground. The Perry street kids often bullied and fought each other. (Note: I was a classroom parent who volunteered 1x a month at the school). Clearly, no young kids are angels, but LAMB kids seemed to be a bit more chill than other kids their age.

LAMB is less than 10% economically disadvantaged. Perry St is more than 70% economically disadvantaged. Your example doesn't show that LAMB kids are more chill than other kids their age, just more chill than kids experiencing abject poverty.

Our kid graduated from LAMB in 2020 (pandemic years), so we know that there have been a lot of administrative changes. I am going to share our academic observations about the immersion and Montessori experience only. Our kid went to Sojourner Truth Montessori for Middle School and then chose a DCPS for H.S.

Montessori myth: kids don’t just do what they want to learn. Classroom instruction is called “work.” The teacher teaches a concept in small groups. The kids practice that concept until they master it. The kids do choose at what pace they finish their work with the support of the teacher and guidance from their older peers.

1) Immersion: instruction was appropriate for elementary school. Your child will not likely have a large Spanish vocabulary unless you speak Spanish at home (which we did).
That being said, in MS, they no longer wanted to speak Spanish and lost a lot of their fluency. Lesson for us : use it or lose it.

2) Math: the Montessori experience was great. In MS, our child really soared and as a 9th grader, they are doing work above their grade level (taking Geometry and Algebra 2 at the same time). I think the concrete way of teaching with Montessori tools really worked for our child.

3) Reading: our child needed support at LAMB. They received in-classroom help and worked with a reading specialist. We were very grateful for the resources the school provided.

4) Social Emotional: our observation was that in elementary, the LAMB Montessori students tended to be a bit more confident, yet kind, patient kids versus some kids from other schools. We saw that first hand when LAMB and Perry Street students shared a playground. The Perry street kids often bullied and fought each other. (Note: I was a classroom parent who volunteered 1x a month at the school). Clearly, no young kids are angels, but LAMB kids seemed to be a bit more chill than other kids their age.

Practical life skills: that was pretty awesome. Your 3/4 year old will learn how to wash dishes, sweep, polish silver and cook. Our kid really loved being able to help in the classroom and house.

Multi-generational classrooms: great for peer-peer leadership. It’s very cool to see the kindergartners mentor the 3 year olds and 3rd graders help guide 1st graders through their concept work.

No grades/no homework : Montessori was good for teaching our child to love learning. They only had progress reports from age 3-13. Your child is assessed on their mastery of skills so it is a continuum of progress, then they start over at level I for new concepts.

It was not until 9th grade that our child received traditional “grades”. They didn’t understand why you need grades. They were used to trying their best at their classwork because the work needed to be done, not because of a grade.

No homework- Montessori teaches kids from a very young age time management and agency. Being able to finish your work in the classroom and have more free time afterschool to be a kid is a great benefit of Montessori.

Good luck, OP, there are a lot of great school options in DC so hope this helps provide some insights on a LAMB experience.

PK3-kinder is great. Your experience from 1st through 5th will depend on the teachers with the best 1st-3rd and 4th-5th grade teachers leaving after last academic year or this academic year.

Too much time spent on social emotional issues and not enough on maths; but, obviously, opinions do vary on this balance in the curriculum.

Upper el kid and lower el kid there, so several years of experience. Been really happy with the warmth and attentiveness of the teachers at all levels. We’re having a good experience with the academics.

Not perfect but nowhere is. But in general so thankful to be there.

LAMB has a very special primary program (prek-k). Warm and nurturing environment, excellent and experienced teachers. Play based academics with Montessori pedagogy. The classrooms are beautiful.

We have been really happy with lower el and decently happy with upper el, but I know that it can vary by teacher.

We have been exceptionally happy with the student support program and reading intervention team for our child with an IEP. Not perfect but very good. I have several friends with kids in DCPS navigating IEPs and our experience with LAMB’s program has been significantly better.

We have one child in prek4, one in 1st, and one in fourth, so we have lots of experience!

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get to go to an open house and don't know anybody who goes there. I found a few reviews here and other places online. What's the good and the bad? My 3 year old would be in pk4. Is more energetic than average and occasionally hits. Likes to climb, dance, sing, read, make art. Has done well in loving, play based environments. Is fully bilingual in Spanish and English. Can do basic addition and subtraction in Spanish. Fully dresses alone. No assigned gender, but labeled a boy at school sometimes. Light skin afro-indigenous and I want them to be supported rather than put in a box.

Deciding where to rank for the lottery.

LAMB is fully woke, so you're gonna love it there.

If you can, try to get real experiences from parents on some of the neighborhood listservs and FB groups if possible. We are happy at LAMB and definitely just as happy (if not more) as any of my parent friends with kids at numerous other charters and DCPS (even the coveted west of the park ones). Every school has it's positives and negatives, but it feels like there are a few loud voices for some schools on this board so I would really recommend neighborhood groups. That is what we did and we were able to talk to families of all ages (even upper EL) and they all seemed relatively happy. My child is also high energy and we have been very pleased with his teachers and extremely impressed with the special services team.

I see your child is 3, are you applying for Prek 3 or 4?

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! What is the good?

Spanish and Montessori with some fidelity, and general lefty vibes which seems like something you're into.

DCI guarantee or preference, I'm not sure which.

Thanks! What is the good?

The bad is disorganization and weak upper elementary academics. You might think you don't care about those things, but as your child grows older you definitely will.

We are real!

Troll.

I didn't get to go to an open house and don't know anybody who goes there. I found a few reviews here and other places online. What's the good and the bad? My 3 year old would be in pk4. Is more energetic than average and occasionally hits. Likes to climb, dance, sing, read, make art. Has done well in loving, play based environments. Is fully bilingual in Spanish and English. Can do basic addition and subtraction in Spanish. Fully dresses alone. No assigned gender, but labeled a boy at school sometimes. Light skin afro-indigenous and I want them to be supported rather than put in a box.

Deciding where to rank for the lottery.