Anonymous
03/16/2026 09:18
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Anonymous wrote:Montessori K was the best possible thing I could have done for my son. That year gained him so much confidence and independence. I love montessori as a whole, but the third year in the cycle was wonderful. Mornings were whole group, but afternoon was just K, so it was a very small group with the teacher and he was able to just fly.
The downside was that 1st and 2nd were all review. I wish we'd had the money to continue Montessori through elementary school, or at least until AAP started.
+1
Anonymous
03/16/2026 09:14
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Montessori K was the best possible thing I could have done for my son. That year gained him so much confidence and independence. I love montessori as a whole, but the third year in the cycle was wonderful. Mornings were whole group, but afternoon was just K, so it was a very small group with the teacher and he was able to just fly.
The downside was that 1st and 2nd were all review. I wish we'd had the money to continue Montessori through elementary school, or at least until AAP started.
The downside was that 1st and 2nd were all review. I wish we'd had the money to continue Montessori through elementary school, or at least until AAP started.
Anonymous
03/16/2026 09:11
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:oh really? I toured a couple of Montessori schools in my area - that have elementary grades - and their expectation for rising K almost made me cry. Apparently kids should be able to read CVC words, write short sentences, and know math operations. Is that more than what is expected for public K?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?
I was a K teacher. I would send eldest to public K. That said, while I think Montessori has some good points, I am not a fan. I love some of their materials, but I don't like some of the rigidity. I don't think the language development is as strong.
Of course, Montessori varies from place to place--just as public K will vary from place to place.
Yes for the end of the year.
My child is currently in Montessori Pre-K ( not the final year so not the same as K but truly pre-K as he is 4.5 years old) and he is writing letters, reading short words, and is spelling simple 3/4 letter words using phonetics. I can’t imagine if he were to start K in FCPS next year that the majority of the class would be at the same level going in but I could be wrong.
The other kids are learning how to use materials creatively, navigating social situations, and use narrative language. Your kid will have plenty to learn catching up on those things.
+1 Like any educational environment, there are differences. Some turn out learners. Others turn out robots.
Anonymous
03/16/2026 07:15
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Biggest regret I have is doing Montessori K and then moving to public school in FCPS. 1st grad was so disappointing and it has never improved. My child got a great foundation in Montessori- was reading, writing, etc… and then got thrown into the terrible reading curriculum in FCPS and it was like moving backwards. Awful awful
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:56
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:oh really? I toured a couple of Montessori schools in my area - that have elementary grades - and their expectation for rising K almost made me cry. Apparently kids should be able to read CVC words, write short sentences, and know math operations. Is that more than what is expected for public K?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?
I was a K teacher. I would send eldest to public K. That said, while I think Montessori has some good points, I am not a fan. I love some of their materials, but I don't like some of the rigidity. I don't think the language development is as strong.
Of course, Montessori varies from place to place--just as public K will vary from place to place.
Yes for the end of the year.
My child is currently in Montessori Pre-K ( not the final year so not the same as K but truly pre-K as he is 4.5 years old) and he is writing letters, reading short words, and is spelling simple 3/4 letter words using phonetics. I can’t imagine if he were to start K in FCPS next year that the majority of the class would be at the same level going in but I could be wrong.
The other kids are learning how to use materials creatively, navigating social situations, and use narrative language. Your kid will have plenty to learn catching up on those things.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:55
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
I, too, wonder if Montessori kids are slightly ahead of non-Montessori kids, or if this is commonAnonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:oh really? I toured a couple of Montessori schools in my area - that have elementary grades - and their expectation for rising K almost made me cry. Apparently kids should be able to read CVC words, write short sentences, and know math operations. Is that more than what is expected for public K?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?
I was a K teacher. I would send eldest to public K. That said, while I think Montessori has some good points, I am not a fan. I love some of their materials, but I don't like some of the rigidity. I don't think the language development is as strong.
Of course, Montessori varies from place to place--just as public K will vary from place to place.
Yes for the end of the year.
My child is currently in Montessori Pre-K ( not the final year so not the same as K but truly pre-K as he is 4.5 years old) and he is writing letters, reading short words, and is spelling simple 3/4 letter words using phonetics. I can’t imagine if he were to start K in FCPS next year that the majority of the class would be at the same level going in but I could be wrong.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:53
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:oh really? I toured a couple of Montessori schools in my area - that have elementary grades - and their expectation for rising K almost made me cry. Apparently kids should be able to read CVC words, write short sentences, and know math operations. Is that more than what is expected for public K?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?
I was a K teacher. I would send eldest to public K. That said, while I think Montessori has some good points, I am not a fan. I love some of their materials, but I don't like some of the rigidity. I don't think the language development is as strong.
Of course, Montessori varies from place to place--just as public K will vary from place to place.
Yes for the end of the year.
My child is currently in Montessori Pre-K ( not the final year so not the same as K but truly pre-K as he is 4.5 years old) and he is writing letters, reading short words, and is spelling simple 3/4 letter words using phonetics. I can’t imagine if he were to start K in FCPS next year that the majority of the class would be at the same level going in but I could be wrong.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:53
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
it’s serious. Both the house and school pyramid raise problems/concernsAnonymous wrote:Are you serious about moving next year? It's not rhetorical or just a casual conversation with DH over Sat morning coffee?
If so, house prep and finances need to start soon. It can be a long costly process with contractors, cleaning out, researching loans/interest rates, logistics, contingency plans/rental, and the list goes on and on
...all while keeping up with work, kids, schedules, house, etc.
Also,what's wrong with your current school pyramid? Or is it more of a housing issue than a school pyramid issue?
Ask me how I know...
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:48
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Are you serious about moving next year? It's not rhetorical or just a casual conversation with DH over Sat morning coffee?
If so, house prep and finances need to start soon. It can be a long costly process with contractors, cleaning out, researching loans/interest rates, logistics, contingency plans/rental, and the list goes on and on
...all while keeping up with work, kids, schedules, house, etc.
Also,what's wrong with your current school pyramid? Or is it more of a housing issue than a school pyramid issue?
Ask me how I know...
If so, house prep and finances need to start soon. It can be a long costly process with contractors, cleaning out, researching loans/interest rates, logistics, contingency plans/rental, and the list goes on and on
...all while keeping up with work, kids, schedules, house, etc.
Also,what's wrong with your current school pyramid? Or is it more of a housing issue than a school pyramid issue?
Ask me how I know...
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:32
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Anonymous wrote:oh really? I toured a couple of Montessori schools in my area - that have elementary grades - and their expectation for rising K almost made me cry. Apparently kids should be able to read CVC words, write short sentences, and know math operations. Is that more than what is expected for public K?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?
I was a K teacher. I would send eldest to public K. That said, while I think Montessori has some good points, I am not a fan. I love some of their materials, but I don't like some of the rigidity. I don't think the language development is as strong.
Of course, Montessori varies from place to place--just as public K will vary from place to place.
Yes for the end of the year.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:24
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
oh really? I toured a couple of Montessori schools in my area - that have elementary grades - and their expectation for rising K almost made me cry. Apparently kids should be able to read CVC words, write short sentences, and know math operations. Is that more than what is expected for public K?Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?
I was a K teacher. I would send eldest to public K. That said, while I think Montessori has some good points, I am not a fan. I love some of their materials, but I don't like some of the rigidity. I don't think the language development is as strong.
Of course, Montessori varies from place to place--just as public K will vary from place to place.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:19
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
If it's a true Montessori model at the daycare they would benefit from completing the third year of the cycle in kindergarten. If not, switch to public.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:14
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Send to FCPS K next year. Good foundation for 1st grade that will be needed.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:12
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
Anonymous wrote:WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?
I was a K teacher. I would send eldest to public K. That said, while I think Montessori has some good points, I am not a fan. I love some of their materials, but I don't like some of the rigidity. I don't think the language development is as strong.
Of course, Montessori varies from place to place--just as public K will vary from place to place.
Anonymous
03/15/2026 21:06
Subject: Montessori or Public K?
WWYD: we are not in our forever home and want our next house to be our long term home. Our problem is we don’t think we can get our house ready to sell this spring/summer and our eldest starts K this fall. The eldest is currently in a Montessori daycare (that we no longer like) with their youngest sibling. Would you a) find a new Montessori daycare and have eldest complete K there, or b) send eldest to public K and change schools when we move next year?