PP -- I love the level of detail you are providing and I'm sure parents will find it very useful. It's frustrating to see generic "We like school X" posts in this forum. This thread has been unusually illuminating.

We are interviewing at Aidan on the 12th and will post our experiences here, but I wanted to offer my opinion from the open house which was a pleasant, intelligent environment with a well organized open house. The language arts teacher conducted our tour and I found her to be friendly and enthusiastic about the school. I will be curious about the interview to see if Ms. Antonucci turns out as PP have mentioned.

I also toured Franklin and was not that impressed by the open but did like the school in some ways. The open started w/plunking the parents down in front of a not-that-great video... wasnt sure about that message that tv is a better medium of introducing the school. I also had a bad experience w/the director when I popped in w/my then 1-yr old for information last year. I asked her for advice on childcare centers she recommended for the under 2yr old set - and her answer was a flat "i dont recommend. period. they should be at home w/mom or nanny." I thought this was EXTREMELY pretentious and rude. Not everyone can afford/want a nanny...

At least at Aidan we will have the 18mo old option for any future children.... Finally, although I loved the arts program at Franklin, they cut their spanish program and thats important to us. I was also a bit turned off by the miniscule playground out back by the trash cans... I know Franklin uses a nearby park, but still!! After you see the Aidan facilities it was a hard comparison... We did apply but havent interviewed yet for Franklin but it would be our 2nd choice, if we were lucky enough to have a choice, to Aidan unless we have a really bad expeirence at the interview.

Good luck everyone!

My child doesn't go to Aidan M.... but I called for information. I asked for general information about their program for 2 year olds... the woman answering the phone said she could take specific questions- but could not provide an overview. Fair enough. I assumed it wasn't the receptionist's job. I requested that the director or appropriate staff return my call. Several days later I received a snotty response from the teacher (which seemed wierd- it doesn't seem like teachers should have to field calls like this). She said she understood I had SPECIFIC questions and said I could call her back so that she could answer my SPECIFIC questions.

I understand that most preschools/daycares around the city are overbooked, and schools do not need to work to attract students... but this seemed really strange. I would assume they field calls all the time from parents requesting information. Indeed, I've called many other schools and not encountered a problem like this (they quickly and easily gave an overview of the school, provided information on open houses, etc.)

If you're interested in the school... call yourself and see how you're treated... maybe I just got them on a bad day. I am, however, glad to see that other people share my negative impression of the school (albeit for different reasons).

The woman was Ms. Antonucci. I know of four other people that had unpleasant experiences with her. And it's not "bitter grapes." There were several schools that my child did not get into, but the staff was pleasant and respectful in each of the interviews.

Who is this nasty woman interviewing parents? And why are people like this? A larger question, I guess...

I can't imagine wanting to send DS there after an experience like that. I guess we'll go to the open house and decide what to do from there.

I agree that the open house at Aidan was impressive. The interview, however, is a completely different story. Not only was the woman nasty, but she said things that were inconsistent with information provided at the open house. For example, she told me that my three year old had to be completely potty trained and that no one would assist him in the bathroom. She also mentioned that if he had more than three accidents at school, that would raise concerns. At the open house they had said that they wanted the kids to be potty trained, but would be happy to work with the parents. Trust me, the woman who interviewed us had no interest or intenton to work with parents on potty training.

Just to offer a different opinion here. I toured both Aidan and Franklin and really expected to like Franklin based on what I had read on this site and I was completely turned off. Georgia Irvin's (v. expensive independent consultant) services were mentioned several times as the means by which the "graduates" of Aidan were aided in "the ordeal of applying to independent schools" in DC (the director's words). On and on about "how well prepared" their graduates were - as if we were takling about a high school. And the parents on the tour were the worst part - VERY snotty and agressive in the Q and A. The director also mentioned several times that most of the families have nannies and I left the tour at dismissal to see a line of nannies there to pick up the kids. Honestly I felt like I was on candid camera - it was so bizarre.

I had a much more positive impression at the Aidan Open House but have not interviewed at either school.

Yes, you will most likely visit quite a few schools. Rule out a bunch based on geography at first and then visit the rest in your area. We live in Woodley Park (1 block from Aidan) and visited the schools in the Cathedral area/N Cleveland Park (St Albans, Kinderhaus), DuPont/Kalorama (School for Friends, P St Kids, and 1 more I cannot remember the name of on California) Cleveland Park (NCRC) and up to Franklin (near Van Ness) and Georgetown (Gtown Montessori).
If you expand up to Chevy Chase, your options go up considerably as well.

It does take awhile. Ugh.

OP here. E-gads! Sorry to hear there are no positive experiences. Oh, well. Perhaps we will visit the school anyway, just to get a sense of what it is like in person so that we have points of comparison.

Can I ask--how many schools on average have you usually visited before deciding which to apply to? We're just starting the process now and there are so many schools--I feel like we probably have to visit a lot to get a sense of what we are looking for. Is that a fairly common thing to do? Thanks!

There are many other schools that are well worth the money (you really should look into non-Montessori schools as well. I started off only looking at Mont. and my child ended up at a Quaker school). We also interviewed at Aidan and had a pretty bad experience. My husband wasn't able to come with us (he was cross-country on a business trip) and they did not like that at all. I even brought another family member with me and travelled 3 hours for the visit (we were moving to the area 6 months after the visit). They knew all of this, I spoke with them on the phone numerous times and the attitude was just awful.
I didn't get a great reception from Franklin either.
Auguste was great, NCRC, School for Friends and St Alban's ECC, CCBC - they were all very warm and open.

My child interviewed at Aidan. The woman who interviewed us was arrogant and condescending. I wouldn't let her walk my dog, much less educate my child. Aidan is known as the "military montessori." My child goes to Franklin Montessori and is flourishing. It's a warm and loving environment, an oasis.

Not the PP, but I think Franklin Montessori is a wonderful school, although (or perhaps because) it is of the more relaxed Montessori variety. We also have friends who liked Auguste Montessori. Both are on Connecticut; Franklin near the Van Ness Metro and Auguste at Elliott.

OP here. Thanks for the feedback. I have an acquaintance who recommended it highly, but--to be blunt--she has way, way more $$$ than we do, so I'm not even sure we can afford it. I saw the price tag--ouch. We'd do our best if it meant the best for our DS, but it would certainly be a long strech for us, so I want to make sure it's the right place to spend the $$$. What concerns me is the idea of the kids being too serious and self-impressed--this is not the environment I want for my son. We certainly do not run in the circles you mentioned, so I'm starting to think we are unlikely to even be accepted.

Would you mind if I asked where you eventually sent your child? I am looking for Montessori, but I know there are many out there and I'm hoping to find a good fit.

Thanks!

Yuck.

The parents are, by and large, incredibly rude and snotty. The kids appear too serious and self-impressed. The two teachers I've met, including a 4th grade teacher who is involved in the interview process, were sour and self-important and lectured me on how many diplomats and attorneys send their children to Aiden, and how slim was the chance of a non-sibling, non-connected kid's being accepted.

Note my failure to use the word "pleasant" when describing parents, children, or teachers at this place.

Needless to say, I sent my kid to a school where laughing is not outlawed and the parents greet one-another (and strangers, gasp!) with a smile. And, gee, I am an attorney (who cares?), and, gee, there are some diplomat kids there too (who cares?).

There seems to be little of the Montessouri spirit at Aiden, even if it goes through the motions.

Send your child to a place where he/she can learn to string beads and count shells while smiling and cooperating.

Who needs more selfish, lifeless drones?

Can anyone offer experiences and thoughts on Aidan Montessori in Woodley Park, DC?
I'd like to apply to have DS enter he is about 2.5 yrs old, into the toddler program.
Any feedback on the timing of that as well as on the school--program, teachers, vibe, etc--would be most appreciated.
Many thanks!