They really don't accrediate Montessori programs past 6th grade. Maria Montessori developed the program and that was her vision, that kids would need to be working on their farm. Personally I attended Montessori through 6th grade, along with my siblings. But it was a different time - the 70's! I was plenty prepared for junior high/middle school, as the material presented in a true Montessori elementary program in my opinion is presented in a way that is more concrete and less abstract, so kids tend to hang on to the information more easily. More manipulating materials versus memorization. No homework cause kids were working the whole time they were in school. But again, that's just my opinion. It worked for me and my family. I had hoped for it for my own children, but D.C. is so incredibly competitive and the private schools have totally taken over. Just a different time I guess.

Shinning Stars plans to follow this model.

PGCPS has had excellent success with their Middle School program for Montessori students, but the truth is, it's not really "Montessori." It's more of a high school prep academy for 7th/8th grade that takes advantage of the Montessori concrete academic preparation of Pre-School to 6th grade and helps students "assimilate" into a more traditional educational model (ie. text books, homework, test grades)

Capitol Hill Montessori hasn't actually started with the upper classes yet. Its more of a plan at this point as opposed to something concrete. Time will tell whether it becomes a sustainable model or a failure. The school administration is bit too lackadaisical for me to think it will be success.

Anonymous wrote:It is also a method that was not designed for children in upper grades. Some schools in the US have extended their programs for younger children to the middle school and high school levels - with varying levels of success.

Capitol Hill Montessori goes to 8th grade.

LOL, my sister married into a farming family, and I already have plans to send my 6 and 4 year old there for the summer when they are teens.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's like Jedi training - Padawans must be very young, before impatience and anger set in.

I love you.

If LAMB doesn't work out, there is another.

We got an random mailing for a camp on a farm and the schedule was something like "wake up, do chores, have breakfast, do chores, have lunch, do chores, have dinner, 30 mins of free time, lights out".

I tried to threaten my kid with sending him there, but it wasn't very credible.

Anonymous wrote:It's like Jedi training - Padawans must be very young, before impatience and anger set in.

I love you.

Anonymous wrote:Personally I'm about ready to send my 13 yr old to a farm!

Ditto! A couple years on a farm is probably just what he (and I) need. lol

Anonymous wrote:It is also a method that was not designed for children in upper grades. Some schools in the US have extended their programs for younger children to the middle school and high school levels - with varying levels of success.

Maria Montessori taught children through age 12 so the method is fine for upper grades. For ages 13-18 she thought kids should just work on a farm (running it as a business, etc., not just farmwork), that with all their changes and growth and emotional craziness during those year, why bother with school? Then when they settle down at age 18 again, biologically, they can get back to learning in the classroom. Personally I'm about ready to send my 13 yr old to a farm!

It's like Jedi training - Padawans must be very young, before impatience and anger set in.

It is also a method that was not designed for children in upper grades. Some schools in the US have extended their programs for younger children to the middle school and high school levels - with varying levels of success.

Montessori is a method best learned when kids are very young (3 or 4). The activities learned form the basis for what is to come later, such as mathematics, writing skills, and reading. It's a process of building upon what has been learned previously, so coming in at a higher grade defeats the purpose.

Why don't schools let kids into Montessori schools at higher grade levels?