We actually had to choose between LAMB and Bridges last year for PS3 and picked Bridges. It's was a great decision and don't regret anything. Spanish immersion wasn't too important to us (our daughter is already bilingual in another language). Plus, she's in one of Bridges bilingual classrooms so she's getting Spanish anyway. We really disintegrate like the high student to teacher ratio at LAMB or that parent involvement is restricted to observation hours. At Bridges, grandparents, parents, aunts, etc. are welcomed to the classrooms at any time. Morning breakfast at Bridges is great because parents hang around to help and chat (really builds community). Bridges also treats every student as they are special. I'm truly amazed how they can address every students needs--their very large support staff at both locations is unbeatable. I encourage you to stop by the Sharpe campus to get a feel for the future of the school.

Please do some research on the Montessori method and try to determine whether you can be committed to this educational construct for both the primary (3-6) and elementary (6-12) years. If you cannot then please do not accept the spot at LAMB and attend Bridges and then another school that suits your family. In order for the method to be properly applied it is important for the age demographics in the classes be maintained. In addition in order for your child to reap the full benefits of the method it would be important that he/she complete each cycle. Leaving after two years would not be in the best interest of your child (academically, assuming a good fit), the school, or the other children in the classroom.

Although I am sure it is very tempting to be accepted to a Tier 1 school, the offering at LAMB is very unique and may not a good fit for every family. If you read more about the Montessori method and feel it will be a good fit for your child then accept the spot at LAMB.

My DD is currently attending another Montessori school and I have fallen in love with the approach; but I know some parents find it a bit too academic. I would love to be able to send my DD to LAMB, but we were not so lucky.

Congratulations and having two terrific choices!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do folks know if the PS/PK list is combined at bridges? I seem to recall the class is mixed (though I could be wrong, I went to the open house a while ago). I ask because we have a very low WL# at bridges for Prek, so I'm wondering if OP getting a PS slot means the PK list is also moving.

Thanks and sorry for slight hijack of the thread.

Yes- the two classes are combined.

Classrooms are combined, lists are not. IOW, just b/c the PS list is moving does not mean the PK list is moving. They are totally separate. That's how they maintain the balance in the classroom. At the end of each year, PK moves up to K classroom, PS becomes the older half of the room, and new group comes in to be the PS.

Anonymous wrote:Do folks know if the PS/PK list is combined at bridges? I seem to recall the class is mixed (though I could be wrong, I went to the open house a while ago). I ask because we have a very low WL# at bridges for Prek, so I'm wondering if OP getting a PS slot means the PK list is also moving.

Thanks and sorry for slight hijack of the thread.

Yes- the two classes are combined.

Do folks know if the PS/PK list is combined at bridges? I seem to recall the class is mixed (though I could be wrong, I went to the open house a while ago). I ask because we have a very low WL# at bridges for Prek, so I'm wondering if OP getting a PS slot means the PK list is also moving.

Thanks and sorry for slight hijack of the thread.

Anonymous wrote:Commute is a wash. Neither Bridges nor LAMB is particularly convenient but both are workable.

I understand the argument about not taking a space at LAMB if you know you are leaving but that is not certain and several years down the road. If DC was thriving at LAMB, we could easily choose to continue.

Oh, sorry, I thought you said that the spot would only be for 1-2 years, not several years. Take the Bridges spot if you don't really care either way. LAMB is a unique opportunity for people who are looking for Montessori and bilingual education, and as others have pointed out, the space can only be filled in PS3 and PK$. Please allow someone else to take that spot if you are indifferent.

Anonymous wrote:Commute is a wash. Neither Bridges nor LAMB is particularly convenient but both are workable.

I understand the argument about not taking a space at LAMB if you know you are leaving but that is not certain and several years down the road. If DC was thriving at LAMB, we could easily choose to continue.

Did you see the thread about LAMB moving?

Anonymous wrote:Commute is a wash. Neither Bridges nor LAMB is particularly convenient but both are workable.

I understand the argument about not taking a space at LAMB if you know you are leaving but that is not certain and several years down the road. If DC was thriving at LAMB, we could easily choose to continue.

Do you have a commitment to Spanish education?

There will probably be (outside of the commute) additional family activities in the language and additional above and beyond in the language that LAMB will require. If you aren't commmited to Spanish, I would go Bridges.

AMEN. We live only blocks from LAMB, would be committed to the school and program long term, and are committed to bilingual education. Our DC also has very good friends that attend LAMB.

Unfortunately, we are 600+ on the waitlist. Perfect fit....on everything but the inability to get in. (Yes, I know 100s of other parents are in the same situation, but sometimes it just feels good to vent.)

Commute is a wash. Neither Bridges nor LAMB is particularly convenient but both are workable.

I understand the argument about not taking a space at LAMB if you know you are leaving but that is not certain and several years down the road. If DC was thriving at LAMB, we could easily choose to continue.

Anonymous wrote:Don't take the lamb spot if you aren't planning to stay. They only accept kids at PS3 and PS4 so your spot could never be filled again.

+1

LAMB is a long term school for parents who are committed to the program and DC. If you aren't going to stay, don't waste the spot for one of the 800+ people on the waitlist who are dying to get in.

Don't take the lamb spot if you aren't planning to stay. They only accept kids at PS3 and PS4 so your spot could never be filled again.

Does your child have any experience with Spanish, and do you plan on continuing with Spanish education? I am a current Bridges parent, so can't speak to LAMB, but Bridges is an excellent place to be for PS3/PK4. That said, we really want language immersion and LAMB has a wonderful rep as well - for that reason, we'd give up our spot at Bridges for LAMB in a heartbeat, but it's not in the cards this year. For me, the language factor and commute would be huge deciding factors. LAMB's Taylor St campus is a little off the beaten path if you don't live in Ward 5. Have you checked it out during rush hour?

What would your commute be for LAMB?

We were very lucky and DC got into LAMB through the lottery and just got off the waitlist at Bridges. We intended to enroll in LAMB but now we have a decision to make since we need to decide in the next few days if we want the spot at Bridges. Any opinions on the two schools would be appreciated. We are in bounds for a good school so would likely only be at a charter for 1-2 years.