Good luck! Just be really respectful and nice to all staff and ask them for help. Don't forget to volunteer and show your appreciation for all of their efforts. That old saying... "you catch more flies with honey"... is still apt/true.

You're probably talking about the Montessori school my kids are attending! We are planning on sending them for all three years, but the kids who leave after year 2 don't seem to have a problem getting into any of the privates. It's not that big a deal, don't worry!

A preschool rec is only one piece of the application and I wouldn't worry about it too much. We had a great preschool, but weak teacher for the pre-K year (new hire that didn't last through the year), were accepted to 3 schools- not "Big 3/5" but schools regularly discussed/respected on this board.

You could always skip the preschool form (some kids apply w/o preschool) and explain why.

DC is supposed to go to a Montessori 3-6 program next fall. They expect the chd ten to stay for the entire three year cycle. I certainly understand that this is ideal, but outplacement into an independent school for first grade is problematic. Further, the Montessori program is connected to an ongoing school where they are hoping the children will attend.

I don't expect much of any support for my child during the K admissions process. How big of an issue is this? I am pretty concerned and wish that I had thought more strategically about this!