Anonymous wrote:Montessori education is great, but Capitol Hill Montessori is not. Totally agree with PP. Look at LAMB's test scores. The problem is not Montessori but the weak leadership at CHM@L. The school is a mess. Glad you're leaving PP.

Capitol Hill Montessori Overall CAS Score: 64.88
LAMB Overall CAS Score: 76.15

The difference is significant but not huge.

Also, does LAMB actually have any official Montessori recognition? Just because a school has the word Montessori in the title doesn't mean it actually follows Montessori methods.

We had this same decision and ended up staying at CHML for 1st. I always thought I would make the move but ultimately, I wasn't in love with 2R so we decided to stay. I still feel a little iffy but ultimately we do feel good about our choice. Our elementary teacher is great and DC is happy. We will most likely leave for middle, mainly because its so small and I do think a traditional education is important leading up to high school.

I just want to stress that you should not base your feelings about Montessori based on CHM@L.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you kidding? Our tour was nothing like that. We did not meet any students really, but only spoke to the vice principal. She kept talking about her science lab and how it was her baby but by November it had not even been set up. The boxes were there but they had not even bothered to set up the eye wash station. I mean seriously?!

I would not go to that school based on the downward trend of their test scores, but my tour was reason enough.

This was our experience as well. Very strange that they didn't seem at all bothered or embarrassed that the science room was not going to be set up in time. The administration was also woefully unresponsive, Defenders of the school kept telling me that is was all by design; that Montessori is about children advocating for themselves so it makes sense that the central office doesn't return calls or that the left hand seems to have no idea what the right hand is doing. The school reminds me of the Emperor's new Clothes. At some point "you just don't understand Montessori" gets old.

Interesting to read this takeaway. That was exactly my impression when it was still within Watkins in the Cluster. It seemed like a total charade beyond the early childhood years.

Sad part is, the children are the ultimate losers in this confusion worse confounded. It is unbelievable, with all the free resources available in Washington, DC; this school manages to do so little with the children on field trips. Can you imagine sending your children to a normal High School setting after Logan Montessori Middle School with little to no STEM education. Then you have to introduce the young teenager to the concept of homework. No good.... Stay for pre-K then move on.

Anonymous wrote:Are you kidding? Our tour was nothing like that. We did not meet any students really, but only spoke to the vice principal. She kept talking about her science lab and how it was her baby but by November it had not even been set up. The boxes were there but they had not even bothered to set up the eye wash station. I mean seriously?!

I would not go to that school based on the downward trend of their test scores, but my tour was reason enough.

This was our experience as well. Very strange that they didn't seem at all bothered or embarrassed that the science room was not going to be set up in time. The administration was also woefully unresponsive, Defenders of the school kept telling me that is was all by design; that Montessori is about children advocating for themselves so it makes sense that the central office doesn't return calls or that the left hand seems to have no idea what the right hand is doing. The school reminds me of the Emperor's new Clothes. At some point "you just don't understand Montessori" gets old.

Montessori education is great, but Capitol Hill Montessori is not. Totally agree with PP. Look at LAMB's test scores. The problem is not Montessori but the weak leadership at CHM@L. The school is a mess. Glad you're leaving PP.

We are leaving Logan after the pre-K stage is complete, keeping it to ourselves so we are not treated poorly by those that are followers. We have so many friends on the Hill and from all around the city who have pulled out of Logan at this age to get a normal well rounded education. The system is antiquated and disorganized offering little for your child unless you home school which all the "cheerleaders" do. Test scores are low again and have always been. The Logan Montessori mantra, "Test scores don't matter". The irony is, this fall they had to get rid of the Social Worker for failing to pass the SW Certification test!!! I guess tests do matter! We are sick of the "we are about to do this" management approach with nothing ever done. We are also sick of the "your so lucky you are here so write another check". Hope you land in a happy healthy school for your child. Good Luck.

Are you kidding? Our tour was nothing like that. We did not meet any students really, but only spoke to the vice principal. She kept talking about her science lab and how it was her baby but by November it had not even been set up. The boxes were there but they had not even bothered to set up the eye wash station. I mean seriously?!

I would not go to that school based on the downward trend of their test scores, but my tour was reason enough.

Anonymous wrote:I was really impressed with what I saw of logan's middle school when two of its students gave us a tour. I am wondering what the problem there is past fifth grade? There's no... white kids, but aside from that--what is the specific objection? Or is it that?

We don't go there, but I'm curious, because I thought it looked pretty great.

+1 we ultimately decided Montessori wasn't right for our child, but I was struck by how poised and confident the Logan kids were who led our tour. By far the most impressive student led tour we encountered during open house season.

I was really impressed with what I saw of logan's middle school when two of its students gave us a tour. I am wondering what the problem there is past fifth grade? There's no... white kids, but aside from that--what is the specific objection? Or is it that?

We don't go there, but I'm curious, because I thought it looked pretty great.

I really was super unimpressed by Logan. However that's a big jump to go from Montessori to expeditionary learning. I'm not a fan of either school, to be honest. However if Montessori is working I'd stay there and jump for middle school. I would not stay at cap hill Montessori past 5th grade under any circumstances.

We are at TR at young and are very happy. The TR Main/Young registrar is great and might be able to arrange something for you if you contact her so that you can get to know the school.

Bump

Has anyone made this move? We are currently at Logan and have had a good couple years (including liking Montessori much to our surprise). We have moved into the top 5 at TR, and are now wanting to make a decision just in case we get a call. Have you made this move? My concerns with Logan include the viability of Montessori in upper grades, and the unreliability of their middle school right now. I very much dislike the warehouse campus at TR, but have heard good things about the school, albeit second hand. Can anyone on this anonymous forum give me some pro-con help?