I hear a lot of complaints from teachers that they fall levels behind in math or another subject and have issues with the school structure. Even though several teachers have said this, my kids have known many and I simply don’t see a difference or that they fall behind. The biggest issue might be early on with behavior but I personally think that is kid specific and just happened to be a few from the same Montessori who also put out some other kids with no behavior issues. To paint all kids with one brush is ridiculous. I think people just like to feel better about themselves by putting others down.

There's not much difference among the kids we know. I think there's some self-selection among parents who choose Montessori for their kids. The kids we know who struggled in Montessori because of their personality types have the same personalities in elementary school (and the same struggles). The kids who were stereotypical "Montessori kids" still are.

I attended Montessori through mid-elementary, and I do think there were some lasting elements of that (both positive and negative). But I also think my personality was always going to be pretty Montessori-aligned, and that may well have contributed to my parents deciding to keep me there for that long. But for kids who just did primary, I can't tell the difference in DC's early elementary class (where about a quarter went to Montessori).

Montessori kids are more inquisitive and self directed. They have strong focus and are well prepared for individual study even at a young age. The Montessori kids I know are much more independent and self sufficient and much more confident than other kids of a similar age.

Anonymous wrote:I found myself going to high school with my best friend friend from Montessori (3-5 yo). We grew into polar opposites. Montessori has more to do with the parents that send their kids there than the kids' personalities and abilities.

This! I find the parents I have known who are really into Montessori have the deep obsession for their kids to be super special and some kind of weird superiority complex.

It begins and ends in atmosphere at home and your parents. School is just one piece in the game and can not do much if parents are absent. I know of moms who can barely speak english and could not afford any fancy school with kids who are high achievers or hard working.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The cohort we know that was at the same Montessori preschool as my children are all in advanced classes in public middle schools, and the younger ones still in elementary received "enrichment" (nothing) and work above grade level.

Don't forget that the families that send their kids to Montessori schools tend to have hard-working and professionally successful parents who are proactive about ensuring their kids are getting the best they can get. Is their success a reflection of Montessori or of their families and home life?

This!

My kids (twins) went to a Montessori pre-school (2.5-5) and are now juniors in HS. They're both high achievers ... so is their friend who immigrated to the US as an 8 year old knowing no English and having received no formal education to that point. All three are gutting through AP Calculus and loving AP US History.

It was a good foundation. Temperamentally, it really suited one of my sons. In hindsight, I should have sent my other son to a program focused on running around in the woods, playing in the mud, and creating obstacle courses.

Anonymous wrote:
The cohort we know that was at the same Montessori preschool as my children are all in advanced classes in public middle schools, and the younger ones still in elementary received "enrichment" (nothing) and work above grade level.

Don't forget that the families that send their kids to Montessori schools tend to have hard-working and professionally successful parents who are proactive about ensuring their kids are getting the best they can get. Is their success a reflection of Montessori or of their families and home life?

The cohort we know that was at the same Montessori preschool as my children are all in advanced classes in public middle schools, and the younger ones still in elementary received "enrichment" (nothing) and work above grade level.

I found myself going to high school with my best friend friend from Montessori (3-5 yo). We grew into polar opposites. Montessori has more to do with the parents that send their kids there than the kids' personalities and abilities.

I've never been able to tell any difference. A particular Montessori program might be great, but once the kids are older, you can't tell.

No difference. I have one kid who went to Montessori and one who did not and there is no difference in them or their friends.

You can't even tell a difference in kindergarten.

Some of our friends sent their kids to Montessori in ES and MS and now that they are all in HS/College we don't perceive any difference.

From those we know, there’s zero difference as far as independence, confidence and abilities.