Aidan is a wonderful school. Get through the interview process, get accepted, and you will love it. My one child goes there (and has for 4 years) and every day, I am grateful that I drop her off at such a loving, motivating school. My son goes to a different private school (he was not accepted to Aidan) and I wish that he could go to Aidan. His big name school is better known and fancier, but the education and spirit are nowhere near so good. I have tried to move him from the other school to Aidan several times, now. That's how much I love it.

Go observe a few classes at a few schools, then think about where you would like to spend your day. I, personally, would LOVE to spend every day at Aidan.

Anonymous wrote:I love the teachers at this school and it is evident to all parents here that truly care and educate the kids, the montessori method instills an amazing love for learning that all my kids (3) will have their entire lives because of the great teachers at Aidan.
I do however believe that the adminstration is extremely political and the adminstration often misrepresents itself to appease and placate the parents but in reality has no intentions of actually changing things. There have been continual promises of expanded discovery programs with each increase of tuition -- yet no noticable improvements (in fact 2011 basically was babysitting). The last example that, ultimately made me seek a traditional school with a much more dependable leader was the fact that they intentionally waited until commitments were binding before they announced that the Upper Elementary teacher was leaving after one year in the classroom. (This makes 3 teachers in 3 years...) What is truly disappointing is the fact that I had asked the head of school about the rumors before hand (in Apirl), and she played stupid and said she had no reason to believe they would be changing thier upper elementary teacher AGAIN. After the fact, I found that the head of school knew about the teacher's resignation months earlier... I love Aidan, but when the head of school flat out lies to you - that's a problem.

How many old Aidan posts are you going to dig up in order to post this same exact message?

My oldest daughter is currently looking for schools for our grandson in the DC area and she asked me to help her research schools in DC. She was seriously considering Aidan Montessori because from all accounts the teachers at this school have an incredible reputation, bar none.
So, I flew up from Tampa, FL to attend an open house and cannot believe that I ran into the person who, over 10 years ago, practically destroyed my youngest son’s school in FL. Frankly I am shocked that such a prestigious school would allow someone with a record of such FISCAL IRRESPONSIBILITY to run its operations. I am not one bit surprised that some other parents on this review site are concerned with the administration’s focus to collect more and more money, with no real return on investment. Speaking from experience, parents at that school should be asking where the money is going and see how its spent… and I would go, as far as, to call for a full audit for all the parents to review. If you want details on our experience in FL with Kathy Minardi you should read the below articles! (she used to use her maiden name – Kathy Gentner, but changed it to her married name to avoid bad press and apparently it worked, this school hired her.)
http://www.sptimes.com/Hillsborough/121398/Ex_school_owner_leads2.html
http://www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/41198/Parents_unite_to_purc.html

I love the teachers at this school and it is evident to all parents here that truly care and educate the kids, the montessori method instills an amazing love for learning that all my kids (3) will have their entire lives because of the great teachers at Aidan.
I do however believe that the adminstration is extremely political and the adminstration often misrepresents itself to appease and placate the parents but in reality has no intentions of actually changing things. There have been continual promises of expanded discovery programs with each increase of tuition -- yet no noticable improvements (in fact 2011 basically was babysitting). The last example that, ultimately made me seek a traditional school with a much more dependable leader was the fact that they intentionally waited until commitments were binding before they announced that the Upper Elementary teacher was leaving after one year in the classroom. (This makes 3 teachers in 3 years...) What is truly disappointing is the fact that I had asked the head of school about the rumors before hand (in Apirl), and she played stupid and said she had no reason to believe they would be changing thier upper elementary teacher AGAIN. After the fact, I found that the head of school knew about the teacher's resignation months earlier... I love Aidan, but when the head of school flat out lies to you - that's a problem.

We had a very, very wonderful interaction with Ms. Antonucci...but I think it's because my son and daughter would both do well in the Montessori program.

I think parents need to realize that not every child will thrive at Aidan, and they need to look out for their children and NOT take any felt 'rejection' from the school as an actual 'rejection'...the teachers want students to thrive, just like parents do. The teachers are professionals who can assess which students will do best, and those who may need more structure.
And that's the tough part for parents: Some of our children are just so young, how do we judge where they will blossom? We have to trust the teachers to let us know.

It's tough for parents to take their egos out of this process, it's so tough because, frankly, we are not used to someone else commenting/judging our children.
But during this private school process, egads, we all have to swallow our egos.
so not easy to do!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PhD (ABD)

Talk about red flags!

As a professor who works with PhD students, there is a HUGE difference between those who actually earn their PhDs and the legions who never finish (the ABDs).

I find it VERY unprofessional--if not unethical--for someone to use a PhD after their name if they have not, in fact earned it.

We have been a part of the Aidan Montessori school community for 5 years. I have 3 children who attend. Aidan is a very impressive, inviting and nurturing school. I would suggest all who are interested to do your own research the results will be surprising. If you have questions call the school and see about attending an open house or ask if you can come by. You can ask me as well. The website also is a great place to find information www.aidanschool.org. I am a parent who wants the best for her children and Aidan Montessori School is a great fit for my children's education.

Current Aidan parent here. Glad things worked out for 16:01 (6/17) - it must have been a long time ago since their child was at the school, as the comments don't really pertain to the school as it currently stands. I would not classify any of the primary teachers as 'young and from abroad'.

It is true that there is a mix of nationalities in the teaching staff at Aidan (it's one of the things I like about the school), but all of the current primary teachers have 20-30 years of Montessori teaching experience. The most recent to join Aidan came in 2001 with 14 yrs of prior teaching experience.

Also, like typical Montessori schools, there is no 4 yr old classroom per se - all four primary classes are a blend of 3-4-5 yr olds. ...

Had a child at Aidan years ago before moving to the burbs. I don't recall the interview or admissions process being anywhere near as competitive and threatening as recent posters describe - I guess our timing was just right.

Our experience with Aidan was very mixed. Our child had a wonderful teacher the first year and made good friends. The following year he/she had a new teacher (from abroad) who was young, very bright and absolutely lacking in empathy for young children. We were happy to pull our child from that school when we moved to the suburbs and never looked back. While the teachers in the public school system have certainly varied in quality, we've not yet come across one who was as fundamentally ill-suited to the teaching profession as the young woman put in charge of a group of 4-year olds at Aidan.

Weird, random spam. I wouldn't get behind any teacher (or really anyone) that willing to be openly critical without provocation. She must have really searched for a thread to jump on two months later.

Anonymous wrote:PhD (ABD)

Talk about red flags!

Hi Moms,

I am a certified Montessori teacher and Head of School looking for space for a new school in the DC area. I have worked at some of the schools that you are discussing.

I understand your point of view and I have promised parents that all Montessori schools do not have "Diva's" for Administrators and teachers who act as though they should wear the “Miss Arrogance Crown”. It is embarrassing to acknowledge that these prima donnas are in the Montessori profession. Montessori certainly promoted respect for the child. Teachers who claim to embrace her philosophy should practice what they preach. True believers in the Montessori Method (not found BTW in some of the schools you mentioned) also develop wonderful relationships with the children as well as the families.

Unfortunately, some of these schools do not even reach the Montessori goals. If you visit, ask if the children have a 3 hour work period on most days that is not interrupted. Authentic Montessori schools do have a 3 hour work time and the children are not pulled out of class for so called enrichment every 20 minutes. No one can do everything well. Enrichment is great, but one of the schools is so weak that you mentioned that the teachers spend time on the enrichment to entertain the children because they do not know how to connect the children to the Montessori materials and the philosophy. Now that so many Montessori schools have violated the integrity of the Method, it is hard to find a school that is a good example. Please keep looking. A Montessori school that follows the child is one of the best gifts you can ever give your child for life. It is true. I have seen the results often and the outcomes are amazing.

Your red flags were right on target. I am glad you can see through the glitz and the bling. However, please know we are not all like that. Neither was Dr. Montessori.

Best wishes to all.

Lindakl PhD (ABD) AMS

We, too, interviewed with Ms. Antonucci a few years back and had a negative experience. She was rude, cold, and, among other things, scolded my son (who had just turned two) when he clapped for himself after successfully completing one of her “tests.” She told me that my son was “perfect” for Montessori, but warned that our chances of getting into Aidan were slim to none given the number of applications received each year. She also expressed particular concern that my husband didn’t attend the interview since Aidan wants to be sure that the entire family is “on board with the Montessori philosophy.” Suffice it to say, I was not on board, and our son does not attend Aidan or any other Montessori. He’s at a wonderful preschool that we love and where the teachers are actually warm and friendly!

Contrary to what some have suggested here, my reaction to Ms. Antonucci has nothing to do with “sour grapes” because my child was not accepted, and I suspect the same is true of other posters who’ve shared their negative experiences with this teacher. I’m sure many of our children have been rejected by other preschools (e.g., NCRC), and I don’t believe there are similar posts about a rude/cold teacher at NCRC. If I were a current parent or administrator at Aidan, instead of immediately jumping to Ms. Antonucci’s defense and assuming all the parents on this forum are bitter and ridiculous, I would be very concerned by the numerous posts about this teacher and would consider doing something about it.

Ms. Antonucci seems to have something against parents who do not have full-time nannies. Friends of mine asked about the aftercare program, for their almost 4 year old, and she expressed her view that it was wrong to leave a child in school until 5:00. If the school believes that, why do they offer the aftercare program to three-year olds????

I'm sure the poster meant "evaluated" over "graded." We interviewed with Mrs. Antonucci and had a nice time. It was interesting to have her perspective on our daughter. And BTW, she wasn't necessarily evaluating WHETHER she could do these things, but how well she responded to direction. This is a crucial component of any strict Montessori - the kids have to be tempermentally inclined to that structure or it will be a terrible fit for child and school. I always marvel at the parents who bristle at an honest assessment that their child's temperment is not a good fit (not saying this about pp in particular). She has taught there for years and if you don't like her assessment or style, please realize it probably means your dc would be a poor fit for the school. And don't accuse me of being a booster, b/c we didn't get in.