Butler Montessori (Darnestown MD, infant through High School) - they are screen-free through 6th grade; minimal screens (not on screens all day, physical activity and other learning) but preparing for the future from 7th-12th (internships, experiential learning, travel, etc.)

Maret told us they were basically screen free in lower school on the tour.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the options this limited? WOW!

If you want a broader range then you need to downgrade to screen-light, maybe a max of 30-60 min per day.

I would hope most of the independent schools would be screen-light at least in K-5 but I don’t know.

Do SmartBoards count as screens?

To me, no. I don’t view learning on SmartBoards as inferior to blackboards or whiteboards, the way I view learning on tablets as inferior to pen and paper during the younger years.

I agree--however, sometimes they function as large Ipads for interactive games or screens for movies. In the olden days we had the AV cart, haha.

Anonymous wrote:Are there any private schools in DC that are screen free (at least until middle)? Or very very minimal screen use?

School names + grades and any specific feedback you can share would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Barrie School (Montessori through 5th).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the options this limited? WOW!

If you want a broader range then you need to downgrade to screen-light, maybe a max of 30-60 min per day.

I would hope most of the independent schools would be screen-light at least in K-5 but I don’t know.

Do SmartBoards count as screens?

To me, no. I don’t view learning on SmartBoards as inferior to blackboards or whiteboards, the way I view learning on tablets as inferior to pen and paper during the younger years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the options this limited? WOW!

If you want a broader range then you need to downgrade to screen-light, maybe a max of 30-60 min per day.

I would hope most of the independent schools would be screen-light at least in K-5 but I don’t know.

Do SmartBoards count as screens?

Anonymous wrote:Are the options this limited? WOW!

If you want a broader range then you need to downgrade to screen-light, maybe a max of 30-60 min per day.

I would hope most of the independent schools would be screen-light at least in K-5 but I don’t know.

McLean Montessori has very very limited screens. Basically only during their weekly computer class. Otherwise uses books with paper pages.

It might be better to have some tech instruction during elementary, like responsible and safe use, rather than zero.

Concord Hill is screen free. Prek3-3rd grade. Not religious, not Montessori. A gem of a school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Basically any AMI Montessori school is going to be screen-free. Aidan is the only private one I know if in DC, but there are a few public charters as well.

Not necessarily, at least once you’re in elementary. Screen-light, yes. The Montessori my child attended through 3rd used computers to supplement French lessons, and often assigned French homework using an online platform.

Correct with the Screen-lite. Most schools are not screen free.

Anonymous wrote:Basically any AMI Montessori school is going to be screen-free. Aidan is the only private one I know if in DC, but there are a few public charters as well.

Not necessarily, at least once you’re in elementary. Screen-light, yes. The Montessori my child attended through 3rd used computers to supplement French lessons, and often assigned French homework using an online platform.

Basically any AMI Montessori school is going to be screen-free. Aidan is the only private one I know if in DC, but there are a few public charters as well.