DCI is not Montessori--LAMB students will switch to a traditional model.

Will the LAMB kids mix in with the other charters more middle and high school? Or will they continue the Montessori model in the upper grades?

well, reality is, with the options in DC, many people take what they can.

I would pick Lee Montessori over LAMB--hands down.

Three occupational therapists have told me that, in their experience, Montessori is not a good fit for kids with sensory processing disorders--that these kids often need more structure. My DC happens to be in a Montessori program where the teachers provide the structure DC needs and are happy to redirect DC to certain works and so it is not a free for all as some Montessori classrooms can be. The problem with LAMB is that they do not subscribe to any one Montessori method--they have teachers from both schools of thought so I imagine a lot depends on the teacher you have.

I have a few friends who took their kids out of LAMB in the upper grades because they just weren't able to learn what they needed to learn in such a self-directed environment. Some kids are internally motivated; some kids aren't. It's hard to know what your kid will be like in elementary school when they are applying to a lottery for 3-year-olds, so it's natural that people will look to switch if it feels like a bad fit as the kid gets older.

I agree that Montessori works for many kids in the primary level. I think it works for fewer as they get older.

which kids is it not a good fit for?

Anonymous wrote:I think part of why LAMB will always have attrition in the upper grades despite DCI is that Montessori doesn't work for a lot of kids at the elementary level.

This is the downfall of how our system works, I was lucky enough to get into LAMB and another charter school that we loved. We knew that Montessori wouldn't be successful for our child, and we're lucky to have the ability to make a choice. Most people don't have the ability to make that choice. That being said, I don't agree with the statement that Montessori doesn't work for a lot of kids, I think it works for most kids. However, there are some kids that this model is just not a good fit.

I think part of why LAMB will always have attrition in the upper grades despite DCI is that Montessori doesn't work for a lot of kids at the elementary level.

Any thoughts on montessori in the upper grades from current LAMB parents?

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious about how many of the applicants really like Montessori, esp beyond k. Most of the parents I know who applied said they did it for the language program despite thinking that Montessori wouldn't be the best fit for their kid. Maybe they'll do common lottery next year, which could help with that particular issue.

Totally agree with this. I hope that once people are accepted they require an observation so that they know what Montessorinis and whether it will work for their kid.

Yeah I'm actually really interested in hearing from LAMB parents with kids in the upper grades, and how Montessori works for them. Also curious how the Montessori kids will mix with the YY IB kids and others (Stokes, MV and DC Bilingual) at the new school.

I'm curious about how many of the applicants really like Montessori, esp beyond k. Most of the parents I know who applied said they did it for the language program despite thinking that Montessori wouldn't be the best fit for their kid. Maybe they'll do common lottery next year, which could help with that particular issue.

Anonymous wrote:Last year was a big expansion year, though, with the move to the new building. They are having to cut down on early childhood spots now because the elementary kids are not leaving since they have a direct line to DCI.

Are you trying to scare people? LAMB did not mentions this at the open house and said they would have 30-35 spots.

Anonymous wrote:I heard there were 900+ applications....

yikes!!! I believe it! especially with the even theoretical chance of DCI.