LAMB is also split between two campuses while IT is all together.

I think both schools have about the same number of kids per grade - ITS has two classes, or 40-50 kids depending on the grade, and LAMB has 40-45 kids per grade (at least in the early years, per the PCSB report from last year).

LAMB has been around much longer (10+ years vs. 4 years). And LAMB also doesn't admit students after PK4, which is likely to boost their test scores significantly - the only kids in the testing cohort are those that have been with the school starting in PK4 or earlier.

I think only having two classes per grade can be limiting ... its both warm and friendly- but if your DC has the need to interact with more diversity, challenges then perhaps a larger environment would be a better fit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is not real Montessori, so definitely take that into consideration.

I really know nothing about LAMB because we aren't interested in Montessori for DD. But, just curious, why do you say LAMB isn't real Montessori?

Not the PP you are responding to, but I posted at 11:00 explaining some of the differences.

Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:As an ITS parent I wish we had gone to LAMB. ITS is great for PreK but as far as any thing else LAMB has far more to offer.

Interesting. Considering ITS. What do you think ITS is missing in upper grades?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is not real Montessori, so definitely take that into consideration.

I really know nothing about LAMB because we aren't interested in Montessori for DD. But, just curious, why do you say LAMB isn't real Montessori?

Not the PP you are responding to, but I posted at 11:00 explaining some of the differences.

As an ITS parent I wish we had gone to LAMB. ITS is great for PreK but as far as any thing else LAMB has far more to offer.

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is not real Montessori, so definitely take that into consideration.

I really know nothing about LAMB because we aren't interested in Montessori for DD. But, just curious, why do you say LAMB isn't real Montessori?

My child is at a traditional Montessori.

Some of the things they do at LAMB that are not strictly Montessori include things like not having a "controlled environment" for the kids. When I visited we saw a lot of work on the walls, for example (which Montessori claims is distracting). Also, parents are welcomed into the classroom (in pure Montessori it's the children's space and opportunities for parents to be part of the classroom are very minimal to non-existant). They also appear to do some work together as the entire classroom, rather than individual. And they use technology in the classroom which is not an accepted Montessori practice.

To be honest, in those areas I like the flexibility that LAMB has, rather than the rigidity of a traditional Montessori.

However, overall I wasn't impressed with our visit. The open house was chaotic and not very welcoming. The commute would also be tough for us. We didn't even apply for PK4.

I would have a difficult time giving up the DCI track.

For current LAMB parents or those who know, with LAMB not being pure Montessori, is there some imaginative play mixed in? I'm wondering what non-purist Montessori means...

I applied to Lamb for PS3 and PK4. No hope with PS3 and with PK4 was in the top five but NO movement at all this year.

That being said- we are happy at ITS, but the Spanish is really important to our family. As DC had an initial exposure to Reggio Emilia, which we really like, the Montessori attributes of LAMB would still make us inclined to change if given the opportunity.

Our kids went to LAMB (now in middle school). I love that LAMB isn't strident or pure about Montessori although it is at the core of what they do. My DC has learning disabilities that weren't apparent until K/1st. Needed a very different reading approach -- which the school supported and sent the learning specialist to training to get certified in. My DC wasn't the only one who needed some adaptations to Montessori to succeed. What I loved about LAMB was how they work to support all kinds of different learners who would probably be counseled out of a private Montessori school due to fit.

If you get into both, you should have the opportunity to tour/observe the schools before you have to make a decision. Both are great options. For me, the choice would come down to how important these 3 things are for you: language immersion, Montessori, commute. I think visiting would help you make up your mind.

Absolutely. I love the Spanish piece, but Montessori isn't for everyone. It's become very trendy, and I was all in favor of it until I visited a few schools. It's so not for us, and I know a few families who I think are just trying to make their child fit the system because of its popularity.