Anonymous wrote:There will be three 3-4-5 classes, each with 10 three-year-olds, 5 four-year-olds, and 5 five-year-olds. The lower elementary class is starting with 10 six-year olds.

Thanks. Were there any kindergarten parents there? Trying to get a feel for whether there might be movement on the K waitlist.

There will be three 3-4-5 classes, each with 10 three-year-olds, 5 four-year-olds, and 5 five-year-olds. The lower elementary class is starting with 10 six-year olds.

Anonymous wrote:Other things that make me confident (besides the founders) - the classes are smaller than I thought. Just 20 per grade and two teachers per grade. The assistant teachers are in Montesouri training, so they have a built in pipeline of future teachers. And wednesday afternoon, every wednesday afternoon, is reserved for professional development.

I also like that there will be variety of programming on those wednesday afternoons and during aftercare (which you can pop into for a small fee if you like the programming planned - imagine yoga class or music play for 4 dollars an hour when the going rate for that kind of kid stuff is 30 dollars an hour!)

Are you sure they said 20 per grade? I asked recently and was told that there were only 15 for kindergarten. Did they same something different last night?

Also, does anyone have a feel for whether the group last night were primarily for PS3? Were there many kindergarten parents there? Anyone know if any of them were declining?

20 per grade?? Is that what they said? Did they mention why this change. That is surprising and nice to know.

Other things that make me confident (besides the founders) - the classes are smaller than I thought. Just 20 per grade and two teachers per grade. The assistant teachers are in Montesouri training, so they have a built in pipeline of future teachers. And wednesday afternoon, every wednesday afternoon, is reserved for professional development.

I also like that there will be variety of programming on those wednesday afternoons and during aftercare (which you can pop into for a small fee if you like the programming planned - imagine yoga class or music play for 4 dollars an hour when the going rate for that kind of kid stuff is 30 dollars an hour!)

I think Lee will have a lot of movement this year. New school, challenging location for many, Montessori doesn't work for some kids, etc. Plus the usual reasons--people move, kids aren't ready for full-day, kids aren't potty trained, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like some of the parents could relax a bit, realize their child is more resilient then we give them credit for and get a hobby that does not involve their children.

8 hours a day, 5 days a week. That is a lot of time. Sure kids are resiliant (or can be depending on temperment - not all kids are), but a majority of their waking life as a three year old will be spent here. I think it is resonable to be nervous about sending them to a school that doesn't exist yet, about which there is no evidence to weigh.

The directors are great (I LOVE the principal). The AMI curriculum is great. But it is still a leap if faith.

I want Monetssori for my child (there are multiple long-term research studies showing the curriculum works!). Based on what I heard last night, I would only jump ship for Lamb - maybe MV or YY. None of that is going to happen (super high waitlist Lamb and I don't expect any movement on MV or YY). I put Lee above IT and would take it over CM. I put it third or forth on my list - can't remember.

We'll be there PK4 no matter what, and considering the lines of people submitting enrollment forms last night, others will as well.

I meant to ask if people would jump ship for their own personal reasons without putting people on the spot to explain their reasons. Not implying that the reasons were glib. Sorry to be unclear.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have low WL at two other schools (I ranked Lee in third place) and would jump ship in a heartbeat only because my kid needs more structure than what Montessori provides per her therapists. That aside, I think Lee will be great and will be fine staying if the other schools do not work out. If I had a kid just starting out in Montessori I would wholeheartedly go into Lee 100% on board.

How many people are in this boat, ready to jump ship for whatever reason?

I am the poster who said I would jump ship. I did not say I would jump ship for "whatever reason" but for a very specific reason. I suspect people would have to have very good reasons to jump ship at this point.

I already declined a place for PK3.

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how many parents had Lee in their 8-12 range, and are now feeling it out hoping one of their waitlist numbers come through. I had decent numbers (in the 20s and 30s for most schools) and am still on the Lee waitlist.

Yes, I wonder if the Lee waitlist will actually move and if so, how far along. We have pretty bad WLs # in other schools and in low 60s at Lee (which is one of our "best" WL #s). Keeping my fingers crossed that a lot of people will give up their spot .

Anonymous wrote:I have low WL at two other schools (I ranked Lee in third place) and would jump ship in a heartbeat only because my kid needs more structure than what Montessori provides per her therapists. That aside, I think Lee will be great and will be fine staying if the other schools do not work out. If I had a kid just starting out in Montessori I would wholeheartedly go into Lee 100% on board.

How many people are in this boat, ready to jump ship for whatever reason?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have low WL at two other schools (I ranked Lee in third place) and would jump ship in a heartbeat only because my kid needs more structure than what Montessori provides per her therapists. That aside, I think Lee will be great and will be fine staying if the other schools do not work out. If I had a kid just starting out in Montessori I would wholeheartedly go into Lee 100% on board.

No dog in this fight, but why would you rank a Montessori program third out of twelve if your child needs "more structure... per her therapists"?

PP here, I was replying to the question above in bold.

Because I want/believe in expeditionary learning/inquiry based learning at a good school. That meant I had to choose from Cap City (too far and bad scores), Two Rivers (too far), MV (on my list), IT (on my list) and a good public school that does some inquiry based stuff (on my list). I also applied to CM and YY--both inquiry based programs. I actually ranked Lee fourth--I miswrote. Lee will have a small class at my DC's level in the first year so if I don't get the more structured programs, at least I will get the inquiry based stuff (Montessori) in a smaller setting (ten kids in lower elementary). A good Montessori teacher can provide the structure necessary and it will be easier in a smaller class.