Comments on: Transition From Montessori to Public Education

By: Ali Mom

Ali Mom — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 01:01:56 +0000

Our family is likely moving to Decatur for next school year. My children 3 and 5 are currently in a Montessori school (not Kindergarten yet). What is the run down of Montessori schools in the vicinity? Any suggestions on where or how to begin my researching the schools? We are very interested in staying with Montessori but also need to think about eventually transitioning to public school. Is there a section of town to live in with more options? Is there a public Montessori school in Decatur?

By: Judith

Judith — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:38:30 +0000

I am a guide in the DCSS public Montessori program. Anyone who lives in DeKalb County (Sorry, not including City Schools of Decatur) can attend. When a child completes Primary or Casa Montessori, he or she can enroll in an elementary calss. It goes up to grade 5 b/c of the way the school system is set up. To attend at a younger age, 4 year olds come in through the Georgia PK Lottery (:-( …. or in kindergarten if space is available. Of course the kids who live in one of the school districts that offers Montessori get 1st choice. That would be Huntley Hills, Briar Vista, and Midway Elementary Schools. I know we would love to have some elementary kids come into the lower and upper elementary classes at Midway. Some folks may not approve, but Maria Montessori didnot begin with private schools. Sure, we have to to teach the GPS, but Montessori goes way beyond that! Come visit.

By: Judith

Judith — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:30:04 +0000

Wow. And you live where there is a public – free – Montessoei Charter School: Island Village. After observing there and seeing how hard y daughter works and the level of dedication, I certainly would give it a try. Yes, there are differences. Your child gets in if there is a space. There are challenges, but life is that way.

By: Terra

Terra — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:09:49 +0000

I need some help and guidance regarding this issue. I am considering the Montessori education but I am unsure of how my son will adjust, he is 7. My daughter is 5 and entering Kindergarten. We have an excellent school that my son has attended but I want more for them. I am just afraid if the Montessori doesnt work out will my son be behind? If it does work, will they transition well to the public school system when they are older (12-15)?

By: Ruby

Ruby — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:30:31 +0000

My 9-year-old daughter has been in a Montessori school since she was 3. When she was in first grade the school changed owners, and it was not nearly as good as it had been. I still kept her in there for first, second and third grade. There were many teacher changes during this time period. During the last semester of third grade (last year), I really felt that the teacher was more like a babysitter, and that there was not very much teaching/learning going on. Because of this, I could not continue her in this school. I also knew that she was behind in math, but was not quite sure how far behind she was. Since we have “excellent” public schools in our area, I put her in our local school for 4th grade; she started in August. I tried many times to talk with the principal and teacher over the summer to see if we could get a plan to help transition her to a “regular” class, and to let them know that she needed extra help in math…no one returned my calls. The first day of school arrived, and let me tell you – she could not have had a WORSE teacher for a former Montessori student…very strict and very authoritative. My daughter was afraid of her, and in my daughter’s mind the teacher yelled “all the time”. It’s no wonder that in the last 7 weeks of school she has slide down that slippery slope and is now failing math! I talked to her teacher 5 weeks ago to alert her to the fact that my kid was having allot of trouble with math. Teacher told me to work her multiplications with her, just wait, and all would be fine. It was not. 3 weeks ago I talked with the principal re: the same, and she told me to wait, that she had not been “alerted” by the teacher that my daughter was “needing an intervention” or “remedial”. She also asked me if I was thinking of retaining her!! WHAT?? My kid is doing 90+% in everything but math and you ask me if I want to retain her?? There were no services available from the school or the school district to help with her math. I started her with a tutor last week, but not in time: Teacher called me last week to tell me “you daughter is FAILING math!! do YOU want to tell her, or do you want ME to tell her?”!! I’ve had it with the public school system…or at least this “distinguished school” recipient. This elementary school is ranked #2 in our district, and I guess they thought I was a “hysterical mom” when I reached out to ask for help & a plan. I have found another Montessori and she has spent the last 2 days there…it looks like she will be transferring over there ASAP. BTW – once the principal heard my kid was possibly leaving the school, she now claims that – since my daughter excels in language arts – it was difficult to believe that she would have so much trouble in math, so yeah, I guess they didn’t believe me. I know once my daughter has a caring and KIND teacher again that she will start to work hard to please herself and the teacher. But this foray into public school has been a JOKE! They seem to just move the kids in & out on a conveyor belt…never paying attention to see if there’s a problem (even when mom tries to solicite help). The new Montessori goes through Junior High, so I guess that’s the new plan. However, I blame much of this failed transition directly on the teacher…my daughter should NEVER have been placed in her class, and if any administrator at the school realized the concepts of a Montessori classroom perhaps this would not have happened.

By: decaturmom

decaturmom — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:28:04 +0000

Rachel,

Thank you for your comments. I think that you have every right as a parent to move your son into a more positive situation, whether it’s another classroom in his current school, another Montessori school or even public school. Despite your son’s feeling about wanting to be with his friends, you know what’s best for him. And he will ultimately be happier in a classroom where you, your husband and his teacher can work together as a team to provide him with the education and nurture that he needs.

I would even go so far as to say that if you cannot build that team with your son’s current teacher, then your family would be better off by putting your son into a different educational environment where you can have open communication, trust and reassurance that your child will get every opportunity to reach his full potential without the threat of labels; disruptive, ADHD, etc.

I wish you all the best of luck. Please keep us updated.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:45:03 +0000

I’m struggling with keeping my son in Montessori or take him to public Kindergarten.
He has been in the same Montessori school since 3 mos.

My issue is that every time I ask the teacher how my son is doing, her reply is usually negative. She says he disrupts her class by not following directions, not completing his work, and rolls around during line time. She has commented that he seems to never pay attention but when she asks him a question on the material a month later, he knows the answer. He’s reading, does math and quite a smart kid as his teacher will point out. He’s a sweet kid but just has trouble focusing. Of course he could be ADHD. I can’t communicate with his teacher; I have tried since he was 3. I didn’t move him before b/c he loves his friends and his teacher and begs for me not to move him.

I don’t know if I should request for another teacher at his 3rd year, go to public K which is a good school, but not excellent, or just put up with his current teacher (I just wish she was more kind and understanding).

This entire issue is making both my husband and me ill.

By: jaye

jaye — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:28:38 +0000

there are public Montessori schools in Decatur

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[...] Transition from Montessori to Public Education [...]

By: Leah

Leah — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:48:21 +0000

I am the mother or a Montessori child who has attended from age 2 1/2 and will be completing Kindergarten this year. The school currently goes through age 8 (second grade equivalent) and is adding the next grade level in hopes to educate through 5th grade so students can transition to middle school.
I primarily moved my son because of the social aspects. We are in a small town and not natives. We are socially isolated ourselves and have little opportunity to socialize our sons. There will only be one other boy his age there next school year and when our younger child transitions in, we will probably not be able to afford to send both.
We had to choose; should he transition as a new first grader or new second grader. We figured first would be easier. We are very torn about this decision and absolutely love the Montessori school. I am comforted by the knowledge that our boy was able to spend 4 years in that wonderful and unique environment. We want to do the same for our younger child as well.