Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

Texas prices of course:
Montessori is $848 a month, care from 7:30-6:30
Public School would be about $200 a month for the aftercare program School is open 7am – 6:30pm (with the aftercare program)

Both schools are EXTREMELY close to my home.

I’m torn. Honestly that tuition, plus uniforms, plus supply costs, plus other activities is slowly draining my sanity. Yes, its totally worth it. I’m a little put off the owners of the franchise are pushing through construction at her school DURING the school year, forcing the lower elementary to be housed in a echo filled great hall, reducing my child’s activities in the great hall because there’s a class there, disrupting drop offs and pick ups because we have to now walk around the building outside on rough terrain, security now is all in the air since the gated areas are not unlocked to provide the access to for drop offs, our check in system has been broken for months and no one is EVER at the front desk. (oh and all this happening even tho construction hasn’t started)

I am, you could say, becoming disillusioned.

I always said I’d keep her out until 1st grade because
1. I wanted her shots spread out (4 shots, starting at 4yrs then every 6m)
2. I wanted the fully enforced self study environment of Montessori to be complete by the age of 6.

Now my second guesses are:
1. Its one less shot than I originally thought and she CAN & WILL be caught up by kinder enrollment
2. With all the wishy-washy teacher stuff over the past two years, she hasn’t really had that solid base. She’s self taught but not really getting anything super special (in my mind). Plus the construction thing pushes through the point they are way over booked. Last year was 24 kids to one teacher w/asst. This year we got lucky and its only 18 in her class. The assistants aren’t really assistant teachers but more or less runners. Teachers are so overwhelmed you seriously pity them. The only ones suffering are the children. So what *am* I doing?

I have no idea if Montessori is ‘better’ than kinder.

I am scheduling a school tour with my local elementary.

Oh and all of this matters also because I use Dependent Flexible spending. If I plan in Dec (only 4 short months away) to put aside $5,000 like I normally do – it would be too much. With public school, I will only need $1,800.


I always intended to put her in Public school the question is Kinder or 1st

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

I voted for public- if she is going to go anyway in 1st- its nice for her to get to know the kids that she will be with for her elementary years.

Good luck on the tour!

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

I would say, save your money and let her go to public kindy. She is going to be there anyway in a year, you could save 600 a month for other things!

I think the transition would be easier for her bc all the kids are in the same boat, new to the school.

Message edited 8/23/2012 4:13:19 PM.

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

can you meet the teachers? for me its all about the teachers, Montessori is a load of poop without the right teacher, IMO.

public school can be great, but also with the right teacher, teacher has to be really in tune to what kids want and need in terms of support to learn, and understand each child is individual.

I adore Montessori on paper, but the majority of programs in our area are poorly executed.

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

My SIL teaches Montessori at a very highly regarded school, her daughter could go for free, and she sends her to public school! She finds public school to be much more valuable. Save your $600!!!!

Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

I taught public Kindergarten, so I am biased. You gave her a great early education with Montessori. Since you are planning on enrolling her in public eventually anyway and based on the information you gave, if it were my child I would enroll her in public school starting in Kindergarten. Good luck with what you decide!

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

It's very dependent on YOUR schools.
We are in a great school district, so I'm sending dc to public... But Montessori has a bus for preschool and costs the same... So we will start there.

As People say... It's all in the teachers.

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

You are assuming things about the kindergarten program that I dont think you know enough about. Id talk to the teachers about AJs skill set and ask them if shed be bored. Gauge from their response, I think a good teacher would have noticed she/he has students already like this and found ways to challenge them,

Re: Hypothetical for you: Montessori or Public school for Kinder? WWYD

I would send her to public school for the pure fact that it will be easier on her. All the kids will be new. She won't have to be the 'new kid' in 1st grade. I think it would just be an easier adjustment overall. JMO.