Is Spokane Public Montessori right for me and my child?

At a Glance

All teachers, Montessori included, draw from a common source: the child and our “best practices” for teaching and learning. There are, however, unique aspects to a Montessori environment.

3-year age span: 3-6 years, 6-9 years, and 9-12 years
Individually prepared lessons: Small group lessons for 2-6 children
Uninterrupted work periods (2-3 hours): Child schedules work
Hands-on materials for self-teaching
Limitation of material
High child-to-adult ratio
“Cosmic education”: A term used to describe the unique curriculum, materials, and methods developed by Dr. Maria Montessori
Limited testing: Assessment is based on observation, student work journals and portfolios, meetings with teacher
No grades: Anecdotal reports of social and psychological development, academic progress are used instead

Questions to Consider

Regarding philosophy:

Am I supportive of an educational philosophy which encompasses academic goals as well as: social service, conflict resolution, interpersonal relationships, environmental education, focus on process vs. product?
Am I comfortable with curriculum that includes: evolution, multiculturalism, ecology?
Am I comfortable with narrative progress reports and student work portfolios where numerical/letter indicators (grades) and grad level comparisons are not given?
Am I prepared to make a six year commitment where learning objectives are met in a three-year cycle, not by grade levels?

As a parent:

Am I willing to support and participate in Montessori activities as well as whole school activities?
Am I willing to attend all parent education programs?
Am I able to volunteer in the classroom or on committees in support of the program?

Is my child:

Able to follow through independently with minimum of adult direction?
Able to focus in a busy environment in which many activities are going on at once?
Able to work at an individual pace within a multi-age classroom?