Montessori - Frisco, TX - Mom with 2 kids

We have been on the hunt for a good Montessori school and have noticed several differences in the Frisco Montessori schools. Castle Montessori is awful! They don't have a gymnasium or covered playground, so what are the kids suppose to do when it's 100 degrees all summer or cold and rainy in the winter? Frisco Montessori school only has certified teachers in the classroom from 8:30-3:00 and babysitters after that. Starwood closes A LOT, way too many days for a working parent. ElDorado Montessori has bad reviews online but I can't speak from personal experience. One thing you should do is look at the schools inspections online. The state of Texas makes all inspections public info. These are very helpful! I've heard Warren Montessori nickle and dimes you with fees and has substantial turnover (my friend uses them). Right now we're looking at American Montessori Academy in Plano. I've heard great things and like what I've seen so far. A few things you need to ask when shopping around: Are all the teachers certified? Are the kids allowed to watch tv (a real Montessori doesn't allow tv)? What do the kids do during inclimate weather? How many days do you close? How much turnover have you had in my childs classroom? What are you ratios?

H., my 4-year-old daughter started at Preston Meadows Montessori last October and she absolutely loves it. We had her in a Mom's Day Out program before that at the YMCA and she did not do well there at all (not a good program there, by the way). We noticed a significant change in her learning and behavior after starting montessori. I really love the method.

My friend's son goes to Frisco Montessori and they love it there.

I do not have first hand experience, but I asked every teacher I knew the same question when my 1st son was 2. They all said that Montessori kids were the LEAST prepared for public schools. If you plan on continuing montessori throughout their lives, it's OK, but it doesn't prepare them for the structure of public schools.

Like I said, this is NOT first hand experience, but I have several friends who are teachers and they all said the same thing!!

H.,
My daughter started out at a regular preschool, then we moved her to a montessori school when she was about 3 and a half or 4. I can't even tell you the difference we saw in her only a few months after going to montessori. It was absolutely amazing. Her behavior improved; she is now one of the most well-behaved 6 year olds out there. They taught her some sign language, some spanish. Plus, she learned to read and write so quickly. She is now in Kindergarten at public school and way ahead of all of the other kids. She reads at a second grade level. I truly believe that putting her in montessori school was the best thing we ever did for her. My advice is to call the montessori school and ask if you can observe class for an hour or so before enrolling your child. I think you will be amazed at how well-behaved and smart these children are because of the way they are taught there.
Good Luck,
S.

Montessori is the way to go and as the child gets older he or she is usually ahead of his or her peers once they enter traditional education. My 6 year old is learning her multiplication tables for example--this is her first year in montessori. I plan to keep her in montessori all thru her education simply because I firmly believe it is the best education out there, but if she ever entered traditional education, she would be ahead of the other children.

Both of my children, 4 and 18 months attend Montessori Schools, they love them and we love the way our kids respond to the schools. They are amazingly self-sufficient and confident in all they do. I would agree that going to observe a class would be very beneficial. In fact, if they would not allow you to observe, I would be skeptical of the school. Also, check out the school's accreditation. Any school can call themselves Montessori even if their teachers and administrators are not trained. Look for certifications from AMI (Association Montessori Internationale), this is the most well-respected organization. http://www.montessori-ami.org/

Good luck! If you find the right school I think you will be very pleased with the Montessori philosophy.