Coming from another Montessori elementary school in Vancouver, the Earth School is a breath of…read morefresh air - it is what every Montessori/private school should be! There are 4 Lower El classrooms (1st-3rd), 3 Upper El (4th-6th) with plans for another, and the Middle School (really a Jr. High) with 50+ kids. In making my decision to transition during the school year January 2015, we were allowed a trial day for my boys to take part in the classrooms. My 5th grader stated that he learned more in the one trial day than he did in a week at his other school. My suspicions were confirmed and the decision was made to change schools. (We also tested the Gardner School, which was way too easy). My son was obviously right - his testing went from mediocre on the MSP at the old school to 85% on the Stanford 10, with 5 of the 12 categories at "post-high school level" and 4 at high school level. This in less than 14 months. There was no emphasis on test-taking - the education was simply that much better. His new teacher Gladys Munoz shows an interest and engagement with him that was lacking at least in conferences with his former upper el teacher, and reminiscent of the passion his lower el teacher Tami O'Kinsella had for him. Another difference was the clearly articulated plan with achievable goals that Gladys created for and communicated not just to me but to my son as well. She modeled a belief in his ability to achieve the standards she sets for him. I believe she does this for all of her students.
So how do you know if a private school is living up to what is it supposed to be? Without standardized minimum expectations for academics or actually seeing the children interact in different environments to know how they handle bullying and other social problems, how does a parent know? Specifically, how do you know whether a Montessori school is successfully implementing a Montessori curriculum? There is Montessori teacher certification, but you need more than that (yes, there are horrible Montessori-certified teachers out there just like any profession). There is Montessori school certification by AMI and that would be best, but is expensive and limiting to the school and therefore not all Montessori schools apply for it.
School management is the key. The Head of School must have the experience, training, and aptitude to manage, delegate, guide, motivate, and correct when necessary. She must have an ability to mentor the teachers, spot problems/weaknesses before they blow up, create a plan for improvement, and then follow that plan. If he/she does not have the training and experience, AND aptitude then she cannot support your teacher. This requires experience and training teaching the higher level classrooms or beyond so she can understand what a properly functioning classroom looks like and what type of support teachers need.
If the Head of School does not have those tools, she might still be able to support the staff if she has great management skills - she would need to use outside consultants on a regular basis, but she needs the skills to follow through with the consultant's recommendations. Otherwise, you as the parent are left to rely on luck to get a great teacher. Our prior school did have great teachers, but but my boys drew the dud cards.
The Earth School has an experienced Head of School who is accountable to her higher-ups and has decades of school management behind her. She seeks her customers' input. She has great hiring skills and the staff is experienced and top notch. Sister Therese is constantly seeking ways to improve the school and attends parent forums to here concerns and suggestions yet can firmly let you know the current priorities. As my mother said "Franciscan nuns run a tight ship!" She was right and they do it kindly, firmly and with love.
So, what should you hear from a prospective teacher? You need to hear her/him discuss how they will be creating a plan for your child and the steps to follow that plan. You need to see that teacher be excited to find out about your child and how they will assess your child. You need to watch that teacher "follow the child', i.e., listen to your child, ask probing questions, patiently await the answer. In the case of my preschooler, the teacher literally followed him, allowing him to go first and point things out and ask questions.
Good luck in your quest. The Montessori philosophy is amazing and needed in this world. Our Montessori schools will create the entrepeneurs of tomorrow!
http://blogs.wsj.com/ideas-market/2011/04/05/the-montessori-mafia/
