Does Charleston need a new Montessori School? (Mount Pleasant, Summerville: fit in, lease)

[lindakl]

I am the Head of School at a well developed Montessori school in another state and I would like to open a school in the Charleston area if possible. I do not know if the area needs a top tier Montessori School or if there would be a possible site to lease that meets the local building and zoning zones. I am hoping that you will share your opinions regarding possible locations and churches or other community buildings that may have available space. I miss the South! Thanks.

Thank you for any advice you can offer.

Linakl PhD
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]

[Browsing Duo]

There are a lot of young families downtown in the Hampton Park and Wagener Terrace areas who would probably welcome a Montessori School nearby.

[meks]

there are already a couple of them here, one's called Trinity and it's in West Ashley... I'm not sure what the other is called

that style of activity learning tends to put a child behind some once they try to get into a traditional school, they don't seem to be able to catch up that well... even in ChasCo's lousy school system

but maybe there are different styles within that system

[In the Pines]

I absolutely disagree, meks. My son has been in a Montessori school for the past 3 years and is way ahead of his Dorchester II public school counterparts. He was doing multiplication and division in kindergarten! He just finished first grade and tests at least two grade levels ahead of the SC state standards. He was evaluated by a doctor who specializes in gifted children and his recommendation was for my son to stay in Montessori so he would be allowed to pursue higher academics that the public school could not provide.

Montessori schools are wonderful b/c they allow each child to work at their own level and to take an active part in learning. I adore the Montessori style and do not think it's puts children behind except in that they have to learn to turn off their natural curiousity somewhat in order to fit in a public school classroom. I'm not saying anything bad about public schools. But, I am defending Montessori.

I think another Montessori school would be wonderful - particulary one that specalizes in early education.

[meks]

Originally Posted by In the Pines

I absolutely disagree, meks. My son has been in a Montessori school for the past 3 years and is way ahead of his Dorchester II public school counterparts. He was doing multiplication and division in kindergarten! He just finished first grade and tests at least two grade levels ahead of the SC state standards. He was evaluated by a doctor who specializes in gifted children and his recommendation was for my son to stay in Montessori so he would be allowed to pursue higher academics that the public school could not provide.

Montessori schools are wonderful b/c they allow each child to work at their own level and to take an active part in learning. I adore the Montessori style and do not think it's puts children behind except in that they have to learn to turn off their natural curiousity somewhat in order to fit in a public school classroom. I'm not saying anything bad about public schools. But, I am defending Montessori.

I think another Montessori school would be wonderful - particulary one that specalizes in early education.

I'm glad to hear your child is doing so well!

but I'm sure it's different from child to child, I know the few children that have came to our kids school after being in one of those schools were way behind ours... the staff had their hands full trying to figure out how or if they could catch up

a fellow worker of my wife's children also go to one, and they freely admit that their kids are behind others but are OK with it because it's a different style of learning that they approve of anyway... they actually even said that one of their kids really didn't accomplish much the entire past year, but that too was somehow ok...

beats me, different strokes for different folks

whatever's working for you

[In the Pines]

It most likely depends on the particular Montessori school a child attends and the abilities of each child.

The Montessori in Summerville is excellent - due to not only a great staff but also families that demand higher standards for their children. I think the "tone" of the school means a lot and some places, I'm sure, focus on things besides academics. Montessori education stresses harmony in living and balance with nature, etc. Perhaps some schools skew heavily towards this and less towards academics? I was very pleased with the one in Summerville b/c it does an excellent job of both.

Also, since it's largely self paced, a child who moves from Montessori to public schools and is behind may actually have been behind even if public school was their first school because of that child's particular needs for learning.

Montessori education isn't for everyone, for sure. Some kids need more structure in the classroom. Several of my son's classmates moved onto public school and did fine - but they were the ones who mostly used Montessori as a place for socialization.

Perhaps we need better Montessori education in Charleston if children are leaving a Montessori and are ill equipped for public schools? That's a thought for anyone proposing to open a new school.

[lindakl]

Hi Friends,

Thank you very much for your response. I appreciate your enthusiasm for a top tier Montessori school and I hope to also build a program from toddlers through elementary with a special emphasis on gifted children as well. I currently have a program in another state and my program does have a long waiting list. I have no more room to grow and I would love to start a school in NC or SC or Virginia. I am trying to determine the interest and market for such a school in all three states as well as look for a church or other facility that may have space to rent.

It is true that Montessori schools are very different from each other. I do not find that my children have any problems when they transition to traditional schools. I have had one child skip first grade and go directly to second grade at a private school after leaving my program. I just started a new class today for the summer. My children plus the children from the community can attend in the summer. I noticed the new children lacked many skills that my children have already. My fine arts specialists also tell me that other programs they teach in are not developing children with listening skills and the ability to follow directions and stay on task. My children do very well with all these skills. They also are strong academically, have excellent social skills and leadership skills. Many Montessori schools forget to develop the whole child. They may also not offer authentic Montessori education and water it down. Research shows that children who have an authentic Montessori education have better outcomes in later years both academically and socially.

If you know of any churches with space in an area you would recommend, I would be extremely grateful. I already have a new complete set of Montessori materials and furniture. I would welcome the help of parents that are interested in a unique school that offers not only quality Montessori but Fine Arts and French or Spanish Immersion and toddler through elementary classes.

I have a BS in Early childhood, an MAED in Montessori education, an MAED in Adult Educaton, State and Montessori certification and a PhD in Education.

Thanks again to all of you who value Montessori and also to those of you that entered the discussion that have reason to be concerned. I hear the same concern from many parents every day. Please look at more than one school to see the differences. My families frequently come from other Montessori schools.

Thanks again to all of you who value early education and developmental reading and, most of all, the talents and gifts of every child!

Linda Klages
PhD AMS

[Browsing Duo]

Many young couples buy--downtown--in the Hampton Park and Wagener Terrace area only to move out to West Ashley and Mount Pleasant when their children reach preschool age. Just as there are houses being rehabbed in this gentrifying area, there are probably some available churches with space for your Montessori school. Good luck.

[Lemur2004]

I think that as a growing metropolis it's crazy that Charleston has NO schools with French or Spanish immersion programs.

[OleTomCat]

Charleston is having a problem with English Immersion.......