Kingswood Montessori vs AB Combs (home, magnet school, moving)

[Ellen Pitts]

I just got a notice that I have until Monday at 5:00 to remove my child from our 1st choice magnet. After visiting Kingswood (which we got into) for the second time, (didn't love it the first time around) I'm less sure about my first choice, Combs, although I LOVED it when I was there. Since that time I'm feeling like Montessori might work better for my child because he does better when given choices about what to work on.

IIRC, Combs uses a student driven style of education where the students have the opportunity to give input into their lesson plans. I like the "choice within limits" style of Montessori, but I also realize that Kingswood is a newly minted Montessori school with the model only implemented this year in K-2 and moving into the 3-5 classrooms next year. I'm wondering if the Combs model will give me the same things I like about Montessori...a little bit of student freedom and input into their education.

I would love to hear any input about these two schools that will help me decide if we should drop off the list or not. The Principal at Combs said we have a pretty good chance of getting in based on our waitlist number.

[SFspiderman]

Kingswood is our base (we have a 1st grader) and we tried to get him into Combs as a kindergartner, but weren't selected. We were impressed with what we saw of Combs, but it's hard to say too much just based on a couple visits.

We've been thrilled with Kingswood...staff there is excellent, although there are some challenges to student performance including socioeconomics, the transient nature of the population (historically one-third of student body turns over every year, but with new Montessori magnet in the mix that should stabilize a bit), and plenty of ESL students.

The Montessori program seems to be working pretty well, although I'm not sure it's the best fit for our kid...he does better with structure, but he's learning and enjoying himself. At least early in the year, they were still easing into the Montessori aspects...feel like some of the parents who came over from Poe felt like it was Montessori enough. Not sure how they're feeling at this point in the year.

[Ellen Pitts]

Originally Posted by SFspiderman

Kingswood is our base (we have a 1st grader) and we tried to get him into Combs as a kindergartner, but weren't selected. We were impressed with what we saw of Combs, but it's hard to say too much just based on a couple visits.

We've been thrilled with Kingswood...staff there is excellent, although there are some challenges to student performance including socioeconomics, the transient nature of the population (historically one-third of student body turns over every year, but with new Montessori magnet in the mix that should stabilize a bit), and plenty of ESL students.

The Montessori program seems to be working pretty well, although I'm not sure it's the best fit for our kid...he does better with structure, but he's learning and enjoying himself. At least early in the year, they were still easing into the Montessori aspects...feel like some of the parents who came over from Poe felt like it was Montessori enough. Not sure how they're feeling at this point in the year.

Thanks for the feedback. That's very helpful. Man I wish I didn't have to make a decision on this one. Want to keep my options open!

Would to hear feedback about Combs.

[SFspiderman]

Gah...I need to amend the last part of my post for a typo.

...feel like some of the parents who came over from Poe felt like it wasn't Montessori enough.

Big difference in meaning!

[Ellen Pitts]

Originally Posted by SFspiderman

Gah...I need to amend the last part of my post for a typo.



Big difference in meaning!

[mimigana]

I know several Combs parents. They are all very happy with the school. The principal and the teachers are excellent. Lots of electives. Combs is also supposed to be the best magnet school in US. I also have a friend whose kid was in Kingswood. She said many of the electives were not available due to lack of interests. Given the choice, I'd choose Combs over Kingswood. Just my 2 cents.

[goodbyesnow]

I don't personally know much, but I can tell you that the year I taught in Wake they were going to follow the Combs model because it was such a great school. I know the school is mentioned in a book we had to read about the 7 habits of highly effective learners.
As a former educator who never taught in a Montessori school, I can say that from MY experience, more transient populations seem to do better with more structure, which Montessori is not. If a majority of the students are there from before it was Montessori, I would personally be concerned given the student body. I taught all of my years in low socioeconomic schools and have found time and again that these kids are often lacking structure at home and need it at school. So, if their parents didnt place them there for a montessori program, I'd be concerned how they were doing with the learning environment.
From what I heard over and over about Combs, I'd chose that school in a minute. The 7 habits approach to learning is a very positive, student-centered philosophy that appears to bring results, partially due to student ownership of their education and choices. .

[jbny2076]

We toured Kingswood last year and ended up choosing Combs. Combs has a great reputation and is a solid school. They just won Best Magnet in the country. Only school to do it twice, if i recall. Some great electives and a education for our daughter so far.

[Ellen Pitts]

Originally Posted by goodbyesnow

I don't personally know much, but I can tell you that the year I taught in Wake they were going to follow the Combs model because it was such a great school. I know the school is mentioned in a book we had to read about the 7 habits of highly effective learners.
As a former educator who never taught in a Montessori school, I can say that from MY experience, more transient populations seem to do better with more structure, which Montessori is not. If a majority of the students are there from before it was Montessori, I would personally be concerned given the student body. I taught all of my years in low socioeconomic schools and have found time and again that these kids are often lacking structure at home and need it at school. So, if their parents didnt place them there for a montessori program, I'd be concerned how they were doing with the learning environment.
From what I heard over and over about Combs, I'd chose that school in a minute. The 7 habits approach to learning is a very positive, student-centered philosophy that appears to bring results, partially due to student ownership of their education and choices. .

This is really the most important aspect of the education for me. I have always found that kids learn better and are more engaged when they are making choices about there education.

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm leaving him on the waiting list at Combs. :-)

[goodbyesnow]

Fingers crossed for you (and him)