Vancouver Montessori School--A better choice for early childhood education and development in the greater Vancouver/Portland area.

If you have decided to send your child to Montessori, we commend you! You have made a choice that will bring long-lasting benefits. However, now you face the dilemma of choosing the right Montessori school. This is a big decision and a commitment of several years. Since no two schools in the area are exactly alike you will want to do some investigating.

Below are some questions to help you make a solid evaluation. After you have done your "homework" you will know that you made the best choice for your child's all-important early childhood education.

Does the school have certified teachers?

Unfortunately, since the name is not copyrighted, anyone can call their program a "Montessori" school. Find out whether the teachers are AMI certified. AMI trained teachers help to ensure that a school's philosophy and practice are true to Montessori principles. Ask what training and education teachers have had. Have the teacher's assistants received training? Does the school promote continuing teacher education?

Is the physical appearance of the school clean and inviting? Does the atmosphere feel right to you and your child?

What is your immediate reaction when you see the school and walk through the doors? Do you feel welcomed by the faces of staff members you encounter? If your strongest impression from people around is that you don't belong there, you probably don't.

Do the children you see appear content?

The sight of children squabbling loudly on the playground would certainly not make a good impression, but it would also not necessarily portend a poor classroom environment. Be sure to visit a classroom, or several if possible, to gain a true picture of the school. If you are told a classroom visit is impossible, even if arranged in advance, you may assume the school's attitude toward parents in general is guarded.

In the classroom, is there a diverse range of academic materials in use and on the shelves?

See if the classroom seems to be equipped with materials in a broad range of subjects. Then check to see if a variety of subjects are currently being pursued. If the only materials in use are math works, for example, there may be excessive emphasis on that subject, perhaps to the exclusion of others.

Does the teacher seem to enjoy the work and the time spent with the children?

If the adults in the class seem immersed in paperwork there may be something amiss. Typically, the teachers are very active in the classroom, giving lessons, addressing problems and observing students. If the teachers and assistants genuinely love the classroom and their active role in it, then your child probably will too.

What is the teacher turnover rate?

One of the strong points of Montessori education is that a child has three years to develop a strong individual relationship with the teacher. That continuity may suffer if turnover rates are high.

What do other parents have to say about the school?

Ask for the names of parents to call as references. When calling a parent, make a list of questions, including some probing, open-ended ones. Get them to tell you what they like most and least about the school.