I think the pros of the Montessori program at the preschool level are that it teaches life-long skills and the fun of learning and personal responsibility vs. just arts & crafts and playing all day as many other preschools are. Through their choice of "work" the kids can learn at their own pace, and the way math and reading are taught is very intuitive. We thought about having our kids at Montessori for preschool & Kindergarten, switching to public school in 1st grade.

It would certainly get your child off to a great start to be in the Montessori program. It all depends on the school, too. Definitely visit and see whether you get a good feeling about the place. (We recently visited one near us and were so surprised to just not get a good feeling there.) Try to get parent references too, they can reveal a lot that you wouldn't discover from the school tour! Good luck!

Thanks:)

I have an observation scheduled - but that is good advice to seek out parent feedback.

We will be sending T to a Montessori preschool and then off to public school for K.  (Though our neighborhood elementary school has a Montessori program for the first few years if you apply and can get into it, and I'd consider that route in a few years.)  I like idea of having T learn what she wants at her own pace.  She will always be among the oldest in her class due to her birthday and I worried about her getting bored with the 2s room at a traditional daycare/preschool when she starts at almost 3.  The preschool we're sending her to has mixed-age classrooms and I think she'll thrive in that more challenging environment.

I'm not really worried about transitioning her to "regular" school in a few years.  Even if she gets used to going at her own pace, I think she'll still be able to transition to a teacher-led classroom when that's what the group of kids is doing.  I suspect that by K she'll be in at least occasional group activities where she'll have to follow a teacher rather than do her own thing.

I don't know that being in one school for a long time is that big a deal pro or con.  I went to the same school for preschool through 6th and if anything I was overdue for a new challenge by the end.

we are hoping that DD gets into the Montessori school. I really liked the educational approach and learned a lot from our observation and interviews. The school we are looking at does go through 6th grade and our current plan is to keep her there through kindergarten and then see what would be the best fit.

I am curious about the Catholic Montessori because I thought part of the Montessori philosophy was a religion neutral education.

Apparently you pay seperatly for religious instruction - you can opt in or opt out - maybe that is how they do it.  It is AMA certified though.

I guess the question for me really is what we are going to do long term - if I want him in a montessori for grade school or not...I am probably overthinking this!

Amy&Steve0421:

Apparently you pay seperatly for religious instruction - you can opt in or opt out - maybe that is how they do it.  It is AMA certified though.

I guess the question for me really is what we are going to do long term - if I want him in a montessori for grade school or not...I am probably overthinking this!

Thanks for responding because I was curious :-) I have totally over thought the school issue too and we just decided to see how this first cycle goes and if everyone is happy, we might keep her there.

Both of my girls, ages 3 and 5, go to a Montessori preschool that goes through Kindergarten.  We were sure that DD #1 would go to public school for K, but just recently made the decision for her to do her K year at the Montessori school starting this Fall.

We haven't considered Montessori at the elementary school level, because she'll definitely go to 1rst grade at public school (and her younger sister and brother will likely go to the same Mont. school through K - then go on to public school).  However, in an ideal world, I'd have a ton of money and have that as an option to consider.  I definitely would think about it.

I've heard stories both ways - that kids transition no problem to public school or to university, and that kids had a terrible time transitioning (specifically thinking of one family whose daughter went to Mont. through 3rd grade, and started 4th grade year in public school - it was painful - but that's just that kid).

IMO there is no way to decide about whether Mont. is good for your kid to do in the upper grades until your kiddo starts at that school.  Why not sign kiddo up for preschool there (I've found it a common notion that Mont. is great at least at the preschool level - upper grades, there is more debate). 

I don't think you're overthinking it, I just don't think you don't have enough info to make an decisions until your kid starts at a Mont. school somewhere.  If it were me, I'd start them in the Mont. school that goes to grade 12 and see how it goes - keep them there, take them out, at least you have the option, and probably enrollment preference, if you decide to stay.

Also, ask about the teacher training - in my preschool search I found many preschool programs that claimed they were Montessori, but really weren't because the teachers hadn't had the extensive training (and continuing education) to really call themselves Montessori teachers.  I think some folks use the term loosely.