This is one parent’s opinion on why they chose The Montessori School (formerly New Horizons Montessori School). Help other parents–take five minutes to complete an anonymous survey to tell PSS and our readers about your school choice!
Date Submitted: 3/23/2011
What school did you decide on? The Montessori School, formerly New Horizons Montessori School
Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2003 and 2008
Grade your children entered/will enter Preschool and Toddler
What neighborhood are you in? NW Philly
What schools did you consider? We looked at Greentowne Montessori, Gladwyne Montessori, Wyndmoor Montessori and New Horizons Montessori (now called The Montessori School)
What factors were most important to you? Reputation, Teaching Philosophy, Teacher Quality, Diversity, Montessori
What first attracted you to the school? We were first attracted by the school’s reputation. We were interested in Montessori education, and were told that quality of Montessori schools varied widely and this was a great schools with experienced teachers.
What were the critical factors that led to your choice? The level of education is amazing. At age five, my son was telling me a story and he set the story in Paraguay. When I asked him if he even knew where that was, he said, “Sure – it is in Central America next to Uruguay.” The math curriculum is astounding. Kids learn multiplication and division (using hands-on manipulatives) by the time they leave kindergarten. The social studies curriculum has a global focus – children learn about factors that influence world peace (or lack thereof) at an early age. Kids learn about the fundamental needs of people and how they meet these needs in different countries. They settle their own disputes from the time they are two years old at a peace table, possibly moderated by an older student, but that is not always needed. Children are taught to be independent from the time they are 18 months old. They are also taught “grace and courtesy” which goes a long way to contributing to the peaceful culture at this school.
Did you relocate in order to choose this school? Yes
On the political spectrum, I consider myself to be democrat
Please share anything else about your experience If you have two working parents – know that the school has before care from 7:30 and aftercare until 6:00. During aftercare, there are electives such as robotics, gardening, chess, and pottery. There is a great piano teacher who offers piano lessons at the school and they just started violin lessons as well. The campus is beautiful – located on a bunch of acres with nature trails and streams. The kids do get dirty doing stream walks – this is not a school for the faint of heart, laundry-wise. Their is a toddler program starting at 18 months and they do the heavy lifting on potty training the kids. Tuition is way lower than most of the other common private, non-religious schools. School goes thru sixth grade.
This is one parent’s opinion on why they chose New Horizons Montessori School. Help other parents–take five minutes to complete an anonymous survey to tell PSS and our readers about your school choice!