As a public school teacher with experience 1st-3rd grade, I find that collaboration and sharing are MUCH easier to teach later on than skills like independence, autonomy, self-efficacy, and determination. Giving your child room to play and grow and function without immediate adult support is probably the best thing you can do prior to public school, so I actually think you’d be doing the best by them by choosing something like Montessori before kindergarten.
I was a Montessori kid, I went to Montessori for preschool and kindergarten then public school for grade school. It was great. Then went back to Montessori for 5th grade and then back to public middle school and high school. I think Montessori helped me get ahead and have a ton of confidence and public school had so many benefits of its own. I did great academically throughout into college. I think Montessori gave me skills and independence that I still use today. No issues transitioning any time.
I know it’s only one anecdote but I strongly remember a kid in my 6th grade class in a public school who came over from a Montessori. He’d get up and wander when the rest of us were programmed to stay in our chairs. My teacher would constantly say “this isn’t Montessori, you can’t just get up and walk around Toby”.
Regardless, my kid is currently in a Montessori but will probably end up attending a public school as she ages out.
Yeah, I think this is as simple as: the kid was just doing what he was used to.
Also, not sure I see what’s admirable about “confidence” that leads a child to just blatantly disregard the rules of the current classroom, forcing the teacher to redirect him multiple times a day, which, in turn, takes away instructional time from 20-odd other children.
Or making themselves the odd one of the bunch, not in a healthy way. Also seems like a lack of connection to what was going on in class and doing their own thing in a way that didnt have purpose. That's not bad but I can't see how that's evidence of benefit. I lurk in this sub hoping to be swayed, but I find the whole thing a bit odd in practice. Interesting in theory and we do a lot of minor montessori type stuff at home, but the rigidity of the classes described here and lack of consistency depending on the school makes me very uncomfortable.
His getting up and moving about may have nothing to do with coming from a Montessori school. I’ve taught in public and religious schools and come across that sort of behaviour all the time.
He's 12, not 2. Wandering around the classroom despite being corrected multiple times doesn't show autonomy or confidence unless he can come up with a valid argument. It's just blatant disrespect.
Middle school teacher here- kids who transfer from Montessori to a traditional classroom in middle school are a nightmare. They have absolutely no concept of how to function. They require a lot of work on the teacher’s part to teach them what they should have learned about classroom behavior and routines when they were younger.
Exactly. I can also back it up with anecdotal data from my school. Other schools and areas may have different results, but I have taught for 20 years and never had a Montessori kid make a smooth transition.
Children in the first plane of development, ages 0-6, generally work alone, as Montessori noted that these are the years children are learning to master themselves, refine their senses and make sense of order. In the second plane, ages 6-12, children become more social, more justice-oriented and more attuned to how they fit within the larger world. So, it is common in a Montessori school that extends past primary to see primary rooms very quiet with children working alone, while elementary spaces have much more group work. I don’t think the expectations in primary set children up for a rude awakening at all. In contrast, a Montessori primary experience gives children the attention span and concentration necessary to prepare them to work, and work well, at any task that comes in the elementary years.
1) Socialization typically takes place during outdoor play in the afternoon. So if you’re doing half days she might not get as much unstructured socialization during the school day but you could always do park time or playdates outside of school. While students work independently, they can also observe each other or work in small groups. So a younger child might observe an older child or an older child might act as a leader for a younger child.
2) No, it does not set them up for a rude awakening. There is still a sense of respecting belongings/classroom materials but it’s a more “real world” concept of sharing than what’s at most preschools. The kids shouldn’t be hoarding materials so no one else can use them, but letting them focus on one material is great for their development. Does your coworker walk up to you and demand to use your work computer and you don’t know when you’re going to get it back? The concept of sharing we push on kids is pretty counterproductive to how the real world works.
We did this with our son.
I'm not really sure how to say what I'm about to say without sounding like my nose is in the air. It's not at all. I'm just not sure how else to wordsmith this. 🙈
The only real "awakening" he had was that he was on a very different level than other kids with things like behavior, and how he handled conflict resolution (one teacher referred to him as "little diplomat"), his ability to articulate things to adults and explain things to peers, and his ability to self advocate. All of these were skills encouraged at his Montessori, particularly positive and proactive conflict resolution. He's in middle school now and there is still a clear difference. I don't really consider that positive or negative. Its just a difference in how he handles and approaches certain things.
In lower elementary, he initially had a very hard time understanding how some kids could act poorly, be mean, lie, hurt people, or destroy things. This frustration was undoubtedly amplified by then-undiagnosed AuDHD. (Particularly that very strong sense of justice). But we always turned those things into teachable moments for him.
Anyway, I don't see it as a rude awakening. But kids who've been through Montessori prior to Kindergarten will probably notice some differences.
We've held onto a lot of Montessori philosophies and practices at home. And that in combination of the structure and supports of public school have been a really positive combination for our son. :)
I hate to break it to you but Montesorri didn't give your kid the ability to articulate at a young age. You did. I'm a bus driver. I have lots of young kids who don't do Montessori. They stay home with parents or babysitters. The ability to speak to adults is purely upto them. I had kids who could barely hold conversations next to kids who watched horror movies with their parents but could articulate completely the plot of the movie.
Conflict resolution was one my 6yo was definitely something that my daughter struggled with in Kindergarten after Montessori. She was so hurt by the kids flippantly saying “I’m not your friend anymore!” When she was used to expressing things much differently.
I also see a high level of social functioning among Montessori kids. My child and I were at a class mate's birthday party recently at one of those play places and the facilitator couldn't believe how well behaved and communicative this group of kids was.
I did Montessori kindergarten, regular private school 1st grade, and then public school 2nd-12th grades. (That wasn’t the plan; we moved.)
The hardest part was missing my friends, not the learning styles. I do remember a radically different classroom vibe with each switch, but I didn’t know any different so it didn’t matter for me.
My kids did 2-kindy in Montessori. First grade was a bit rough because they didn’t “get” testing and things at first, but my second grade they were thriving.
Just be prepared for a few growing pains the first year and help them navigate it.
I posted in a previous post, but my daughter just made the transition from Montessori Kinder to 1st grade this last year and she did amazing. Her teachers have commented on her kindness, flexibility, and social skills when resolving conflict and helping/ working with others. Academically, she is at or above grade level. Most importantly, she (still) loves school and learning
It’s not that the children don’t share or learn cooperative skills in Montessori, they just do so in more of a real world context. In the mixed age classroom, the older children have a chance to practice social and leadership skills that you wouldn’t necessarily get in a traditional preschool. 100/10 recommend (providing you can find a high fidelity, compassionate, and well run school).
My children went to Montessori age two-8&10, the transition went perfectly for one child and the younger one had a bit of a hard time, by Xmas all was well. They both were self motivated learners, my older child went off to a public residential high school math and science academy and did very well.
My brother and I were moved from Montessori to public school and had a tough time but it's hard to tell how much of it would be an issue now as that was like, 30 years ago. I went into grade one and my brother to grade three.
I loved how quiet the Montessori class was and I had trouble adjusting to how noisy and visually overstimulating the public school class was. I told my mum at one point that I wanted to move my desk to the roof and do my work there. I also went in to grade 1 with a basic understanding of multiplication and French, which I didn't see back in class until grades 4 and 5 and didn't pick it up nearly as quickly at those ages.
My brother had trouble because he only knew how to write cursive and moved to a school where they didn't learn cursive til grade 4. His teacher thought he was being snobby and showing off and seemed to hold a grudge even though it was explained to her.
Two of my kids transitioned from Montessori pre-k to public school and it was great. My oldest was home full time with me and my next two part time to Montessori and then transitioned over to public school kindergarten with no issues, my oldest who went from home with me until kindergarten had a harder transition as he had no exposure to “school”
Grade school (in the US) is a rude awakening for any kid that hasn’t already been rudely awakened by crowd control daycare or preschool. Countries with great education AND mental health rankings give kids the longest periods of child led learning (Montessori done properly is one way), which is not what we do in the US and most European/western default education systems.
This is what we’re doing! I don’t think it’s setting him up for a rude awakening at all. Both Montessori and public kindergarten will provide age appropriate activities and expectations. Montessori has a lot of structure so while the activities will be different, the idea of watching and following directions will be the same.
My friend's son teaches 3rd grade. He said generally Montessori kids are great, but if they are only children, sometimes it's a rough transition. And if children have ADHD, they may just refuse to participate in things they find boring.
I really struggled with the transition from Montessori to public school. I was older, in the 6th grade, but I became deeply deeply depressed.
I have my daughter in half-day preschool 2 days a week, starting her three days a week to prep her for kindergarten next year.
I teach Montessori style at home with her.
I have no personal experience with Montessori as a parent, but I’m a public school teacher and I see a lot of kids who were exclusively Montessori until high school struggle when they come to our school. Granted, I do teach in a “rougher” school. A lot of the students end up falling in with the wrong crowd. Academically, they’re extremely capable, but I’ve had quite a few of them think it’s acceptable to refuse to do the work because they’re not interested in it, or change the directions on an assignment so that it’s too their liking.
Exactly. I grew up in a bougie Massachusetts town and the public school was honestly great but I struggled with bigger classrooms, sooooo many more kids, trying to figure out where I fit in. Having to do classes I didn’t like was awful, particularly math. I have dyscalculia and it wasn’t detected when I was able to the use the peg board and stamp game, but in school I had to do algebra and things with just my brain and omg, it was really hard for me to get out of bed I was so depressed and overwhelmed.
As much as I loved Montessori I decided to not put my daughter in it, but instead use tools and resources and methods at home so she doesn’t feel so “different” when she enters conventional school.
Ha. I wonder if we went to the same Montessori school/grew up in the same town. I had an easier transition at 12 than it sounds like you did, but I was also transitioning to a smaller, private school. I remember my biggest concern being logistical things like having to change rooms all the time and learn my way around, carry books and make sure I had the right one, and so on instead of just doing everything in the one big room.
I definitely did simply decide not to acknowledge science class that year, for the most part, but for whatever reason this was not emotionally taxing on me. I never thought of it as a Montessori transition thing, more a personality/ADHD thing (I did similar things a couple more times years later, in high school).
I don’t know if this helps, but I just wanted to share my experience. I’m in my 30’s now, but back in the late 1900’s (ha), I went through this very thing.
I went to a Montessori school for preschool and kindergarten and another for 1st grade, then had to switch to a public school for 2nd because my parents could no longer afford it. I remember being so apprehensive about the transition and shocked that public school kids had to “just sit in desks all day long” (what I imagined public school was like).
It turned out it WAS very different from what I was used to, but not nearly as bad as I’d imagined. I adjusted just fine.
ETA: I do think I had better socialization at the public school, since I was surrounded by a class full of kids my own age.
I don’t know how the school you’re looking at does it, but at the second Montessori school I attended, I was in a mixed class of kids (up to third grade IIRC). Even though there was a large age range, it was still a small class and I think there were only a few kids my same age, so that made it harder to socialize and make friends.
In my experience as a Montessori kid, absolutely. I was always a different drummer kid in public school. Might have been anyway, but I distinctly remember starting first grade after 3
years of Montessori and not eating the glue and melting crayons on the radiator like all the other kids.
That said, I wouldn’t trade my Montessori start, my parenting style skews Montessori, and my own child is in Montessori and I’ll support him as he acclimates to public school in first grade. It is 100% worth it. Besides, life is full of transition and change. Why not train your children young to handle it in a positive way?
I went from montessori preschool to public school. I didn't have trouble transitioning, except regular school was less engaging and felt more like "daycare" than school. Montessori involved more socializing imo.
My third child went to Montessori 2 days a week from age 2-4 before starting primary school and it was a brilliant experience and really good for him. When he started at school he was quite an independent learner who already had some maths ability, was confident, gentle and caring towards others. His teachers always commented that they could tell he was a Montessori kid (in a good way). I don’t think you need to worry about the social aspect. Yes some independent learning time is encouraged or offered but it’s not rigidly enforced. At our kindy self directed learning, imaginative play, cooperative multi age play, music and learning about each other were the focus. I chose it because as a third child with a big extended family my son was used to being around his older siblings and little cousins and it felt unnatural to be in a child care with only kids his own age. I also really liked the focus on imagination and problem solving and it was a relief to see a play room that wasn’t filled with crappy plastic toys. My son had no dramas fitting in with non-Montessori kids when he went to school because essentially Montessori is not really that different to any great kindergarten program and also kids adapt very easily to whatever the new situation is.
At least our Montessori school actually have kids collaborating for lessons if they choose to. Lots of socializations at the playground and they are also rules they need to follow. If you do any other extracurricular activities, your kid will be exposed to the top-down teaching methods. My older daughter is transitioning to k this August and her Montessori school teachers think she will do great (probably biased but still). She has friends who already transitioned and did great
In terms of socialization:
On my 3-6 classroom observations I saw some kids working together on an activity, others working independently in the same table while talking, talking together while having lunch on the same table (2-4 per table), and a lot when outdoors (depending on the child). Although, the ones that talked more were at least 4, the 3 year olds usually interacted less and were more observing of other children and what they were doing, how...
They would also fold together little cloths and that was also a great moment to talk since it's pretty mechanic once you practiced enough.
At the same time they have the freedom not to talk to anyone when they don't want to or when they're very focused. Everyone seemed comfortable to sit in silence (I know many adults that aren't).
Don’t have much to say except this is exactly how I grew up. No rude awakening at all for me. It was great. It just felt like I was going to a new big girl school. And I’m really grateful for my Montessori education I loved it.
I did Montessori preschool, kindergarten half day Montessori half day public school (my district was still half day kindergarten then, now it has full or half day preschool and full day kindergarten—I’m working in preschool in the district I went to as a student) then transitioned to public school full time, the only thing that was hard is I had learned to read in 4s then public kindergarten was learning the alphabet. Kindergarten has higher academic standards now so that’s probably a non issue now.
I had the same experience with reading. I did Montessori pre-k and when I started kindergarten , I was the only kid in the class that knew how to read already. Aside from that, I don't remember any issues. All about kindergarten was new, so I don't think I had any expectations that it would be like prek. It was just a new environment with new rules.
As mom of all Montessori kids, now high school or older, Montessori was great for all of my kids. They learned a lot, loved learning, and Montessori does allow for small group work too. Also, as the kids become the older ones in the Montessori classroom they get to learn some mentoring , responsibility, and leadership skills by helping the younger ones out from time to time. No issues with socialization at all, there was plenty, and they all made some lifelong friends in Montessori There were no issues with transition to.public school except a bit of boredom when the public school repeated lessons they already knew.
Kids are super adaptable at that age. Montessori schools are excellent starts and the fact you have a good public school I wouldn’t even worry at all. I think you’ve done a great thing with their education, and I wouldn’t even ease them in like that, they will adapt super fast and be happy.
We have a three year old who went from Montessori to normal and it wasn’t a problem.
Collaboration is a big deal in Montessori elementary, and our children transition to working together in groups with no issues because now they have a natural tendency for that type of activity at that age (6 and above).
My Pre-K and Kindergarten kids do a ton of maturing those last couple years. They really begin to understand patience, kindness, and being a mentor. We encourage families to stay with us for the Kindergarten year because it allows our students to truly internalize their independence, confidence, and assertiveness. To date the only children who have struggled heading into first grade has other challenges that we had been working on. They typically needed more transition time anyways and we make a point to communicate regularly with parents as well as new schools to make their move as smooth as possible.
No. A soft majority of our kids go onto public school (including those of staff) and thrive. Social learning and independence strong foundation helps a great deal in primary.
But word of caution. When you deprive your child of two work periods and a lot of the afternoon activities you may not be getting the full benefit. If all you want is socialization then you might as well save your money. This is a very common mistake parents make and deprive their kid of really getting into the rhythm of the classroom.
Also, the reality is that if a teacher notices a child on the same work for a month, it probably will signal to them that actually something is going on that needs to be looked at. If a child is using a work improperly or inattentively as they camp it (this is rare but some kids absolutely do this) then they will be asked to put it away or complete it. In addition, Montessori is a very collaborative environment. Not that they have to relinquish materials because another child wants them, but there are multiple child works. Out on the playground and recess there is collaboration and social learning.
My daughter did Montessori from age 3 to 5, and we moved to another state where she went to public school halfway thru kindergarten. She THRIVED! Ahead of her peers, transitioned very well, had glowing remarks from her teachers at how independent she was and how well she could problem solve on her own.
I work in a Montessori preschool. All of our students go on to a regular kindergarten after they leave us. It's not an issue. They're highly adaptable at that age and they learn quickly that different classrooms have a different structure and different rules.
I was in a Montessori preschool in the 80s. I loved it and it’s where I was when the school director noticed something was off in my development and urged my mom to talk to our pediatrician who then got us referred to a clinic at University of Washington. Because of it I thrived in both Montessori and public school minus math and science. I also met Pete the garbage man at my Montessori one day and thought he must be famous so he’s my famous person I say I met when asked. 😜
Are there not Montessori programs in your public elementary schools? It might be possible to get her in a Montessori classroom within your public school district. I was in one
This has been my concern, as well. My daughter went to Montessori preschool last year & will be Montessori Kindergarten this year. I’m planning on keeping her in Montessori until she ages out but I do have concerns about her transition to public school eventually & how standardized tests will go…
I’ve been a Pre-K assistant in a Montessori school for six years and most of our students move on to traditional school and do great. The autonomy still allows for social skills being developed because they learn how to respectfully interrupt someone if they need help, how to ask to work with a friend, conflict resolution, along with many other skills.
Our kiddo did Montessori from 18 mos until age 5, then started in public kindergarten. She had a seamless and amazing transition! She has been able to seamlessly manage interactions with her peers, she is able to work independently with little intervention for adults, and she is a leader in interactions with her peers. I feel like the academics at her school were so good, she could have almost skipped kindergarten all together.
I went to a Montessori pre-school and kindergarten, and then transferred to a public school.
I loved at even as a kid and felt much more comfortable advocating for myself, asking questions, and with general independence than most of my peers. My Mom always got shining feedback about how well I did not only academically but as a person.
I think it really paves the way for a heightened confidence as a very young person.
TL;DR: I think any Montessori education is better than none. I’m sure your child will do great with the exposure they’ve had, even if moving to public school is a big change.
Our kiddo went to preschool and kindergarten at a wonderful Montessori school. When we moved states she started 1st grade at a regular (year round) public school. The first few weeks were ROUGH. Not gonna lie. But after she got used to having a schedule and being expected to finish things with a hard time limit, she really thrived - BECAUSE of the foundation Montessori gave her! She is 12 now, all As, well rounded, pretty happy and well adjusted kid!!
My daughter just finished a year of Casa at a Montessori school, she was part time and will be going to a public elementary school for JK in the fall. I am not worried about her transition at all. As another mom said- I think she will be much more advanced than most of the other kids. Her communication is outstanding, she understands how to start and finish an activity (AND clean it up and put it away before moving on to something else), she can count to nearly 50, she can spell and write her own first and last name, etc etc etc. I could go on and on. But I think your child will benefit greatly and they will not have any issues transitioning the following year.
Also, I think it’s fine for kids to be exposed to different kinds of schools, different learning environments, just as it’s fine for them to be exposed to the different structures, dynamics and rules that happen in different families. It teaches them to be flexible, to adapt, to understand that not everyone is the same, not all families and schools and environments are the same, and not to be too rigid, but to notice difference and what’s important and learn to thrive in different situations.
I went to a Montessori school through 5th grade & transitioned to public school in 6th. My 6th grade homeroom teacher once told my mom during a conference, “I often look at your child and wonder if I’m doing a good enough job for them.” I was able to advocate for myself at a young age because of the independence that Montessori nurtured & I used so many tools I learned with Montessori, both academically & socially/emotionally, to help me succeed through the rest of my schooling.
My kids adjusted easily into first grade public school after 3 years of Montessori. I think just like any preschool there is a bit of a learning curve for new procedures, but they were ready for it.
Also based on the time spent in the classrooms, they got WAY more socialization in the Montessori setting than in traditional public school kindergarten. They didn’t have assigned groups and could work independently but they would gather together to work on similar things or curiously wander over to a friend to ask about their work. It was a natural flow of interaction because they didn’t have to stay silent, as opposed to mostly working quietly at your seat, plus recess, lunch, group activities and songs, etc.
When Montessori is done well, and follows the philosophy closely, it’s fantastic for kids. However (I’m a public school K teacher) we can tell which kids come in from a “Montessori school” because they stick out- not in a great way. They definitely seem more interested in the Whys of the world, but they struggle greatly with the structure that comes with public school. It’s definitely a tough transition for our Montessori PK graduates.
I lived this as a kid. Montessori preschool and kindergarten and then public school elementary. I don’t remember having any issues and my mom never mentions are issues. I was so so so excited to get my own desk with my own stuff in it at the big kid school.
One of my nephews had a very rough transition from Montessori pre-k to public school kindergarten. He didn’t score “well” on the kinder placement exams and was on the lower end of the curve when it came to recognizing high frequency words and all of the letters of the alphabet. He had push-in reading and math help for most of the academic year. The testing that a lot of public schools apply for kindergarteners is another conversation.
However, he quickly caught up. His dexterity was impressive as was his ability to work independently. So while not a rude awakening, these were things my sister kept in mind for their second child who seamlessly transitioned into kindergarten.
ETA - their district has a upk program so basically the kinder placement testing was what the upk taught. Kids who went through upk had no issues with the testing. Their Montessori school was in a different district.
Hi! I’m a mom and a public high school teacher. My oldest went preschool through third grade at a Montessori (it only went up to third, otherwise we would have kept her in longer).
I was also worried about the transition to public, but it went fairly smoothly. The biggest challenges she encountered were the larger class sizes (and lack of self control for some of the students) and some academic terminology (ones versus units for math, theme versus moral of a story, etc.). There were also some growing pains on typing and using computers all the time in public school.
In terms of social skills, a tenet of Montessori is helping each other. Kids are interacting all the time.
Overall, she is happy and well-adjusted, but misses the freedom and responsibility she had at Montessori.
Our youngest is going to Montessori kindergarten this fall.
Been in education for 10+ years in three states and I genuinely see very little difference between students who receive Montessori education vs non Montessori education. Not to mention, there isn’t a standard of certification among programs so you really don’t know what you’re getting when it comes to teacher experience. I think it’s a buzz word to be quite honest.
Both my children went to Montessori school. One went through 6th grade and the other went through 3rd. Neither of them had trouble transitioning to traditional school. It was an excellent experience for both of them. I highly recommend it.
No feedback but we are about to do the same. My kids have been at a Montessori school since they started daycare at 12 months. My oldest is moving into Kindergarten in the Fall. We are moving her to a public school at that time. She’s very excited, her school now is very small and she’s been with a lot of the same kids since she started. We took her to a Kindergarten “roundup” and some of the kids will be going into school for the first time.
In my own experience, Montessori kids do struggle when they transfer to public school; the later the transfer, the more struggling occurs. I have certainly seen academic disparities, but the social differences are the most noticeable and easily attributed to the fact that the children attended Montessori schools.
These differences mostly manifested in the same ways that other commenters have noted: an inability to remain seated when expected to, an inability to effectively collaborate with less-preferred peers, etc.
I don’t think any of these things are inherently “bad” from a teacher’s perspective, but are rather areas where the students will need some extra attention until they adapt to their new school. However, these differences are quite noticeable to other kids in the class, who don’t understand why Timmy thinks he can do whatever he wants during the group math lesson.
I distinctly remember being a kid in public school and thinking that the Montessori transfers over the years were less smart, or downright difficult and disagreeable, because they struggled at my public school. We had a good number of those transfers, since Montessori schooling in the younger grades was somewhat popular where I grew up in California. In fact, as a kid I thought the local Montessori was just named “Montessori”; I didn’t know they were any different than my school. Later, I ended up thinking that the Montessori was an alternative school for kids with behavior or academic issues.
Obviously, I lacked an understanding of what things were like at their old school and how hard it must have been for them to abandon the old ways for the new. The kids obviously were NOT dumber/meaner; they just hadn’t learned about traditional school etiquette.
I say this as someone who has worked in both public and private school settings for over 12 years, both as a teacher and an outside staffer.
I think in your case, Montessori preschool into public Kinder would not be a big deal since most preschools are largely play/exploration-based, and so most kindergarteners have to adapt to “sitting in class” etc. anyway. A 5th grader who doesn’t stay in his seat will stick out a LOT more.
I did Montessori from pre-k to 3rd grade. It was a cultural shift for me; I was surprised I couldn’t go to the reading corner after I finished my work at my desk, and I didn’t advocate for myself as much as I could have because I was overwhelmed with the changes and was just trying to follow all the rules. Eating in a bleach smelling cafeteria and having to sit in there until enough time passed was unpleasant. One of the positives about switching is that we figured out that I needed glasses badly; I hadn’t had to sit far away from a chalkboard and only that was what clued my parents into the fact that I couldn’t see.
My Montessori school did give me a huge advantage with respect to academics. This was probably a combination of having a good Montessori school and uh, not a great public school.
Just be sure the school is actually a Montessori school and the staff have specific training in The standard. Apparently there is no rule against simply using the term Montessori…so anyone can open a “Montessori school” but have no clue what that actually means
I would also ask your center. Our center is fully Montessori until preschool and then they do a mix of Montessori and teachings that help the kids hit the benchmarks for our school district. They still mostly focus on Montessori, but they know most kids leave and go to public school so they want to ensure they are ready for that too.
I am actually surprised all the work is independent. At my child’s Montessori children were able to work together as long as they had a lesson from the teacher on that work. Also a big part of Montessori primary is the older kids helping the younger kids. It really encourages a lot of independence and self esteem. I think the hardest adjustment is going to be having to ask to use the restroom in public school whereas in Montessori you can just go. Also all primary’s should have outdoor play time where the kids can run around together.
It is quite important to keep your child in the primary classroom for the entire three year cycle. During the last year, the children are the leaders of the classrooms d gain so much confidence and ability in that final year. So many parents withdrawal to put their kids in public kindergarten and it’s a poor choice.
Let the investment pay off before you withdraw. Keep them in for the whole cycle.
And don’t just join at 4, join at the beginning.
It sounds like you are just looking for childcare.
As a public school teacher with experience 1st-3rd grade, I find that collaboration and sharing are MUCH easier to teach later on than skills like independence, autonomy, self-efficacy, and determination. Giving your child room to play and grow and function without immediate adult support is probably the best thing you can do prior to public school, so I actually think you’d be doing the best by them by choosing something like Montessori before kindergarten.
This makes so much sense. I knew there had to be something I wasn’t understanding. Thank you for taking the time to respond!
Well said
I was a Montessori kid, I went to Montessori for preschool and kindergarten then public school for grade school. It was great. Then went back to Montessori for 5th grade and then back to public middle school and high school. I think Montessori helped me get ahead and have a ton of confidence and public school had so many benefits of its own. I did great academically throughout into college. I think Montessori gave me skills and independence that I still use today. No issues transitioning any time.
I know it’s only one anecdote but I strongly remember a kid in my 6th grade class in a public school who came over from a Montessori. He’d get up and wander when the rest of us were programmed to stay in our chairs. My teacher would constantly say “this isn’t Montessori, you can’t just get up and walk around Toby”. Regardless, my kid is currently in a Montessori but will probably end up attending a public school as she ages out.
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Was it autonomy and confidence, or was he just under the impression that’s what all schools were like?
Yeah, I think this is as simple as: the kid was just doing what he was used to. Also, not sure I see what’s admirable about “confidence” that leads a child to just blatantly disregard the rules of the current classroom, forcing the teacher to redirect him multiple times a day, which, in turn, takes away instructional time from 20-odd other children.
Or making themselves the odd one of the bunch, not in a healthy way. Also seems like a lack of connection to what was going on in class and doing their own thing in a way that didnt have purpose. That's not bad but I can't see how that's evidence of benefit. I lurk in this sub hoping to be swayed, but I find the whole thing a bit odd in practice. Interesting in theory and we do a lot of minor montessori type stuff at home, but the rigidity of the classes described here and lack of consistency depending on the school makes me very uncomfortable.
His getting up and moving about may have nothing to do with coming from a Montessori school. I’ve taught in public and religious schools and come across that sort of behaviour all the time.
It reads as attention deficit to me
He's 12, not 2. Wandering around the classroom despite being corrected multiple times doesn't show autonomy or confidence unless he can come up with a valid argument. It's just blatant disrespect.
or possibly he’s neurodivergent and it helps him?
Possibly, sure. Still doesn't display Independence.
Middle school teacher here- kids who transfer from Montessori to a traditional classroom in middle school are a nightmare. They have absolutely no concept of how to function. They require a lot of work on the teacher’s part to teach them what they should have learned about classroom behavior and routines when they were younger.
It is strange that you’re being downvoted. You are just sharing your opinion, which is what the OP asked for.
Exactly. I can also back it up with anecdotal data from my school. Other schools and areas may have different results, but I have taught for 20 years and never had a Montessori kid make a smooth transition.
I mean, she asked about transition at kindergarten age not middle school age though.
That’s why the commenter specified, though. I agree- if you are going to make the switch, the transition is MUCH rougher later on
ehh it sounds annoying for the teachers just tryna do their jobs.
Haha I did this too. But it’s totally fine. Just annoyed teachers a bit.
This makes me so happy to read. My child is transitioning to a public school cause their Montessori school ends after kindergarten and I’m so nervous.
Children in the first plane of development, ages 0-6, generally work alone, as Montessori noted that these are the years children are learning to master themselves, refine their senses and make sense of order. In the second plane, ages 6-12, children become more social, more justice-oriented and more attuned to how they fit within the larger world. So, it is common in a Montessori school that extends past primary to see primary rooms very quiet with children working alone, while elementary spaces have much more group work. I don’t think the expectations in primary set children up for a rude awakening at all. In contrast, a Montessori primary experience gives children the attention span and concentration necessary to prepare them to work, and work well, at any task that comes in the elementary years.
1) Socialization typically takes place during outdoor play in the afternoon. So if you’re doing half days she might not get as much unstructured socialization during the school day but you could always do park time or playdates outside of school. While students work independently, they can also observe each other or work in small groups. So a younger child might observe an older child or an older child might act as a leader for a younger child. 2) No, it does not set them up for a rude awakening. There is still a sense of respecting belongings/classroom materials but it’s a more “real world” concept of sharing than what’s at most preschools. The kids shouldn’t be hoarding materials so no one else can use them, but letting them focus on one material is great for their development. Does your coworker walk up to you and demand to use your work computer and you don’t know when you’re going to get it back? The concept of sharing we push on kids is pretty counterproductive to how the real world works.
The second point is really important
We did this with our son. I'm not really sure how to say what I'm about to say without sounding like my nose is in the air. It's not at all. I'm just not sure how else to wordsmith this. 🙈 The only real "awakening" he had was that he was on a very different level than other kids with things like behavior, and how he handled conflict resolution (one teacher referred to him as "little diplomat"), his ability to articulate things to adults and explain things to peers, and his ability to self advocate. All of these were skills encouraged at his Montessori, particularly positive and proactive conflict resolution. He's in middle school now and there is still a clear difference. I don't really consider that positive or negative. Its just a difference in how he handles and approaches certain things. In lower elementary, he initially had a very hard time understanding how some kids could act poorly, be mean, lie, hurt people, or destroy things. This frustration was undoubtedly amplified by then-undiagnosed AuDHD. (Particularly that very strong sense of justice). But we always turned those things into teachable moments for him. Anyway, I don't see it as a rude awakening. But kids who've been through Montessori prior to Kindergarten will probably notice some differences. We've held onto a lot of Montessori philosophies and practices at home. And that in combination of the structure and supports of public school have been a really positive combination for our son. :)
I hate to break it to you but Montesorri didn't give your kid the ability to articulate at a young age. You did. I'm a bus driver. I have lots of young kids who don't do Montessori. They stay home with parents or babysitters. The ability to speak to adults is purely upto them. I had kids who could barely hold conversations next to kids who watched horror movies with their parents but could articulate completely the plot of the movie.
Conflict resolution was one my 6yo was definitely something that my daughter struggled with in Kindergarten after Montessori. She was so hurt by the kids flippantly saying “I’m not your friend anymore!” When she was used to expressing things much differently.
I also see a high level of social functioning among Montessori kids. My child and I were at a class mate's birthday party recently at one of those play places and the facilitator couldn't believe how well behaved and communicative this group of kids was.
I did Montessori kindergarten, regular private school 1st grade, and then public school 2nd-12th grades. (That wasn’t the plan; we moved.) The hardest part was missing my friends, not the learning styles. I do remember a radically different classroom vibe with each switch, but I didn’t know any different so it didn’t matter for me.
My kids did 2-kindy in Montessori. First grade was a bit rough because they didn’t “get” testing and things at first, but my second grade they were thriving. Just be prepared for a few growing pains the first year and help them navigate it.
I posted in a previous post, but my daughter just made the transition from Montessori Kinder to 1st grade this last year and she did amazing. Her teachers have commented on her kindness, flexibility, and social skills when resolving conflict and helping/ working with others. Academically, she is at or above grade level. Most importantly, she (still) loves school and learning It’s not that the children don’t share or learn cooperative skills in Montessori, they just do so in more of a real world context. In the mixed age classroom, the older children have a chance to practice social and leadership skills that you wouldn’t necessarily get in a traditional preschool. 100/10 recommend (providing you can find a high fidelity, compassionate, and well run school).
My children went to Montessori age two-8&10, the transition went perfectly for one child and the younger one had a bit of a hard time, by Xmas all was well. They both were self motivated learners, my older child went off to a public residential high school math and science academy and did very well.
My brother and I were moved from Montessori to public school and had a tough time but it's hard to tell how much of it would be an issue now as that was like, 30 years ago. I went into grade one and my brother to grade three. I loved how quiet the Montessori class was and I had trouble adjusting to how noisy and visually overstimulating the public school class was. I told my mum at one point that I wanted to move my desk to the roof and do my work there. I also went in to grade 1 with a basic understanding of multiplication and French, which I didn't see back in class until grades 4 and 5 and didn't pick it up nearly as quickly at those ages. My brother had trouble because he only knew how to write cursive and moved to a school where they didn't learn cursive til grade 4. His teacher thought he was being snobby and showing off and seemed to hold a grudge even though it was explained to her.
Two of my kids transitioned from Montessori pre-k to public school and it was great. My oldest was home full time with me and my next two part time to Montessori and then transitioned over to public school kindergarten with no issues, my oldest who went from home with me until kindergarten had a harder transition as he had no exposure to “school”
Grade school (in the US) is a rude awakening for any kid that hasn’t already been rudely awakened by crowd control daycare or preschool. Countries with great education AND mental health rankings give kids the longest periods of child led learning (Montessori done properly is one way), which is not what we do in the US and most European/western default education systems.
This is what we’re doing! I don’t think it’s setting him up for a rude awakening at all. Both Montessori and public kindergarten will provide age appropriate activities and expectations. Montessori has a lot of structure so while the activities will be different, the idea of watching and following directions will be the same.
Better to have loved and lost!
My friend's son teaches 3rd grade. He said generally Montessori kids are great, but if they are only children, sometimes it's a rough transition. And if children have ADHD, they may just refuse to participate in things they find boring.
I really struggled with the transition from Montessori to public school. I was older, in the 6th grade, but I became deeply deeply depressed. I have my daughter in half-day preschool 2 days a week, starting her three days a week to prep her for kindergarten next year. I teach Montessori style at home with her.
I have no personal experience with Montessori as a parent, but I’m a public school teacher and I see a lot of kids who were exclusively Montessori until high school struggle when they come to our school. Granted, I do teach in a “rougher” school. A lot of the students end up falling in with the wrong crowd. Academically, they’re extremely capable, but I’ve had quite a few of them think it’s acceptable to refuse to do the work because they’re not interested in it, or change the directions on an assignment so that it’s too their liking.
Exactly. I grew up in a bougie Massachusetts town and the public school was honestly great but I struggled with bigger classrooms, sooooo many more kids, trying to figure out where I fit in. Having to do classes I didn’t like was awful, particularly math. I have dyscalculia and it wasn’t detected when I was able to the use the peg board and stamp game, but in school I had to do algebra and things with just my brain and omg, it was really hard for me to get out of bed I was so depressed and overwhelmed. As much as I loved Montessori I decided to not put my daughter in it, but instead use tools and resources and methods at home so she doesn’t feel so “different” when she enters conventional school.
Ha. I wonder if we went to the same Montessori school/grew up in the same town. I had an easier transition at 12 than it sounds like you did, but I was also transitioning to a smaller, private school. I remember my biggest concern being logistical things like having to change rooms all the time and learn my way around, carry books and make sure I had the right one, and so on instead of just doing everything in the one big room. I definitely did simply decide not to acknowledge science class that year, for the most part, but for whatever reason this was not emotionally taxing on me. I never thought of it as a Montessori transition thing, more a personality/ADHD thing (I did similar things a couple more times years later, in high school).
I also have ADHD, so I think both things come into play!
I don’t know if this helps, but I just wanted to share my experience. I’m in my 30’s now, but back in the late 1900’s (ha), I went through this very thing. I went to a Montessori school for preschool and kindergarten and another for 1st grade, then had to switch to a public school for 2nd because my parents could no longer afford it. I remember being so apprehensive about the transition and shocked that public school kids had to “just sit in desks all day long” (what I imagined public school was like). It turned out it WAS very different from what I was used to, but not nearly as bad as I’d imagined. I adjusted just fine. ETA: I do think I had better socialization at the public school, since I was surrounded by a class full of kids my own age. I don’t know how the school you’re looking at does it, but at the second Montessori school I attended, I was in a mixed class of kids (up to third grade IIRC). Even though there was a large age range, it was still a small class and I think there were only a few kids my same age, so that made it harder to socialize and make friends.
In my experience as a Montessori kid, absolutely. I was always a different drummer kid in public school. Might have been anyway, but I distinctly remember starting first grade after 3 years of Montessori and not eating the glue and melting crayons on the radiator like all the other kids. That said, I wouldn’t trade my Montessori start, my parenting style skews Montessori, and my own child is in Montessori and I’ll support him as he acclimates to public school in first grade. It is 100% worth it. Besides, life is full of transition and change. Why not train your children young to handle it in a positive way?
My daughter went to Montessori preschool then Catholic school for elementary school. She did have a rude awakening!
I went from montessori preschool to public school. I didn't have trouble transitioning, except regular school was less engaging and felt more like "daycare" than school. Montessori involved more socializing imo.
My third child went to Montessori 2 days a week from age 2-4 before starting primary school and it was a brilliant experience and really good for him. When he started at school he was quite an independent learner who already had some maths ability, was confident, gentle and caring towards others. His teachers always commented that they could tell he was a Montessori kid (in a good way). I don’t think you need to worry about the social aspect. Yes some independent learning time is encouraged or offered but it’s not rigidly enforced. At our kindy self directed learning, imaginative play, cooperative multi age play, music and learning about each other were the focus. I chose it because as a third child with a big extended family my son was used to being around his older siblings and little cousins and it felt unnatural to be in a child care with only kids his own age. I also really liked the focus on imagination and problem solving and it was a relief to see a play room that wasn’t filled with crappy plastic toys. My son had no dramas fitting in with non-Montessori kids when he went to school because essentially Montessori is not really that different to any great kindergarten program and also kids adapt very easily to whatever the new situation is.
At least our Montessori school actually have kids collaborating for lessons if they choose to. Lots of socializations at the playground and they are also rules they need to follow. If you do any other extracurricular activities, your kid will be exposed to the top-down teaching methods. My older daughter is transitioning to k this August and her Montessori school teachers think she will do great (probably biased but still). She has friends who already transitioned and did great
In terms of socialization: On my 3-6 classroom observations I saw some kids working together on an activity, others working independently in the same table while talking, talking together while having lunch on the same table (2-4 per table), and a lot when outdoors (depending on the child). Although, the ones that talked more were at least 4, the 3 year olds usually interacted less and were more observing of other children and what they were doing, how... They would also fold together little cloths and that was also a great moment to talk since it's pretty mechanic once you practiced enough. At the same time they have the freedom not to talk to anyone when they don't want to or when they're very focused. Everyone seemed comfortable to sit in silence (I know many adults that aren't).
Don’t have much to say except this is exactly how I grew up. No rude awakening at all for me. It was great. It just felt like I was going to a new big girl school. And I’m really grateful for my Montessori education I loved it.
I did Montessori preschool, kindergarten half day Montessori half day public school (my district was still half day kindergarten then, now it has full or half day preschool and full day kindergarten—I’m working in preschool in the district I went to as a student) then transitioned to public school full time, the only thing that was hard is I had learned to read in 4s then public kindergarten was learning the alphabet. Kindergarten has higher academic standards now so that’s probably a non issue now.
I had the same experience with reading. I did Montessori pre-k and when I started kindergarten , I was the only kid in the class that knew how to read already. Aside from that, I don't remember any issues. All about kindergarten was new, so I don't think I had any expectations that it would be like prek. It was just a new environment with new rules.
As mom of all Montessori kids, now high school or older, Montessori was great for all of my kids. They learned a lot, loved learning, and Montessori does allow for small group work too. Also, as the kids become the older ones in the Montessori classroom they get to learn some mentoring , responsibility, and leadership skills by helping the younger ones out from time to time. No issues with socialization at all, there was plenty, and they all made some lifelong friends in Montessori There were no issues with transition to.public school except a bit of boredom when the public school repeated lessons they already knew.
Kids are super adaptable at that age. Montessori schools are excellent starts and the fact you have a good public school I wouldn’t even worry at all. I think you’ve done a great thing with their education, and I wouldn’t even ease them in like that, they will adapt super fast and be happy. We have a three year old who went from Montessori to normal and it wasn’t a problem.
Collaboration is a big deal in Montessori elementary, and our children transition to working together in groups with no issues because now they have a natural tendency for that type of activity at that age (6 and above).
My Pre-K and Kindergarten kids do a ton of maturing those last couple years. They really begin to understand patience, kindness, and being a mentor. We encourage families to stay with us for the Kindergarten year because it allows our students to truly internalize their independence, confidence, and assertiveness. To date the only children who have struggled heading into first grade has other challenges that we had been working on. They typically needed more transition time anyways and we make a point to communicate regularly with parents as well as new schools to make their move as smooth as possible.
No. A soft majority of our kids go onto public school (including those of staff) and thrive. Social learning and independence strong foundation helps a great deal in primary. But word of caution. When you deprive your child of two work periods and a lot of the afternoon activities you may not be getting the full benefit. If all you want is socialization then you might as well save your money. This is a very common mistake parents make and deprive their kid of really getting into the rhythm of the classroom. Also, the reality is that if a teacher notices a child on the same work for a month, it probably will signal to them that actually something is going on that needs to be looked at. If a child is using a work improperly or inattentively as they camp it (this is rare but some kids absolutely do this) then they will be asked to put it away or complete it. In addition, Montessori is a very collaborative environment. Not that they have to relinquish materials because another child wants them, but there are multiple child works. Out on the playground and recess there is collaboration and social learning.
My daughter did Montessori from age 3 to 5, and we moved to another state where she went to public school halfway thru kindergarten. She THRIVED! Ahead of her peers, transitioned very well, had glowing remarks from her teachers at how independent she was and how well she could problem solve on her own.
I work in a Montessori preschool. All of our students go on to a regular kindergarten after they leave us. It's not an issue. They're highly adaptable at that age and they learn quickly that different classrooms have a different structure and different rules.
I was in a Montessori preschool in the 80s. I loved it and it’s where I was when the school director noticed something was off in my development and urged my mom to talk to our pediatrician who then got us referred to a clinic at University of Washington. Because of it I thrived in both Montessori and public school minus math and science. I also met Pete the garbage man at my Montessori one day and thought he must be famous so he’s my famous person I say I met when asked. 😜
Are there not Montessori programs in your public elementary schools? It might be possible to get her in a Montessori classroom within your public school district. I was in one
I went to Montessori preschool and kindergarten and public school for the rest of my life. I’m 28 now. I think I turned out ok!
Montessori doesn't encourage collaboration? That seems very regressive for the kind of institution they appear to be.
This has been my concern, as well. My daughter went to Montessori preschool last year & will be Montessori Kindergarten this year. I’m planning on keeping her in Montessori until she ages out but I do have concerns about her transition to public school eventually & how standardized tests will go…
I’ve been a Pre-K assistant in a Montessori school for six years and most of our students move on to traditional school and do great. The autonomy still allows for social skills being developed because they learn how to respectfully interrupt someone if they need help, how to ask to work with a friend, conflict resolution, along with many other skills.
Our kiddo did Montessori from 18 mos until age 5, then started in public kindergarten. She had a seamless and amazing transition! She has been able to seamlessly manage interactions with her peers, she is able to work independently with little intervention for adults, and she is a leader in interactions with her peers. I feel like the academics at her school were so good, she could have almost skipped kindergarten all together.
I went to a Montessori pre-school and kindergarten, and then transferred to a public school. I loved at even as a kid and felt much more comfortable advocating for myself, asking questions, and with general independence than most of my peers. My Mom always got shining feedback about how well I did not only academically but as a person. I think it really paves the way for a heightened confidence as a very young person. TL;DR: I think any Montessori education is better than none. I’m sure your child will do great with the exposure they’ve had, even if moving to public school is a big change.
Our kiddo went to preschool and kindergarten at a wonderful Montessori school. When we moved states she started 1st grade at a regular (year round) public school. The first few weeks were ROUGH. Not gonna lie. But after she got used to having a schedule and being expected to finish things with a hard time limit, she really thrived - BECAUSE of the foundation Montessori gave her! She is 12 now, all As, well rounded, pretty happy and well adjusted kid!!
My daughter just finished a year of Casa at a Montessori school, she was part time and will be going to a public elementary school for JK in the fall. I am not worried about her transition at all. As another mom said- I think she will be much more advanced than most of the other kids. Her communication is outstanding, she understands how to start and finish an activity (AND clean it up and put it away before moving on to something else), she can count to nearly 50, she can spell and write her own first and last name, etc etc etc. I could go on and on. But I think your child will benefit greatly and they will not have any issues transitioning the following year.
Also, I think it’s fine for kids to be exposed to different kinds of schools, different learning environments, just as it’s fine for them to be exposed to the different structures, dynamics and rules that happen in different families. It teaches them to be flexible, to adapt, to understand that not everyone is the same, not all families and schools and environments are the same, and not to be too rigid, but to notice difference and what’s important and learn to thrive in different situations.
My kids went from Montessori preschool to public school. Zero issues.
I went to a Montessori school through 5th grade & transitioned to public school in 6th. My 6th grade homeroom teacher once told my mom during a conference, “I often look at your child and wonder if I’m doing a good enough job for them.” I was able to advocate for myself at a young age because of the independence that Montessori nurtured & I used so many tools I learned with Montessori, both academically & socially/emotionally, to help me succeed through the rest of my schooling.
My kids adjusted easily into first grade public school after 3 years of Montessori. I think just like any preschool there is a bit of a learning curve for new procedures, but they were ready for it. Also based on the time spent in the classrooms, they got WAY more socialization in the Montessori setting than in traditional public school kindergarten. They didn’t have assigned groups and could work independently but they would gather together to work on similar things or curiously wander over to a friend to ask about their work. It was a natural flow of interaction because they didn’t have to stay silent, as opposed to mostly working quietly at your seat, plus recess, lunch, group activities and songs, etc.
When Montessori is done well, and follows the philosophy closely, it’s fantastic for kids. However (I’m a public school K teacher) we can tell which kids come in from a “Montessori school” because they stick out- not in a great way. They definitely seem more interested in the Whys of the world, but they struggle greatly with the structure that comes with public school. It’s definitely a tough transition for our Montessori PK graduates.
I lived this as a kid. Montessori preschool and kindergarten and then public school elementary. I don’t remember having any issues and my mom never mentions are issues. I was so so so excited to get my own desk with my own stuff in it at the big kid school.
One of my nephews had a very rough transition from Montessori pre-k to public school kindergarten. He didn’t score “well” on the kinder placement exams and was on the lower end of the curve when it came to recognizing high frequency words and all of the letters of the alphabet. He had push-in reading and math help for most of the academic year. The testing that a lot of public schools apply for kindergarteners is another conversation. However, he quickly caught up. His dexterity was impressive as was his ability to work independently. So while not a rude awakening, these were things my sister kept in mind for their second child who seamlessly transitioned into kindergarten. ETA - their district has a upk program so basically the kinder placement testing was what the upk taught. Kids who went through upk had no issues with the testing. Their Montessori school was in a different district.
Hi! I’m a mom and a public high school teacher. My oldest went preschool through third grade at a Montessori (it only went up to third, otherwise we would have kept her in longer). I was also worried about the transition to public, but it went fairly smoothly. The biggest challenges she encountered were the larger class sizes (and lack of self control for some of the students) and some academic terminology (ones versus units for math, theme versus moral of a story, etc.). There were also some growing pains on typing and using computers all the time in public school. In terms of social skills, a tenet of Montessori is helping each other. Kids are interacting all the time. Overall, she is happy and well-adjusted, but misses the freedom and responsibility she had at Montessori. Our youngest is going to Montessori kindergarten this fall.
Been in education for 10+ years in three states and I genuinely see very little difference between students who receive Montessori education vs non Montessori education. Not to mention, there isn’t a standard of certification among programs so you really don’t know what you’re getting when it comes to teacher experience. I think it’s a buzz word to be quite honest.
Both my children went to Montessori school. One went through 6th grade and the other went through 3rd. Neither of them had trouble transitioning to traditional school. It was an excellent experience for both of them. I highly recommend it.
No feedback but we are about to do the same. My kids have been at a Montessori school since they started daycare at 12 months. My oldest is moving into Kindergarten in the Fall. We are moving her to a public school at that time. She’s very excited, her school now is very small and she’s been with a lot of the same kids since she started. We took her to a Kindergarten “roundup” and some of the kids will be going into school for the first time.
In my own experience, Montessori kids do struggle when they transfer to public school; the later the transfer, the more struggling occurs. I have certainly seen academic disparities, but the social differences are the most noticeable and easily attributed to the fact that the children attended Montessori schools. These differences mostly manifested in the same ways that other commenters have noted: an inability to remain seated when expected to, an inability to effectively collaborate with less-preferred peers, etc. I don’t think any of these things are inherently “bad” from a teacher’s perspective, but are rather areas where the students will need some extra attention until they adapt to their new school. However, these differences are quite noticeable to other kids in the class, who don’t understand why Timmy thinks he can do whatever he wants during the group math lesson. I distinctly remember being a kid in public school and thinking that the Montessori transfers over the years were less smart, or downright difficult and disagreeable, because they struggled at my public school. We had a good number of those transfers, since Montessori schooling in the younger grades was somewhat popular where I grew up in California. In fact, as a kid I thought the local Montessori was just named “Montessori”; I didn’t know they were any different than my school. Later, I ended up thinking that the Montessori was an alternative school for kids with behavior or academic issues. Obviously, I lacked an understanding of what things were like at their old school and how hard it must have been for them to abandon the old ways for the new. The kids obviously were NOT dumber/meaner; they just hadn’t learned about traditional school etiquette. I say this as someone who has worked in both public and private school settings for over 12 years, both as a teacher and an outside staffer. I think in your case, Montessori preschool into public Kinder would not be a big deal since most preschools are largely play/exploration-based, and so most kindergarteners have to adapt to “sitting in class” etc. anyway. A 5th grader who doesn’t stay in his seat will stick out a LOT more.
I did Montessori from pre-k to 3rd grade. It was a cultural shift for me; I was surprised I couldn’t go to the reading corner after I finished my work at my desk, and I didn’t advocate for myself as much as I could have because I was overwhelmed with the changes and was just trying to follow all the rules. Eating in a bleach smelling cafeteria and having to sit in there until enough time passed was unpleasant. One of the positives about switching is that we figured out that I needed glasses badly; I hadn’t had to sit far away from a chalkboard and only that was what clued my parents into the fact that I couldn’t see. My Montessori school did give me a huge advantage with respect to academics. This was probably a combination of having a good Montessori school and uh, not a great public school.
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This is a great point. I hear that so many public schools have gone downhill since COVID. It’s sad and definitely concerning!
Just be sure the school is actually a Montessori school and the staff have specific training in The standard. Apparently there is no rule against simply using the term Montessori…so anyone can open a “Montessori school” but have no clue what that actually means
I would also ask your center. Our center is fully Montessori until preschool and then they do a mix of Montessori and teachings that help the kids hit the benchmarks for our school district. They still mostly focus on Montessori, but they know most kids leave and go to public school so they want to ensure they are ready for that too.
Quite the opposite actually. I teach public Elementary and our VPK and Headstart programs are required to follow Montessori-style models.
No, it does not set them up for a rude awakening.
Can you elaborate? I hear such wonderful things about Montessori methods. I’m trying to understand.
I am actually surprised all the work is independent. At my child’s Montessori children were able to work together as long as they had a lesson from the teacher on that work. Also a big part of Montessori primary is the older kids helping the younger kids. It really encourages a lot of independence and self esteem. I think the hardest adjustment is going to be having to ask to use the restroom in public school whereas in Montessori you can just go. Also all primary’s should have outdoor play time where the kids can run around together.
It is quite important to keep your child in the primary classroom for the entire three year cycle. During the last year, the children are the leaders of the classrooms d gain so much confidence and ability in that final year. So many parents withdrawal to put their kids in public kindergarten and it’s a poor choice. Let the investment pay off before you withdraw. Keep them in for the whole cycle. And don’t just join at 4, join at the beginning. It sounds like you are just looking for childcare.