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Oakland, CA
Oakland Montessori School (OMS)

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Review this preschool

neighborhood: Crocker Highlands / Glenview ·  Telephone: (510) 482-3111  · Website: www.oaklandmontessori.com

• Summary
• General Info
• School Philosophy
  & Day-in-the-Life
• Curriculum &
  Teaching Approach
• Quality of
  Teaching
• Home/School
  Connection
• Discipline,
  Health & Safety
• Ages, Schedule
  & Tuition
• Application &
  Admissions
• Kindergarten
  Placement&Tips

General Approach to Learning

	Play-based
	Play-based with some structure
	Predominantly teacher-led instruction
	Montessori
	Waldorf
	Co-op
	Reggio-Emilia

source:

Director's Comments

Looking becomes reading, touching becomes writing. Nearly a century ago, Maria Montessori established an educational approach based on her understanding of children's natural tendencies in learning. In this gentle 'Follow the child' approach, children are allowed to follow their own instincts to explore, move, share with a group, to be independent and make decisions, create order, develop self-control, abstract ideas from experience, use the creative imagination, work hard, repeat, concentrate and perfect one's efforts and creations. Extracted from Oakland Montessori School Preschool's Website.

Savvy Source's Comments

Looking becomes reading, touching becomes writing. Nearly a century ago, Maria Montessori established an educational approach based on her understanding of children's natural tendencies in learning. In this gentle 'Follow the child' approach, children are allowed to follow their own instincts to explore, move, share with a group, to be independent and make decisions, create order, develop self-control, abstract ideas from experience, use the creative imagination, work hard, repeat, concentrate and perfect one's efforts and creations. Extracted from Oakland Montessori School Preschool's Website.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (3.9)
This school has increased my child's:
Ability to listen and follow directions
Ability to sit still for longer periods of time
Ability to be a part of a group of children
Self-sufficiency and independence
Awareness of others’ feelings
Cooperation with other children

source:

Curriculum and Teaching Approach

	PLAY-BASED	PLAY-BASED WITH SOME STRUCTURE	MOSTLY TEACHER LED	NOT FORMALLY IN CURRICULUM	CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT
Language					Yes
Oral language			-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-		-	n/a
Storybook reading			-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills			-	-	n/a
Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense			-	-	Yes
Time & space			-	-	Yes
Sci. reasoning/physical world			-	-	Yes
Music	-			-	Yes
Visual arts	-		-	-	Yes
Physical activity		-		-	Yes
Other subjects taught	There are three additional education programs per week, gymnastics, art and music, taught by outside specialists. A general weekly schedule is posted and emailed so that parents can know and support daily activities. Extracted from Oakland Montessori School Preschool's Website.				n/a

source:

Director's Comments

The day's schedule varies according to the needs of the class. There is usually a group meeting (a 'circle') for lessons, sharing, songs, and discussion. The children choose their work from the shelf and work either alone or together. Many of the lessons are learned by repetitive manipulation of the Montessori materials, and at times an older child or teacher may assist. There is time for group activity such as music, physical education, art, play, snack, quiet time, and care of self and the environment. Extracted from Oakland Montessori School Preschool's Website.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
As a pre-schooler, allowing the children free choice among different stations with the encouragement of teachers was very fulfilling for my child. He was able to make choices of his own while at the same time exploring learning devices that encouraged learning skills. Soon enough our children will be in structured schools, which I feel OMS prepares them for, without being too structured. They will have plenty of that in the years to come!

Parent #2
Montessori approach but with separate teachers for music and art. Music Together teacher was good last year, but art teacher has not been very strong. Heavy reliance on painting and playdough, not much variation in art projects.

Parent #3
Classroom is Montessori where the child basically chooses activities but can get help when needed.

Parent #4
OMS has a balanced curriculum in which the Montessori program is balanced with Fine Art, Music, and gymnastics.