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Oakland, CA
Growing Light Montessori School
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Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Dimond / Laurel · Telephone: (510) 336-9897 · Website: www.growinglight.net
Basic Stats
| Total enrollment | 66 |
| Student/teacher ratio | 6:1 |
| Established | 1986 |
| Average tenure for teachers | 4 yrs. |
| % of teachers with: | |
| - Bachelors | 100% |
| - Masters | 75% |
| - Teaching credentials | 65% | - CPR | 100% |
| - First aid | 100% |
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.7) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Transportation
- Located close to public transportation
- Parents bring their children to and from school
Dropoff Procedure
- Parents walk their child into the classroom
- 7:30 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child
Late Pickup Policy: $1.00 per minute after 6pm.
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Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year | Yes |
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program | Yes |
| Affiliated with a religious institution | No |
| Teach religious concepts | No |
| Some experience serving children with special needs | Yes |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) | |
| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |  |
| Music room |
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| Art room | |
| Library |
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| Playground |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children | Yes |
Other Accreditations |
Amercian Montessori Association |
Other Memberships
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EBISA |
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Director's Comments
Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?
We suggest visiting all schools and watch for joyful and confident kids. Trust your gut and make a choice that works well for your entire family!
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teachers are fantastic, The administration could use more organization.
Parent #2
GLMS is a loving, supportive community of families. That is what stands out the most. Children are supported and respected and their needs are more than met. Teachers are wonderful and other children are wonderful. I would still send my child to the preschool if I had it to do over again.
Parent #3
The teachers are outstanding: loving, intelligent, insightful, communicative. The classrooms are very child-centered and stimulating, without being overly stimulating. My child loves going to school.
Parent #4
The strength of Growing Light is the loving atmosphere created by the staff, families and administration. While every school will have issues, Growing Light creates an environment for children to learn about other in a respectful way. All of the children, from the youngest 2 year olds to the oldest primary school children are confident and comfortable. There is a strong sense of community.
Parent #5
The greatest strengths lie in the teachers! They are amazing. I chose the school for convenience and have since fallen in love with everything about it. The parent body is great, my daughter is in heaven - they make room for her strong personality while encouraging her warmth and empathy. They have helped her work through the transition of the birth of her brother in an incredible way; loving, firm, consistent- I've learned so much from her teachers. This school is really a support system for our family and a loving learning environment for our 2.5 year old.
The downside is the playground - as the church owns the property, the school has little ability to add permanent structures. The playground committee is making great changes and I have faith it will only improve. They make the most of what they do have and the kids get to use a huge gymnasium on too hot/rainy days.
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