Advertisement
San Francisco, CA
Belvedere Montessori
|
Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
 |
Review this preschool |
neighborhood: Cole Valley · Telephone: (415) 564-3173
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (3.5) | 
|
| Conducts an open house at start of school year | 
|
| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
|
| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
|
| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
|
| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
|
| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
|
source:
Separation
| OVERALL RATING (4.0) |
|
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
There are no formal meetings, however, I feel free to discuss my children's development and any questions or concerns I may have with the director and teachers at any time throughout the year.
Parent #2
Although there are very few formal mechanisms for parent teacher conferences, feedback sessions, etc, the parent-teacher communication at Belvedere Montesorri is excellent. The preschool director helps teach all of the kids. Because she has a wealth of experience (approx 18 years) as a preschool director and teacher, she has great insight into chiild development. Most importantly, she really knows each kid very well. She is around each morning when parents drop off their children and very open to talking to parents at any time. The director is able to give details about the children's time at school and also help parents put this into context compared to other kids of the same age. The preschool director also has frequent suggestions of home activities that might be helpful -- eg 'She is shy but plays well with so and so at school who is a bit older. Why don't you try to arrange a playdate?' or 'He needs to work more on putting on his own clothes at home so he can be more independent, etc'. These insights are very helpful to parents and kids. Thus, although there are no formal conferences, I feel the home-school communication is excellent. Belvedere Montesorri also has a very tight-knit community of parents who feel very involved in the school. Parent involvement is very much encourged and appreciated although not required. Kids and parents do many activities outside of school together.
Parent #3
Belvedere Montessori is a small school and because of its size the parent community is very cohesive. There are annual activities coordinated by the director as gatherings for the families to mingle, but mostly the families just get together here and there in small groups after school or on the weekends. The communication between home and school is pretty unstructured, but the director is always available for questions and concerns. The school is small and multi-age and though the kids are expected to spend a small amount of the day doing pre-writing and writing activities, the expectations are open-ended with no specific achievement goals. The rest of the day is play-based. The school is multi-age and open year-round and therefore there is not much distinction between the 'end-of-the-year' and 'beginning-of-the-year' activities for those students carrying on from one year to the next.
Parent #4
We pulled our child out in part because the school did not have a thought-out process for dealing with separation. Parents were told to drop off their child and leave, even if their child had never been separated from his/her parents. Crying was expected. If children cried too much, they were asked to stand outside the classroom. This did not seem particularly humane.
Parent #5
The approach to separation is one size fits all: sink or swim. Remarkably, few children cry, though it is hard to tell whether they are okay with the separation or are putting on a front and bottling their emotions. This is not a warm fuzzy place where you can snuggle with a teacher if you're missing your Mom.
Parent #6
There are no formal parent-teacher conferences, but instead, everyday communication with the director regarding your child's progress, potential issues, etc.
Parent #7
School is year-round so separation anxiety wasn't pronounced. Our son started on the same day as another child's first and I witnessed both the director and a teacher trying to console the child and help him through the ordeal.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (4.1) |
|
Parents:
- Are able to visit the school anytime we want
- Go on field trips
- Receive newsletters
- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)
- Encourage play dates out of school
- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
There is a babysitting co-op organized by parents.
Parent #2
We have a babysitting coop which is the best tool for getting to know other families/children and it serves a great purpose, as well.
Parent #3
We developed a very successful babysitting coop for families at the school
Parent #4
The parents are the ones who make the school community. There is a babysitting co-op and it is the parents who orchestrate occasional socials. The director is great with the kids, but seems to see parents as a necessary evil.
Parent #5
Pairs old parents with new parents
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
- Notes
- Phone Calls
- Voice Mail
- Special Meetings
- Drop-Off
- Pick-Up
- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school
source:
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Though the school director doesn't have formal meetings with parents, she has a very large open-door policy and is always available for feedback. Also, because the kids in the school go out (to playgrounds, etc) parents are welcome and encouraged to attend and often hold chats with the teachers then.
Parent #2
This is a small school and very informal. Parents are free to communicate with teachers at drop off each day, but no formal conferences are scheduled.
Parent #3
Parents are seen as a necessary evil. Communication is minimal. However, when children 'graduate', the director puts together a lovely album with pictures from through the child's experience at the school.
Parent #4
There really isn't that much communication or feedback.
Advertisement
A Great Book Rhymes!
Kids are a funny bunch. They are often loath to change and anything new. But still, our little ones are open to so much -- and so much more than we more ossified parents are! Think of poetry: preschoolers happily read and repeat poems with ease and
Now in BeingSavvy, San Francisco
Baking Bread with a Toddler
As we enter into cooler weather, indoor pursuits beckon, and what could be better than baking with a toddler? I'm all over the "easy" way -- buy some pre-made dough, roll it out, and cookie cutter it to death
Montessori? Waldorf? Play-based?
What school type is right for your child? Is one model better than another? What does the research say?
View an example from the Savvy Source guide to learn more.
Today's “Preschool’s Out” Activity
This game is a variation of '20 questions' and we played this with all four of our kids when they (read more)
| Comment (4) |  |
Take Our Expert Quiz
how is your toddler or preschooler progressing developmentally?
This Week's Poll
Off the Beaten Path
Plan fun activities to do in:
