Summary

Contact Info

Advent School, The
15 Brimmer Street
Boston , MA 02108
www.adventschool.org

Tel: (617) 742-0520
Fax: (617) 723-2207

Director: Nancy Harris Frohlich

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a face-to-face meeting at the school

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment

4 years

School year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Belmont Day School, Boston Latin School, Dana Hall, Thayer Academy, The British School

Parent Ratings

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

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 4

Savvy Source survey: Yes

Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:

Boston Children's School
Park Street Kids
Brimmer and May School

General Info

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

Yes

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs

Yes

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

Yes

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.4)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The school is so wonderful and community based. If you are looking for a family community, Advent is the one.

Parent #2
The Advent community has really impressed us. Parents are actively involved in all aspects of the school and they are welcome and encouraged to do so. School administrators seem very open to new ideas or suggestions. Children look happy going into school each morning. They bound out of their family cars. The Pre-K program follows a Reggio Emilia approach to teaching. I suggest parents do their homework on what this means. I wanted my son to love school and he does. He has become more inquisitive and excited about learning.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The Advent School educates children from Early Childhood through Sixth Grade in a nuturing environment. We promote in-depth understanding adn mastery of academic skills, challenging students to think critically and take multiple perspectives. The heart of the Advent School is its diverse, inclusive community. Our goal is to cultivate compassionate, responsible individuals who have the confidence to take action consistent with their beliefs and understand their part in a larger world.

We offer a program inspired by the innovative approach of the Reggio Emilia pre-schools, where children learn to become reflective problem solvers at a young age.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Our teachers design curriculum that is shaped by inquiry and self-expression. Step into a classroom and you will see small groups working with pattern blocks, base ten blocks, and other manipulatives to solve mathematical problems. Gaining confidence in their abilities, children move from the concrete to the more abstract thinking while learning with and from each other.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

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

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


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	-		-	-	-
Music	-	-	-	-	YES

Visual arts	-	-	-	-	-
Physical activity	-	-	-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Since the school follows the Reggio Emilia approach, it is difficult to define the teaching approach as free play or teacher-led. The curriculum is child led but the teachers encourage the children to be inquisitive and to express themselves through drawing, writing, creating plays, playing games, conducting experiments or building structures. The children have been keeping journals all year. Early in the year they mainly draw pictures after their 'meeting' time. As the year progresses, they begin to write in their journals.

Parent #2
In the early child care a lot of activities are going on each day but the teachers encourage the students to be independent with their thought process and patterns. There is a structure time frame for each day but that doesn't mean it actually flows exactly as planned due to the encouragement of free play.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Children have 3 'specialists' 2x/week: art, music and library. The specialists work very closely with the full time teachers to insure that their curriculum is reflective of or coordinates with the curriculum in the classroom. Art and music and reading are also incorporated into the daily activities of the class.

Parent #2
The teachers at the Advent school are wonderful. They all work together to make the learning expereince at ADvent a great one from Early Child Care to Sixth Grade.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

General Parent Education

-This preschool does conduct parent education classes

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (5.0)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Schedule family field trips

- Pair "old" parents with "new" parents

- Encourage play dates out of school

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Many parent committees at the school.

Parent #2
There is a Parent Education Collaborative at the school, which sponsors outside speakers as well as current teachers speaking on a variety of topics. Events happen every 4-6 weeks. School also has weekly emails and monthly newspaper. School has a website with information on school activities. Pre-school class sends daily emails describing the days activities. Email includes photos of the children in action. School diversity coordinator sends monthly emails on relevant topics.

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Daily journal is emailed to every parent including phots of activities.

Parent #2
Daily journals which tells what the class did for the day. The daily journals are great because they give parents conversation starters.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.7)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Advent is a city elementary school that begins in pre-k. The doors are unlocked during arrival and dismissal. However, there are teachers assigned to greeting and dismissing children. The front door is locked during all other times. A visitor must be admitted by the school receptionist. The school is very small and parents know one another.

Parent #2
Children bring their own lunches and snacks but if someone is bringing in a snack to share with everyone, a healthy snack is alwasy encouraged.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 4 years to 6 years			$16100/Year

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Extended Day is an option until 6pm for an additional fee.

Calendar Year

School Year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (after application is complete)

Child interview process: Required for all applicants and takes the form of director-child

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $50

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective

Notification occurs: Rolling

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 4 years to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Inquiries accepted from September -1 onwards.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Belmont Day School, Boston Latin School, Dana Hall, Thayer Academy, The British School

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
I did a lot of homework: attended school open houses, emailed current parents, attended community coffees, and visited the school while it was in session. I tried to learn as much about the school as possible to make sure that it was what I wanted for my child. I think that the school appreciates parents that do their homework because they want families to be happy with their choice. If a school is your number one choice, then you should tell the school that.

Parent #2
I was very clear on expressing my concern on diversity and what I expected from the Advent Community. Both which I am very pleased with.