Summary

Contact Info

Post Oak School (Montessori)
4600 Bissonnet
Bellaire , TX 77401
www.postoakschool.org

Tel: (713) 661-6688
Fax: (713) 661-4959

Director: John Long
admission@postoakschool.org

Admissions Director:
Vivian Blum

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

Deadline for applications

January 18

Key Statistics

Extended day

Yes

School year

08/2008 - 05/2009

Summer Program

-1/-1/-1 - -1/-1/-1

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Post Oak 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: 2

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Established

1963

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

100%

- Masters

24%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Teachers/director meet children at their cars and walk the children into the classroom

- 6:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

Yes

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Accreditations

AMI (Association Montessori Internationale)

Other Memberships

ISAS (Independent Schools Association of the Southwest)

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

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

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

The Post Oak School is a Montessori school. The school's philosophy is inspired by the educational thought of Dr. Maria Montessori; the models for the classrooms and for the developmental learning materials were created by her. The school continues her work in developmental psychology and education.

As Montessori educators, we believe that each child is born to be a learner, and that the full potential of each person is realized only through an ordered, challenging, nurturing environment that is physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual.

We believe that the child and his/her needs are the central and commanding focus of the learning process. It is the role of the school to observe, to know, and to defend the child as he/she proceeds through the stages of development.

We see in each child, the future of society, of our nation, of our planet. The child in the process of fundamental development has unlimited possibilities, and the future rests on our ability to cultivate this potential.

The Post Oak School welcomes students from diverse social, economic, ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

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 (4.6)

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		-	-	-	YES
Music		-	-	-	YES

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

Other subjects taught					n/a

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.4)

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

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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 (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

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 (4.0)

Parents:

- 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)

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
Monthly parent lunch gatherings

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (3.1)
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

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

Medications

- Parents may sign a form for medication to be kept at the front desk.

Safety

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

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 6 years to 9 years	30		$12790/Year
From 2 years 6 months to 6 years	25		$16850/Year
From 2 years 6 months to 6 years	25		$15860/Year
From 2 years 6 months to 6 years	25		$14460/Year
From 2 years 6 months to 6 years	25		$12790/Year
From 2 years 6 months to 6 years	25		$10260/Year
From 1 years 2 months to 3 years	12		$16850/Year
From 1 years 2 months to 3 years	12		$15860/Year
From 1 years 2 months to 3 years	12		$14460/Year
From 1 years 2 months to 3 years	12		$10260/Year
From 1 years 2 months to 3 years	12		$12790/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Morning (7:00-8:45) and/or Afternoon Care (3:15-6:00 pm) contracts include Spring Break and conference-day care.

The Post Oak School also offers Montessori programs in Upper Elementary (ages 9-12) and Middle School (ages 12-14).

Calendar Year

School Year

08/2008 - 05/2009

Summer Program

-1/-1/-1 - -1/-1/-1

Application & Admissions

Application Process

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

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

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

Deadline for applications: January 18

Application fee: $100

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on the school is coeducational and accepts qualified students regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin. the school accepts those qualified students who, in the opinion of the school, will have successful experiences in the program and will enhance the classes for which they are applicants. generally, applicants will be given priority in the following order: 1. qualified siblings of students continuing at the post oak school 2. applicants whose parents have attended post oak parent education programs 3. all other qualified applicants the school seeks to create classroom communities that are balanced by gender and age. in general, the school prefers to admit children at age three or younger. older students will be considered on an individual basis, as space allows, with preference given to students with previous montessori experience.

Notification occurs: Early March

Financial aid is available.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Post Oak School