Summary
Contact Info
Children's Garden Montessori Academy
8565 Gratitude Tr
Plano
, TX
75024
www.cgmacademy.com
Tel:
(972) 334-0980
Fax:
(972) 334-0983
Director:
Athirai Baskaran
director@cgmacademy.com
Admissions Director:
Robin Williams
General Approach to Learning
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| Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
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Montessori |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
Upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school, meeting with the director |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| School year |
Year round program |
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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| Quality of teaching |
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| Development of social skills and work habits |
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| Home-school connection |
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| Parent community |
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| Discipline |
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| Facilities |
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| Health |
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| Safety |
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| Handling of separation |
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Survey Information
Number of parents surveyed:
9
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
100%
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Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
Yes
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
No
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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| • Our curriculum is customized to meet the needs and abilities of the child. |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
Other Accreditations
Other Memberships
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.2) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Music room |
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| Art room |
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| Library |
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Huge indoor Gym and covered outdoor playground
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Playground
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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?
Children's Garden Montessori Academy serves the parent community in Plano, Frisco, Allen, The Colony, Richardson, Garland and McKinney. We highly recommend parents to visit the unique facility and tour the classrooms. Visit www.cgmacademy.com
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
spacious ..well lit school at a great location...
however they need to improve cleanliness
Parent #2
This school is constantly reviewing and improving their program in every way. Their recent addition of online parent portal is a great communication tool for parents. Facility is new, clean and in high standars.
Parent #3
Nurturing and caring techers and staff, working all together to acheive progress in your child in order to better discover abilities
Parent #4
Strengths:
- great friendly staff along with the Admission director and Director
- great curriculum
- certified teachers
- different academic activities (Spanish, Music, Arts, Computer)
- Advantage of enrolling children in other activities in the school premise (Basketball, Soccer, Chess, Piano lessons, Gymnastics and so much more)
Disadvantage:
- Food Menu needs to be more improvised
Parent #5
CGMA offers montessori curriculum in a very nourishing environment. Their teachers are well trained and have an eye for overall child development.
Parent #6
Wonderful facility and great teachersâ??
Both my son and daughter attend Primary program and I am very happy with what they have learnt in the past 2 years! Teachers are very pleasant and encourage a positive reinforcement with their students.
Parent #7
Teachers are very good and caring...but the cleanliness is a big question...Disappointed.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Our vision of a strong education focuses on providing a developmentally oriented curriculum based on the Montessori philosophy in a nurturing environment. Dr.Montessori observed that children blossom when they are allowed freedom in an environment that is suited to their needs, and that working with concrete materials that fully engaged their interest made education a fulfilling and refreshing process for children.
With this philosophy in mind, we believe that such an education will instill in our children the qualities necessary to channel their inherent abilities towards success in life, enabling them to contribute happily and productively to the world around them. Our role is to identify and develop the unique capabilities your child possesses. We strive to ensure that your child will not only achieve academic excellence, but also the social and emotional components that will transform them into more complete individuals.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Students at Children's Garden Montessori Academy enjoy a well balanced enriching curriculum by participating in Music, Spanish, Arts and crafts, Gardening, Computer education and physical activities along with authentic Montessori curriculum.
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.5) |
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| Full of energy and seemingly happy in job |
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| Patient and affectionate with children |
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| Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior |
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| Provides feedback on what my child does during the day |
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| Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate |
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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn |
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| Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts |
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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Individualized Teaching
Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students
All teaching staff members are Montessori Certified and experienced with great passion to work with children of different ages. Each child will be gently guided and directed based on their individual need and ability.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
teachers were good and friendly
Parent #2
Very friendly and resourceful teachers.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.7) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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Director's Comments
Children's Garden Montessori Academy beleives in partnership with parents in educating their child. Through parent educaiton nights, open houses, parent teacher conferences, monthly newsletters and email communications, parents are well informed and involved in their child's education. Online Parent Portal with all updated school related information, monthly activity calendars, annoncements and monthly menus are available for parents.
Separation
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Parents in classroom early on
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
Parents are encouraged to visit the school, the child's classroom and meet with the teachers along with the child before starting the program. For very anxious children, flexible options are given to start gradually. Parents are provided with suggestions to ease the anxiety in their child. School had open door policy for parents to visit any time.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
During tour visit the director spent sufficient time in explaining the school's policies and provided opportunity to meet with teachers. Parent references and trail day was also provided upon request.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
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| 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
| |
Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
Through orderly and structured environment self discipline of students is facilitated. Children will be gently guided and re directed towrads creative activities and purposeful movements. Parents will be involved in hellping their child understand the expectations and to demostrate good discipline.
Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario
Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'
Teachers would intervene if child A, B or C needs additional guidance and help. The children will be encouraged to come up with creative ideas on how all three can be involved in playing together.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Cleanliness is a big question...not so good.
Parent #2
Very clean classrooms and spacious indoor gym.
Parent #3
CMGA has equipped all class rooms with Montessori tool sets and furnitures
Parent #4
School is built pretty recently and the condition of everything is almost brand new.
Parent #5
This school has very efficient sick child policy. Children with infectious symptoms are readmitted with doctors statement. The director always communicates with parents about discipline issues and teachers have great knowledge to provide helpful suggestions to parents.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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| Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable |
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| Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
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Food Allergies
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.3) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| • All adults including non teaching staff members who would be present in the facility and have access to children are thouroughly checked for criminal background thorough child protective services. |
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.
