Summary

Contact Info

Avon Montessori School
2350 Ridgeland Drive
Avon , OH 44011
www.avonmontessori.com

Tel: (440) 934-1774
Fax: (440) 934-1794

Director: Karen Stewart
karenstewart@avonmontessori.com

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 phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school

Deadline for applications

July -1

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

25

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 8 months

School year

8/25/2009 - 6/5/2010

Summer Program

6/29/2009 - 7/25/2009

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Avon Village School, Ruffing Montessori, Menlo Academy, Lakeridge Academy, Holy Trinity

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: 1

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

25

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Established

2008

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

100%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- 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

- 8:30 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• Ohio Kindergarten standards met and exceeded, all K students have several reading evaluations

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 (5.0)

Classroom equipment and furniture

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
First, I would like to say I my child has attended other Montessori schools and this is the only one that is true to what Montessori learning is suppsoed to be, which is self directed independent learning with direction, encouragement, and support from teachers/educators. Avon Montessori school offers such a great learning and natural environment for children. The indoor/outdoor classroom is so great exposure for the children to learn reading, writing, math, practical skills, and gardening. The teachers and staff also reinforce the manners that I am teaching my child at home. They also encourage and support parent involvement within the school. This school is so wonderful and my child does get the attention that all of us hope for when we drop our babies off for preschool and/or Kindergarten for the first time.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Mission: Grounded by the lifelong works of Dr. Maria Montessori, our program supports the learning needs (intellectually, physically, and spiritually) of the whole child through the collaborative effort of our teachers and staff, parents, and the community.
Philosophy: Every child has the unconditional right to an early childhood education that:
1. Fosters a life-long love of learning.
2. Provides a safe, prepared and age appropriate environment which enables the child to reach his/her innate learning potential.
3. Supports the whole child.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

We encourage active, self-directed learning. We begin and end our day with group time, where we communicate with one another, sing, read, and share about our experiences.
Our students are then guided in a sequential, yet flexible environment that allows for independence and creativity. Children work alone, and together.
Our classroom when weather permits, flows from indoors to outdoors. Our outdoor space is a working classroom with visiting farm animals.
We do not have formal playground equipment. We have stepping stones, balance beam trees, sanding logs, gardens, recycling and worm ranches. Our children have access to outdoor tools, shovels, rakes, balls, hoops, magnefying glasses, binoculars, nets, paints, chalk, etc.

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 (4.0)

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

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	Spanish, American Sign, animal husbandry, gardening				n/a

Director's Comments

All Montessori curriculum is teacher taught, and led initially, then the child is encouraged to practice and repeat until a skill is mastered. In Montessori, we call the learning activities in the classroom "work". We like to describe it often as play with a purpose. Some examples of a child's "work" may be: washing a baby doll, building a castle, coloring the Animals of Asia, counting objects, working with additon, or multiplication, weighing and measuring, feeding the rabbit, or tortoise, etc. Children are free to explore their learning environment, but have guidance and direction when needed. If for example, a child is struggling with choosing a work, or completing a work, a teacher engages the child. Otherwise the teacher is observing the children closely, and taking mental and physical notes on their progress. It is the job of a Montessori teacher to know where each child is developmentally, so she/he can assist the child in appropriate choices.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

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

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

Individualized Teaching

Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students

All teachers are AMS certified Pre-primary. The Montessori curriculum follows the child, so it is not difficult to work with children on all levels. All children are "different" and unique.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

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

Director's Comments

We have formal and informal conferences with parents throughout the year. Each child entering Kindergarten has a formal screening to assess reading levels, and Kindergarten readiness.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Parents in classrooms early on
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Parents are always welcome at AMS. Children with separation anxiety are handles with gentleness are care. Each child is allowed to master his/her feelings of separation at their own pace.

Drop-in Policy

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

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.0)

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
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

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

We teach grace and courtesy. As teachers, we emulate respect and appropriate communication. When rules are broken, we are gentle but firm. Children are given the opportunity work through negative feelings, or confrontations with the support of a teacher. If needed, children take some time in the "rethinking" chair. For example, if a child runs through the classroom, a teacher will kindly remind a child to walk, and ask that child to return to their original spot, and try walking through the class. If a child hits, or yells at another child, rethinking time is appropriate. After this time, the child will be guided through communicating with their classmate until the issue is resolved, and feelings have been expressed.

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.'

This is an example of a perfect teachable moment. Courtasy is sometimes subtle, but can be learned by a preschooler!!! A teacher might "reword" for the child and role play. Example: "Child b, I want to work with Child C right now. Can we work the Space puzzle together in a little while?"
We encourage empathy!!!

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The school does not have playground equipment outside, they have fenced in grounds with gardens, grassy area, picnic tables on a deck that is in excellent condition where the children learn and get to see and touch animals that are brought in at various times during the year.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Medications

- Part time program

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 3 years to 6 years	22		$4500/Year

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Extended care for pm class

Calendar Year

School Year

8/25/2009 - 6/5/2010

Summer Program

6/29/2009 - 7/25/2009

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school

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

Child interview process: Required for all applicants

Parent interview process: Teacher-Parent

Deadline for applications: July -1

Application fee: $25

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Montessori philosopy should be understood and valued by parents

Notification occurs: Rolling

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: When notified

Financial aid is not available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 8 months to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Inquiries accepted from January -1 onwards.

Director's views on diversity:
Enrollment is granted without regard to a childâ??s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, or disability; and without regard to a parent or guardianâ??s race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, gender, or disability.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Avon Village School, Ruffing Montessori, Menlo Academy, Lakeridge Academy, Holy Trinity