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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Director's and 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.

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (3.9)
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

Parent #1
Belvedere Montessori doesn't have much of a backyard. There is a small garden and a play structure, 3 picnic tables for the kids to have snacks. BUT, the kids get out everyday to a new playground, or to a new park. They see more of the city than I ever will, and they know every playground within a 6-mile radius. The backyard is good for basic play, but for real activity, the kids are off and running most days!

Parent #2
The school space itself is not large, but the kids go out to the park or playground each day. The indoor space has spots for cooking, art, free play, piano, reading, etc. The outdoor space is a converted backyard where the kids do on-going composting and gardening projects. Art and reading are strengths of the school. Kids art projects are prominently displayed.

Parent #3
Everyday the students venture to a different site in the city. They visit our neighborhood playgrounds every week, but also go to city museums and special events.

Parent #4
Barbara Alexander has a brilliant rapport with children, especially the older ones. But this is not a school that provides a lot of guidance or hand-holding for parents or children. Children are left to resolve conflilcts among themselves, too.

Parent #5
It is almost a miracle that no one has gotten hurt or lost on the daily field trips. The director knows what she is doing, but I fear it is only a matter of time before they do have an emergency situation and it will not be helped by the director's refusal to carry a cellphone. That having been said, we are big fans of the director. The kids love her. If you have money, though, be warned. She often goes off on diatribes about how much she hates the rich, even if she loves their children. (And yes, she says this in front of the kids!)

Parent #6
discipline is handled really well with emphasis on kindness and respect. Time outs are used accordingly.

Parent #7
Regarding conflicts, our son has had to become familiar with one of the unfortunate items associated with growing up and going to school, bulllying. Unfortunately, we're dealing with it now in preschool. At first, our approach was obvious...complain. But the director tries to give all children, easy and difficult, a chance. So we've tried to help the situation by being befriending the child/bully by attending everyday school daytrips on occasion. We think it's working and our son apparently is getting along much better with the child. This is of course an individual example and if the director admitted a child who turned out to be not only a bad influence on the school environment but is also a "bad" child, I'm sure a situation such as bullying with this type of child would have been handled differently.

Regarding sickness. Be aware that while extremely ill children should stay at home, runny noses and coughs are frequent at Belvedere, but in our opinion, regular, aspects of preschool in general. But be aware, I've witnessed on mutliple occasions and feel confident in stating that the teachers wipe down and clean the entire school every day. If you want someone to chase your child around with hand sanitizer all day, this school isn't for you. But when the director deems a health issue of your child needs addressing, she'll let you know; I've experienced this firsthand so I know.

Parent #8
Kids here learn to take responsibility for their actions. They are empathetic to one another.

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

extended care is available 7:30 am to 9am, and 3pm to 5pm, for $5 per hour.