Summary
Contact Info
Santa Fe Montessori
1010 Solana Dr.; PO Box 745
Solana Beach
, CA
92075
www.santafemontessori.com
Tel:
(858) 755-3232
Fax:
(858) 755-1460
Director:
Francesca Gallozzi
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 |
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
1 years and 6 months |
| School year |
09/2008 - 06/2009 |
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:
5
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
- Del Mar Hills Nursery School
- The Children's School
- The Gifted Preschool
- The Gillispie School
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General Info
Basic Stats
| Average tenure for teachers |
15 yrs.
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Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
Yes
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Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.1) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Parents' Comments
Parent #1
This school has been 'doing its thing' for more than 35 years. It's an absolute gem of a school that can nurture our children from 18 months through 12 years of age. Our kids' teachers get them for 3 full years at a time, so the teachers get to KNOW our kids intimately. Our kids' assistant teacher told me that HER kids were taught by our kids' head teacher when HER kids were preschool-aged (they're in college now). That's how much continuity there is to the teaching staff, which speaks volumes about the school's ability to retain good teachers. Our oldest child is moving into the elem. program next year and she will be taught by seasoned, experienced CA credentialed teachers who are also Montessori certified and have taught at our school for more than 10 years. Wow!
Parent #2
Strengths = excellent curriculum. Lead teacher is excellent. Very academic school. Weakness = record keeping and financially demanding. Parents are required to pay for full day even if half-day is desired.
Parent #3
Great teachers, but poor administrative process
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Maria Montessori’s educational philosophy has been used for over a century in countries throughout the world. Fundamental to her practice was her belief that education should “follow the child,” because she recognized that children seek to construct their understandings of the world through experiences in their environment, and that adults can effectively facilitate learning by preparing an environment and allowing children to choose the materials and experiences within it.
“Education is not what a teacher gives...education is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences upon the environment.” (MM)
(excerpted from website)
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.6) |
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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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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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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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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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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
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
There has been a lot of turnover in the second (assistant) teacher. This leads me to believe it either doesn't pay well or the lead teacher is difficult to work with.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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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 and Parents' Comments
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
No program for start of preschool separation, but my son didn't need it. During school, I am not discouraged and not welcomed. Somewhere in between.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.8) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.7) |
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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
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Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The preschool buildings are fairly old, but the program and teachers are first-rate. Look past the physical plant to what the kids are learning and it's an impressive place.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.7) |
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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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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Safety
| OVERALL RATING (3.8) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
Get on the waiting list early.
Parent #2
Santa Fe Montessori is 'first come, first served'. They are confident in their methods that they don't have to cream off the smart kids. We happen to like that very much, as it's ludicrous to subject a 3 year old to an entrance exam.
