Summary

General Info

Parent #1
Strengths are the staff generally, but the Director terrorizes her staff (which you can find out from those who leave) and is fairly nuts. Talks a great speel about education but locked my 2 year old in a closet because she wouldn't sit still longer than 20 minutes to eat an apple. Problems became obvious when our child became depressed & withdrawn and fearful of being left there. Naomi terrorizes her staff so they won't be honest with investigators, but if you talk to the staffers who left recently, you'll get a different picture. Definitely not worth the money and not trustworthy.

Parent #2
In addition to the core Montessori curriculum, the school frequently has additional themes or subjects for exploration. There is always something new that the students are learning about.

Parent #3
I can't say enough good things about Applegarden. It is nice and small, great, creative teachers, very well run, director communicates very well and very frequently, the curriculum is rich and varied. Most importantly, my son's confidence and independence is growing and growing. He really loves the school.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Our Montessori preschool and childcare programs offer personal, prepared environments for the child. Here freedom of self-expression and exploration lead to learning experiences and develop in harmony with the child's own tendencies toward growth, independence, creativity, self-discipline and social awareness. In our school, children work individually and in groups. Activities are designed to elicit the child's interest and to inspire concentration and delight in learning. We also offer quality full-time childcare along with our Montessori programs. We value working closely with parents to nurture each child's fullest possible development.

Extracted from www.applegardenschool.org Feb 2006

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Schedule of the Day

8:00-8:30 Early morning childcare. Children are inside with teacher helping to set up or choosing activities.
8:30-8:50 Arrival. Outside play time Children are playing as their classmates arrive.
8:50-9:10 Slippers on. Optional greeting circle: calendar, weather, singing, news.
9:10-9:20 Optional small groups. Work time begins.
9:20-11:10 Work period. Children choose activities. Directress and assistants help out as needed. Spontaneous small groups and individual lessons occur. Children prepare and serve snacks. Stories may be read to individual children or to small groups. Directress and assistants chart children's activities, write in journals.
11:10-11:15 Clean-up time.
11:15-11:30 Second circle.
11:30-11:35 Shoes on. Morning staff breaks begin as afternoon staff begins arriving.
11:35-11:50 Outside time.

11:50-12:15 Wash hands. Lunch. Either inside or outside, depending on the weather.

12:15-12:30 Clean up from lunch and play time.
12:30-12:45 Story time. Nappers go down for rest.
12:45-1:00 Outside time. Morning class goes home.
1:00-1:50 Kindergroup. Outside or inside art and play for all other non-nappers.
1:30-2:00 Afternoon class arrives. Outside play time.
2:00-2:20 Slippers on. Greeting circle, optional small groups, or begin work period.
2:20-4:00 Work period. Children choose activities. Directress and assistants help out as needed. Spontaneous small groups and individual lessons occur. Children prepare and serve snacks. Stories may be read to individual children or to small groups. Directress and assistants chart children's activities, write in journals.
4:00-4:15 Clean-up time. Closing circle with story time. Shoes on and prepare to go home.
4:15-4:30 Outside play time. Afternoon class goes home.
4:30-4:45 Outside play time. Afternoon staff breaks begin.
4:45-5:00 Wash hands and enjoy childcare snack.
5:00-6:00 Children go home throughout this hour. Children play with blocks, dolls, dollhouse, and other traditonal toys, usually inside.

Extracted from www.applegardenschool.org

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

Quality of Teaching

Home School Connection

Discipline, Health and Safety

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Application & Admissions

Kindergarten Placement & Tips