Summary

Contact Info

Berkeley Montessori School
2030 Francisco Street
Berkeley , CA 94709
www.bmsonline.org

Tel: (510) 849-8340
Fax: (510) 841-4460

Director: Chris Middlemiss
cmiddlemiss@bmsonline.org

Admissions Director:
Paula Farmer; admissions@bmsonline.org

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

September through january of the fall before which you plan your child to start school.

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

January 30

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

94

Student/teacher ratio

12:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 11 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Summer Program

-1/-1/-1 - -1/-1/-1

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: 2

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

94

Student/teacher ratio

12:1

Established

1964

Average tenure for teachers

15 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

99%

- Masters

5%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- CPR

95%

- First aid

95%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Located close to public transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 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

Late Pickup Policy: Children go into our after-school program. We request notification from parent. upon sign in when possible, but before the end regular day.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• Third year is the same, but provides additional enrichment in math, science and phonics/reading

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

Yes

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Teach religious concepts

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• They are given additional attention until they are able to integrate into the classroom. Sometimes extra staff is provided through the family. We employ a full time child psychologist and learning specialist who often work with these children both individually and in small groups.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Accreditations

Affiliated with the American Montessori Society.

Other Memberships

American Montessori Society (AMS); California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.8)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Gardens

Playground

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?
We invite parent participation, but we are not a co-op. Parents are encouraged to bring their gifts and cultures into the classrooms at appropriate times and can help in many capacities both in the classroom as well as other volunteer opportunities throughout the school. BMS has an active and engaged Parent's Association with relevant parent education events being offered throughout the year.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Berkeley Montessori School is a vibrant community of educators and families, agreeing with Dr. Maria Montessori that each generation of children has the opportunity to remake the world it inherits.

We cultivate and honor children's innate love of learning as they prepare for a life of purpose, integrity, and academic accomplishment.

Berkeley Montessori students gain the skills and confidence to meet the challenges of self, family, community and the world at large.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

The morning consists of an uninterrupted work period when the children choose to work and work at their own pace with the teacher acting as a guide to introduce new material when appropriate.

Following the work period is a story circle where the children are read to by the teacher.

Lunch follows next, which occurs in the classroom.

Outside time follows lunch and then a shorter, afternoon work period followed by dismissal.

Younger children nap during the afternoon work period.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

We don't use the term 'free play' at our school. Our work period is designed so that children choose their own work, work at their own pace with the teacher acting as a guide to introduce new material. Children are always given choices and not told what to do, but are sometimes led when challenges block growth with mastering particular works.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

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	The early childhood Montessori curriculum also consists of 'Practical Life exercises' designed to refine eye/hand coordination and control of movement as well as 'Sensorial Exercises' designed to refine all of the senses. Attention to the developement of fine motor and gross motor skills are inherently part of the Montessori methodology.				n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
It's hard to categorize BMS in these categories. In a Montessori school, there is free choice within a framework -- activities are presented by the teachers and children can choose what they work on, but there are also times of more "formal" learning -- during circle times, during the presentation of new activities, etc.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (5.0)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

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

Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute

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

BMS Early Childhood Campus classrooms are multi-age, with each classroom containing three-, four-, and five-year-olds. This ensures that children are able to progress at their own pace in both social/emotional and academic arenas, and that each child can act as both a teacher and a learner in the classroom. Teachers work with students individually as well as in small groups to facillitate more difficult concepts. There is also a Learning Specialist and Child Psychologist on staff who may work with students with specific needs.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

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

- Open house the 2nd week of school - 2 formal parent/teacher conferences (Fall and Spring) - Informal/quick dialogue during arrival/dismissal - Parent education classes - Progress report for 5 year olds (kindergarteners going to grade 1) Our program includes the kindergarten year.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Small group sessions
- Parents in classroom early on
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

- First 2 days of school are for new children only

- Parents invited to stay as long as needed

- Extra staff is provided

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are encouraged to drop-in during specific times

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (5.0)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Schedule family field trips

- Encourage play dates out of school

- Shares information on matter related to our children (e.g. babysitter lists, pediatricians, extracurriculuar classes, etc.)

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Pairs ?old? parents with ?new? parents

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

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 and model positive discipline where the children are spoken to softly, either one-on-one or in a small group. They usually come up with solutions for better behavior or to a problem. We never single out a child. We often role-model. Conflict resolution is very important at our school.

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.'

The teacher would remind Child A that we don't exclude at school and everybody can play together. Child A immediately will invite Child B to play.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We are 'nut free' school.

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

Medications

- We call parents when the child needs medication

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.8)

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 5 years to 6 years	24	Mon 8:30am - 3pm Tue 8:30am - 3pm Wed 8:30am - 3pm Thu 8:30am - 3pm Fri 8:30am - 2pm	$15360/Year
From 5 years to 6 years	24		$19470/Year
From 3 years to 4 years	24		$19020/Year
From 5 years to --	24	Mon 8:30am - 3pm Tue 8:30am - 3pm Wed 8:30am - 3pm Thu 8:30am - 3pm Fri 8:30am - 2pm	$14220/Year
From 5 years to 6 years			$18580/Week
From 3 years to 4 years			$18130/Week
From 3 years to 4 years	24	Mon 8:30am - 3pm Tue 8:30am - 3pm Wed 8:30am - 3pm Thu 8:30am - 3pm Fri 8:30am - 2pm	$14940/Year
From 3 years to 4 years	24		$17770/Year
From 5 years to --	24		$18030/Year
From 3 years to 4 years	24	Mon 8:30am - 3pm Tue 8:30am - 3pm Wed 8:30am - 3pm Thu 8:30am - 3pm Fri 8:30am - 2pm	$13960/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

All students attend from 8:30am - 3:00pm, 5 days per week (we do not offer part time programs)
Morning care starts at 8:00am
Afternoon care ends at 6:00pm

Tuition is annual for regular school year. School also offers a summer program which is a separate program for current and newly enrolled students. Care during Winter Break, Midwinter Break, Spring Break, Conference Days and Staff Development Days is not included in the tuition, but will be billed if you need them.

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Summer Program

-1/-1/-1 - -1/-1/-1

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: September through january of the fall before which you plan your child to start school.

There is a wait list for upcoming school year. • After all admission decisions are made and contracts sent back, we call those that are wait listed and follow up with a letter. Adjustments are made to the waitlist as space becomes available, so as priority application students accept or decline their contract offers, we will continue to move down the list according to fit with the program. Because our proximity to Cal Berkeley and the Silicon Valley often leaves us in a flux with families who move out of the area on a moments notice for a variety of reasons having to do with work and studies, the waitlist tends to move. Understanding that there are no guarantees, we are usually able to place most, if not all, of our waitlisted families by December of that school year.

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Child interview process: Required for all applicants and takes the form of teacher-child

Parent interview process: Admissions Director-parent

Deadline for applications: January 30

Application fee: $75

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on child's aptitude, social skills, and family fit with the institution.
• We schedule child visits/assessments to see if the child is a good fit for our program. Child visits last approximately 30 minutes and usually take place in January of the application year.

Notification occurs: Within 4 weeks of application.

Deposit required: $1500

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: 7 days

Financial aid is available.

Director's Comments

Comments

Tuition deposit is non-refundable. It is applied against tuition, but is non-refundable if child is withdrawn from the school by the parent.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 11 months to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Inquiries accepted from August 1 onwards.

Director's views on diversity:
We continually work on increasing our diversity. It is continually improving as we address concerns of economics and culture.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
A friend of ours has three children in the school in different grades.