Summary

Contact Info

Meher Montessori School
943 East Altadena Drive
Altadena , CA 91001
www.mehermontessori.org/

Tel: (626) 798-1171

Director: John Page

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

While child is in utero

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 6 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

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

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.7)

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

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Meher Montessori in Altadena addresses the individual needs, and skills of each child which allows the children to develop their full potential academically, socially and developmentally. The environment is warm and nurturing. The academics are fun and strong and there are many special programs and events. The children tend to graduate with academic skills that are several years ahead of children from other schools. It is not uncommon to see 5 year old students at Meher reading, writing, doing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. My son has attended this school for 2 years and just loves it! We love the way our child has grown and flourished at Meher.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Our goal for your child is to develop...

Independance through individual activities and caring for himself and his environment.

Initiative through intelligent free choice of activities

Self-confidence from accomplishments in activities that challeng his capabilities.

Self-discipline through activites that absorb him in his work.

Self-esteem from being a part of a loving atmosphere.

Social awareness through participating in a group setting.

Comprehensive academic skills through use of the unique Montessori Materials.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

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 (5.0)

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

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	-		-	-	-
Music	-	-		-	YES

Visual arts	-		-	-	-
Physical activity	-		-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Meher uses the Montessori Method which consists of learning stations where the children work with teachers, in groups and individually. Because there are mixed ages and levels in the classroom the children also mentor one another.

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

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The school has teachers and teacher assistants, all of whom are warm, caring and nurturing. The children have excellent supervision from consciencious and qualified adults with many years of experience.

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

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school

Drop-in Policy

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

General Parent Education

-This preschool does not conduct parent education classes

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Encourage play dates out of school

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

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- 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

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The children are taught the social skills necessary to resolve conflicts, express themselves and consider the feelings of others. Discipline is consistent and gentle and uses a system of a warning the first time, then a time out the second time. The children are well supervised and very safe.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

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 2 years 6 months to 6 years			$6965/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Extended car is available for free from 7-8:30am. From 3-6pm, it is $1.50 per hour or fraction of an hour. After 6pm, extended care is $5 per hour or fraction thereof.

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: While child is in utero

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Child interview process: Required for all applicants

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $100

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Preference given to siblings, first-come first served after that

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 6 months to enroll.

Inquiries accepted from January 1 onwards.

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
We attended a prospective student open house and visited the school with our child so we could observe the school and so the school could meet him and see how he responded to a Montessori environment.