Preschool Recommendations?

My children (ages 4.5 and 2.5) attend Omni Montessori School here in the Ballantyne area. It is a fabulous school, especially the primary program. We moved here when my oldest was 2 and I looked at a lot of preschools and have a lot of friends with kids in other preschools (most are affiliated with a church here). I am so happy that I went with Omni Montesssori. I know when you are comparing children you really are comparing apples to oranges because all kids are different, but when I look at the things my children are given the opportunity to learn in Montessori versus what my friends' children have learned in their preschools, I couldn't imagine sending my child anywhere but Montessori. I feel that regardless of where my children attend elementary school or beyond, they are getting the best foundation for learning from Montessori, and a good foundation is so essential to getting a good education. And in addition to the fabulous education, my children are learning to be good people who are independent, critical thinkers.

Omni is a great Montessori school. It is run by the parents. We have a school director and business director, but it is run overall by a Board of Trustees made up of the parents. We have a very active Parent Association. It's a very small school, just over 100 families. Omni has a beautiful, wooded campus (maybe 3 or 4 acres) with a building for the primary, a building for lower elementary, an upper elementary building, an activity center, a little house. There's also lots of open, green space where the children play, a great playground. In the back the upper elementary has a small orchard. We just started our adolescent program this year and the plan is for them to move to their own campus on a nearby working farm. It's very much a community as much as it is an educational center.

They are currently conducting interviews for the next year so if you are interested you should call them immediately. Mark Berger is our School Director; 9536 Blakeney Heath Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28277 - Tel: ###-###-####, website: www.omni-montessori.org

I do know that if your child is already attending a Montessori school that helps in getting in. But it does fill up fast so call soon. If you want to talk more with me about it, email me at ____@____.com
I'm happy to talk to you on the phone if you want too and I'll give you my phone if you email me directly.

I can also tell you that, unfortunately, we may be moving to Virginia. We thought about going the traditional kindergarten route for my oldest since she'll be 5 if/when we move, but I feel that the move will be easier on her if she at least can enter a classroom that is familiar. It will have different kids and teachers, but the materials will all be the same. Plus I couldn't think more highly of the Montessori method.

Good luck with your move.

Morning! I would be happy to help you! My personal email is ____@____.com Have you already found a home? So we can get you close to that location. I am a Realtor in the area, so happy to help in any way with your move :)

Hi S. : )I'm from Sherman Oaks,California. We have lived in Charlotte for five years. You'll love it. You should definietly check out the Omni School but there are two other schools you may also want to look into...the Goddard School in Ballantyne and Charlotte Prep. Charlotte Prep is not in Ballantyne so it would be about a 20 minute drive. The program is outstanding. The Goddard School is not a montessori school but incorporates a lot of montessori teaching philosophies. My daughter attended montessori and I thought I would do the same for my son but the Goddard School was the right fit for my son and our family. The atmosphere is wonderful.

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

Welcome to Charlotte! My family and I moved here 4 years ago from Redondo Beach and love it. The Ballantyne area is wonderful. There is a Montessori school in the Blakeney area but I would definitely look into soon. I believe there is a waiting list. Most of the preschools here are tied to Churches, one of the good ones is Calvary Church on Rea Rd. My daughter went there, learned a lot, and was definitely ready for school. One difference is school starts in August here and most schools including preschools have already started registration. Charlotte is great, the people are friendly and there are lots of kids. Good Luck, J.

Omni Montessori ###-###-#### is the closest montessori school to the Ballantyne area.

As a former montessori student myself, I would recommend against switching teaching methodologies at this point. As they say, not all of us grow up to be doctors but some of us do. As a PhD ABD myself, I can tell you that I still use the skills that I learned in preschool to further my research and my career. I believe that the montessori method will help in transitioning your children into a new city and culture.

Welcome (in advance) to the Charlotte area.
A.

S.,

The Ballantyne area is probably the best place to live in Charlotte. Lots to do and very nice. My husband works out there. We live outside Charlotte in Union County. Don't know about there but here there are already waiting lists. Most schools are full by Jan/Feb. You may want to google and see what you can find. Good luck and I hope all goes well with the move.

A. M.