Seeking Info on Montesschool at Hillcrest

My 4 year old grandaughter has been attending the Montessori since she was 18 months old. She loves it right along with her parents and grandparents. I get to pick her up after work and she is always happy and is always playing with the other children. She is polite and well mannered and very smart. The school does so much more than babysit. They teach educational things along with learning how to get along with other children.And all of the kids can speak very well and they are very polite. I would recommend this to all parents. B.

We toured that school and didn't find it a fit for us. We explored MANY places in that area. For Montessori, there was a school on Preston that we really liked but finally decided on a place for our child at a non-Montessori based school. The montessori methods were very impressive, you walked in to the school, everyone seemed very well behaved and content, quietly working on their individual projects. But, there didn't seem like enough time for true unstructured group play and social interaction which is where I personally believe toddlers learn the most at this stage. I agree they definitely need to be challenged and provided structured activities and they need someone to really meet them on their level- but they also need time to explore on their own in a social environment. Also, Montessori didn't seem nurturing enough for me, it seemed very stark. HOWEVER, I believe some Montessori schools have found a way to provide all of those things- it is really just about finding the school that makes you the most comfortable entrusting your child to them and ensuring that they will work with you to tailor their approach with each child because every child needs different things.

the one in frisco - warren mont?
if so, have heard better things about frisco montessori at preston and meadow hill just north of main st.

I don't know anything about the school you are referring to, however, my daughter attended a Montessori school since a very young age. I LOVED IT! The school I highly recommend is Frisco Montessori on Preston. I visited many Montessori's before and none compared to this one. They even have a horticulture class teaching children about plants and such. It is incredible. It cost a little more than other schools, but it is definitely well worth it.
Good luck!

I have a friend in Dallas who owns this school. I don't know if it is near you, but I will almost guarantee it would be AWESOME. Here is the website: www.campbellchristianacademy.com

Good luck!

M. in Wichita Falls

The theories behind Montessori school are "learning by doing" and "delight-driven learning" which means your child will learn by doing what he likes to do most. I don't know this particular school, but most Montessori programs offer many opportunities for the child to explore and learn at their own pace, and their activities change monthly. They don't make them sit in one place and do any one activity. They will encourage them to try new things, but if your son wants to build with blocks all day, he can. One thing I thought was really cool is the way they make the child responsible for putting away their materials when they are done with them. I think Montessori is great, especially for boys. You should go and observe the school if you can. Are the children busy or are they wandering around like they are lost? I had enrolled my son in a Montessori school and then changed my mind at the last minute, opting for a Christian school. I later thought that maybe I should have gone with the Montessori. After preschool I homeschooled my son in a Montessori fashion.

My son started Montesschool at Hillcrest in July '07 at the age of 2 yrs. 4 mos. after being at an in-home daycare since he was 11 weeks. The first month was tough as it was a big adjustment for him to be in a class as opposed to being "babysat" and lots of attention but no direction!! (He basically played all day) However, his learning took off...vocabulary, grammar (speaking in sentences), manners, etc. I was referred by a friend who has both children at the school and found out another friend has both children there also. I would highly recommend that you visit the school. Also, trust your motherly instinct! If it feels right for you and your boys, then go with it. I have a friend who recommended a Richardson church daycare but I didn't have a great feeling about it when I visited. I have a 4 month old at the same in-home but I will definitely not wait as long to enroll him at Montesschool at Hillcrest. By the way, I wasn't a huge fan of the Montessori method when I chose this school, it was more about the owners (VERY nice, caring people), the teachers and the feeling I had when I visited. Best of luck!

Are you referring to the Montessori school at Camp Bowie and Asland in Fort Worth? I've heard very mixed reviews of it. I have actually checked out Montessori Children's House which is a bit down Camp Bowie at Clayton Road. They have a wonderful program and I've put my daughter, who will be 4 in May, on their waiting list. Check it out too at www.montessori-childrens-house.com