 How many spaces will be available in each classroom?
Placement in each classroom is dependent on the number
of returning students and the number enrolled at each grade level.
It is the goal to have each grade level equally represented.
The Lower Elementary Classrooms will have a maximum enrollment
of 25 students.
When will a Montessori Kindergarten be added?
There are no plans at this time or in the future to add a Montessori
Kindergarten. The Montessori program is designed for a multi-age
class, with kindergarten children at age 5 combined with
3 and 4 year olds. Currently it is against the Idaho state
law to use any state funds to provide educational opportunities
to children 4 and younger.
If a child attends a Montessori program as a 3 and
4 year old, then a public kindergarten, will the
child be considered as having Montessori experience for enrollment
to the public Montessori program? Yes
Will there be preference given to siblings?
Preference will
be given within the lottery category.
Will an open enrollment form be required each year?
Students,
who are accepted and who attend Liberty for one full year,
are considered part of the Liberty school boundary and do not
need to reapply each year. However, this doesn't qualify for
transportation if you reside outside of the school boundary.
Will on-site after school care be available?
Yes, Just For Kids before and after school care program is
on-site and available to all Liberty Families. For more information
contact the Program Coordinator, MaryAnn Wallinger, at 854-6720.
Can we visit the school and classroom if we are interested
in the Montessori Program at Liberty?
While we encourage parent involvement in the school setting,
conducting visits/observations during the school day is a disruption
to the learning process. We do provide a family night in May
for all Montessori families enrolled for the upcoming school
year. If you have questions, please call the school and speak
with the principal or assistant principal.
How does a Montessori typical day compare to a traditional?
The Montessori class is full of activity with students working
either individually or in small groups. The students individually
select their work and have an uninterrupted 3 hours in the
morning to focus on their work. The teacher is available for
questions and some guidance, but the work is self-directed.
The afternoon is available to accommodate Library, PE, Music,
and other special needs as requested. Conversely, the traditional
day is more broken up, all students work on the same lessons
during the same time period each day as directed by the teacher.
The students in the Montessori have the choice of working at
desks and tables, or on a mat on the floor, whereas the traditional
students typically work in their desk. Unlike the traditional
classes, there is no competitiveness among the Montessori students
as they work to increase knowledge of self and their peers.
How are public testing guidelines followed in the Montessori
program?
The Montessori program participates in all required assessments
with the 1st- 3rd taking the IRI, Idaho Reading Indicator test
and 3rd also taking the ISAT. The Upper Elementary Classroom
will participate in the Idaho State Achievement Test (Grades
4th, 5th, and 6th), Direct Math Assessment (4th and 6th Grades)
and the Direct Writing Assessment (5th Grade).The Montessori
curriculum is similar to the public even if not taught in the
same order so that by the end of the third grade they have
been presented equal or more information than their traditional
counterparts.
Do you partner with private Montessori's in the area?
During the 2007-2008 school year, Christel Norhausen from
Rose Hill Montessori supported and provided on-site expertise.
Eagle, Park Center Montessori and Lakewood Montessori also
participated in providing assistance to the success of the
program.
All Montessori staff members including the principal
and assistant principal have observed classrooms at Lakewood
Montessori and Rose Hill Montessori to gain insight and
knowledge into a successful Montessori classroom.
In addition, principal Betty Hoogland, visited public Montessori
classrooms in Phoenix, Ariziona in January 2008. Phoenix Public
Schools have had Montessori classrooms as a part of their programs
for over 20 years.
Are there volunteer opportunities available?
Yes, we welcome volunteers to our classrooms and our school.
Please contact Lead Teachers Anne Desaulniers and Tenley Gagner-Lutz
for specific times and days. In addition, our PTA is in need
of volunteers for reading, Art Mom and special events at
school.
All volunteers are required to follow the Boise School District
Volunteer procedures of signing in and out at our office.
Is there a teacher for the computer lab?
Yes the computer lab is classroom teacher directed, and the
students attend once per week for 30 minutes. We do not have
a technology teacher, yet this would be an excellent time
for a parent with a technology background to volunteer.
What reading program is used in the Montessori classroom?
There is access to the different programs available through
the Boise School District. Generally the children are allowed
to read at their own level and choose their own reading material.
The grammar and language program follows the Montessori curriculum.
The lessons are consistent with current theory and practice
of teaching children how to read and write; a linear process
of curriculum accommodating individual learning styles.
Why was the Montessori program brought to Liberty?
The program
allows a choice for parents. Liberty was selected because of
the high population of Montessori students in the area and
Liberty had available space.
As a parent of a child without a Montessori background, how
do I assess if my child would benefit?
Here are some suggestions:
explore the internet to learn about the Montessori Method and
determine if you agree with its philosophy; watch a video about
the method with your child to help assess if your child would
fit in this program by analyzing if your child's personality
and learning style would work with the methodology.
What are some creative solutions to obtain Montessori experience
if you can't afford it?
Obtain some Montessori materials and
work with your child at home; read about it with your child
and practice the methodology. Consider attending part-time
if your budget allows, most Montessori's offer a part-time
choice. It is also highly recommended to contact your local
legislatures in the House and Senate to show your interest
in the State providing public lower/primary educational opportunities.
Liberty Public Meetings - Spring 2007
What is the enrollment priority?
The first priority goes to students within the Liberty boundary with prior
Montessori experience, then to those without, per the 80/20 ratio. Next priority
goes to those outside the Liberty boundaries with prior Montessori experience,
then to those without, per the 80/20 ratio.
Will families in the Montessori Program be required
to reapply annually?
No. Preference will also be given to siblings of participating Montessori students.
Will there be a separate PTA for the Montessori strand?
No. Montessori parents will participate in the Liberty Elementary PTA.
Are there other Montessori strand schools housed within
a traditional public school?
Yes. There are a number of successful models like the one we are piloting across
the nation and we are seeking to benchmark best practices from them.
Will children outside of the Liberty boundaries only
be accepted after those within it?
Yes.
How does Montessori work with kids who have special
needs?
Maria Montessori originally developed her methods for children with special
needs. These methods are currently widely used by Special Ed teachers. Each
of these children has a unique set of needs that should be considered on an
individual basis. The Montessori approach may or may not be the best approach
and should be considered on a case by case basis.
Will the teachers be certified?
They will be Montessori certified and they may or may not be hold an Idaho
Teaching Certification. If we hire someone without a current Idaho teaching
certificate, they will work toward this per the BSD guidelines.
Is a BA required for Montessori certification?
Yes, it is for all elementary teachers.
How does Montessori fit in with testing requirements?
This is something we have addressed since the beginning. While the scope of
the Montessori curriculum matches up with that of the traditional school,
the sequence does not. Montessori students complete a three-year curriculum
at their own pace and therefore may not always have received the curriculum
that is being tested at the time the test is administered. By the end of
sixth grade, the Montessori students will have received all of the same curriculum
that their traditional track peers have received. Nationally, Montessori
students have scored at or above the level of their traditional school peers.
To what would you attribute the high math and science
scores within Montessori classrooms?
Montessori subjects are presented to the student first in a concrete form and
progress to the abstract. The student internalizes each subject fully, and
gains a solid foundation of math and science principles. This probably accounts
for the high math and science scores found in a number of studies.
Are the 3rd grade materials going to be the highest
materials offered, or will more advanced materials be available – for
instance to a 3rd grader who is more advanced in a certain
subject?
We will be purchasing all the materials for 1st - 6th grade. Students who have
mastered a subject and show interest in further study will be introduced to
the next level of materials. 1st - 3rd grade teachers Montessori training prepares
teachers to challenge accelerated students.
Will the district pay for the Montessori materials?
Yes.
Will parents have to pay anything extra?
Nothing that the other Liberty parents don't have to pay. Liberty has a budget
for field trips and some other expenses, so there will be very few, if any,
additional expenses for the parents.
Is there a process at the end of the year to determine
if the pilot is successful and will continue?
The district has approached this as a program that will grow. Other special
programs, such as the Harbor Method , have been slow to start, but were supported
by the district as they grew into successful strands. The factors to evaluate
success of the program are being carefully identified.
Where do enrollment forms get turned in or mailed
to?
Completed enrollment forms may be delivered directly to Liberty Elementary,
or mailed to the school:
Liberty Elementary School, 1740 S. Bergeson, Boise, ID 83706.
Montessori Home | Mission & Philosophy | Choosing
the Montessori Program | Staff
Contact: Liberty Principal:
854-5410
Lead Teachers:
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