Does anyone have anything to say about Berkleley Montessori School? I know they have a new Head and changes have been made. How is communication home to parents? Do kids have enough physical activity? How is the community? There is no space large enough to meet as a community. Is that a big loss? No assemblies? Are kids challenged enough? I heard in the past, some kids were leaveing lower elementary without basic math and writing skills. Has this been addressed? Thanks! Curious parent

One of the wonderful things about BMS is that there are a lot of great parents in the community with a lot of strong opinions. As you all probably know, this is a double-edged sword. One of the ways in which I feel we are all learning to be a healthier and more effective community, is by better achieving that elusive balance. We are learning to make skillful use of the talents and energies of parents, without this leading to the sense that we are chasing in a million directions at once, or that a small group of vocal parents are steering the ship.

The play-yard is not huge, but the school makes good use of Strawberry Creek Park, which is right across the street. There have also been improvements to the lay out of activities during ''outside time,'' so that kids have a range of choices to engage their energies. Our wonderful next door neighbors, Congregation Netivot Shalom, have made their community space open to us for use both during the school day and in the evenings as needed, so there are ample opportunities to have large gatherings.

My sense this year is that there is a consistent commitment in the lower elementary classrooms to basic skill levels being met. I know that this has been a concern in past years, and I think a combination of some new staff and better use of learning specialists has resulted in marked improvement. One of the challenges for parents who may be accustomed to a different style of education, is to understand that all Montessori teachers look at achievement over a three year time frame, as all students spend three years in each, mixed-age classroom. This allows for children to truly learn at their own pace. As a parent, I was thrilled when my first grader was doing third grade level math work. It was more challenging to be thrilled when that same child was struggling to read even toward the end of second grade. Good communication with his teachers assured me that he was working away, even though little progress was apparent, until suddenly, at the end of second grade, seemingly overnight, it all clicked for him. He is now a happy fourth grader, reading at the same level as his peers, and delightedly losing himself in reading for pleasure. Throughout this he was never stigmatized for being “too smart” in math or “not smart” in reading, and for this I will be forever grateful. I hope this helps. I am choosing anonymity out of respect for my kids’ privacy, but would be happy to talk more to anyone about BMS. It is a truly great school. Happy BMS mom

The new Head of School, Janet Stork, is fantastic: dynamic, bright, and absolutely passionate about progressive education and meeting the learning needs of every child. I think she is very good about communication and very accessible, and provides numerous opportunities every month for anyone to talk to her in person. She has also encouraged the professional development of every staff member, which has translated into an energized faculty, enriching even more what our kids experience. She has added weekly yoga classes to complement the weekly movement classes, so I feel my children get enough exercise, especially with recess and sports after school. The school can use the synagogue's multipurpose room next door for assemblies and all school events, although it would certainly be nice to have our own space.

My children have certainly learned *more* than they would have in a traditional school, including math and writing, and have been encouraged to pursue their academic interests. I think that is what is possible when experienced and skilled teachers provide the individualized education the Montessori approach fosters. There have been some staff changes at the lower elementary level, and the new Head has added a school psychologist and weekly child study reviews for the faculty, administrators, and learning specialists working with one child to discuss the special needs of that child. I know there are also plans to hire another learning specialist to assist children who have special needs, so I feel the concerns you mention have been addressed.

The community is vibrant and full of very bright parents, teachers, and staff members passionate about serving the children, but in the past they haven't always agreed on how best to do that. I think our new Head of school is a great leader who is harnessing the energy of the community and helping everyone pull in the same direction to make BMS an even better school. Her model of school as learning community, where everyone, teachers, administrators, parents, children, are learning, is a terrific vision for the future. -Happy parent

I have just returned to the U. S. and am trying to place my 5 year old in a good kindergarten in the Berkeley area. I am considering Ecole Bilingue and Berkeley Montessori, and would appreciate comments on these schools for this age, plus any other recommendations for excellent private schools. Thank you

Re: Thinking of switching our 7-year-old to a Montessori school
I believe that there may still be openings for the 2006-07 school year at Berkeley Montessori School for a 7 year old child, and I doubt that exposure to Spanish would be a factor in acceptance. The sooner you can make the switch the better, as it can be difficult for children to make the transition later on. Please call the BMS admissions director Carol Clark at 510-665-8800 ext. 103, or check out the web site at http://www.bmsonline.org. We have been very happy with the experience of our children at this exceptional school.
Berkeley Montessori parent

Re: Berkeley Montessori vs. Montessori Family
We had a hard time deciding between Berkeley Montessori and Montessori Family as well, but in the end, we thought that the classrooms at Berkeley Montessori were a little livelier in terms of collaboration between the children, and that ''felt'' better to us. I am a strong believer in gut instincts when choosing schools and other childcare for your children. We have been very happy with the tremendous teachers and vibrant community at Berkeley Montessori as my son has moved from the Early Childhood program through Lower El (1st-3rd) and now Upper El. But we may well have been happy at Montessori Family as well. I think we are blessed to have so many wonderful schools in the East Bay! Another Montessori Mom

Hi, I am hoping any parents whose children have attended Berkeley Montessori or Walden school in Berkeley can respond to this question. We are considering a bunch of different schools right now for next year and I am curious how these two schools graduates transition into a different school setting after completing the BMS or Walden school program? I am concerned about my child being ''behind'' when transferring to a public school setting in 9th grade (if that is what they end up doing). I have this ''feeling'', which is really based on nothing, that these two schools may allow so much freedom and independence that my child(ren) could end up doing more of what she wants and not enough of what she needs? I could be way off base here. I would love to hear any positive or negative feedback and am really looking for answers from children who have already attended these schools and how they are doing now in their current schools. Thanks for any information. Anon

Your concerns are valid, of course. but the questions you raise about being ''behind'' are totally the opposite of what I've experienced at BMS. In fact, many of my 9th grade friends at Albany High are struggling with algebra, and haven't gone nearly as in depth as we have with the books they study in English class. For example, this year we've spent three months reading and discussing ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,'' writing papers and doing projects based on the book. My friends at AHS said they dont't read classics like that until they are juniors. We're a mixed class of 7th and 8th graders so, in fact we're already far ahead! In 8th grade you take test prep and timed essay practice to help prepare you for HS. Besides the academics, the BMS teachers are awesome! I have great relationships with them and feel that if I don't understand something, I can go to any of them and explain what I don't understand and get help without feeling embarressed or intimidated. I feel this is very important to be able to do this with your teachers.

BMS is a great school with a tightly-knit community of nice kids and caring teachers! There is so much more I could tell you about BMS so free feel to contact me. I honestly know that I am very socially and academically prepared to enter high school. Antonia helen

Also, bear in mind that the Middle School at BMS is not a Montessori program but a bridging, transition program that helps kid prepare for a rigourous academic high school and college life after BMS. Hope this helps! Sima

I wanted to address some of the comments made about Berkeley Montessori School by an anonymous parent in the last Private School issue. One of the greatest strengths of the school is the amazing faculty, and the wonderful teacher:student ratio, with two teachers for each class of approximately 24 children. All of the Head Teachers at BMS are Montessori trained and highly experienced. After completing their Montessori credential, Head Teachers are required to have worked as an Assistant Teacher for at least 3 years before becoming a Head Teacher. All of the faculty and staff education and credentials are available on the BMS web site at http://www.bmsonline.org under ''Education'' ''About Faculty & Staff''. My son's teachers have been truly amazing.

In terms of grading, students at the Early Childhood Campus and Elementary school receive written reports rather than grades, but parents also have the opportunity to talk to teachers at two scheduled conferences during the school year, as well as any extra conferences requested by a parent or teacher during the school year. The teachers are trained in observing the children carefully and can tell a parent where their individual child falls in the continuum for any particular area of study. This observation and knowledge of each child by teachers is part of the beauty of the Montessori method.

The middle school graduates do go to excellent high schools, and the information about which schools they went to is also on the school's web site, under ''Students'' ''Graduates''.

In addition, the BMS test scores are on the web site, under ''Community'' ''Test Results'', and they are quite good. However, I would also like to point out, as has been done before, that test scores really reflect the socioeconomic status of the children, not necessarily the education that is going on in the school. BMS works very hard to achieve diversity, with an important Tuition Assistance program, and need-blind admissions. Not every private school does that.

Of course each family's experience at a school is individual, and each family needs to find a good fit for them. But I would be happy to talk to parents interested in BMS and answer any questions they might have about the school, speaking from my family's experiences. I think it is a very wonderful place to educate my children, and a wonderful community to be a part of. Sima

Hi - I've noticed the new Berkeley Montessori building going up, and it's made me curious. How do current parents feel about the school? (academics, socially, diversity, ''playground dynamics)? About the move? Is the newer building going to allow a larger enrollment? If you have transferred out of Berkeley Montessori, what led to that decision? And, if you decided to go, has it met your expectations? In general we hear very little about this school, so any pluses or minuses would be nice to know.

Our younger son had a less consistent experience in the lower elementary program (grades 1,2,3) at BMS, but in the upper program his teachers are excellent and he's now more academic than his brother ever was! I know he will be very happy at the middle school and I'm sure he'll have his pick of private high schools.

At BMS Middle School,there is a good amount of attention on math, a really good science prep with Lawrence Hall of Science program, and lots of work on writing, writing and more writing. BMS is a school, as my older one says, ''where you can be yourself'' and because it is small, the kids are protected from the big-middle-school/popular culture/peer pressure stuff for a little bit longer. I'm all for that during those tender years and found my older one all the stronger for that bit of extra childhood. There's sports at the middle school in a league with other east bay middle schools, and some terrific study/travel experiences to Wash. DC and the UK and Mexico. I'm into small schools and classrooms where there is time for the kids to develop meaningful relationships with their teachers, which BMS does with true excellence at many levels, especially Upper El(grades 4,5,6) and Middle School.

There's something to say for leadership too. BMS has an extraordinary head of school, Lee Davis, who sets a tone of excellence. She's spearheaded the purchase of the new site and it's development with remarkable strength and consistency. But more important, it's her leadership style, that I think is really great - fair, hardworking, and very joyful.

BMS Old Timer

The new Elem.-M.S.site is very exciting, and will be ready in February. The new school buildings are ''Green'', environmentally sensitive, and they have built in the idea of classroom as teacher about the environment.

The administration has done a great job of focusing efforts to purchase a new site and raise funds to build a new school. And the Parents Association has really blossomed over the past few years, building a sense of all school community and facilitating communication with the administration when parent concerns come up.

One weakness I see is the quality of some of the resource teaching, like music and physical education, as well as the summer program. Also, it is hard for our family to afford private school. But we feel that the cost has been well worth it for our son to be in such a wonderful, stimulating, loving environment where his learning knows no limits.

Happy Berkeley Montessori Parent

1. The Montessori curriculum can be difficult for some children to understand, especially if s/he has not gone to a Montessori preschool. Be sure you know how the classroom is structured; try to determine in advance whether your child can handle that kind of educational environment and curriculum.

2. While some of the teachers are excellent, others are not. If your child is assigned to one of the latter, you're stuck for 3 long years. To our knowledge, classroom assignments _cannot _ be changed. Be sure to check out the academic background and educational credentials of any head teachers to which your child might be assigned. Make sure those teachers have the background to teach your child what you want him or her to learn.

3. In our child's classroom, alot of time was spent on activities that we did not find germaine to the academic Montessori curriculum. For example, the class routinely played on the playground for 15-25 minutes extra before school started. There were also many day-long fieldtrips and other activities that had no discernible relationship to the academic studies. This is in sharp contrast with our child's current school, which starts promptly, and whose field trips and non-academic activities always have a direct link to the subjects being studied in class that week.

4. Individual teachers have alot of autonomy at BMS. If you have problems with your child's teacher, it can be hard to get the managing staff to intervene on your behalf. Again, no changes were allowed.

5. The grading system is very spongy... All the kids in each multi-grade classroom are evaluated on the same scale: not yet, in progress, and proficient. This makes it very hard for a parent to know exactly how their child is doing academically and where he or she might stand in comparison with his or her chronological peers. Moreover, the grades for our child's classroom didn't arrive until well after the school year was over--in mid July.

6. Although BMS says that its middle schoolers go on to excellent high schools, we would suggest checking that out. Most of the students who graduated last year did not, as we recall, go on to established or well-regarded high schools.

7. To determine how well BMS students master the ''standard'' academic skills, look closely at recent test scores for BMS students. The figures we have, for 1999, were in the mid-70th percentile, not nearly as high as those of many other private schools in this area.

Anonymous

Fantastic teachers, small relatively unknown middle school, definitely takes in students from other schools at 7th and 8th grade. Not a traditional Montessori environment - different from the Elementary School in that respect. Very academic but very supportive of a range of abilities. Teachers are very approachable.

Detailed report cards, exceptional math program, prepares students for high school at a strong level. Usually one or more short camping trips and one big spring trip - sometimes international per year. Sports teams, Spanish and Art electives are offered.

I expect with the new building next year, the school will have a much greater wave of ''fame''. The Middle School will also increase in size which will give more social opportunities. c

Berkeley Montessori School has a wonderful elementary and middle school program. Both my boys attend and are academically well ahead of their peers, but most importantly they're having a wonderful time learning! hope

We would like to hear any and all feedback on Berkeley Montessori School. We will be returning from a year in Paris and that may be the only school with an opening for our soon to be third grader. Thank you. Margaret

Outlining, grammar, sentence structure, the paragraph, writing literary criticism, and creating a bibliography were all taught at length in his 7th and 8th grade English classes. The enjoyment, memorization, rhyme and meter of poetry were well covered. In addition, through one of his teachers, Charley had the opportunity to take a special novels course each summer, which he greatly enjoyed.

My son's high level of academic preparedness is not just in English - he's finding that he is well prepared for all of his classes. The only weak spot at BMS is the Spanish program and this is not unique among most middle schools.

The English and Math teachers at BMS Middle School are extraordinary. I truly appreciate this now that my son is in a challenging high school environment. Debby

By way of background, both of my sons attended Berkeley Montessori School's preschool. Both were in Nancy's class, though I know Denise, and my children were with her in the summer program. We loved BMS preschool, and thought all the teachers were really great, Denise included. We adore Nancy and remain friends with her. The preschool is a warm nest of nuturing and learning. Both my kids went on at BMS and one will go to Lick-Wilmerding HS next fall, and the other is thriving as a fourth grader there. I believe that no school is perfect, indeed we supplement with outside music and sports, but on the whole we are very, very pleased with BMS. We especially valued that the preschool classroom/age mix led to a very special kindergarten third year. It builds confidence, competency, and kindness in the child. It also means that as a parent you avoid the hysteria of applying to kindergarten and putting your child through all that stress at age 5/6. A very good thing. Plus the mixed age group and extended materials and curriculum allow your child to explore and grow at her own pace. She can work on what she needs and wants most to learn, advance and solidify her skills, and feel completely comfortable at her own level. (This keeps going in Montessori, for example, my fourth grader is in the sixth grade math group where he learns the things he is hungry to know...) We feel that the BMS preschool gave our boys the foundation for their future education, a self directed learning style, and the confidence to be generous spirited, kind people. Debby

Regarding great middle schools: Berkeley Montessori School on Leroy Street has a wonderful middle school program. BMS added a 7th-8th grade program a couple of years and from all accounts is very successful. Call at 510-843-9374 and make an appointment for a tour. I think you will be impressed.

The BMS Middle School Program supports young adolescent students in their academic, social and emotional growth. The program promotes academic excellence, expands critical thinking skills and supports the development of each student's unique potential. The program is known for its solid support of students who are moving through the difficult social and emotional transitions of early adolescence. Middle School students are expected to assume leadership roles at the school. Many of our middle school graduates enter their freshman year at both public and private high schools at advanced academic levels.

My son attended Berkeley Montessori School for three years (kindergarten to second grade). The teachers are great! The teaching there gave him a wonderful start, especially in reading. I put him in public school (he goes to Cragmont) because as a single mother I couldn't afford it anymore. They do have scholarships but that didn't help me. Anyway, he loves Cragmont School (on the Franklin School site). Carol Lynn

My daughter is a second grader in Berkeley Montessori School. I am quite pleased with the curriculum and the caring, professional attitude of the teachers. There is a younger program 2.8 years to kindergarten at one site and an older program, first through eighth grade, located in the old Hillside School site on Leroy. The Montessori method is to put several age ranges together -- i.e., first, second and third grades; fourth, fifth and sixth grades; and seventh and eight grades. This seems to work out well. Children work at their own level so, for instance, if assignments are completed, a first grader might move on to do some second grade works, etc. The school fosters interaction and caring among the age groups, i.e., the older children help the younger ones with projects or read to them, etc.. The children are for the most part well behaved but lively and attentive. My daughter started at BMS when she was 4 2/3 yrs. and they had her reading in a matter of weeks. I was very impressed. The curriculum includes movement, music and language (Spanish and Japanese). There is an emphasis on math and science. The whole school is now participating in an innovative interdisciplinary oceanography curriculum presented by The Lawrence Hall of Science. For instance, this week is "Ocean Week" in my daughter's class and every thing they do will relate to oceanography - reading, writing, math, etc. There will be a field trip to the Berkeley Marina. The children are encouraged to bring objects from home (i.e., shell collections, pictures, personal experiences, etc.) and friends and family with knowledge of the sea are asked to participate by soming to the classroom and sharing their knowledge with the children. I think the school is great (mayby not perfect but what is) and encourage you to check it out for yourself.

The Berkeley School Preschool Program

• Owner: Chris Middlemiss
• Phone: (510) 665-8800
• Email: info@theberkeleyschool.org
• Neighborhood: North Berkeley off Shattuck
• Zip: 94709
• License #: 010200050
• Capacity: 119
• Website: http://theberkeleyschool.org/
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 2.7 - 5 years

Re: Seeking "happy medium" between structured and play-based
We moved to the East Bay from a small town on the Oregon coast. My daughter went to a wonderful Montessori-based preschool and I wanted to find something comparable for my son. After looking around at the school in this area, we found The Berkeley School off Shattuck Ave, in Berkeley.

This is our second year with the school, and we have found they foster a good balance between curiosity-led exploration and structure. They allow the children to set the curriculum, with some direction from the two instructors. Both group and individual works are encouraged, and children can use the materials on their own or with classmates. I feel the most important parts of a Montessori education is personal choice and taking responsibility for ones own learning, and these areas are emphasized in my son's classroom. There is some structure to the day. The children have a schedule for the day's activities, and work time, nap time, outside time and lunch occur at the same time every day. There are some special activities that break up the week, like music or art-project time. My son's teachers also organize presentations during the year. We got to watch a preschool-version production of the Nutcracker in the winter, and a Vivaldi-Spring show before summer. Dancing, playing, singing (and learning some languages - we get Chinese in our classroom) are part of every day.

You mentioned a large out-door area. The Berkeley School has a lovely out-door space with a huge sandbox, a train table, and monkey-bars. (There are many other things to explore, but these are what my son talks about the most!) The Berkeley School also has full-day, extended childcare, which is great for working families. I hope you check out this amazing preschool, because you won't have to look anywhere else! Good luck in your search. Megan

Re: Montessori Family School Vs The Berkeley School
Our son, now 3.5, has been at the Early Childhood Center (ECC) at the Berkeley School (TBS) since he was 2.9. In short, the school is phenomenal. It's a smorgasbord of kid-size intellectual challenges with equal attention paid to developing social skills and community participation. The outside space is beautiful and serene but also fun! The teachers could not be better - they're imaginative and dedicated in ways that continually surprise us. And, most important, they nurture and care for our son as if he were their own. They get excited about his achievements and are appropriately concerned when he needs a bit of extra help with something. Being connected to a larger K-8 school (campus on University) has also been cool. There are always ways to connect with other interesting families on the weekends and the whole TBS community has been welcoming and warm. Our son is actually disappointed when I tell him that it's Saturday, and he doesn't have school. ''When will it be Monday?'' he asks. To me, this says it all. sarah

Re: Non-''Play-Based'' Preschool Programs in Berkeley?
Both of my children have attended The Berkeley School's early childhood program. Formerly Berkeley Montessori, the school has a long and rich history of Montessori teaching. Several years ago they expanded to include other approaches, like Reggio Emilia, but the base and materials are still very Montessori.

Our daughter loved the structure of the day and activities. During 'work' time, the children are able to choose an activity and material, on their own or in a group, which can range from working with shapes and letters, preparing their own snacks, making art, to using beads and blocks to learn about numbers and math. With loving guidance from teachers, they tend to stay in an area (like shape puzzles) until they have mastered it, and then move on to increasingly more challenging works. It's so satisfying for them, and for us as parents, to see when they have figured something out and want to demonstrate.

Our son has a lot more energy and we were concerned he might not do as well in such a structured setting, but he is entering his third year there and absolutely thriving. It turns out that he loves the rhythm of the day, and is learning to sit longer with works and focus. He begs to stay in after school, so he can do more art and projects.

Both kids have learned to read, and were lucky to have teachers who are bilingual in Spanish and English. This gets rolled into their day in many ways -- from songs, counting and stories, to big celebrations on Dia de Muertos and 5 de Mayo. Other classrooms have teachers who speak other languages and similarly bring cultural traditions to daily learning.

To be sure, there is plenty of play time on the campus. There are four little houses, each with a classroom, and a big common play yard and garden. The outdoor environment is pretty magical! It is worth taking a tour to learn more, and talk to current parents. signy

Re: Any preschool openings or short wait lists?
Our daughter attended The Berkeley School, Early Childhood Center (ECC)/a which is located right off Shattuck Ave at Francisco (http://theberkeleyschool.org/curriculum-academics/early-childhood-center/). She'll be heading to Kindergarten next year and I can't say enough good things about the teachers, environment, and approach. There are four classrooms all with 2-3 teachers and a lovely, large play space. Our daughter really blossomed there and will truly miss the wonderful teachers and friends she made. We've decided to continue on to the main campus for K-8. I asked the Director at ECC this morning and they still have a few openings for next fall. Hope this helps. Best, Chad

Re: Berkeley preschool with openings for Fall 2012
There are a few openings remaining at The Berkeley School's Early Childhood Campus. It is a Montessori-based preschool that is located in North Berkeley. All three of my children attended and had wonderful experiences. You can find more information at their website: www.theberkeleyschool.org TBS Parent

Re: Montessori for active, high energy boy?
I highly recommend looking at The Berkeley School's Early Childhood Center (formerly Berkeley Montessori School). It is a Montessori inspired preschool which also includes elements of Reggio Emilia. All three of my high energy sons have thrived in this environment which seems to have a wonderful balance of indoor and outdoor play and keeping children engaged both in independent and collaborative play/work. All three of them also transitioned very well to this setting after having been at play-based preschools. TBS Parent

Re: Seeking excellent Pre K program with 2011 openings
The Berkeley School's pre-school, which is launching a 5 year old program this fall, might be a good fit for your daughter. My son (who will be 5 at the end of September) has been enrolled at TBS this past year. It has been a GREAT experience for him--both academically and socially. We really can't say enough good things about his teachers, who have taken our rather shy, somewhat anxiety prone little guy and somehow transformed him into a confident, socially capable being. He is excited about learning and asking questions. He knows how to negotiate conflict with his peers. He has many friends (not true at his previous school). He LOVES going to school. We would keep him at the pre-school next year even without the new 5 year old program, but I think this program will give him yet more opportunities to grow. grechtel

Re: Bridge K/Transitional K Programs?
The Berkeley School (http://theberkeleyschool.org/) is rolling out a bridge program next year at their Early Childhood Campus (ECC). The program is called ECC5 and is designed for kids that are hovering around kindergarten ready, that are ready in some areas but not others, or are ready in all areas but for whatever reason would benefit from a bridge program. The ECC has lots of experience in educating pre-schoolers and kindergarteners alike, so they will be ready, willing and able to tailor the ECC5 to the individual needs of the students. IC-m an ECC alum, my oldest (November birthday) is graduating from the ECC after three years this year, and IC-ll likely be sending my twins there year after next. We love it and could not recommend it more highly. Good luck! SLN

Re: Preschool in Berk/Oakland for shy 4.5 yo
I highly recommend taking a look at The Berkeley School's Early Childhood Center. It is a progressive, Montessori-based preschool located in North Berkeley. My two older children attended the school and my youngest will be starting in the fall. My middle child, who is somewhat shy, acclimated well to the program and made many friends. It amazed me with both my children how quickly they became comfortable with the classroom and their teachers. The teachers are incredibly nurturing and attentive to each child's emotional needs. They also have a bridge K program which may be suitable for your child. Best of luck in your search and move to the Bay Area! catherine

Re: Preschool for 3 yr old in berkeley-oakland?
I would highly recommend The Berkeley School preschool, which I found after looking at many preschools in the area. The school provides a wonderfully balanced emphasis on social/emotional skills as well as cognitive development through a mix of fantasy play, movement, art, music, and learning - all in a beautiful setting. There are four classes, each opening to a large outdoor garden and play area. The school emphasizes the whole child, allowing children to pursue their own individual interests while at the same time involving them in many cooperative games and learning activities. In my son's class, there is daily dance, lots of music, art, play as well as wonderfully enriching activities such as the study of reptiles, fish and mammals, and culture through hands on learning. It is a great community of parents. The teachers are talented and attentive, and I can't recommend it more highly. K.

Re: Requesting Feedback on Model School
Although I am not familiar with The Model School, from what you are decribing The Berkeley School would be a wonderful fit for you and your child. My two older sons attended their Early Childhood Center and my youngest will be joining them in the fall. It is a developmentally based program which incorporates both Montessori and Reggio-Emilia practices. My two older children are very different but for both it was a wonderful combination of self-directed learning along with some structure. It is also an incredibly nurturing environment with wonderful teachers. Best of luck in your preschool search. catherine

Re: Nurturing preschool for very active son
It's not in Oakland, but you might want to consider The Berkeley School's preschool program. My son (who sounds a lot like your son) is in the elementary school there, and it's been terrific! Lots of play-based learning in the younger grades, lots of attention to social skills, and lots of activity. The teachers really pay attention to what each child needs. In the elementary school active kids are allowed to take a lap around the yard (in a non-punitive way), and I'm sure they have something similar in the preschool. Good luck! D

Re: Preschools friendly for kids with nut allergies
Katherine, I saw your post on Berkeley Parents Network and wanted to respond. For any child with severe food allergies, I highly recommend The Berkeley School http://theberkeleyschool.org). We picked the preschool specifically because it was the only one that we found that was prepared to deal with severe food allergies and had actual extensive experience doing so. The preschool campus has a no-nut/peanut policy.

My older daughter is four and has;a number of severe food allergies, including peanut and nut allergies. By severe, I mean that ingesting even a tiny amount is enough to trigger anaphylaxis. She has been at the school since Fall of 2008. I can't say enough about what a wonderful job her teachers have done in dealing with her allergies. There are several other kids in her class with overlapping allergies and they manage everyone's very well.

The school provides peanut- and nut-free snacks and the teachers and staff always make sure that each child only eats the snacks that are safe for them. All of the kids bring their own lunches and eat together under close supervision so the teachers can make sure there is no food sharing. The lunches are supposed to be nut and peanut free. On the rare (once or twice) occasions when a family has forgotten - reminders are sent out instantly. The teachers cook with the kids often and have adapted all of their recipes to ensure that no allergens are included (not easy, as some of the kids are allergic to wheat too!)

To give you a sense of how many foods they have had to screen, my daughter is also allergic to dairy, egg, fish, sesame, and strawberries; she was allergic to soy, garlic, beef, and pork, but has outgrown those allergies.

In addition to the food allergy issue, it is a terrific school - fabulous teachers and a really caring community. She has grown socially, emotionally, and intellectually in so many ways during her time at the school. We feel really lucky to have found a place where we our daughter is thriving and we don't have to worry about her all day. We are planning to start our younger daughter there in the fall - she also has peanut and nut allergies.

I know the school is not in the geographic area that you are looking, but it is definitely worth considering. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Regards, Carol

Re: Chaotic Preschool
My daughter attended a play based preschool which was not nearly as chaotic as you describe, but which did have a lot going on. After her three year old year we visited The Berkeley School (Berkeley Montessori at the time). I'll never forget how strikingly and visibly she relaxed in a calmer environment. Her whole little body changed. Ultimately I moved her there. She didn't feel academically ''pushed;'' she felt free and safe to explore. She also felt freer to interact socially in an environment where she didn't feel such sensory overload. There is a lot of space to play and run and imagine and be silly, and-- this is key--the environment allows kids to pace themselves and self-regulate with some quiet time to explore and investigate and discover. I wish I had realized sooner how stressful the high energy chaos was for her. TBS turned out, for her at least, to be a better place to work on the social skills and gain confidence as a learner. I think the program at the preschool now is even stronger- drawing from Montessori, and Reggio Emilia, and Teaching for Understanding. I suggest you visit- and pay attention to your daughter's body language when you do. I wish you well in finding a good fit for her. Happy mom of a happy girl

Re: 9 month long Preschool in Berkeley/Rockridge
I'd enthusiastically recommend The Berkeley School (formerly Berkeley Montessori School) in Berkeley. (http://theberkeleyschool.org/) My 3-year old son has been in the preschool at their Early Education Center (EEC) since September, and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are fabulous - compassionate, committed, extremely competent, knowledgeable and communicative - the campus is a beautiful mixture of indoor and outdoor spaces, and we feel our son is getting a great mixture of learning new skills and experiencing new situations in a stimulating and appropriate way. We also love the mixed-age classroom (generally 3-5) and the diversity of the students (and parents). Ask the moderator for my contact info if you'd like to hear more. happy tbs parent

Re: Searching for the right preschool
I am a parent of a 5 year old girl at ''The Berkeley School''. I was also afraid of the traditional lack of ''play and fantasy'' in a traditional Montessori school but TBS is not a ''traditional'' Montessori school. The emphasis is meeting each child's needs and not sticking to a traditional form or pedagogy. My daugher for example loves dolls and role play. When I saw that they have a separate doll/play room I knew TBS was not the traditional Montessori school. The school is full of love. The teachers and staff love being there, the kids are full of aliveness and joy and my daughter and all her friends love being there. The ECC campus is a magical kingdom with a very creative atmosphere. It has a separate art room with a fantastic art teacher, a wonderful music teacher that comes in once a week, an afterschool yoga teacher that comes in twice a week, and a great deal of fun and creativity within each classroom. The greater TBS has a fantastic community. Emotionally, intellectually, creatively, this school has the whole package. I am happy to continue the conversation or answer any questions for those who would like to email me. We also have two years experience in Waldolf preschools. Mitch

Hi - My son is almost 2 and 7 months old and very shy in a group setting. I have seen many times the teachers at my son's current daycare would just left him out of the activities that they were doing because he was sitting at the far corner and didn't want to participate. After seeing all the raves about the Berkeley School, I think it would be a great fit for my little boy. Do you know if it's really hard to get in the Berkeley School? Is there a long waiting list? Thank you Jillian

I can also say that our experience at TBS has been terrific for all of our children, one of whom, like your son, tends to hover at the periphery, to be a bit unsure of herself regarding ''entering the group'' and being a part of things. We found that teachers really know how to engage the children who might normally hang back, and that, while they have certainly been willing to ''rope'' our child in when she holds back, this also happens naturally because of the way that the lessons offer not only opportunities for kids to learn, but also to interact. We get the sense that when our child gets to school, learning and doing things with other kids occurs naturally, and her anxiety levels went way down from where they were at her previous school.

You should call the school and ask for Andrea Gordon. She is the director of the Early Childhood Campus; she's friendly and approachable and can answer all of your questions, I'm sure. The campus is amazing, and you'll be really impressed by the classrooms. It's a dream-come-true environment for kids: lots to learn and do in an environment that warm and inviting. Good luck to you! Happy Berkeley School Mom

Re: Need a kind Preschool for a 2.9 year old boy
My child is at The Berkeley School (used to be Berkeley Montessori) for his second year now and is quite happy there. The teachers and administrators are wonderfully loving, patient and kind with the kids. My own shy son had a hard time adjusting at first and his teachers were so helpful and understanding during what for him was a difficult transition time. Now he is thriving. And they do have some 2+ kids there. I couldn't recommend TBS more highly. Best of luck! Happy TBS Parent

Re: Preschools with Alfie Kohn Approach
Berkeley Montessori School is it! My husband and I also had a hard time really connecting with any of the preschools that we visited last year and then, quite by chance, attended the last open house at BMS before the application was due. It felt like home...and indeed is. Our daughter has been attending for 6 months and the environment is absolutely along the 'Unconditional Parenting' lines. In fact, the school sponsored a talk by Alfie Kohn last year. Our daughter is learning spanish in class - she actually can count better in Spanish than English and does not come from a bilingual household. Also, believe there is a very strong scholarship program. Pleased Parent

The teachers treat the children with respect and affection, without excessive praise. Our Head of School has worked with Alfie Kohn and brought him to speak in the East Bay a few years ago. BMS is also very serious about teacher education, and sends teachers every year to Harvard's Project Zero and last year sent several teachers to Reggio Emilia for a week of study. We can see the direct effect of this emphasis on professional development in the classrooms every day. It's a pretty terrific place. Call the admissions office at 665-8800 x103 to schedule a tour. Very happy BMS parent

Re: Piedmont Preschools
I would encourage you to check out Berkeley Montessori School for your child. Several families commute from Piedmont or even farther away to this school that provides a wonderful balance of fascinating learning opportunities, warmth and caring, and the joy of discovery. My children have thrived there. Their website is http://www.bmsonline.org. Happy parent

Re: Daughter will be ready for K, but is too young
I would suggest the Berkeley Montessori School for your daughter. They will be starting a blended K-1st grade class at their university campus in the fall. My daughter, a late September baby, is in her 3rd year at the Early childhood campus. We chose this school precisely because they didn't arbitrarily place children in grades according to their age. When touring many of the private schools we were often faced with the Sept.1st cut-off. BMS doesn't use this system and opts instead to blend children into age groups that are socially and academically beneficial. My daughter loves the school and is very excited to attend the Upper elementary campus next year. Give them a call to schedule a tour. Good Luck. Happy BMS parent

Re: Looking for a Montessori Preschool
My son went to Berkeley Montessori (near Shattuck and Hearst) some years back and absolutely loved it! He is now a 6th grader and a top A student. The teachers were so warm and caring and willing to allow him to explore his talents. He got fired up about reading and taught himself to read (with their help) in a couple weeks. I enjoyed the parents and community. My only caveat is that the principal changed near the end of our time there, so I would also look at a more recent review. kl

We are looking at preschools for my son, starting Sep 2008. One of the schools we applied to is Berkeley Montessori school. Their Early Childhood campus is walking distance from our place and looked pretty promising during the school tour. We have been asked to take our son to the school for a 'playdate' in early Feb from 9am-1pm where they will observe the kids and probably decide whether they are ready or not. Does anyone out there have any idea what happens during the playdate? We have no clue, so would love to hear from anyone who has had such an experience. Also, we would like to hear your comments regarding the school in general. Thanks in advance.

So this is what happens. You go to one of the classrooms where there will be lot of fun toys layed out for your child to play with. Ideally, your child will become engaged with one of the teachers playing with one of the toys together. Its best if you can make yourself scarce during this process so the teacher can get to know your child. But if your child doesn't feel comfortable ''separating'' then stay there with them. Just try to stay relaxed so your child doesn't pick up on your stress.

The playdate is also really good for you to see how interested you child is in the types of toys and other activities they have in the classroom. I had one child who, when he came for the observation, he just ran in and played with the teacher and had a great time. My other child had a much harder time separating from me, but enjoyed playing with all the fun toys. For both of them, being able to play in the classroom before the first day of school was a great plus. They both loved all the toys and couldn't wait to go back to school and play again.

The children will be in a classroom with several of the teachers -- to see how they interact with each other and with the materials, how well they separate from their parents (don't stress about this too much, most children entering have trouble separating!) and just generally whether they're ready for school.

My child, not typically one to separate easily, had a great time -- she was enthralled with all the new materials and really liked the teachers. We liked how well it was structured around the needs of the children -- several schools we were looking at did NOT structure their child visit around the visiting children, but rather around adult schedules and needs, which turned us off.

We've been extremely happy with our choice, and can't imagine a place where she'd be more nurtured or intellectually challenged. I'm happy to answer any other questions you have. Lisa

Re: Look for preschool w. good reading/language program
I saw the headline of your post about wanting strong reading and language, and I immediately thought of our school, Berkeley Montessori. Then I went down to the text of your message and saw that in your view Montesori was not strong on reading and language. Our experience could not have been more different! The children coming out of the pre-school and kindergarten are, as a group, very very strong in terms of reading and language. As they move to elementary school it gets even better. I would say that many kids at BMS are early readers, but, more importantly, early or late, they are happy readers. My son was a later reader than most, but now he loves reading and is the kind of kid who would stay up all night reading with a flashlight given the chance. My daughter, also a late reader, now generates pages of writing out of her own interest, and she loves to edit and rewrite. I would also say that the social learning is very strong and authentic. Before you write off Montessori, take a look at how they do it at Berkeley Montessori. Ann

Re: Preschool w/ an ''Unconditional Parenting'' approach
One hundred years ago Maria Montessori noticed some of the same things as Alfie Kohn, and most Montessori schools stress the importance of allowing children to do work for their own satisfaction, rather than to please teachers or parents. Berkeley Montessori School, where my children go, may have the environment you are looking for. Janet Stork is very knowledgeable about Alfie Kohn's work, and the teachers have a lot of experience treating children with respect and warmth while not excessively praising them. The result is children who love to learn. There is more info about Berkeley Montessori on the web at: http://www.bmsonline.org/ There is also a great article about the problems with praising children at: http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/ in case you haven't already seen it. Happy BMS parent

BMS provides a time-tested Montessori environment that engages children's natural curiosity as the motor force for their learning. (I usually had a hard time getting my kids to come home after school.) The mixed-age classrooms, with the kindergartners providing a natural role model for the younger kids, are another way that learning happens without adults pressuring the children. BMS is also known for creating a warm, nuturing preschool social environment where children feel safe and respected. Both my kids, quite different from each other, have been going there since they were 3 years old, and have flourished in both the BMS Early Childhood and elementary programs.

By the way, BMS Head of School Janet Stork has worked with Alfie Kohn in the past, and has arranged for him to come out to the East Bay this spring and talk with teachers and parents. BMS and a couple of other Bay Area schools are co-sponsoring an event for parents in Berkeley (exact location announced soon), on March 18, 2008. Save the date! Dan J

Within days, they instituted a campus-wide ''no nut'' policy that has been posted at the pick-up and drop-off areas and sent home with parents on several occasions each year. They also have a rule in the classroom that students are not to share their food with one another, just in case. The parents who are responsible for purchasing the snacks that the school provides are informed, and while there has not yet been a single slip-up, the teachers in my daughter's classroom are well-versed in reading the small print on the back of all of the packages. Occasionally, a parent will bring to school a birthday treat that has been exposed to nuts. In every case, the teachers have provided my daughter with an alternate treat, sometimes taking the time to walk down the street to the bakery to buy it. In short, both the administration and the teachers have taken my daughter's special need seriously and have diligently kept her safe and well.

Finally, I would like to mention that before choosing Berkeley Montessori (at that time without a ''no nut'' policy), my daughter attended a preschool that had a pre-existing ''no nut'' policy in place. In spite of that policy, we found food containing nuts at every single special event held at that school (school play, Halloween celebration, etc.) The parents responsible for bringing refreshments to those events were not reminded, nor were the snacks checked once they arrived on site. Our confidence in the organization, responsibility, and care of the Berkeley Montessori staff and community was so strong, that we felt more comfortable trying out a new policy there than trying to stick with a school that had the policy we needed but lacked the organization to enforce it.'' Lisa

Re: Montessori Preschool near UC Berkeley
I would highly recommend Berkeley Montessori's preschool program, just off Shattuck on Francisco very close to downtown Berkeley. The program is very rich and stimulating, the teachers are nurturing and very caring, the children are happy and inquisitive. The school is online at www.bmsonline.org, or you can call 665-8800. Good luck, Happy BMS parent

I am considering sending my 4 yr old to Berkeley Montessori's Summer Program and then continuing for preschool and kindergarten. Any feedback on starting in the summer and on the school in general? Most recent comments are a year old. Thanks! Amy

Our two children attend Berkeley Montessori School and we really love it!

At the pre-school (aka early childhood center) we have spent four years with the full day program, a life saver for two working families and single parents. This program has a traditional Maria Montessori approach, uses four teachers for about 20 kids, two in the morning, two in the afternoon. We also happen to have ateacher with Chinese and Englsih-so our children are learning a great deal of chinese along the way. We have built a warm, family focused community here. The pre-school campus on Francisco, near Shattuck, features four classes, three part day and one full day. the yard and garden are wonderful, including small planting areas for each class to manage. An art room and music program are maintained.

The elementary campus is now housed on Leroy near Cedar is serviceable, the teachers are great and the whole thing is planning a move to a brand new campus next year. The new buildings are designed and ready to build as ''passive solar'' architecture designed by Pfau, SF. We are all very excited by the project, and the growing opportunites we see ahead.

I am a serious fan of this school, so if you have questions, please call. Theresa

I know that some Montessori schools I had visited felt a little more rigid and quiet than BMS. We chose BMS because we liked the looser (more talkative and collaborative) approach, more common in AMS (rather than AMI) schools.

The academics are superb, and each child can work at his or her own level. This requires great teachers who know the children very well and can allow them to work independently. My son's teachers also do a wonderful job fostering kindness, respect, and caring between the kids. The school really nurtures his innate love of learning, something I am especially thankful for.

Some weaknesses of the school: there is no foreign language enrichment in 1st-3rd grade, the tuition increases each year more than I wish, and my impression is that because the classroom communities are so strong, the sense of a whole school community is less than at schools where you switch teachers from year to year. But the Parents Association and administration are working hard on this last point.

The greatest strength of the school is the set of dedicated, talented, nurturing teachers.

It is a great gift to have our son in such a rich environment every day, even if it is a financial stretch for us. We are also very excited that the school will be moving to a brand new site next school year. My son is incredibly happy, so we are happy. I think BMS is a great school.

Sima

My son is currently 3. He is attending Berkeley Montessori School, and loves it there. At first, I thought it was too structured, fascist, and disciplined. However all the kids were happy, creative, polite, and the teachers were full of energy and good ideas. They have a music teacher that comes once a week. Kids also visit neighborhood parks weekly.

In my opinion, kids have a short attention span and need some guidance in accomplishing activities. The Montessori curricula helps kids focus on an activity from start to finish: they make choices among a set of activities and also pick up after themselves. There are always new activities, but also some that are a permanent part of the classroom. This allows kids to build confidence and demonstrate their abilities on old activities, but also explore new things.They also encourage older kids to explain things to younger students as a way to learn and socialize.

One teacher in the preK class teaches Mandarin during circle time, and offers saturaday class for interested kids over 4 at extra charge.