website: www.montessorifamily.com

See also: Montessori Family School Preschool (Berkeley, CA)

MFS and Seismic Safety

I'm applying for a spot at Montessori Family School's early childhood campus. A friend raised a concern about its proximity to the fault and brick/concrete construction. Does anyone have any information on the seismic safety of the school or has anyone had similar concerns? Is this something to factor in to our decision? Oy-- a mama could go crazy with so much to consider-- but I don't want to ignore something this important. Concerned

In your shoes, I would be very specific in asking what type of retrofitting had been done and at what date. Whoever manages facilities and maintenance may be your best source of information. Admissions personnel are hired to be knowledgeable about child development and the school's program, not seismic safety; I'm sure you'll get a well-meaning answer but it's hard to tell the level of expertise behind it.

Proximity to the fault is one issue, but any building in a slide zone or a liquefaction zone is also more vulerable. It's also worth knowing that public schools in California must be built in accordance with the Field Act (stricter seismic standards for schools) as of the time of construction, but private schools and preschools are not subject to this requirement. Living In The Fault Zone

Re: How do kids do academically after Montessori school?

Congratulations on considering a Montessori education for your child! I have 2 daughters currently enrolled at Montessori Family School, and we couldn't be happier. While my daughters do seem to be advanced in some areas, I would have to say it is because the teachers are carefully observing my children to see when they are developmentally ready to absorb the information being taught. Montessori materials help my girls to deeply understand concepts in all areas.

MFS has a 3 year program, so the teachers have time to really get to know my children, and meet them where they are. While my daughter may be working a little bit more on math curriculum at one point, it is because she and her teacher have decided that is what she should pursue at that time. Next she may be working more on reading, or doing a little bit of everything simultaneously. I am extremely confident that by the end of each 3 year period, my daughter will be exactly where she needs to be to move on to the next class. I think, unfortunately, some parents may take their child out of a Montessori program before the 3 year period (based on planes of development) has been completed. That decision would result maybe in a child not completing the entire curriculum, then suffering in a public school where everyone is taught the same thing at the same time, (regardless of the readiness of the child). I think of it this way- if a child is removed from a class in March in a traditional school, they've missed the last three months of the year, and all the lessons that were taught from April to June. If a Montessori child is removed from the class after 2 years, they have missed an important piece of the curriculum as well.

The three year program also gives my September-born daughters the opportunity to not always be the youngest kid in the class. They have the opportunity to be in the middle, and then one of the oldest in the class. They have the chance to be the teacher to a younger child, which deepens their own understanding of a subject. You need to really know something if you're going to teach it to someone else.

While MFS does give the children standardized tests in order for them to practice test-taking skills, the teachers are never preoccupied by ''teaching to the test'' in Montessori. I receive lengthy, detailed information on my daughters' progress from their teachers, which I find more valuable than standardized test scores. I hope this helps! AU

For the 7th and 8th grades, my daughter chose to attend a non-Montessori independent school with a more traditional structure. That school had no mixed age classrooms, and had six classroom periods daily, each period led by a different teacher on a different subject. My daughter had no trouble adjusting to the academics at that school when she arrived there for the 7th grade, even though we had done nothing to prepare her. Her grades there -- the first she had ever received in her life Cb were excellent. Here are her grades from her very first quarter at the non-Montessori school: English, A; Math (pre-algebra), A; Science, A; Social Studies, A-; Art, A; Dance/Drama, A; Yearbook, A; P.E., A; and Spanish, A. My daughter has continued to receive excellent grades up to the present day.

As part of the admissions process for applying to middle school programs, my daughter took the ISEE while still in the 6th grade at MFS. We did not get her any tutoring for that test, but she had taken a yearly standardized test during the 4th through 6th grades while at MFS. She did very well on the ISEE, receiving scores high enough for admission into the school she was applying to that required the test. She similarly did very well on the ISEE when she took it again in the 8th grade as part of the high school admissions process. She was thrilled to be admitted into her first choice for high school.

My husband and I have never supervised our daughter's studies. We have rarely helped her with homework (only when she has asked, which hasn't been very often); we have never helped her to study for tests; and, in general, we haven't keep tabs on whether, when and how she completed her school work. As a freshman at a small, independent, college prep high school she's enjoying and doing very well with an academically challenging course load. She credits MFS for helping her to become a self-directed, well-organized and independent student who loves learning and who can handle the challenges of a rigorous academic curriculum. BTW, I had my daughter check all of the above for accuracy! Proud Mom of a Former Montessori Kid

After much consideration, we made the transition this year and am happy to report that my child is thriving at King. I was concerned that since grades are not part of montessori, that he wouldn't be interested in getting good grades. I knew he could get any grade he wanted, just didn't know if he would want it. He jumped right in and we quickly learned that grades were important to him. He made academic honor role with all A's and only missed one question on the standardized math exam they gave him last month. After all the years at MFS, with the wonderful teachers that cared for him and gave him knowledge, it has been confirmed that he not only is ''not behind'' academically, but also ahead on the standardized testing.

I will end this post by sharing with you what one of his core academic teachers told us at our teacher conference recently....''The difference between your child and the other students that are doing well in my class, is that he has the desire to actually learn. He thrives on it.'' That is what MFS has given my child, the passion and desire to learn. What more could any parent want to get from a school? No regrets here. Montessori will always get high marks in my book. RW

Seeking Feedback on Montessori Family School

Hi Parents, The kindergarten search has started for us, and for school options we are planning on moving from SF to the East Bay, considering primarily private schools, but staying open to public as well.

The school that has captured my attention is the Montessori Family School - and I'd welcome more in-depth feedback about the school. Here are some of my questions: I've been reading about general current Montessori methods, and I like a lot of what I read. I am curious about this as it would apply to MFS - how ''strict'' are they about following Maria Montessori? How responsive and flexible is the school to new ideas and the evolution of Montessori? As it looks like the Founding School Head, Jane, has retired, I'm curious how the new director is doing in his new role.

Where do most of the children who attend the school live? We are thinking of moving to North Berkeley or Rockridge and would like a sense of integration within our local community and school community. Is this possible at MFS is we don't live in El Ceritto?

It is clear that Montessori has a goal of helping the whole child develop, and I'm curious about examples of places of emotional difficulty (frustrations, fears, anxieties etc) that young children experience and how these were handled in the classroom. I understand that additional enrichment classes are offered, and would love feedback about how these are integrated into the classroom experience. Any feedback on the parent community is welcome. Any feedback on the organization and communication from the school to both kids and parents is also welcome. Thank you so much for your time with this. We are making big decisions, and the info from parent-to-parent is invaluable. Warmly, ML

We've been impressed with the professionalism and passion of both the teachers and the administration. The school is an excellent model of Montessori education - building and evolving with the fundamentals that make this philosophy so effective with children. Our kids transitioned from a Montessori school in LA, and both were attended to with such care; ensuring their move from their prior school was a positive one. Our daughter acclimated more quickly than our son who seeks social connections before academic pursuits. Our son started in the Kindergarten classroom at MFS, and missed his close friends and teachers from LA. Both the MFS Kindergarten-Transition teachers were immediately responsive to his needs, and kept my husband and I in the loop via email and in person about his school transition. They partnered beautifully with our family to ensure our son was thriving both socially and academically. By the close of his first month, the teachers had aligned his work plans with his passion, and he was thriving. As I type this, I find myself smiling at the progress of our now 1st grade son, who enthusiastically runs to the gate to get on campus every day and shares his daily excitement about the academic lessons he's receiving from his teachers.

The new Head of School is doing a great job retaining the spirit and heart that Jane Wechsler founded the school with, and is bringing new ideas and invigorating the school community with fresh perspectives. Like any transition of this size, there is an adjustment. It's been a refreshing one for MFS, as the new HOS is open, attentive, and enthusiastic.

The students attending the school come from as far away as Lafayette, and are largely concentrated in the Berkeley/Albany and El Cerrito communities. There is a daily shuttle that runs from Berkeley to the El Cerrito campus that can help bridge the commute for families that require it.

I hope to hear from you, as we can't say enough about how happy we've been at MFS. Our kids already talk about the fun they are going to have in Middle School (5+ years away!) R. P. - Elated MFS Mom of 2

So in answer to your specific questions, I think the way Jane built and guided this school is evident in every nook and cranny, and as I mentioned its a very authentic and exceptional articulation of Montessori's method. I think there is balance, fluidity, and yet attention to the source so I would not say it is rigid. The transition with the new Head of School is going very well. Of course after 32 years with Jane at the head it's going to take time and many of us had our concerns but Henry is proving to be an excellent choice and doing a marvelous job in building on what Jane has created. And Jane is not going away entirely, just shifting into a more advisory role. It is a very good step in the next evolution of the school.

Students come from all over the El Cerrito, Berkeley, Richmond, Pinole and maybe even the Oakland area. So the school is not El Cerrito specific and you will feel at home whether your family lives nearby of not.

I think you hit on one of the main reasons we chose Montessori, precisely because it develops the whole child and sets a foundation of empowerment for becoming a complete actualized adult who understands what he or she wants and how to integrate and serve in the world. As far as handling emotional difficulties children may have, we didn't have any of that with our daughter, so I can't give specific examples, but I do know Trina and Sean and the faculty at large are excellent at working with these issues. There are many enrichment classes offered and like everything at MFS they are integrated into the classroom. Our daughter even did the summer camps at MFS in drama, art, etc. and has taken Jujitsu and Capoeta after school classes.

The communication at the school is excellent and very modern. A digital newsletter comes out every week and the website is excellent. Teachers and staff respond timely via email and are great about in-person too. The teacher-parent reviews are in-depth and excellent to gauge how your child is developing and understand areas that need attention. And the many events at the school, from the traditional pasta night, to PTA meetings, Music performances etc. are abundant, well organized and a lot of fun.

Finally, one thing that's hard to describe is the ''family'' aspect of this school. It is in the name for a reason and it really is one of the great aspects. I was skeptical about this when we first toured but then I found the parents, teachers, and entire community to be incredibly warm, inviting, committed while also unpretentious, loving and laid back. It's a school community that as a parent you want to be around. I dont know how to explain it other than to say it's something to be experienced to really get it. We've become friends with several parents and feel so a part of the MFS community. Not only are we ecstatic with the educational process our daughter is going through at MFS but feel we would do whatever is necessary to keep her in this community through middle school. I hope this has answered some of your questions and I highly encourage you to take a tour so you can witness the way MFS works in the classroom, meet the teachers, etc. good luck with your decision! jhabee

The Montessori system sounds wonderful on paper but it's actually very different in the school. MFS used to be an unbelievable place. The years we spend at the preschool were all great.

At the upper site things changed through the years. We thought there were a lot of hiring mistakes, and the director refused to listen to us. It became a dull place for our children, a school that forgot their job of teaching. ''The teacher just wastes time and we do nothing'' said our MFS student. (During our last year I counted 10 math classes that were given to my kid the whole year). My kids' teachers were late to school on a regular basis. Some of them would eat their breakfast during class every day, and get ready for the day during class time. Our children felt that some teachers would have favorite kids and they were afraid to say anything when those kids bullied them.

Work that used to be done at school started coming home over vacation time for us to work on with our kids. Circle time conversations turned into sports discussions or what the kids did on the weekend instead of presentation of new material. The kids in my car pool used to call it ''boring sport talk''.

I asked one of my kids his thoughts: ''When I got to middle school (in a different school) I finally understood how much more you can learn in a week'' The new principle is a blessing if he stands up and allows himself to change things. I'll give it a few years to see where it's going. I'm hoping for the best. Anon

In our classroom there was little tolerance or support for otherwise normal kids who didn't meet a certain standard, and there seemed to be no understanding of learning differences or variations in normal development. If a kid has any kind of learning issue they will likely not get support. Five kids out of a total of 23 were asked to have an in-class aide. The learning specialist & lead teacher are extremely quick to recommend specialist evaluations, so it's a good place to get a diagnosis for your kid, whether or not they actually have a problem. Like the upper elementary, there was a large exodus of families last year.

On the positive side, Montessori system is a good system for a very particular type of child: one who has above average abilities to organize and is on an accelerated developmental track (that does not translate to ''above average intelligence,'' btw). If your kid needs more structure, they will struggle. The academics are good, and the parent community is sweet and unpretentious. The music program is outstanding.

I would have no problem with the school if they were very clear and upfront about the limitations of the system. Parents need to know what they are buying. For most of us, it looks great on paper, but in fact, we have no idea. Unfortunately, there was a kind of ''drink the koolaide'' boosterism among some, and you will hear that every kid should have a Montessori education. No--for some kids it will be a disaster. Anyhow, for the sake of friends we left behind, I hope the new head-of-school can clean things up. Wish we had known

I, and many other parents, think that the new Head of School, Henry Trevor, is fabulous and has been doing a great job. Our wonderful founding head, Jane Wechsler, helped to select Henry and is very enthusiastic about him being her successor. The transition has gone smoothly.

My family lives in North Berkeley. There are many MFS families who live near us. Some families take advantage of the school's shuttle service, which transports children from the preschool/Kindergarten campus in Berkeley (at the corner of Scenic & Hearst) to the elementary/middle school campus in El Cerrito.

It has absolutely been my experience that the teachers and environment at MFS provide tremendous support for the development of the "whole child" including a child's unique emotional needs. Parent-teacher conferences have focused as much on the social and emotional development of our daughters as on their academic development. This "whole child" focus is something that I love about MFS because it has helped my daughters to thrive and grow as people, as well as to learn traditional school subjects. It has become increasingly apparent to me over the years that my daughter's academic progress is directly tied to their emotional and social development and growth. My older daughter in particular benefited from the "whole child" focus as she's an unusually anxious kid. Every teacher she had during her 8 years at MFS took her unique wiring into account, which helped her tremendously.

A specific example of how the MFS teachers handled my daughter's anxiety is that they not only allowed, but actually encouraged her to draw during class and to incorporate art into school projects. The teachers observed that my daughter was passionate about art and that she used it both to calm herself down and to help herself concentrate better while in class. More broadly, the teachers treated her with love and kindness, and were unfailingly patient and understanding with her, even when she required more coaching because of her anxiety. The results: some of my daughter‚s school projects, e.g., her geometry workbook in the 6th grade, blew the teachers (and her parents) away with the depth of understanding expressed; she has blossomed into a highly accomplished artist; she became noticeably less anxious with each passing year at MFS; she enjoyed being at school and made wonderful friends; and she made terrific progress in her academics, becoming an 'A' student once she transitioned to a more traditional school that gave out grades.

In general, what I have observed in the kids who have spent extended periods of time at MFS (my daughters included) is that they tend to be well-organized; to have great time management skills; and, best of all, to know who they are - something that is quite striking in a young person. They also tend to be unusually kind; to take sincere pleasure in the successes and accomplishments of their classmates, friends and family; and to truly care about our planet and humanity.

Regarding the MFS upper elementary (UE) classroom (grades 4-6) in particular (referenced in a couple of the postings here), I have nothing but positive things to say. During UE, both of my daughters became more independent, confident and mature. They improved their ability to focus on and become joyfully absorbed in their work. Both became avid readers, and also made tremendous strides in math. My older daughter told me that the three years she spent in UE were the happiest and best years of her education thus far.

Regarding the MFS middle school classroom (grades 7-8), we are off to a great start with my seventh-grader. She says to me frequently, "I love middle school!" One misconception that I think some parents have about Montessori education is that "kids can do whatever they want" - a misconception that becomes more worrisome to parents as their children approach the higher elementary and middle school ages. The fact is that at MFS, especially in grades 4-8, it is not at all a free for all, and the kids are not given free rein to choose their school work. While the teachers provide choice, the choices are provided within limits. There is an environmental structure that provides choice within the confines of scope and sequence. For the higher grades especially, it is not about choose-your-own work but rather choose-your-own-way-of-working. The teachers determine what students work on (sometimes presenting a few options within each subject area), while the students determine the how and when. This environment affords children with much more responsibility and freedom than they typically are given at more traditional schools.

E.g., for my daughter who is in the seventh grade, the assigned work is laid out in study guides. She is given wide latitude about when to do her work, with whom and how it looks when it is done (though expectations, requirements, and rubrics are also explicit). She is allowed to make certain, limited choices re the work, e.g., she can select among 3 novels for her reading during a particular work cycle. But she is expected to complete all of the assigned math, English, science, Spanish, etc. by certain deadlines.

I hope that you visit MFS and see for yourself how wonderful it is! Bridget

Our child has been at Montessori Family School since pre-school and is now in the middle school. I had no preconceptions of what Montessori education meant when we enrolled, and we certainly had no idea we would still have our child there at this stage (not least because MFS didn't have a middle school then!).

Which brings up a relevant point...the school has undergone tremendous changes over the past several years, including the acquisition of the El Cerrito facility, the creation of the first Montessori middle school in the East Bay (and one of the few in the country), and, last year, the founder's (Jane Wechsler) retirement and hiring of Henry Trevor, the new Head of School.

I believe all of these changes are unambiguously good. Having a permanent space has allowed the school to build its programs, opening the middle school enables continuity for those excited by what Montessori education offers, and Henry's arrival brings new energy and engagement across the school.

Coming into the school with no preconceptions, I have come to firmly believe that Montessori education is not for everyone. If your child needs (or you think they need) highly structured environments that reward rule-following, succeeding at externally defined goals, and answering rather than questioning, then Montessori education may not be for you. If you want your child to be seen as an integrated being across intellectual, emotional, social, and physical aspects, then Montessori may be for you. And if you want your child to learn how to access internal rewards and motivations to define and accomplish their own goals, not merely those that have been handed them, then Montessori is probably for you. And a statistic that speaks for itself: all of last year's 8th graders were accepted into their 1st-choice high school.

I would encourage anyone considering East Bay independent schools to investigate Montessori Family School, visit the classrooms, and talk to the teachers and Henry Trevor before making that important decision. Michael

We have had a fantastic experience with all of our teachers who really work to understand each child and what gets them hooked on learning. Through the Montessori philosophy, the school really does deliver on their tagline "preparation for life" - which the children get by learning how to manage their own work time (a skill I wish I learned as a child), conflict resolution, collaboration, and respect for others around them. In the multi-age classrooms, the big ones guide the little ones and each gets a turn in the role of youngest, middle, oldest. I have loved seeing my children make this progression in each classroom. I am always impressed when I attend the graduation ceremonies each Spring and hear the graduates speak about what their MFS experience. They are articulate, thoughtful and confident kids. They come back to visit the school and report being well prepared for their next step in life.

While no school is perfect for all children, MFS with its Montessori approach does serve a really broad spectrum. There are no aides to individual students in the classrooms this year, though there is (and has been) a learning specialist who works with the parents, teachers and some students to support learning differences.

The school has gone through a transition as the founder retired and we now have a new Head of School. I think that some of the less positive experiences that other posters communicated happened during the time leading up to this change. Being on the other side of the transition, I can tell you that the new HOS is focusing in all the right places. In just this much of the school year, I am seeing stronger than ever communications and other improvements in many areas that add up to a really positive evolution for the school. I have heard from some families in the past about changes they were seeking in the Upper Elementary classroom. This is our first year in UE, and I feel like all of the suggestions I heard about are being addressed. Of the 3, terrific, full time UE teachers (and ~30 kids - nice ratio), our daughter has 1 who is her advisor and meets with her regularly to check her academic progress.

The community is very vibrant. We have many friends whose children have grown and graduated and we're thrilled with all of the new families we meet each year who are joining the school. The first few community events of this year have been a blast Cb and a great way to meet newcomers. There are many ways for families to get involved and meet each other Cb through the Parents Association, volunteering for school or classroom events or at some of the bigger social events each year.

MFS has been a huge part of our lives and we're very happy with the impact it's had on our family. I highly recommend checking it out. Patty - Happy MFS Parent

That said, it is vitally important to understand the curriculum, because it is very different from traditional middle school. While the middle school curriculum is not structured in the traditional way, the learning at all levels is extremely structured and organized. For example, there are no traditional, lecture-style math lessons -- that is not a Montessori thing. But there is lots of one-on-one math teaching, with teachers and with other students and through peer learning. While this style of learning can be disconcerting for those not accustomed to it, we observed that this worked well for our daughter and her classmates -- indeed, this collaboration is one of the essential aspects of a Montessori classroom, because it is at the root of self-motivation and ownership. Now, she is regularly helping other kids in her geometry class in high school, because this is a mode that she is very used to. Because teaching something is the best demonstration of having learned it, a Montessori environment encourages children to develop this talent.

Our older child had struggled with organization in her younger years, but very clearly as a result of her experience in the MFS MS she is now extremely organized. She was challenged often, which was good. Occasionally falling flat on her face during the middle school years was important, as was the knowledge that the teacher, Alissa Stolz, was serious when she said that ''the work doesn't go away.'' Alissa does not relax this policy --- otherwise it would not have been effective -- and honestly it can be stressful. But our view was (and is) that this is essential preparation for life, where the work generally *doesn't* go away. This is totally age appropriate at the middle school level, where everything is still off the record, while having to learn this for the first time in high school level would be problematic, and of course on the record. For many, no one is asked to learn this full complement of executive function, scheduling, time management, ownership and the skills to evaluate one's own work until college (at best).

Since self-directed learning is perhaps *the* central aspect of the Montessori system, it is important to understand this up front. While all children can in principle benefit from a Montessori education, for some children with executive function or other challenges, the cost to the learning environment of accommodating that child can be unacceptably high. So in practice, Montessori is not for every child. Assessment of the appropriateness of your child for this program is important here.

In middle school, little of the learning is rote book learning. There are two pieces to this. First, very little of even the academic work is book learning, in the sense of learning from textbooks. But in the MFS MS the academics are not the focus, and this is deliberate. The central part of the curriculum is learning organization, learning to complete work on time, learning to fall flat and get up again, learning to write proposals, developing leadership skills, learning to run a meeting with an agenda, and many other non-academic skills. To be sure, there are academics, but in an important sense they are a means to teaching these executive skills. Our view was (and is) that with these skills, the children are well-armed to take on almost any academic challenge in high school and later. Without them, they are significantly handicapped no matter their academic level. In practice, the academics are nevertheless very strong -- our daughter is finding her first year of high school very easy, and the workload has dropped by a factor of three or so compared with MFS middle. An important strength is the huge amount of writing that the students do. Our daughter read and completed extensive written reviews on 12-13 books per year during middle school. The students write. And write. And write.

The manipulatives that the younger children use in the Montessori system are not used (much) at the middle school level. At most, they are brought up occasionally as a reminder. This is deliberate: It would not be age-appropriate for middle schoolers to be using manipulatives. The kids are moving out of the concrete to the abstract at this level.

Our daughter did struggle at times, sometimes on her own, mostly with peer and teacher support. This was good. As much as possible, the MS classroom is supposed to model a real world environment, and I freely admit that I often struggle in my adult professional and personal lives!

Despite the intensity of the program (or maybe because of it), MFS middle school graduates report having had a wonderful experience, and in retrospect would not have made a different choice. How many of us can say that about our middle school years? a happy MFS MS parent

Although we were all very sad to see Jane Wechsler, the founder of MFS, retire, I must say I am very pleased with how our new HOS, Henry Trevor, has transitioned into his new role. Henry has made changes for the better, and has worked tirelessly to make this transition a smooth one for everyone. He has helped streamline communication between the school and home, keeping everyone informed of goings-on at school. There are no aides to individual students in the classrooms this year. The school has a part-time learning specialist on staff to work with parents, teachers and students. While no one school is the best place for every child, MFS does its best to accommodate every learning style. The Montessori method makes this possible, as children learn at their own pace, when they are developmentally ready to take in the information, rather than when a text-book says they should be ready. After all, Maria Montessori was a pediatrician who started her school with the working-class poor preschool-aged children of Rome a century ago. She didn't have the luxury of ''hand-picking'' a class. MFS strives to provide ''education for life'', and the graduates routinely report that they are well-prepared for their next school. I wish you the best of luck in your search. AU

First, the middle school program is amazing, and the vast majority of families who have been through it agree. It bridges the ultra-nurturing elementary program and external high schools, where kids need to be self-sufficient, organized, confident they can handle a wide variety of life situations, and academically prepared. Sometimes that involves tough love on the part of the teachers to follow through with logical consequences, and sometimes some developmentally-critical letting go on the part of parents. Bottom line, it worked - my child and others were challenged, engaged, well-prepared for the future, and LOVED it.

To some other comments, certainly no school is perfect and MFS has its strengths and weaknesses as others. For our family the few weaknesses have been far outweighed by the strengths. Also I have seen concrete improvements to organization and communication (administrative and elementary - this was never an issue in pre-school or middle school) and in having better tracking and transparency in the math program (in upper elementary). Again, I highly recommend MFS - or the best Montessori school in your area if you aren't in the East Bay - to anyone. Mom of happy former & current MFS kids

Our daughter has had the full experience from pre-school all the way to her current 5th year. Over the years, she's learned skills to be a self starter and self advocate and to be an independent thinker. Last year, her 4th year, was rough because of all the transitions. The Founder and Head of School, Jane Wechsler, was retiring and a new HOS needed to be found. In the midst of the HOS search, a new math curriculum was implemented in Upper Elementary and was not working. The kids needed more guidance to navigate the new system and the materials and the teachers were trying to figure it out. Some families were frustrated and did leave during this transition. This year, the new HOS, Henry Trevor, stepped in and is doing a great job working with the teachers to reorganize the structure of the curriculum, including the math program. I am happy to say that this new program is working well for our daughter. She's progressing at a good pace in math and she's writing a novel. She writes every night and she is working with her teacher to complete her first novel through the Nano Wrimo's Young Writers Program. I do acknowledge that last year was frustrating, but this year, it has turned around and we are happy to still be a part of the MFS community. cyndi + syed

I truly believe that the wholesome and ambitious atmosphere at MFS has enabled my family to strive for balance and fulfillment in our lives. When issues arise I feel invited to partake in a process that includes my views and expertise as a parent. Phoebe faces most challenges with the realistic expectations of a child who has had the scaffolding needed to assess and work through obstacles. The community of parents and teachers at MFS has been so intrinsic to her learning process and growth and has enabled me to move forward with my goals. On a daily basis I feel assured that my daughter will be nurtured and cared for; as a social learner she has been given the opportunities to birth her interests and explore her areas of challenge. MFS has consistently supported her development as a valued group member and as a competent individual. I guess most importantly for me, as a working parent, is the knowledge that I can leave my child at school and know that when I see her at the end of the day she will be better for her experiences. I feel secure in the knowledge that my child will be safe and nurtured, challenged and valued. Warmly, Nona

Editor note: reviews were also received for Montessori Family School Preschool

Re: Montessori Family School Vs The Berkeley School
Hi, My second grader has just started at Montessori Family School and loves it. Having tried three different Montessori programs both here and abroad (for two children) - I can say that the teachers and set up at the Montessori Family school follow the original methodology fully and most creatively. My second grader's teachers have a beautiful awareness and sense of what the children's needs are and they incorporate this sensitivity into their thorough and well-constructed program. Anon

Re: Hands-on, no-homework private/charter elementary?
I highly encourage you to check out Montessori Family School. It has both a Preschool (in Berkeley) and a K-8 campus (in El Cerrito). Both of our children started in the preschool and are now in elementary school. We didn't start our search looking for a Montessori school, but feel so lucky to have found it. The Montessori philosophy has all of the elements you mention Cb and through that, our children have grown in so many dimensions that I couldn't have anticipated. Check out the video on the home page: www.montessorifamily.com to see how MFS puts Montessori into action. It is really a wonderful spot. Highly Recommend MFS

We have had our girls at Montessori Family School for a combined total of nearly 20 years. We have had an excellent experience at MFS. MFS was recently voted Best of the East Bay by Parents' Press in the last two years, and we completely understand why: it genuinely is a gem. The wonderful MFS faculty hold to basic Montessori principles --- the prepared environment, multi-age classrooms, grace and courtesy, independence and autonomy, mastery versus grading, freedom within limits, practical life, and others --- while recognizing that much has been learned in neuroscience and brain development since Maria Montessori's time, so the approach at MFS is not dogmatic.

In the pre-school classrooms (ages 3-5), it is amazing to watch five-year-olds put their conflict-resolution skills into action, and teaching those skills to the younger children. Montessori teachers do not dumb down vocabulary, so you regularly hear pre-schoolers saying words like ''trilobite'', ''esophagus'', and ''cnidaria'' (and knowing what these mean). In the two Lower Elementary classrooms (ages 6-8), the older children become even more active mentors and teaching assistants for the younger children, and the Upper Elementary (ages 9-12) sixth-year students come down once per week to help their first-year buddies. The Lower Elementary language, science and math ''works'' (Montessori jargon) are inspiring and wonderful. The Upper Elementary math program, including Hands-on Algebra, is home-grown and implements the principle of freedom within limits in a clever way. The MFS Middle School (ages 12-14) is phenomenal, and as far as we know is unique in the Bay Area. The emphasis on preparation for life (e.g., ''The Work Never Goes Away'') and education of the whole child, not just the academic part, is extremely impressive, and is totally unlike the middle school/junior high experience of 99+% of us. All of the graduating Middle Schoolers at MFS have gone on to their first choices of high schools.

Our children (now 11 and 14) love school and learning; they are confident, courteous, and as comfortable talking with adults as with other children. Sometimes we hear a criticism of Montessori --- that it is not like the ''real world''. On the contrary, the Montessori classrooms are much more like the real world than traditional classrooms. (When is the last time you had to sit in rows and listen to tedious lectures at *your* work? On the other hand, when is the last time that you worked with collaborators, ran a meeting with an agenda, prepared a budget, or wrote a proposal?) MFS is the only authentic preK-8 Montessori school in the Berkeley area. The Montessori method has been shown in a recent paper in Science to be a highly effective approach to childhood education. A link to this paper, and video introductions to MFS and to the Montessori method are here: http://montessorifamily.com/what-is-montessori/links-resources/ Finally, the MFS community is warm and wonderful and lives up to the ''Family'' in the name. I am happy to answer any questions about our experience at MFS -- feel free to contact me. -- Andrew

Montessori Family for spirited/gifted kid?

Hi, We are starting to evaluate elementary schools for our daughter. She is gifted and spirited with all the sensitivities that entails. She is also very independent and headstrong. We were considering Dunham but the drive would be such a challenge. Then I stumbled onto Montessori Family School Elementary School, which sounds great! I really like the focus on peace as well as the individual learning plans. However, I am a bit concerned that the focus on peaceful and respectful interpersonal skills might mean they don't 'like' my daughter because she can be challenging in that respect. She is very loving and helpful, but she will insist on doing the opposite of what is expected every time. I have also read a review that suggested the self-pace can lead to not challenging children enough academically. Does anyone here have a child of similar temperament and/or ability that has gone or is going to this school? Is there another school in the area that would be recommended instead? I prefer either an individualized curriculum or multi-age class environment. Thanks! School Seeker

As a parent I want my daughter to excel in academics. And I understand why you have some concerns in that area. My daughter's reading and math skills were almost none 9 months ago when she started her school. My daughter's teachers have been patient and amazing. Now she reads well and loves math. She tells me that some of her 2nd year friends are so advanced in math and even do better than the 3rd year students in math. I recently read an article in Forbes magazine. Research by the Carnegie Institute of Technology shows that we need IQ, EQ(emotional intelligence), MQ(moral intelligence) and BQ(body intelligence) to be successful. We believe MFS helps my daughter become a whole person and prepares her well to live life fully. Our son will be in a KT program next year. Thank you. namgoong

Re: Finding a school for a well balanced education
You should look into Montessori Family School (MFS) if you want a holistic education, with a solid PE program and wonderful art program. It's all there in one package. No pretense or private school snobbery. Just a wholesome environment for kids that teaches respect for oneself, community and environment in addition to strong academic skills My teenage son went there for 10 years (from preschool through 6th grade, now at Head Royce) and my 9-year old daughter is currently in 3rd grade. When it came to searching for schools for my daughter, we didn't need to. Both kids are happy, productive and balanced, and extremely good students and independent learners. Also, MFS tuition is comparatively low relative to other bay area independent schools. It was started by single moms who understood the financial and practical challenges of getting kids a well-rounded education. Laura

Re: Seeking a Montessori school for 5 year old daughter
Our 7-year-old son is in his second year at Montessori Family School in El Cerrito. The teachers are great. The families are great. The teachers and staff spend time and patience dealing with socialization issues for our son, as well as other children there. They provide a warm, welcoming environment and are able to focus on the specific needs of each child. Also, the school puts on numerous social events throughout each month and keeps families informed of everything happening on the campus through weekly emails. I highly recommend. MFS Parent

We have a 7-year-old son in his second year at this El Cerrito school. He enjoys the work and gets significant attention from the teachers. We chose MFS because the teachers let the students learn at their individual paces and the teaching staff is made up of simply amazing people. The school also places a great deal of weight on each child's social skills -- which is essential for our child. MFS offers various art, music, jewelry making and language classes as well. MFS Parent

Re: Warm and Fuzzy Montessori?
My child is a student at Montessori Family School, and while I think MFS has that "warm and fuzzy feeling" I may be approaching this concept in a slightly different way. While schools and teachers can be welcoming to children and families, ultimately this feeling is created through meaningful mutual relationships. At MFS my child is seen for who she is and loved for what she brings to the school community. In a rich and challenging academic environment she has built an internal sense of being capable and competent. And, in this environment she has developed meaningful relationships with her peers and teachers to create this "warm fuzzy" feeling.

In Montessori schools children learn what it means to be a part of a community. They are seen and valued for who they are as unique individuals as well as members of the group. They learn how to be independent and responsible. Working within a community leads to a true and deep "warm and fuzzy" feeling. Schools can't give that to a child (kind of like how parents can't "give" a child a sense of self esteem).

The teachers are MFS are incredibly happy, compassionate, bright and dedicated educators. If you visit a Montessori classroom during work time students are often independent and focused on their learning. You may not immediately see the warmth and connection that children feel with their teachers and each other. But, if you observed over a day and watched class meetings, lunch periods and other times of day you would see children and educators who are truly happy, connected and engaged. At MFS you would experience the "warm fuzzy" feelings of a thriving school community. Please take a look at MFS since it is an incredible school. Good luck in your school search! Catherine

When deciding to move from LA to the East Bay earlier this year, our search started first with the right choice of schools for our two children ages 5 & 7. Both were having an exceptional experience with the Montessori school they'd been attending for 3+ years, and we were anxious if we would find another community we enjoyed as much. Montessori Family School in El Cerrito was highly recommended by several leaders in the American Montessori Society, and it has become our instant and treasured home. The administration is proactive and professional, the staff is thoughtful and attentive, and the families of the students are deeply invested in the experience the education delivers.

If you are not familiar with the principles that are at the heart of Montessori, I invite you to consider some of the many benefits we've enjoyed with our children: -An individualized curriculum that invites children to interact at a pace that develops their competence AND confidence -Scientifically developed learning materials that provide children the opportunity to ''figure things out'' - a real blessing in this world where creativity and not compliance are dictating the direction of our developing industries -An appreciation for the larger world we live in, and our responsibility to a social contract -Emotional maturity development through conflict resolution understanding and skill development - grace, respect, and courtesy

More and more research about how a Montessori education provides a lifelong learning advantage for children is surfacing. There are several articles and books that provide valuable insights when making the decision and commitment for your child's schooling. A quick google search for ''Montessori research'' delivers a wealth of information at your fingertips.

Montessori Family School is an exceptional model of Montessori practice at work. If you are seeking a school from which your child(ren) will develop a sound foundation for the adult(s) they will one day become, Montessori Family School is the perfect choice. Our children are ecstatic about the school, and we could not imagine being happier. R. P.

This is the second year our 7-year-old son has attended MFS in El Cerrito. He is one of the few kids I know who tells us how he enjoys school. The teachers keep him and his peers academically interested, which makes us happy of course. But as parents we have prioritized the importance of social growth because our son has sensory integration problems and has always had challenges playing appropriately and making friends. The teachers and after-school counselors make themselves available to discuss how to work with our son, and they go out of their way to give him attention unique to his needs and direct him so his days are as successful as possible. The teachers give a sense of enthusiasm over their jobs and the challenges that children present. Also, all of the families we have met are exceptional people. MFS Parent

My son is four and a half and has been enrolled at Montessori Family School in Berkeley for over a year. It is a loving environment, and his teachers are both highly skilled and deeply invested in his development. I love their curriculum - he has developed a profound curiosity in science, and is able to engage what he's learning with the world around him. MFS has also taught him to be independent and self-directed, yet connected with his friends and classmates. He has learned to negotiate (lucky us!) and problem solve with his peers. I've seen his teachers encourage and support these skills. In sum, I feel like my son is loved and supported to succeed in these pivotal learning moments at MFS in the beautiful and unique Montessori way! alegria

Re: School for sensory seeking 1st grader
Our son is 7 and also has various sensory integration issues. And also, in class he keeps it together, but during the less structured time after class, it takes a lot for him to control himself. We found Montessori Family School in El Cerrito, and it's amazing. For starters, the teachers are great teachers. But they also work with our son and with us as parents putting together programs that help our son succeed. I know it's a challenge for them, but they understand sensory problems and take the challenge as an opportunity. Regarding classroom size: it's small. I don't know the exact number, but for instance, 10 kids and two teachers made up his kindergarten class. We have not had his former-OT come to class, but I believe some other kids have helpers for attention deficit problems and such. We are so thrilled about the school. bg

I would just like to let everyone know about our experience at Montessori Family School. We are in our 5th year at the school and it has been wonderful. The staff works very well together and with the student's. We are about to transistion to public schools. We know that we have set our children up for a wonderful smooth move and everyone is very excited. Thanks to all of the staff at MFS anon

Re: School for socially anxious 9-year-old with ADHD

Re: Schools - children with different learning styles
Montessori Family School, with the k-8 located in El Cerrito, is a wonderful gem of a school that addresses the needs of the individual student. Because it is a Montessori school the children progress at their own pace and are guided to make their own discoveries by means of engaging with meaningful and mulit-sensory materials. More than this, however, is the fact that the teachers and staff are knowledgable and supportive all of types of learners.

Please don't make the common mistake of thinking ''Montessori = strict and/or unfocused.'' It is so far from the truth.

My oldest son, who has Down syndrome, attended MFS for 4 years very successfully (please see an earlier post of mine from 1/05, it begins with ''I feel compelled...'' ), my younger son began MFS in preschool and is now in 5th grade. He is a strong student who works above standard grade level, but is very sensitive and has had periodic issues with anxiety and focus. The teachers are willing and able to meet with me and with him to support him in the most appropriate manner possible. They don't coddle - they learn, advise, and figure out a way to support all of their students in the best manner appropriate.

MFS has learners of all types and students who come from a variety of backgrounds and home situations. They strive to create an environment that supports and respects this diversity. I urge you to check it out. The elementary school is at 510-236-8802. -A grateful and happy MFS parent

We took our child out after many years because the upper elementary classroom (grades 4-6) was so disappointing. Teachers are very kind, but academics are so lax, our child was testing 1-2 yrs behind grade level on state standardized tests - now is loving public school and finally catching up to grade level. Wish we'd changed sooner, but I listened to public school horror stories and am so pleasantly surprised. It's great to finally have challenges. It was just way too loosey-goosey in MFS 4th-6th classroom. They typically take a whole week or more off work at end of semester for no particular reason. Homework extremely light, and no one minds much if you don't turn it in. Now my child is seeing the problem with MFS, which offers one math lesson per week (none if the teacher happens to be out), and the rest of the time is independent study, which is easy to neglect there. Nice community at MFS, and people love the middle school, and not everyone perceives lacking academics in that classroom - but we sure did! Disappointed

My son has been attending Montessori Family School for 4 years now. We have transfered him from another local private school and could not be happier. In fact, this Fall, he will be attending middle school at MFS and is very exited about this opportunity.

In the past, I did not know anything about Montessori education and was somewhat uncertain if this is the right choice for my son. During these several years, I am convinced that there is very unlikely I could ever find a better fit for my son.

From the head of school, to every teacher, to office support personal every one loves working with kids, extremally knowledgeable, helpful and really enjoys what they do.

As most boys, my son had various discipline and organizational problems. The school staff was working with our family on the way to improve situation in unbelievable cooperate manner. Our family together with teachers would met and come up with various strategies on how to help my son to do better in school.

The results are incredible. My eyes often tear-up when I see my son doing so my better at school and at home. He is now well behaved, much more responsible, doing very well academically and socially.

MFS offers Montessori curriculum from preschool to grade 8th. I would encourage anyone to contact MFS if in the process of selecting school. In fact, I am often feel envious that I myself did not have a chance to go to school like MFS. Happy Parent of MFS Child

Re: Challenge with Transitions & Kindergarten Choices
I would like to recommend Montessori Family School, just up the hill from Windrush in El Cerrito. My son started there in September and is thriving. He is in a class of ten, with two teachers, and they all get individual attention. Transitions are not a problem for him but he does have some difficulty with focus and staying on task, and the teachers have been great in working with him on this. Feel free to email me if you want to know more. Lori

Re: Seeking schools that have no homework, or much less
The Montessori Family School (MFS), 7075 Cutting Blvd., El Cerrito, 510-236-8802, has a very reasonable approach to homework. There is very little outside work in the early grades and it increases in a way that is manageable. I have relatives who attend public school in Berkeley and the West Contra Costa School Districts and the amount of homework they have from even kindergarten is very excessive. It really cuts into family time during the week when things are busy anyway. I was so happy to learn about MFS's policy of not piling on the homework so that students can enjoy their families and participate in activities that are educational within the context of family activities. I am relieved to know that we will not be robbed of family time while my child is a student at MFS. Give them a call and learn more. The school is great. Happy parent

My son is 7 years old and has been attending Montessori Family School since 2009. We moved to the east bay from the central valley and were searching for an authentic Montessori school like the one he had attended since preschool. We found that and more at Montessori Family School!

MFS is an amazing school beacuse the teachers really take the time to know every child and they work tirelessly to address the needs of the children individually. The MFS community is vibrant, the academics are challenging, and the teachers are proactive (not simply responsive). My son has trouble focusing at times, and his teachers have been in constant communication with us regarding his progress and potential solutions.

As the students progress in the classic three-year classrooms, their confidence, self worth, and thirst for knowledge grows. I often find the older students in the classrooms mentoring the young ones. Like most Montessori classrooms, the children are not limited to the academics of their year and my son often comes home all excited about the curriculum he learned from the older group.

Montessori Family School is the best place for my son because the school truly incorporates family. The children at MFS are respected and nurtured. They are not only encouraged to be individuals, but also taught how to function and thrive as a group. At the opening pot-luck this year, a rush of good feelings prompted me to tell the Head of School, Jane Wechsler, that being back on campus felt like coming home. My son was running around the playground, happily greeting old friends and teachers alike. I couldn't imagine a better place for my son.

Please feel free to contact me with any specific questions about this remarkable school! Jennie

I highly recommend Montessori Family School. We have two boys who attend MFS's elementary program. One is nearly 7 yrs old, and is in the ''Lower Elementary'' (1st-3rd ''grade''); the other is 9 and in the ''Upper Elementary'' (4-6th ''grade''). We have been at MFS for about 5 years, since my oldest son was in the Kindergarten program in Berkeley (my younger one also attended the preschool program there), and we have loved every minute of it.

MFS provides a strong academic program that is based on Maria Montessori's deep understanding of how children learn and grow. The method supports the child's natural developmental learning process, seemlessly integrating physical, language and cultural ''work'' and ''play.'' One thing I have really appreciated is the 3 year classrooms; as a newcomer, the first year child is mentored by the ''older'' 3rd year students, and as they progress through the 3 year classroom, she/he in turn becomes the elder, able to nurture and support younger students, developing their own sense of kindness and responsibility. I've often been touched to see on the playground, how swiftly other children stop what they are doing and come around to check on any child/fellow student who may have fallen or been hurt. I've also been impressed with the deep commitment to ''education for peace'' which is the school's slogan. In case of any disagreement between the children, even if a matter of hurt feelings, the children are encouraged to write their concern down in the class book, for group discussion in a calm and considered way that respects all persons' points of view.

The teachers have many years/decades of experience, and bring deep insight, warmth and compassion to their daily interaction with the students. Extracurricular activities are rich, with especially incredible art and music programs. History, science, literature and math curricula are also stimulating. The staff are professional and always helpful, while the community of parents and families provides a genuine warm experience of the ''family'' part of the school's name. I can't imagine a better place for my children to be. -MIE, a parent delighted with MFS

Re: Kindergarten for a Math Geek
I can't speak to Park Day, but your son sounds like my daughter, so I wanted to reply. Our daughter has always loved math (one of her favorite preschool pastimes was adding huge numbers in the calculator on my husband's IPhone and then solving the problems on paper before pressing ''='' to see if they matched) and science (we have a ''science lab'' in our garage, her 5th Bday party was a science party, etc). However, ever since toddlerhood, she was a bit socially awkward. She was always the one on the sidelines at birthday parties and group playdates; she played by herself or sometimes with just one or two good friends at preschool; she never liked ''being in the spotlight'' and shied away from situations where she had to perform publicly or call attention to herself. After looking at a VAST number of k-8 public and private schools, we chose Montessori Family School (MFS) in El Cerrito and couldn't be happier. The Montessori curriculum is extremely strong in Math, and with the individual, child-led approach to learning, the kids can take it as far as they want to go. My daughter's Kindergarten teacher gave her a long division problem as a challenge last spring, and using the materials in the classroom, she solved it--beaming proudly as she did! However, in addition to the strong academic curriculum, the focus on social skills and justice is one of the main reasons we chose Montessori Family School. The slogan of the school is ''Education for Peace'', and they live and breathe that throughout the school. They have a zero tolerance policy of exclusion and bullying--and it is enforced by the kids. They use Jane Nelson's ''Positive Discipline'' approach, holding weekly classroom meetings to co-create rules and solve problems together as they arise. The teachers all treat the kids with respect, valuing their individual talents and challenges, and from what I've seen, the kids do the same with one another. My daughter is now in her second year at MFS, and the change we've seen in her since she started there is dramatic. The small class size and individual attention she received last year allowed her to feel safe, take risks and make friends in a way she has never before. This led to a developing sense of confidence in social situations that extends beyond the classroom. Just the other day, we went to a birthday party where she only knew one other child. Instead of sitting back and watching the kids from the side as she used to, she immediately dove in and started playing with all the kids. Also, this year, she signed up for the children's theatre program at Contra Costa Civic theatre, and actually auditioned for (and got) a part, singing by herself, in front of everyone! She would NEVER have done that before. Anyway, I know this post doesn't really answer your question, but if you are interested in a school with a strong academic curriculum (that can truly customize work based on a child's skills) AND a strong social curriculum, I encourage you to give Montessori Family School a consideration, or feel free to email me with any additional questions. Good luck in your search! Happy MFS Mom

I would like to give a recommendation for Montessori Family School. My son who is almost 7 and in 1st grade LOVES SCHOOL,something I was almost postive was not going to happen. My guy is an independent free thinker and having to learn like everyone else in public school just did not reach him. I would hear him complain frequently when it was time to do homework. (which is ridiculous anyway at 5)I thought he was too young to have a bad attitude about learning so I found myself at MFS on a tour. At MFS they are able to teach my Son on all levels.He gets to touch,feel,talk and move. Working together is encouraged,working things out in a postive way is encouraged,having feelings is encouraged and embraced. They treat the kids like people with a say. The kids get a real sense of how they fit into this world as a whole and how they can make it a better place. I will continue to update my review as years go by, but right now I could not recommend MFS more. Alexandra

Re: Race to Nowhere - Questioning Public Schools
If you can afford going private, consider montessori learning for your child. Not all montessori schools are equal though. We have had a wonderful experience so far at Montessori Family School (MFS) and are pleased with both the academic and social/emotional learning and growth we see in our child and other children at the school. It is such a balanced, kind environment and we appreciate the community focus. Next year our second child will start in the preschool and our first is moving on to a kindergarten transition classroom. We feel our children are a good fit for montessori and they do not need supplemental external pressure. They get enough of it from us at home. Montessori Family School continues from age three through middle school or eighth grade. I never believed we would stay in montessori past kindergarten. After doing research for awhile and exploring a variety of school options, I came to similar conclusions expressed in Race to Nowhere. I started to relax a little and am grateful for the insights. It's never too late to change your course. A child is a child only once. Happy Parent at MFS

Re: Kindergarten for son w/Auditory Processing Disorder
Anu, I am at the other end of raising children - as my son, who had several learning problems including auditory processing is just about to graduate from college. He was diagnosed at 6 and was attending Montessori Family School in Berkeley. I found that because of the way they taught (small circles with several children and a teacher only a few feet away)and their awareness of his learning style, that he was able to do work around the problems. I would recommend a small classroom situation (and would recommend Montessori Family School)in addition to learning specialists as your daughter gets a little older. Amy

I would like to recommend the new middle school program at Montessori Family School. In the last decade or so Montessori education has been establishing middle and high school programs, and this program is an outstanding example. It utilizes current research and was developed especially to meet the needs of this age group.

The program not only prepares students academically, but teaches leadership development skills which enable the student to take responsibility for their own education. In the classroom these skills may take the form of being class leader on a reoccurring rotation, where a student leads the daily community meetings, greets classroom visitors, sets the agenda for the Friday morning Council Meeting, and numerous other responsibilities. The students are given many opportunities to practice these skills. A recent example that impressed me was the planning of a stone soup event for fellow MFS students and teachers. The middle school students took responsibility for the planning of the entire event. They wrote letters to area merchants and received food donations. They made seating arrangements and divided tasks among themselves, and organized the community to bring ingredients for the soup. The students also cooked and served the meal to 120 guests.

Academically, the school year is broken down into 5 week work cycles where the student learns to manage long and short term assignments. Research indicates that at this developmental stage, a cause and effect cycle of 5-7 weeks is ideal for students to learn how decisions made at the beginning of a work cycle impact the end of the work cycle. More importantly, the 5 week cycle also gives the student multiple opportunities during the school year for self assessment--to ask themselves: What worked? What did not? What am I going to do differently next cycle? The program also practices ''Mastery Learning'' where each student must master 80% of the academic material presented in order to move forward. On a regular basis, students assess how they are doing which gives them the information they need to focus on areas where they may need improvement. This practice culminates in parent/teacher/student conferences where the student leads the conference, giving a self-assessment of where they are academically and shows a prepared work portfolio to support their position.

Alissa, the teacher who leads the MFS middle school program, is quite amazing. She has a keen sense of knowing what each of her students may need, whether it is encouragement or someone who will talk them through the process of solving a problem they may have encountered. The most impressive trait I feel she possesses is that it is obvious that she absolutely LOVES working with adolescents and thoroughly understands them and the physical and cognitive changes they are going through.

I feel extremely confident that my daughter will have the academic, time management and leadership skills that are needed for high school, college and beyond. If you would like to know more about this program, I encourage you to attend one of Montessori Family School's Info Sessions or call Nasi Maghsoudnia White, the Admissions Director for more information.

Please note that we have moved! The new school contact information is as follows:

Montessori Family School
Elementary/Middle School Campus (new site!)
7075 Cutting Blvd., El Cerrito, CA 94530
Tel. 510 236-8802
www.montessorifamily.com

Re: Challenging Progressive School?
Montessori Family School provides an excellent, progressive Montessori education. The Early Childhood Campus (for ages 3-6) is located across the street from UC Berkeley on the corner of Hearst and Scenic Avenue. The Elementary and Middle school campus (Upper Site) is in El Cerrito. A shuttle transports children between the two campuses.

I encourage you to explore the Montessori method which allows children to delve deeply into the learning process at their own pace. Exceptional children are able to go as far as they need to go. We have seen examples of mathematically gifted children at this school eating up high school level algebra and trigonometry in the fourth and fifth grade! Actually the preschoolers and kindergarteners are doing pre-algebra (e.g. ''Fill in the blank...5 + ___ = 7''). Children become critical thinkers, write well in many styles and write expressively from the heart. Children receive an individualized curriculum and over the course of time, they develop amazing self- awareness and time management skills that will serve them well for life in the 21st century.

This is an extraordinary education and we are grateful to have discovered Montessori and the Montessori Family School. Montessori Family School is fabulous and we like the community a lot. All children have their strengths and challenges, and what we like about this particular school is that the academics are strong and the social/emotional education and experience is also as good as it gets.

At Montessori Family School there is little teacher turnover because the environment is vital, happy, supportive and challenging. We have taken note that many of the alumnae of this school are happy, focused, self-aware, socially responsible and successful individuals making a difference in the world. We are personally engaged in a program to reach out to alumnae now in college to document outcomes from the school.

Visit the website at www.montessorifamily.com Please feel free to contact me with questions. -Sharon

I can wholeheartedly recommend Montessori Family School for any child. The school is large enough to be dynamic for the children, but small enough for all of them to feel personally known and loved. I can't recommend it highly enough. My daughter came from another school where she had many struggles, and when I found that MFS had a kindergarden opening, they simply embraced her despite her past challenges. Within a week she was settled in and doing amazingly well. Her teachers not only understood her for the unique person she is, but they embraced both her gifts and her challenges and gave me the confidence that she was going to shine in this environment, and she has. Communication with all the teachers and administrators has been easy and natural. Her specialty and after school classes have been very fun and interesting. In particular, for anyone currently interested in a small kindergarden for their child, MFS started a second kindergarden class that still has openings and I would highly recommend it for any child that needs a little extra attention. Your money spent at MFS will go a long long way. Good luck in your search for schools! Grateful and happy parent

Hi! Any current comments on the new MFS campus at Cutting and Arlington? Specifically, size of the classrooms, daily schedule, make-up of the classes, community spirit,arts/music specialists? Thanks!! curious parent

Re: Academically strong and liberal private school
I can strongly recommend Montessori Family School in Berkeley. This also relates to the family who requested a recommendation for a shy toddler. My son was PAINFULLY shy when he began MFS when he was three years old. His teachers were very good with him and all of the students. This school and all of the teachers focus on the whole child - academics, social skills and community awareness. It is well worth a visit.
Laura

Re: Berkeley Montessori vs. Montessori Family
Our daughter was in BMS for preschool-kindergarten, after which we moved her to to MFS and have been wildly happy—and certainly happier than we were at BMS.

MFS is a smaller, much less top-heavy (bureaucratic) school, still run by the founder, who is also still a teacher in the Upper Elementary classroom; so really there are no administration vs. teacher conflicts—as there were at BMS—conflicts that led, a few years back, to several BMS teachers fleeing to MFS! Though I gather things have settled down.

In any case, MFS, both for preschool and beyond, is a very happy, well- run school, with incredible, creative, devoted teachers and a very responsive (small but efficient) staff. BMS also has many wonderful teachers, but I do think the administration is (or was) a real issue; also (at least when we were there) the emphasis was on raising money for the fancy new site—so tuition was on a steep upward trend.

In short, I'd cast a strong vote for MFS. Feel free to email me if you'd like more info.

[an additional letter from the previous author]
I just wanted to sing the praises of Montessori Family School a small, focused, happy, intellectually serious school. The teachers (including ''resource teachers'' for PE, yoga, etc.) are absolutely amazing: totally dedicated, with fabulous ''kid sense,'' demanding but also keyed in to the different needs of their students. We visited several schools (traditional and non-) when we were looking for a first grade class for our daughter (a refugee from Berkeley Montessori), and we were just blown away by the atmosphere in the classroom at MFS: all these students busily and intently going about their work; an amazing blend of excitement and concentration. Our daughter is now in her 3rd year at the school; she loves it, and so do we.

One thing we appreciate about MFS is that it really is a ''family'' school, in that parents are strongly encouraged (though not compelled) to spend time in the classroom, helping with reading groups etc. Several teachers and staff members are also parents of current students; and the founder and head of the school is still teaching in the Upper Elementary classroom; so there is as close to perfect harmony between administration, teachers, and parents as one could imagine. That this matters became clear to us at Berkeley Montessori, where the sometimes tense relations between these groups did in fact ''trickle down'' in various negative ways to the classroom. (Though BMS also has excellent & dedicated teachers, I hasten to add)

Like all Montessori schools, MFS has mixed-age classrooms (1-3 grade, 4-6 grade), a feature that MFS fosters by means of a buddy system (each incoming first year student has both a third year and a sixth year buddy—an arrangement that all parties enjoy). Each spring the whole elementary school goes camping (in cabins, not tents) for 2 nights—something the kids absolutely adore, and that also increases the sense of community. The mixed classrooms also enable students to learn at their own pace—e.g., our daughter is very advanced in reading but very average in math, and the work she is given in school reflects this, so she is neither bored nor frustrated.

Another small ''plus,'' but one that can be important to the quality of daily life: the elementary site is peaceful & secluded, with amazing views of the bay—and painless for drop-off and pick-up (no lines, no difficult parking, etc.).

All in all, this really is a special school. But the best way to get a sense of it (or any school) is to visit it yourself. EO

My son is now in the elementary program while my daughter attends the pre-school. They are both thriving and I am so grateful for the community the school creates. I’m pretty sure the school is giving tours now. Seeing for oneself is always a good decision maker. Good luck! -Trina anon

In contrast, BMS (where my son goes now) has, in our opinion, a warm and happy feel to it, and the children are not being shushed so they can hear the Mozart! Our son is flourishing there. BMS parent

We switched schools and now have a greater social circle for my son and also he is rising to the new challenges with excitement! Regrets

I read the recent negative comments made about Montessori Family on this post site and felt I needed to respond. Those comments didn't ring true to me with what I've experienced at the school. Every parent, student and teacher are not going to agree all the time, but I have found at Montessori Family that the students' best interests are being looked after. There are some students at Montessori Family that have benefited from outside tutoring as students elsewhere can benefit from tutoring. I don't see this as a negative issue, I see it as the teacher recognizing a situation where the student can benefit from additional instruction.

I suggest if you\222re considering any school, you should visit that school more than once and attend an open house where you\222re able to talk to the students themselves. Montessori Family has many open houses throughout the year. A private school education is expensive and you need to feel that you have a good school-student match. I\222m very happy that we found it for our children. MFS parent

He attended MFS for four years. He was accepted, graciously accommodated, and embraced by the teachers, staff, administrators, students and families. I feel so deeply grateful to MFS for not only accepting my son, but for believing in him, challenging him, and understanding that although he is more like his peers than different, he is different and he does have a disability. The person who posted the comment about the intolerance for learning differences also wrote that ''Many of the children require outside tutoring.'' Just like most all schools today, some students do receive tutoring (or other support) outside and inside of the school. This should not be viewed as a negative aspect; it is certainly not due to the teaching methodologies (which are superior). Some students simply require more academic attention than others. To me, this speaks to MFS's willingness to work with such students - and they are willing. I have seen it not only with my son, but many children with learning differences and disabilities in the preschool and elementary school. As long as the student isn't aggressive toward himself or others, MFS is willing to work together with families to create a structure that works for everyone involved.

There are occasions when a family isn't ready to acknowledge that their child needs extra help. I understand that feeling and also understand that as a school, they can't help a student if a family isn't ''on board'' to address an area of difficulty. This is the only time when I have seen tension between the school and families of children with learning issues. Also, a montessori education isn't necessarily the best choice for every student and/or a student might ultimately be best served by their public school district. In these cases some students do move on - but it is certainly not for a ''lack of tolerance.'' Rather, it is due to lack of parental support or simply because the student may be better served in a different setting - as was ultimately the case for my son. My son is doing as well as he is today in large part because of the terrific education that he received at MFS for 4 years. When he ''graduated'' from MFS at age 6, he was reading, understanding basic math concepts, had formed true friendships, and most importantly had confidence in himself. jennifer

My two children went to Montessori Family School. A great school. The school has pre-k through 6th grade. Contact me if you want more info. Zp

RE: Kindergarten programs

My daughter attends the Kindergarten program at Montessori Family School. We've been extremely happy with the program and best of all my daughter LOVES going there. Her teacher, Mary, has 30 years of teaching experience and somehow empowers her students to simply love learning. I would suggest also setting up an appointment to look at the MFS upper elementary school in Kensington.

1998

The Montessori philosophy of education is a little strange to me, but it suits my daughter. What I really like for her is that she gets a lot of individual attention from the teachers, and my daughter is thoughtful and able to focus so all of the little manipulatives of the Montessori system suit her just fine. The teachers continually circulate among the students so I have more a sense that all the children are getting some attention.

There are next to no discipline problems. Children are not allowed to punch each other and shout out at circle time. I think having a mixed-age group really helps in that regard, but I give the teachers' classroom management style high marks. At the MFS, the teachers decide where the children will sit at circle time (they keep the same seating assignments for a month at a time), so they nip a lot of disruptive behavior in the bud. It might sound "over disciplined" but it's not. It's a thoughtful approach that works.

The MFS doesn't have a library, but each classroom has it's own collection of books. There are a lot of specialists: science, art, music, PE, and Spanish. At the MFS, she is learning useful things, like reading and math, but she is also being exposed to geography (which she really likes for some reason) and "concepts" like the scale of the universe from atom to galaxy. So I think it's a very rich education.

I don't have experience with the elementary school (the Kensington site, I believe), but the school as a whole seems very well run, with a good blend of traditional (AMI) and innovative (AMS) Montessori curriculum. If we could afford to keep him in the elementary school there after this year we would, but he will going to public school here is Albany for 1st grade. Mark

Our son was young to enter 1st grade, but the teacher paired him with another child that was young, and the use of Montessori materials and curriculum helped him immensely. His basic reading, writing, and 'rithmetic skills are well developed, but he also was able to pace himself for his needs (a plus for one who has developed a bit of perfectionism). The teacher also recognized this tendency and helped our son work on not having to be perfect (a real plus!)

If you are prepared to be involved heavily in the school, and can afford the tuition, I think MFS is a wonderful school. Karen