Best elementary schools...

I think most kids start out being inquisitive and eager to learn but then we send them to schools that kill that impulse by telling them what they can learn and when they can learn it. Sure, most smart kids will see through that and start learning on their own. I know I did. Still, I wanted something better for my kid. That's why my 9-year old daughter has attended Montessori schools since preschool. She is in Montessori elementary school now and it is definitely the right thing for her. One of the things I like best about Montessori is the way it tries to convey to kids that education is important and that what they do at school all day is of value. It's never mindless busywork; their work is exciting and challenging and they get a real sense of satisfaction out of doing it. We have never had any concerns that she might be behind if she switched to public school. In fact, the other thread is the first place I have ever heard anyone say that was a problem. All of the parents we know who have sent their kids to public school from Montessori have had the opposite experience. One other thing, Montessori-educated kids tend to be a bit more serious and self-possessed than other kids. That can be off-putting to some adults who aren't used to Montessori kids but it isn't a bad thing. My daughter is still a goofy 9-year old most of the time. She's just a goofy 9-year old who loves algebra, always pushes in her chair, and lightly taps you on the shoulder to get your attention. I could go on but, at the risk of being twee, it might be more useful if I turn the keyboard over to my daughter: ------- I highly recommend Montessori schools. The majority of the schools using the Montessori method allow children to work at their own pace, and if there is a good student-teacher ratio, the teachers can often give each student individual attention. For younger children in Montessori schools, there are a variety of materials designated for certain subjects. The materials allow children to learn mostly on their own by observing and interacting. Not only do Montessori schools teach children academically, but they also teach children about respect for others and their environment, and to learn how to learn. My favourite thing about Montessori school is probably that if a student is falling behind or exceeding the expectations, the teachers will either help that child or provide that child with more difficult work.

You say you want her to be encouraged to learn in her own learning style...thing is, eventually she will have to learn how to deal with other learning styles. It might be good to expose her to different learning styles while she is young and her mind is flexible (rather than when she hits college). Who knows, she might adopt a different style than the one she currently uses. Just because she naturally gravitates to one style doesn't mean it is the one that is best for her. One thing about public elementary school --every teacher I had had a different take on the best way to learn. So, I learned both good and bad ways for me. I learned about writing essays using notecards in fourth grade -- I still use the approach that Mrs. Kovac taught me, and I never would have selected this approach on my own (way too organized for me!). If your child is super smart, she will need to learn how to deal with being bored at school. I'm not saying every hour of ever day should be spent bored, but this is something that is going to come up again and again in her life -- being able to learn something new from stuff you already know. There are other advantages to going to public schools, too. They are affordable, the children attending typically come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the school community will help you connect with a wide variety of parents in your local community. Don't rule them out. If you are worried about their stanards, ask the local high school for a list of colleges that the graduates attend -- you might be surprised!

Okay, I just read that Montessori thread, and it is grossly misinformed. First, the term "Montessori" means nothing. It's use is not controlled or regulated in any way. If you are considering a school that represents itself to be Montessori, verify that it is accredited by http://www.amshq.org/ or http://www.montessori-ami.org/, which will mean that the teachers went through an extensive training program, and that the school's facilities, the classrooms, the materials are all up to the same standard. Second, the Montessori approach is not to create good academic achievers, though http://www.montessori-ami.org/research/research.htm (Yes, I know that link goes to an AMI webpage, the article there is a reprint of the study in Science.) The purpose is to develop well-adjusted children who will make a contribution to the world around them. Third, a number of private schools copy the AMI-base montessori approach without calling themselves Montessori. They buy similar materials, structure classrooms the same way, organize students the same way, they just don't use the name. I went to a public elementary school that I learned decades after the fact was basically Montessori in its approach in grades K-3.

Thank you for the Montessori posting Loto.

Montessori schools tend to make children much more independent than other children their age. However, when they switch into normal high schools or colleges later in life they tend to challenge authority (which could be a good thing) and feel depressed when put into situations in which they don't have much freedom. I have had lots of friends who grew up in private/public/Montessori schools and thats been my experience. If you choose a private school, make sure that it is one with lots of diversity. I left private school in the 8th grade for an arts magnet and I have a lot more diversity in my group of friends than any of the friends I left at private school.

re. Eringatang's comment -- my own experiences in public elementary schools and gifted programs bear out this advice. I can't compare public and private education, having had no private-school experience, but I will say that I learned most from teachers who challenged my learning style rather than catering to it. Part of learning is disrupting one's internal equilibrium and then finding a new balancing point. I was bored a lot, though. And I didn't usually like it. I wouldn't want my own kids to be bored, but on the other hand, I think that I did a lot of productive thinking/doodling/growing during that downtime. Looking back, I appreciate having had the time to figure things out without constant outside stimulation/interruption. I guess my point is: teach your kids to be inquisitive and thoughtful and to love learning, regardless of how material is presented. Then it won't really matter where they go to school.

I'm not a big fan of Montessori-style education because I really don't have a problem with old-fashioned expectations, consequences, and tests. With that said I believe that one of the greatest shortcomings of modern education, regardless of style, is that we're teaching people what to think, not how to think. Which is, I think, really the result of parents who either feel to separated from their childrens schools to voice their opinions, or that they want people to do it for them. Bear in mind as I say all these things that I was a punk and remain true in my heart to counterculture. I've worked as a youth advocate, in youth group homes, and with various and sundry youth-oriented programs--both for students who excel and those who do not. In any case, I think it's ultimately important that we empower teachers to make decisions, empower our children to take a role in their own educations, and empower ourselves to give a shit. Otherwise, and to quote the theme song from the show "weeds", we're all made out of ticky-tacky and we all look just the same.

Just have a look at the Sadie Mossell Tanner Penn/Alexander School in West Philly, a public (mostly minority/immigrant/ working-class) school partnered with U Penn. From personal experience, I can say it's an amazing elementary school. And it's known as such.

Ok, give up the idea that you can find a school that has both a spectacular academic program and a top-notch sports program. In at least 99 out of 100 cases, a school will only have the budget to do one or the other really well. If you look around, you will find that there are sports opportunities in the community: YMCA/YWCA; Park District or Municipal Community Center; "little league" sorts of organized sports; karate dojos, gymnastics centers, and other private sporting facilities. You mention wanting teachers that are willing to cater to indivudual's learning styles; well, you will find every one of these options to be more interested in helping individual athletes on a personal level than an elementary school P.E. teacher, who must divide his time among 20-30 kids and may tend to focus on one or two "star" students. And I haven't even addressed the issue of "redshirting", where parents hold their kid back a year under the pretense of "developmental readiness" when they actually mean "so he'll be bigger and more coordinated on the sporting field." Start looking by finding your area in http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/tools/ You can search for private, public, or both. Realistically, unless you are willing to move or your school district has a choice program, you have your neighborhood school and private schools. The affiliation of private schools is clearly stated in the listing. Once you have a short-list, google the individual schools that are of interest to you: read about their programs and philosophy, look up any relevant data. At some point you will have narrowed things down to 2-5 schools, so call and ask them to send you information (be prepared to be asked a few questions about your child). If you like what you see and hear, schedule a tour of campus. I feel sure you will find something that is a good fit, but you will have to work for it. The only guidance I will offer for this is there is a fine balance between classes that are too big, and classes that are too small. I have lots of opinions on education, feel free to http://shortwoman.com/?p=358.