| |
To All Families Interested in Enrolling Their Child (age 3 - 9) in Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School for the School Year 2008 - 2009:
Click here for:
1)
lottery and enrollment information
2)
and to obtain an application
3) Volunteer Handouts
4) Residency Requirements
5) Donation Handout
6) Calendar
7) FAQ's
8) Donation Supply List
Based on the results of the lottery, notification letters were mailed March 25th, requiring a written response by May 1st.
Our next board meeting is scheduled for April 21st at 12:00 at 1600 Guilford Avenue. We will be reviewing the lottery policy and procedures. Parents are welcome to attend to ask questions. The policy and procedure will then be posted on the website.
Location: Our school will be located at 1600 Guilford Avenue. This public school building is currently being used as a temporary code blue shelter. The shelter will move out by the end of April allowing us to begin working in the building May 1st. The building is in good shape and has lots of potential. It meets our current and future needs. Our first priorities will be to address any health and safety issues before August. Our next priority will be to beautify the site. We are meeting with local organizations that will green school spaces. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to locate our start up charter school in this great space and be a part of the revitalization efforts in this community. |
| |
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School
What is a Charter School?
- A charter school is a nonsectarian public school of choice.
- It is open to all city residents based on a random lottery.
- It is free of charge and there are no admission tests.
- It is publicly funded through the local school district but may receive private donations to supplement the income.
- It is autonomous. The school can use innovative methods of education.
- It is accountable (fiscally and educationally) to the local school district, the children and families of the school and the public.
- Another curriculum may be used if it is aligned with the State’s standards.
- There are currently 23 charter schools in MD, 16 in the city of Baltimore.
- It is governed by a board of trustees and run as a non-profit 501(c)(3).
- Parents must provide their own transportation
Vision
We will nurture a love of learning in a small, family-like environment by providing an extraordinary Montessori public school experience for families living in Baltimore City.
Mission
Guided by the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori, which are supported by current research, our mission is to prepare an environment that is responsive to each child's unique developmental needs, abilities and interests. Our whole-child approach will foster respect for oneself, for others and for the environment. Our ultimate goal at Baltimore Montessori PCS is that through mixed-age groupings, integrated curriculum, peace education, uninterrupted work periods, hands-on materials, art exploration and freedom within limits, all children will develop their full potential.
What is Montessori Education?
Dr. Maria Montessori, born in 1870, was the first female doctor in Italy. Dr. Montessori devoted her energy to the process of normal child development and how human beings can reach their potential more fully. She observed children as they interacted within their inner-city environment. Dr. Montessori developed educational materials and tested, retested and refined them until she was convinced they were the best ones for teaching a specific concept. She field tested her methods and materials across ages, socio-economic backgrounds and different cultures.
The Montessori philosophy embraces the whole child and her natural curiosity and love of learning. Children will reach their full potential both academically and socially when given the freedom to actively work with concrete, sequential materials within a carefully prepared environment and open-ended curriculum. Teachers provide enough guidance to help the children work toward independence and self-discipline. A mixed-age classroom provides maximum opportunities for developing social and academic skills and modeling respectful behavior. Subject matter is integrated for more meaningful learning.
A Comparison: |
|
Traditional Education |
| Textbooks, pencil & paper, worksheets |
| Occasional peer tutoring or group work |
Subject areas taught separately |
| Single-graded classrooms |
| Period lessons |
| Students sitting in desks & listening |
| Teacher-directed instruction |
| Students work at pre-determined pace |
| Students fit into district-wide curriculum |
| Emphasis on academic skills |
| Testing & standardized assessments |
| Grades, external rewards |
| Students change teachers each year |
| One teacher per classroom |
| Geared toward girl’s achievement |
| Memorization and remediation of gaps in skills |
| Rely on teacher for feedback and instructions |
|
Montessori Education |
| Concrete, hands-on materials |
| Daily peer tutoring and group work |
| Integrated curriculum for more meaningful learning |
| Mixed-age classrooms, family-like grouping |
| Uninterrupted work cycles |
| Freedom (within limits) to move and converse |
| Child-centered, teacher-guided environment |
| Children work at their own pace |
| Open-ended curriculum fit to child’s needs |
| Emphasis on whole-child development |
| Authentic assessment based on daily observation |
| Self-correcting materials for intrinsic motivation |
| Student stays with same teacher for three years |
| Teacher and assistant in each class |
| Optimally designed for success of boys and girls |
| Repetition of skills for mastery |
| Encourages organization and self-reliance through individual work plans, goal setting and reflection |
|
|
