On why we switched schools...

My low down on why Montessori was not a good match... Number one, because it is ONE approach when I believe the best teaching is a combination of constantly evolving approaches that meet the needs of the individual learners. I mean c'mon , how could Maria Montessori have gotten EVERYTHING right? That being said, each individual school and teacher is different and may have more or less to offer.

• Some of my personal complaints are as follows... This approach values work but does not value play. As an active 3, 4, and 5 year old my son needed play time. Imaginative play is discouraged in Montessori, so no dress up etc. I realized how much I believe children learn through play. Also I feel this age needs to work on social skills and a lot of that is done through imaginative play.
        There was very little art at his school... none of the typical kindergarten cutting/ coloring/ pasting etc that I think is so good for kids. Although the kids got to choose what activity to work on, once a task was selected, it had to be completed in a very rigid manner. Each task has a specific sequence to follow. Thus my son got "in trouble" for building with blocks because he was supposed to stack them one certain way only. Montessori teaches cursive writing first which my little guy did not take to and became very tearful, frustrated that he could not do. When he switched to traditional school, he did much better with the printing. Much of the work in a Montessori room is individual/ side by side , thus the social skills taught are "don't disturb others" and "keep to yourself" rather than actually HOW to get along with others..
       I don't know that Montessori has a specific discipline approach.  I believe that is left up to the teacher, but the discipline used in his classroom was a deal breaker for me. Snack being withheld was one of his consequences (and this is a chronically underweight dude- still hasn't hit 40 pounds).  I found out (from the janitor!?) that he was being put out in the hall on a regular basis as a way to manage his behavior. I know the teacher was not a bad person and she was doing what she thought would work.  With the large classes sizes in public schools now (his was 35), what's a teacher to do when there are kids with special needs whether they be physical, emotional or behavioral?  I don't have the answer to that question but I am glad we switched to a smaller, private school. His mood, behavior and academic achievements have all improved.
       I also checked out the Waldorf schools.  It was very cool in many ways, but again ONE approach and a bit too extreme. I think I would have loved attending a Waldorf school.  It was interesting to tour a traditional  public school where the teachers bragged they had computers in the kindergarten classroom and then go to Waldorf where the kids don't do computers until middle school and even then just for typing. The students in a Waldorf school don't learn letters until first grade which seemed a bit slow to me.  I don't have TV in my house, but my kids do watch videos on the weekend mornings. However you are asked to sign a no TV contract when you attend many Waldorf schools.  
       The search for a new school did make me aware that comparing schools is not comparing apples to apples.  I felt like I had a pear, pineapple and a peach to choose from!  What's more amazing is that each school feels and truly believes their way is the best way. So good luck parents and find the match that's right for your child!  (I sure hope I don't end up with 3 kids at 3 different schools!!!)