It's lottery time

No not the scratch off kind or even the mega ball kind, although it would be nice if we won that kind too. It’s a lottery for the Metro Nashville Schools. This lottery will determine what type of schooling Abby has next year. Up here in Nashville they offer Magnet School options which include a variety of schooling options. Magnet Schools are fully funded so it is the best of all possibilities. Ever since Abby was a baby I have said that I wanted to put her into a Montessori School. I think she would benefit from that type of teaching tremendously. If you don’t know what Montessori teaching is about, look below and the list is straight off the school’s website. The schools around us are not the best , in fact if Abby doesn’t get in then we will try to send her to a church Kindergarten. I just want her to love school and get the best possible start. The lottery process begins tomorrow morning at 9:00 and we are expected to know the results by 4:00. This year is the largest amount of applications that they have ever received, over 10,000. That is split between a number of different schools but we have no way of knowing how many slots are open for Stanford. The lottery is computer generated and it is basically picking numbers out of a hat. We will let you know how it goes.

What makes us different?
*All students enter through the lottery process.
*We have three class configurations: primary (multi-age 3 years – kindergarten), lower elementary (multi-age first grade – third grade), and fourth grade transition.
*Students wear uniforms.
*Parents are requested to donate at least 35 volunteer hours per year.
*Classrooms have AMS certified Montessori teachers or teachers that are working on certification.
*Our classrooms are a prepared environment, one that is conducive to independent student learning.
*Students work on the floor or at a tables. We do not have desks.
*Our children learn sensorially and move from concrete to abstract
*Students receive individualized instruction.
*We teach writing before reading.
*Testing is by teacher observation and authentic assessment.
*We do not celebrate holidays with parties but incorporate seasonal colors, objects, etc into our lessons.
*We help develop self-discipline.
*We teach the values of grace and courtesy and building a peaceful community. *Montessori education fosters scientific and mathematical aptitudes.
*Montessori education fosters a nurturing appreciation for history and timelines. *We instill value and appreciation for cultural differences.
*We teach care for the environment.